But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
In this day and time, we need to be seeking the Lord as we have never done before. It is not the time to let up or back up. Just as Bro. Mike has been letting us know we need to be seeking and pursuing the "more" God has for us. We need the desire to seek God first. Our first responders are called "first" because they are the first to arrive on the scene when in a crisis. They evaluate and transfer to the needed area of treatment. Our first responders help us to get to the "more" we need to regain our health and strength. First responders in the spirit help us to regain our spiritual health and strength.
1. God is calling us to be spiritual first responders to help others to regain their spiritual strength and encouragement. He wants us to be available to help those struggling with life, health, and spiritual issues. We need to lift up and help others find God's strength so they can grow into the role of a spiritual first responder to help those they come in contact with.
2. God is calling us to be spiritual first responders in worship. When bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to the temple, David danced before the Lord in his ephod. 2 Samuel 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. He didn't care if anyone danced with him or not, or if anyone was watching, he was so overjoyed the ark was home. One night while going to church, I leaned my head on the headrest and told God I didn't feel like getting with it that night. He responded with, "whether you feel like it or not tonight, I deserve it." Worship is not about us or our situations; it's about giving God what is due Him because of how big and worthy He is. Let each of us be the first responders to worship Him no matter how we feel, no matter what's going on in our lives, and no matter who is sitting around us. It's not about us, and it's about Him!
3. God is calling us to be first responders in feeling and moving right in the middle of the spirit realm. I remember a time that God spoke to me to go to the altar during the offering in a very "ritualistic" church. I argued with God that if there was sin in my life, I could repent in my pew. He just kept telling me to go; being afraid of disobedience, I went. Others told me a great outpouring of the spirit fell over the whole congregation as I walked to the altar. Later that night, I found out there were backsliders who came to the altar. What if I hadn't stepped out first? Would the backsliders still have gone to the altar? Would I be accountable for their souls? Yes, I didn't want to go; yes, I argued with God; yes, I obeyed God even though I didn't know where I was going in the spirit realm or where he was taking me; but He knew where he wanted to take the congregation.
4. God is calling us to be the first responders of followers into an unknown land. God told Abram to go into a land that He would show him. "Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.". Abram started out and had no idea where he was going or how to get there. He just started walking, trusting God to lead him there. Like Abram, God is asking us to go to a place we haven't been before; but he hasn't told us anything about, where it is, or how to get there except the name "more." I know we can reach it if we seek "more" of him first!
He wants to take us to the "more" that Bro. Payne has been writing about it. We will get there by being a first responder to his word, his spirit, and his direction. By seeking Him first, He will give us the desires of our hearts. If our heart desires are to seek Him first, we will get our desire. Someone has to be first to desire him, to feel after him, and seek the "more" He has for His people.
Someone has to be first responders; why not me, why not you?