Irene Hargrove's Comments

Mt19:30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Lev28:13a

My husband came home from work one day needing to share with me what one of the owners of his company had said to him that day. "Nice guys always finish last." My first response was that of the natural, "At least they finish," but I knew spiritually it went much deeper then this. You do not have to finish first to be a winner.

Much of todays power, prestige, wealth, leadership is bought or taken at the cost of others. I hear echos of: it's a dog eat dog world, the strong overpower the weak, walk over them, whatever the cost, the term: backstabbing: in action to gain,.
Gods whispers teach us the Beatitudes Mt5:3-12 that position, authority, and money are not important in His kingdom. What matters is faithful obedience from ones heart.

What matters to God is not ones status (position), wealth, heritage, or power, but ones faith and commitment to Christ. Acts10:34,35 1Cor3:12-15 Gods approval should far outweigh human disapproval. Gal1:10 Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Whisper...Eternal rewards are not worth forfeiting for temporary benefits.

Lord, prayers lifted that one day I may be able to repeat the beautiful words spoken from Paul in 2Tim4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Lord, wisdom has taught me that finishing first is not of importance Spiritually, but in how I run in the race. I am learning to run beside the other runners, and to run behind a few, so that we will all cross the narrow finish line together as winners for Christ. YSIC Brown Eagle