First Things First
As one year ands and another begins, a common thing that people do is resolve to make some type of change. For many, the change involves – you guessed it – losing weight and eating better. For some it’s to work on improving their finances. New Year’s Resolutions don’t have to be big or elaborate things per se. They also include things like:
The list goes on and on. Contrary to what culture says, the key to achieving a goal or becoming a better you overall is not doing popular things like creating visions boards or writing your desires down in a journal. As I said before, all of the aforementioned resolutions are good ones, and can potentially enhance one’s life in some way. As well intentioned as these resolutions are, they mean nothing if God isn't a priority in your life. Before you make a resolution to do ANYTHING, it’s important to put first things first.
This year, more than ever before, prioritizing a relationship with God must be the most important thing in your life. Time is passing fast, and we don't have time to waste on things that aren't important. Making God a priority isn't as hard as we like to think. We can start with something as simple as talking. Talking with God should be as second nature to you as talking to your closest friend. When you love someone and care about their wellbeing, you reach out to them. You call them. You inquire about them. You offer them support. You find ways to do nice things for them. Likewise, you often feel seen and fulfilled when someone shows similar care for you. Everything that I just described happens when there is a solid relationship between two people. Whether it be a friendship, a sibling relationship, a husband and wife relationship, etc., the intentionality that you put into the health and strength of the relationship, shows whether or not it is a priority.
Well Brothers and Sisters. God expects the same from us. Thinking of God first, above all, shows that He is our top priority. Before you make a decision, no matter how big or how small, do you seek God about that decision? Is He a part of it, or are you crying out to Him after it has failed, asking Him to get you out of it? Think about that for a moment. If you can admit to doing that latter (which I’m sure we all can at some point in our lives), then we aren’t truly putting God first. During the Sermon on the Mount, when questioned about the worry of everyday life, Jesus told all who gathered to hear Him speak to seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness first - about everything. (Matthew 6:33) Likewise, when we follow this simple instruction from Jesus, we can trust that all that we need, we will receive.
Even those of us who feel that we have a great relationship with the Lord could stand to take some inventory to make sure nothing in our lives has taken God’s place and replaced Him as top priority. The word tells us that we can tell a tree by the fruit that it bears (Matthew 7:15-20), so ask yourself, does my life reflect one of someone who puts God first? What kind of fruit do I bear?
If you’re still not sure what it means to put God first in your life, here is what the Bible has to say about it:
With every new year, month, week, and day, God gives us another opportunity to get it right. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Each day that God allows us to live, we have another opportunity to live our lives in a way that truly honors Him and puts Him first. Thankfully, God doesn’t require that we be perfect. However, free will says that we must choose Him and His ways. When we surrender our lives and make a choice to live according to His will for our lives, the sky is the limit for what He can and will do. Living the world’s way will only yield temporary gains. Living God’s way grants us everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3-5) and an eternal home (John 10:28-30).
Let this be the year that God truly becomes your top priority, and I guarantee it’s a decision you will never regret.
Peace, Love, and Blessings!!
References
Bible Study Tools. (2019, September 19). Bible Study Tools. Retrieved from Putting God First: https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-putting-god-first/
Biblica, Inc. (1984, 2011). The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Harper Collins Publishers.
Daily Verses. (2025, January 2). Retrieved from Daily Verses - First: https://dailyverses.net/search/First
Open Bible Info - First. (2001). Retrieved from Open Bible Information: https://www.openbible.info/topics/first
Tyndale House Foundation. (1996, 2004, 2015). Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois. All rights reserved.: Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
- Cutting back on Netflix binge watching
- Reading more
- Calling the people you care about more than you text them
- Taking a trip once a year
- Volunteering more
The list goes on and on. Contrary to what culture says, the key to achieving a goal or becoming a better you overall is not doing popular things like creating visions boards or writing your desires down in a journal. As I said before, all of the aforementioned resolutions are good ones, and can potentially enhance one’s life in some way. As well intentioned as these resolutions are, they mean nothing if God isn't a priority in your life. Before you make a resolution to do ANYTHING, it’s important to put first things first.
This year, more than ever before, prioritizing a relationship with God must be the most important thing in your life. Time is passing fast, and we don't have time to waste on things that aren't important. Making God a priority isn't as hard as we like to think. We can start with something as simple as talking. Talking with God should be as second nature to you as talking to your closest friend. When you love someone and care about their wellbeing, you reach out to them. You call them. You inquire about them. You offer them support. You find ways to do nice things for them. Likewise, you often feel seen and fulfilled when someone shows similar care for you. Everything that I just described happens when there is a solid relationship between two people. Whether it be a friendship, a sibling relationship, a husband and wife relationship, etc., the intentionality that you put into the health and strength of the relationship, shows whether or not it is a priority.
Well Brothers and Sisters. God expects the same from us. Thinking of God first, above all, shows that He is our top priority. Before you make a decision, no matter how big or how small, do you seek God about that decision? Is He a part of it, or are you crying out to Him after it has failed, asking Him to get you out of it? Think about that for a moment. If you can admit to doing that latter (which I’m sure we all can at some point in our lives), then we aren’t truly putting God first. During the Sermon on the Mount, when questioned about the worry of everyday life, Jesus told all who gathered to hear Him speak to seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness first - about everything. (Matthew 6:33) Likewise, when we follow this simple instruction from Jesus, we can trust that all that we need, we will receive.
Even those of us who feel that we have a great relationship with the Lord could stand to take some inventory to make sure nothing in our lives has taken God’s place and replaced Him as top priority. The word tells us that we can tell a tree by the fruit that it bears (Matthew 7:15-20), so ask yourself, does my life reflect one of someone who puts God first? What kind of fruit do I bear?
If you’re still not sure what it means to put God first in your life, here is what the Bible has to say about it:
- “Thou shall have no other Gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3-4)
- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10)
- “Honor the Lord with your wealth; with the first-fruits of all your crops.” (Proverbs 3:9)
- “Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.””(Matthew 22:37)
- “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14)
- “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. (John 3:30)
- “We love each other because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
- "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." (Joshua 1:8)
With every new year, month, week, and day, God gives us another opportunity to get it right. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Each day that God allows us to live, we have another opportunity to live our lives in a way that truly honors Him and puts Him first. Thankfully, God doesn’t require that we be perfect. However, free will says that we must choose Him and His ways. When we surrender our lives and make a choice to live according to His will for our lives, the sky is the limit for what He can and will do. Living the world’s way will only yield temporary gains. Living God’s way grants us everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3-5) and an eternal home (John 10:28-30).
Let this be the year that God truly becomes your top priority, and I guarantee it’s a decision you will never regret.
Peace, Love, and Blessings!!
References
Bible Study Tools. (2019, September 19). Bible Study Tools. Retrieved from Putting God First: https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-putting-god-first/
Biblica, Inc. (1984, 2011). The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Harper Collins Publishers.
Daily Verses. (2025, January 2). Retrieved from Daily Verses - First: https://dailyverses.net/search/First
Open Bible Info - First. (2001). Retrieved from Open Bible Information: https://www.openbible.info/topics/first
Tyndale House Foundation. (1996, 2004, 2015). Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois. All rights reserved.: Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
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