Prepare Yourself First

At the church my parents attend, the one I grew up in and was saved in, they have JOY club. JOY stood for Jesus then Others then You. You are supposed to put Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. This is true, but there are some areas you need to focus on yourself first. This includes fixing yourself before you try to fix others. If you don't you'll easily be ignored or called a hypocrite. If you're not living right or not having a close relationship with God, how can you positively influence others to have a good relationship with God? You cannot! And, let's face it, we pretty much all try do it anyway. And this is something I need to work on more (Just like everything else in my walk...ugh..sin nature is frustrating!). Let's read a parable from Luke 6:39-40:

"³⁹ And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?⁴⁰ The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.⁴¹And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ⁴² Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.⁴³ For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

In order to influence others positively for the Kingdom of God...we must (in similar order):

1. Study what God's Word says: 2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"
2. Get your relationship right with God: 2 Chron. 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
3. Live what God's Word says: James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" and Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
4. Develop a true love for others (truly caring about their souls): John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
5. Let your light shine: Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (notice, you should not be doing good works to make yourself look better or for you to be praised {so don't expect it, or you'll be let down and miss the JOY that comes with serving}, but so you can be an example for others to turn to God and give Him glory)
6. Share what God's Word says: Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
7. Put your spiritual gift to practice: Eph. 4:11-12 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
8. Disciple to Others and Encourage them to Live what God's Word says: 2 Tim. 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

So Ready Yourselves and get out and Share God's word until the whole world hears! And I pray the world see more of You, Lord, and less of me!