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Category: 7 habits

Habit #3 – Have no other god before the LORD

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On June 18, 2009

In 7 habits, Christian

Covey’s Habit #3 – Put First Things First
Christian Habit #3 – Have no other god before the LORD

Isn’t it kind of weird that Dr. Covey would list a habit to “put first things first” as habit #3, instead of habit #1?  Wouldn’t it make more sense to list this as habit #1? When it comes to Christian life, to be a highly effective Christian, there is absolutely no other way than to put God first. The one and only great God (Psalm 86:10), the great ‘I AM’ who does wondrous things, made it very clear, as he commanded his people, that “we should have no other god before the LORD (YHWH)”.

The first requirement for us is that we must be Holy (i.e., distinct) as God is Holy (distinct unlike any other) (Leviticus 19:1-2) and His first commandment to us is that we should have no other gods before the LORD. This kind of goes hand in hand. To be Holy is to start by having no other god before the LORD. But you and I know that this is easier said, than done. When it comes to decisions of life, we often place God in the back burner. Our families, our work, our hobbies, take more precedence. We at times even end up idolizing other pursuits over God.

Interestingly, the LORD does not want to be just the FIRST, but the FOREMOST; not just a PRIORITY, but PREEMINENT in our lives. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “PREEMINENT” as having paramount rank, dignity, or importance; outstanding, supreme. This word is rooted in the Latin verb stem “-minēre,” meaning “to stand out.” (which is essence is DISTINCTIVENESS aka HOLINESS).

Point(s) to ponder:

When you think of your life and the pursuits you are after, what is it that comes to your mind. Position, Power, Pleasure, Family, Business,  Work, Sports, Wealth, … Make a list of those things and see where in that list is the LORD placed (assuming that He made it into that list).

Now remind yourself of the first of the 10 commandments, that is, we should have no other gods before the LORD and also remind yourself of what Jesus said, “Seek Ye FIRST the kingdom of God”. If I may take the liberty to say, all these things (whatever was in your list) will be added unto you, if it is in the permissive will of the LORD. If you’d like, you can now, scratch out the list you made and replace it with just one word – LORD.

To be a highly effective Christian, we ought to make God not just a priority, but PREEMINENT (having paramount rank, dignity and importance) in our lives. He must “stand out” in our lives, so that the cloud of witnesses, those observing us, will see an “outstanding” God in us. We must put first things first, i.e., have no other god before the LORD and put God First.

For related reading, see “The first requirement is to …” and “The Final Matter …”

Matthew 6:31-33 (KJV)
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Exodus 20:1-3 (KJV)
1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Habit #2 – Make your days count

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On June 17, 2009

In 7 habits, Christian

Covey’s Habit #2 – Begin with the End in Mind
Christian Habit #2 – Make your days count

The Bible counsels that God’s people perish for lack of vision (Proverbs 29:18). We all plan ahead when we take a vacation. We plan our work activities and the activities of our children. In fact, the first thing that most of us do, when we wake up each morning, is we plan out the activities we intend to do for that day. However, seldom is this planning extrapolated into our Christian lives.

Most of us live in a manner as if we will live permanently, amassing wealth and materialistic blessings (and there is nothing wrong with that), however, let us not forget that our final destination is heaven, not earth. In God’s economy, what we do for ourselves counts to be nothing, but what we do for him and his people, even the least of the brethren, great is a reward – heaven (Matthew 25:34-40).

My brother, Remo, who is a full-time missionary with Reaching Hand Society, serving Jesus with my mother, Dr. Iris Paul, in state of Orissa, India,  once shared with me that working for Jesus Christ, is as follows – The work is hard, the pay is low, the hours are long, but the retirement benefits are out of this world (literally). How true? Let’s remember to focus on beginning with the end in mind, making our days count.

Point(s) to ponder:

Are we living our lives in such a manner that

  1. those who remember us after we are dead and gone, will remember the God we served?
  2. we are investing in the lives of others, leaving behind a legacy and not necessarily an inheritance?
  3. our treasures are being stored in heaven and not on earth? (Matthew 6:19-20)
  4. our days count?

Lord, teach us to number our days (Psalm 90), make them count. Let us remember to live with focus on the end in the mind. Has anyone, ever see any titles like CEO, President, Vice President, Manager etc on tombstones? There are no titles on epitaphs.

To be a highly effective Christian, we ought to be in the will of God and his plan for our lives and live it accordingly so that we make each of our days count.

For a related reading, see Teach us to number our days.

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Matthew 25:34-40 (KJV)
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Habit #1- Reach out first

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On June 16, 2009

In 7 habits, Christian

Internationally recognized, respected leadership authority, and renowned author, Dr. Stephen Covey is no stranger to many in the business world. His #1 best seller, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is rightfully recognized as the most influential business book of the Twentieth century with more than 20 million copies sold in 38 languages.

But even more influential, is this other book that I have, which is known to many as the Bible. I like the acrostic that someone came up with for the Bible, which is  – Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (B.I.B.L.E.). While Dr. Covey’s best seller may help us to be effective in our life, the Bible will undoubtedly help us to be Highly Effective Christians, as we follow and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Interestingly, there is a striking parallel (as you will see)  between the 7 habits of Highly Effective People and what I believe should be the 7 habits of Highly Effective Christians. I thank God first for His inspiration and then thank Dr. Covey for his book on the 7 habits of highly effective people, which is the premise on which the next 7 articles are.

So fasten your seat belts and get ready to become a highly effective Christian. We start today with Habit #1.

Covey’s Habit #1 – Be Proactive
Christian Habit #1 – Reach out first

While being proactive is the principle of personal choice, reaching out to others is the principle of personal command. This applies to us, not just in the area of our relationship with God, wherein we are commissioned (Matthew 28) to evangelize and be in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20), reaching out to those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but it also applies to us in the area of our relationships with fellow men/women. Jesus asks us to leave the offering at the altar and be first reconciled with our fellow brothers. In other words, Jesus was saying that we need to reach out to the brother (fellow human) whom we are not right with. In layman’s term, Jesus was saying, be proactive in getting right with God and getting right with man, before it is too late. (Matthew 5:23-26)

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. How are we doing in the habit of proactively reaching out to others as it relates to our relationship with God? Are we proselytizing and sharing the GOSPEL with others, reconciling man with God.
  2. How are we doing in the habit of proactively reaching out to others as it relates to our relationship with ‘man’? Is there someone that you just cannot forgive? Is there someone who has hurt you or your loved ones so much that the mere mention of their names make your blood boil? Is there someone you need to get right with? Remember, Jesus’ words, for your lives to be an acceptable offering to God, FIRST, reach out to those who have offended you, and get right with them FIRST, then come back and offer yourself to God.

This is not a principle of personal choice, but  a principle of personal command. Reach out first.

Matthew 5:23-26 (KJV)
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

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