ORDER.

By: Herb Bailey 

As we enter into the New Year, we are faced with an overwhelming sense of the desire
for God to be first in our lives. For the past three years we have had themes, and this year is no different. The theme for 2020 is ORDER.
​​
When we were spending time reflecting, the Lord was clear that for us to have the
CAPACITY to serve Him, as well as be filled with His love, we needed to put Him first.
Perhaps you’ve heard the greatest commandment question that was posed to Jesus, and His response: "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND." (Matthew 22:37) This is the great and first commandment.

Not to let the practical work off the table, Jesus quickly follows up with: “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In ministry, it is easy to get those two mixed up. When people like ourselves are so busy serving the marginalized, we can get bogged down in loving people and subsequently miss our first love. Our first love is the Lord, and from that wellspring we serve, love, and partner with others as they walk in the Kingdom of God.

As the Psalmist says, “Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me.”(Psalm 119:133) I pray that this year, we are ordered by the Lord, and love others from a place of resting with Him, giving our neighbors the best of what we have.