Most people will tell you they like to win. Whether it’s at running or playing spades, or whatever their passion is, first place just feels good.
So many people have such busy lives, that it is difficult to “carve” out a time for God somewhere each day. As a mom, I know I have good intentions, but by the time I’ve woken up to feed the baby, get everyone ready for the day, change the diapers and make breakfast, other priorities easily consume my time until the day is gone.
Ideally, we should all try and start our day with Him, before anything else diverts our attention. Matthew 6:33 says “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Even Jesus took the time to go alone and pray to His Father.
God wants first place in your life. Not just in the morning, although that would be a great way to start your day and to keep you focused on Him, but ALL of your life. When we make Him first, everything else seems to fall into place as He takes care of it all. Think of it this way – when you give Him first place in your life, you’re a winner too!
See if you can do it – give God the first five or ten minutes every day while the house is still quiet. You might have to set your alarm clock to do it, but I can guarantee, it will revolutionize your life!
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8
Consider these verses as they relate to making God your first priority:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
Question: Notice the phrase, “love the Lord YOUR God”. How personal do you take your relationship with Him? What does it mean to love Him with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength?
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Question: If we love God with all our hearts, which is the first commandment, how much easier is it to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds”? Is loving God with all our minds the same as being renewed? Is total transformation possible by simply loving God with everything in us?
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands. Psalm 112:1
Question: What does it mean to “fear” God? What does it mean to find delight in His commands, or His word?
Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops. Proverbs 3:9
Question: You’ve heard the saying, “time is money”. Well, if we honor God with the firstfruits of our time every day, what would this mean?
Prayer Guide
Thank you, God, for allowing me to have a personal relationship with you. God, I know that in this busy life, sometimes it is so hard to keep my focus on You, and I ask you to help me. Help me to give you the place in my life that you asked for, the place that you deserve! Teach me what it means to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength. Help me to honor you first in my heart and show me what it means to have everything in my life begin to reflect this intimate relationship with you. I ask you to renew my mind today, to bring me closer to you, to help me keep my heart and my thoughts on you. Change my heart and the way I think – truly transform me, Jesus. My delight is in You! I give my life to you today. Please use it for your perfect will.
