Examine Yourself – Rhapsody Of Realities TeeVo Devotional June 11th

(Guarding Your Spiritual Priorities)

TO THE BIBLE: Luke 21:34
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.”

LET’S TALK
‘’Ben, are you coming to church tomorrow?” Daniel asked as he packed his football boots.
“I’m not sure,” Ben replied. “We have a big match, and my coach says attendance is compulsory.”
Daniel paused. “But what about service?”
Ben sighed. “I know… I just don’t want to disappoint my team.”
Daniel smiled gently. “Don’t forget, God should always come first.”

Many teenagers today miss church because of football practice, online games, social media, movies, or hanging out with friends. A young man once told me he couldn’t make time to go to church on Sunday because he had to play soccer. How sad.

The Lord Jesus Christ, in the opening scripture, warns us of the need to be careful lest our hearts become overcharged with surfeiting.

In other words, He’s telling us to avoid overindulgence in the things we’re interested in or like to do, so much so that we get lost in them. This includes spending too much time on phones, games, entertainment, and social media.

1 John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Sports, school activities, clubs, and hobbies are good, but they must never replace your walk with God. Therefore, you shouldn’t let such engagements take pre-eminence over being in Church when you ought to.

If you give your wholehearted attention to such transient endeavours, you’ll miss out on the most significant things of life: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

So, to miss church services for soccer, gaming competitions, extra lessons, or even a business meeting isn’t the best for you.

Even if you were ordered to go for such a business meeting or soccer practice on a Sunday morning, show yourself to be different and request a change in the schedule!

Be bold enough to stand for your faith, even when it feels uncomfortable. Show yourself to be spiritual. Don’t let the things of the Spirit be relegated to second place in your life.

Go Deeper
Romans 8:5-8; Hebrews 10:25

Pray:
Dear heavenly Father, I’m so thankful to you for your Word and the peace and comfort I derive therein. I affirm and confirm my love for you by declaring that nothing in this world is worth anything compared to the fullness of joy and the pleasures of your presence. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I worship and adore you today and forever, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
Acts 2:1-21, 2 Chronicles 5-7
TWO YEAR
Mark 16:12-20, Deuteronomy 8

Act:
Make deliberate choices; decide ahead of time that church services are non-negotiable.