First, Then

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (day five)

A new chapter is coming to our home next week. We take our daughter to college. A flood of memories and emotions fill my heart and mind. She is ready!! She/We are nervous/excited (a healthy ratio). I’ve thought about advice I will give her.  Seems like a good moment for it.  As a minister’s kid, she has received more than her fair share already. I want her to see how the believers in Macedonia approached life and decisions. I want her to see the results. 2 Corinthians 8:5, “they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

MB, give yourself to the Lord FIRST (daily/regularly), you will hear Him, know Him, and love Him. You will discover His will and THEN the path of decisions and choices becomes clearer. First Surrender, Then Service. You will do miraculous and amazing things for God’s Glory and the good of others!! Go Get’em!

Author: Scott Lane

Scott Lane is the Executive Pastor of Ministry at FBCSA.

3 thoughts on “First, Then”

  1. Great advice from a father to his daughter! My very best wishes and congratulations to your daughter and to you and your family. Going to college is a significant milestone. I wish your daughter a smooth transition as she will begin a new chapter in her life. It is an exciting but also nervous time for the freshman and the parents! I was there!

    There were times when I had to make tough decisions on various aspects of college life. And there were times when I faced with confusions and dissatisfactions of the college environment and academic requirements.

    A college journey is fun and exciting and may be stressful sometimes regardless. It sends a signal that someone will start becoming more independent in making decisions on her or his own, not just for first year of college but all four years and many years afterwards! The choices and consequences rest with decisions!!

    Surrender to God first and follow with Service is a good advice in all walks of life and college experience. I found God in the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. With God FIRST and The Six Pillars of Character to guide your daughter’s choices, she will find peace, joy, comfort, confident, and encouragement in any decisions she might have to make.

    There will be obstacles, barriers and undesirable outcomes during a college or life journey, but I am confident that when we follow, trust and have faith in God, He will be with us and we will have victories. God and Service go hand-in-hand; God and Victories go hand-in-hand! Best wishes and God bless!

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