GREETINGS beloved nation.
Placing God first in our lives is extremely important for us as believers. If we place God at the first and forefront of our lives, our lives will be full of joy, love, and grace.
When we choose to place other things at the top of our lives we are being disobedient to the word of God. When we set up anything above God in our lives, we are setting an idol above God. The Lord is clear that we must not have idols. As Christians, our top priority in life needs to be God and serving Him.
Even good things can become idols in our lives if we place them above God, such as family, friends, school, careers, or hobbies. While these things are good, they can become idols if we place them above God. When we place God at the first and foremost of our lives, our lives will become more joyful.
Sadly, for most Christians, God has a small place in their lives. He is low on the priority scale. They feel as though they do God a favour by going to church an hour a week. Others may attend church regularly, but act very differently outside of church. Even those who are faithful to church rarely tithe (give 10 percent of their income) or read their Bibles daily. Work, recreation, and rest often come before God. This should not be the case.
But what does it mean to put God first?
To put God first means to love Him more than anyone or anything else. It means we choose our attitudes, values, responses, and how we use our time with Him in mind. When someone asks you to do something, you run it by Him first asking Him, “Is this something you want me to do?” It means being filled with the Holy Spirit and inviting Him to guide and empower you (Ephesians 5:18).
The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:31-33 that: “Therefore, do not worry, saying: ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Food, drink, and clothing are very important but this verse tells us that we are to seek God first and trust Him to provide for all our needs. It’s easy to become so preoccupied with meeting our own needs that we neglect our most important need: God.
If we seek God above everything else, He’ll meet every other need that we have. So how do we put God first in our daily lives? Here are some ways of making God first in our lives.
We give God first place in our hearts
The Bible tells us in Matthew 22:37 that: “Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Too many have given first place to a job, a person, a cause, a pleasure, a sport, a dream. Your heart is a kingdom and He is the King.
We give God the first hour of the day.
The Bible says in Psalm 63:1; “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Spending time alone with God in prayer, Bible reading, and meditation is essential. During this time you centre your mind, heart and soul around God.
We give God the first consideration in every decision.
The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5–6; “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Seek God’s direction. What does the Bible say about it? If there is no verse that specifically addresses your situation, find a principle that applies. Seek advice from godly people who know the Bible.
Pray about your decision with a submissive spirit and ask God what He wants you to do then do it. Don’t make decisions with no thought of God. It is pride and self-trust. Don’t try to figure it all out yourself. Trust God. He is in your life to stay and will direct your steps to a greater life than you can imagine. Give God the first consideration in your decisions.
We give God the first portion of our pay. The Bible tells us in Leviticus 27:30; “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s: it is holy unto the LORD.” Yes, tithing is in the Bible.
It’s in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus said we should do it. Giving is a test. God doesn’t need your money. He wants your heart and there are few things that people value more than money. Do you love God more than money and things? Your tithing record is the answer.
Truthfully, you can’t afford to keep God’s tithe. You’ll never get out of debt and save money if the first thing you do every payday is to rob God. Give God the first 10 percent of your pay. Perhaps God was first in your life at some point, but that is no longer true.
You have placed something or someone else on the throne of your heart. Other priorities crept in. The deceitfulness of sin seduced you. Pride filled your heart. You can change that today. Repent of this sin and make God first in your life again today. Return to your first Love!
The Bible says in Revelation 2:4-5 “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
I would like to invite you to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, by believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that he is your Lord and Saviour, and you shall be saved.
May God bless you all.
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