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; yHave you ever met potato chips you didn’t like?

Pringles.

Old Dutch.

Doritos.

Sun Chips.

Ruffles.

Lays.

Mark Messier was right about Lays — we can’t eat just one. Once we get the chips home we are forced to eat each and every one of its salty companions. Can you say, “carbohydrate addiction?”

Chips And More

It turns out there are foods that can actually increase your hunger when you consume them.

It seems to me that this phenomenon symbolizes much of the human condition.

  • We drink liquids that dehydrate us.
  • We eat foods that make us hungrier.
  • We buy objects that require us to buy more objects.
  • We make some money, ratchet up our lifestyle in response, and find we need more income to sustain us.

The harder we work, the more work there is to do. And the harder we play, the more elusive the fun. Ask anyone working in Hollywood special effects, or in extreme sports, and all will tell you the same thing: Yesterday’s thrill is today’s old news.

We always need more.

A Dangerous Time


Jeff Einstein, media advisor to Fortune 500 companies, observes, “We now seem to be passing through a most extraordinary and dangerous time in history.  It’s a time when profligate consumption — more media, more food, more sex, more money, more credit, more debt, more licit and illicit drugs of all kinds, more of just about everything except time — all but destroys any sense of propriety and proportion, estranges us from God, and threatens the quality of our lives and communities at every level of society, irrespective of age, race, gender, or social status.”


No Satisfaction

There’s a passage in the Old Testament book of Haggai that seems so shockingly current that it’s hard to believe it was written over 2,500 years ago.

“Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little; you eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fillou put on clothes, but are not warm; you earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it” Haggai 1:4-6.

The Israelites, to quote a much later poet, can’t get no satisfaction.

God tells them that life is a treadmill of diminishing returns because they have neglected Him.

The God Priority

The only way to enjoy the sort of productive, satisfying existence God intends for us is to put Him first.

Unless God has first place He is likely to have no place in your life.

How do you put God first?

First in your day. Make your first action a prayer of gratitude and you begin to align your spirit with the eternal.

First in your week. Make Sunday (or one day) a time to gather with others for worship and rest from typical activities. You’ll find you have more capacity for the next six days.

First in your finances. God asks you to think of finances as His and your role is a steward or manager.  Those who know God are asked to give 10% of their annual income to God’s work through their church. Ten percent is a reminder that God owns it all. You can live better off of 90% and trust God, than you could off of 100% and live for yourself.

First in your focus. This is what it is to have no other idols before your Creator.

When you put God first you’ll find satisfaction as He increases your hunger for more.

Where is God in your life? Please leave a comment below. Thank you.

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Bob Jones

Happily married to Jocelyn for 44 years. We have two adult sons, Cory and his wife Lynsey and their son Vincent and daughter Jayda; Jean Marc and his wife Angie and their three daughters, Quinn, Lena and Annora. I love inspiring people through communicating, blogging, and coaching. I enjoy writing, running, and reading. I'm a fan of the Double E, Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox and Pats. Follow me on Twitter @bobjones49ers

9 Comments

  • Bonnie says:

    Hugely relevant and helpful. Thanks to God for His timeless wisdom written down and preserved for us and always available through prayer. Thanks to Pastor Bob for his timely reminder and challenge!

  • Cynthia Victor says:

    Thank you for the thoughts shared. This is the beauty of God’s word. They may be written2500 years ago, but so applicable today. Thank you father for your grace.

  • Margaret Schneider says:

    Thank you for the reminder.

  • Carole Holmes Schlachta says:

    This is a keeper. Wow! Begin my day with God and end my day with God.
    The chips, oh yes. There’s nothing else to say. Maybe , dip?
    Thank you, Pastor Bob

  • Adena says:

    I’ve changed my alarm in the morning to 7 minutes early than I need to get up.
    In those 7 minutes , I’m praying . I’m talking to God and sharing my day even before it begins .
    7 minutes to set my heart right before the insanity of my life begins .

  • Bob Jones says:

    I love that Adena. Can I share your practice on a Sunday?

  • Mabel Sen says:

    Thank you for this, Pastor Bob. We gave an amazing God.
    I have my God time every morning before I start my day. Its so amazing how God works daily in my life when I start my day with prayer and reading my bible. I have noticed that any day for some reason if I dont do it then my day doesn’t go as well. Right away i will stop what I’m doing and have my God time.

  • Steve Hreen says:

    Hi Pastor Bob – would I have your permission to place your “Revwords” on the back page of our church bulletin from time to time? (22 copies/Sunday). Particularly enjoyed the recent post re: your grandfather’s journals. My grandfather’s family came out of the Milles Roche’s revival in Ontario and he had wonderfulI recollections of those early days of Pentecost. I believe our congregation would benefit from your inspiring words.

  • Bob Jones says:

    I would be honoured to have you share them, Steve. Thank you for asking. God bless your ministry!

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