First, then.

I have noticed in life that many times certain things that we would like to have or want to attain must be preceded by a certain accomplishment. It's like stepping stones or stairs; You must first start at the bottom to get to the top. You can't get to the top without first being at the bottom. When a young person enters the work force, they don't typically go out and get hired as manager, because they have no experience. They must work their way up: There are just some things that must come first.
The other day I was reading my Bible and came across a passage of Scripture that I have seen many times. This time it stuck out to me a little more and I saw something new, which I would like to share. Psalm 51:10 - 13 says this: "10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."

Verses 10 - 11 are the 'First." Verse 13 is the 'then.'

We need to realize that before we can show others the ways of God, we really have to live it.

FIRST:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

If we don't have a heart that is clean towards God, and if our spirit is not a right spirit, how will be able to show others the way to heaven?

"Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me."

We need to be led of the Spirit of God, and stay close to His presence. Sin seperates us from God. We can't have sin in our lives if we want to be used of God to lead sinners to Him.

"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."

If we have no joy in our lives, we are just like everybody else. The world doesn't have real joy, and they need to be able to see a joy and a peace in the people of God that they cannot find out in the world. Sure, we all have bad days and we don't always feel joyful, but we can receive joy even in the hard times through touching God in prayer. If we will press through our feelings and touch God, He can give us peace and joy in the midst of a trial, and I have found that to be true.

So, when we have a clean heart, we are staying close to God, and we have the joy of God in our lives,

THEN:

"Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."

If we will live how we are supposed to live and do what we are supposed to do, we will see revival. If I stay full of the Holy Ghost, and I have that joy and peace in me, then I can show people the way to God, and I will see sinners be converted. We'll see our churches fill up! The hard part is US. Overcoming our flesh. We can do it with the help of God.

Remember what needs to come FIRST, and THEN we will see results.

Thanks for reading today!