Lily wore her parents down with her argument that going out with Charlie, who wasn’t a Christian, was okay — it was just a date.

One date turned into several. Then Lily discovered she was pregnant. Compromising her principles had changed the course of her entire life.

Shawn convinced himself that going to parties with his friends was okay because he could drive them home safely. But when he got stopped and the police found beer in his car (that belonged to his friends), the charges of being a minor in possession of alcohol suddenly made him realize what a bad choice he had made.

After a mild heart attack, Joel became highly disciplined in his habits. But eating and exercise soon became obsessions that took him farther and farther away from the God who had given him that second chance in life. Only when his five year-old grandson said, “Will you play with me like you used to?” did Joel realize his decision to be better was actually making things worse.

God gave us so many options for entertainment, exercise, and things to do for fun and relaxation. Be careful, though, that you don’t allow anything — even the people you love — become your god. Remember: God first in all things is the best way to live our lives now — and for eternity.