Putting God First In Our Lives

This is the start of a summer blog series to re-energize our faith in Christ. Choose the category “Re-Energizing Our Faith” to read more!

Our God is a God of order. When He created the Ten Commandments and gave the Law to the Israelites, His first commandment was meaningful: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3 (NKJV) This wasn’t a suggestion, but a guide as to how we need to live our lives: By putting God first. This is reiterated several times throughout the Bible:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Trust in the Lord with all that you have.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Jesus is His righteousness) and all our these things – our needs if you read the rest of the passage in Matthew 6 – will be provided for. Seek God first and seek Him with everything we have. Put nothing above Him.

Colossians 3:2 (NKJV): “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Set your mind on heavenly things not earthly things. Keep your focus on those things because God’s kingdom is what matters.

Think about your own relationship with God right now. What are you putting before your relationship with Him? Is it your job, a hobby, a habit, your family, your friendships? Maybe you’re stressed about finances or health or situations you feel you have no control over. Maybe stress is causing you to lash out at your spouse or your kids or you’re withdrawing. It can be hard to juggle your job, your hobbies, your family, and still have time for God, but He has to be our source and everything flows from that relationship with Him. This is what Jesus is talking about in John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” We have to remain connected to Jesus, put Him first, cultivate that relationship first, and then it will impact every other area of our lives.

Here’s my challenge for this week: Set aside 15 minutes daily and just spend time reading your Bible. Write down notes, write down what the Lord is showing you, and see how it impacts your week.