When God is first

All of us have a something first on our priority list.

This is because instinctively we put things in the order for our attention and focus. This helps us not be overwhelmed with all the things we navigate in our lives. 

So whatever and whoever is first gets the majority of our attention and furthermore influences our lives. This ranges from money, fame, love, sex, social status, race, work, marriage, kids, politics, school, hobbies and more. 

Who is first in your life?

Everyone has something in first place and the fruit of it shows up in our lives. This is why we must put GOD first because from him comes fruit that brings fulfillment and completion in our lives. 

What we really want and what we really need is found in God. He’s our source for everything and when he is first, our lives will be in order.

Jesus said it this way.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬

Notice how we receive everything we need; God first!

When he is first, whatever is second, third and fourth can be fulfilled too. Did you get that? When is God is first, whatever is next on the priority list is fulfilled and completed. Conversely when God is not first, the other things in our lives are often unfulfilled and incomplete. 

The way to have our lives in order and fulfilled is when God is first. 

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭23

This is how we navigate our priorities and what matters most in our lives. This is how we gauge our values and move forward with matters most. 

So, here’s three ways to know God is first. 

First, God determines your values.

Values are huge in how we make decisions and govern our lives. When is God is first, he leads us in our values and shows us what we do and what we don’t do.

Our standards, boundaries, behaviors, decisions, choices and more are led by what Jesus shows us in scripture. 

This empowers us in marriage, parenting, finances, relationships, morals, and so much more. 

When he’s first we do life his way and that is the best way. 

Now, this doesn’t always mean we get immediate results of what we want, but we will always receive what we need and more. This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon and we want to end our race of faith with strength and love.

Second, God is who we please first.

When God is first we want to please him above others. This is because he is what matters most which empowers us to overcome the fear of others and please him.

This is big for us because the truth is, pleasing God over others takes courage. It’s not always easy and many times we’re tempted to please our fellow man above pleasing God. This is how we compromise or go against our values. But in the end this never satisfies or leaves us where we want to be.

When we please God first, we’ll have courage to stand up for ourselves and what’s right. We’ll have strength to have boundaries and say no to the wrong things and yes to the right things. We’ll have the faith to overcome peer pressure and go the way of Jesus.

When he’s first we seek to please him first. We we do this, our internal strength is fortified in who we are through Christ, therefore, we’re empowered to have victory in what we face.

Who are pleasing first today?

Third, we treat others by God’s standards.

What does this mean?

In our relationships we forgive, we love, we show respect, we give value, we rise above the pettiness and choose the higher road. 

We refuse to hold onto grudges and be bitter. We refuse to get even and seek revenge. We don’t play games of manipulation, power and control, passive aggressive, lying, gossip and more. We rise above the nonsense and walk out our faith through love. 

This helps us be straight up, bold, kind, honest, loving, clear, giving, serving and doing our best to build bridges. 

When he is first, our relationships will begin to reflect our priorities. They will reflect the Jesus way in navigating people. 

This is huge because most of our drama and tension comes through our relationships. So, when God is first, it impacts this part of our lives. 

Marriages, parenting, extended family, neighbors, friends, co-workers and more can be healthy when we do life this way.

Who is first in your life?

When God is everything will be in order and will be healthy. It will take time but it will happen because when he’s first, he can bless the rest. 

I encourage you to move forward and make God first in your life.

Have a great week and the best yet to come.,

PD