We saw a clip of a Phillip Anthony Mitchell sermon that said, “What is the devil going to do to the believer who isn’t even afraid of death?” And that convicted the heck out of us...

He continued:

Take my job? Not enough.
Take my relationship? Not enough.
Flat tire? Not enough.
Sickness? Not enough.

The attacks of the enemy do not shake the believer who is not afraid of death. So why are we living so "shaken"? Nervous systems shot. Worried about so much. Stress seems more like a close friend rather than a nosey neighbor.

This is where things got uncomfortably personal for us.

Most of us would say Christ is first in our lives. We say that.

But the priorities that are second or third or even tenth can still sit awfully close to the throne occupied by Jesus. Maybe they are not on the throne, but might be sitting on the armrest. (just within arm's reach if you're following the metaphor)

For years we said our order of priorities were:

But if we are honest, it looked more like:

That's a bit close and honestly, our worry, fear, anxiousness and more show the reality of our priorities.

In our premarital counseling with our pastor, Josh Thompson who just released a devotional that walks through every single book of the Bible - which is amazing by the way- we were introduced to a Biblical understanding of our priority list.

Our prioritization & devotion to God should shock what comes after Him!

Not just barely outrank our other priorities.

Shock them.

And this is actually for the good of our other priorities as it will help us to be better in our relationships, work and more.

We have not been living that way. We may have been giving God our first fruits. But we also have been clinging to our life's. Our plans. Our will. Our timeline. Our way.

Scripture says whoever clings to their life will lose it. But whoever gives up their life will save it and not only have life but have life abundant.
Don't you want that? A life that feels so full you can't help but overflow goodness into everything around you?

But it's hard for us to find that because it's so counterintuitive.

When we are worried about the future, we want to control everything.
God says pray about everything.
When we want to break down walls, we think tanks and artillery.
God said march and blow a trumpet.

The Kingdom does not run on our logic.

If we want to respond to adversity with “nice try, but not enough to steal my peace, trust & joy,” it starts in the quiet place of doing some house keeping and removing what is crowding the throne of our hearts. If something else is on the throne, then that will rule your life.

But if God is our full portion, not just a piece of what sustains us, then what can actually be taken from us leaving us so shaken?

And when that moves from theology in our heads to belief in our hearts, then we can truly embrace that abundant life that we can't help but smile thinking about.

Not sure if you have stuff crowding the throne of your heart, but it’s worth thinking about!

Love Yall!

p.s. Below are 3 ways we may be able to help or encourage you!