Who’s on First - From His Heart - July 27, Encouragement from Jeff Schreve

Who’s on First - From His Heart - July 27

July 27, 2024

WHO'S ON FIRST

But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
1 Peter 3:1

Leonard Bernstein, the famous conductor of the New York Philharmonic was once asked, “What is the hardest instrument to play?” Without a moment of hesitation, he answered, “Second fiddle. There are plenty of first violinists, but it is hard to find someone who is willing to play second fiddle with enthusiasm. This is a huge problem because if I don’t have a second fiddle, I don’t have harmony.”

HARMONY IN YOUR HEART

Is there peace and harmony in your heart right now? Can I tell you a little secret? As long as you are trying to play first chair, there will never be peace. The Lord is first chair. He MUST be in control in order for you to be at peace.

The Christian life is all about playing second fiddle. It is all about the back seat. Jesus is the Lord and Master… the One who drives and plays the lead. We are to yield to Him and let Him take control of everything in our lives. When He is truly set apart as Lord in our heart, then and only can we start to experience his love, joy, peace and power.

CONTROL FREAK?

Do you remember the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10? Martha loved to play first chair. She had an advanced degree from Control Freak University. As she was busy cooking an elaborate dinner for Jesus, her sister Mary slipped out of the kitchen to sit at the Lord’s feet and listen to His word. Martha was livid! She told Jesus to tell Mary to get back in the kitchen and help her. She told Jesus what He was to do. She took the lead and began to bark out the orders. It is always a bad plan when you start ordering God around.

With love and grace, Jesus told her that she was worried and bothered about so many things… so many things that did not even really matter. She needed to let Him lead so that the peace and joy Mary felt would come to Martha also.

MAKING THE CHOICE?

God is waiting for you to make the choice today to move from the driver’s seat to the passenger’s seat. The moment you give your life to Christ, you die (Col. 3:3). A dead man has no rights… no agendas… and no business leading anything.

It is all about Jesus. We are here on this earth to glorify Him - “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20). We do that by letting Him have complete control of all.

Why not stop right now and evaluate what seat you are sitting in. If need be, turn in your violin for second fiddle so that harmony can come to your life and people can see Jesus in you. You will be so glad you did.

Love,

Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries

Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.

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About From His Heart

From His Heart Ministries is the TV, Radio and Internet broadcast outreach of Dr. Jeff Schreve who believes that no matter how badly you have messed up in life, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We’re on mission to help a new generation discover their creator through the preaching of the compassionate, relevant, yet uncompromised truth of the Gospel. Pastor Jeff speaks the truth in love with clear biblical content combined with engaging, personal stories. His messages are filled with life-giving principles for everyday living and eternal assurance.

On Television: From His Heart is seen each week on Lightsource and also around the world on The Hillsong Channel, NRBTV, The Walk TV, and hundreds of TV stations across America and around the world. Go to Click Here to find the station near you.

On Radio:Click Here to listen to the daily radio broadcast available on OnePlace.com as well as 720+ outlets across America.

About Dr. Jeff Schreve

Jeff's life has been radically changed by Jesus Christ.
Growing up in a church-going home, Jeff learned a lot about God, but he did not know God. He believed in Jesus in the same way he believed in George Washington: he knew Jesus was real, but had not personally met Him. All this changed one night after a Young Life meeting when he was alone in his bedroom. There Jeff saw his need for Christ and His forgiveness and surrendered his life to Jesus.

As a student at the University of Texas, Jeff grew in his Christian life. He graduated with a degree in business and moved back home to Houston, Texas to start a career in business. There he met his future wife, Debbie, at a single's group meeting at Champion Forest Baptist Church. They were married in 1986 and have been blessed with a wonderful relationship and three awesome daughters and two beautiful grandchildren.

A New Direction
After spending 13 years as a chemical salesman, God called Dr. Schreve to preach. He left his secure position and moved his family to North Carolina to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It was a scary and difficult move to make ... but it was one of the best decisions they have ever made. One year later, God called them to serve on staff at Champion Forest Baptist Church. In 2000, he completed his Master of Divinity degree graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2014 from Southeastern Seminary.

Jeff Schreve has been the senior Pastor of First Baptist Texarkana in 2003, a growing and exciting church with 4500+ members.