First Things First!

Happy New Year! I didn’t think I’d be saying that this soon. If feels like time has flown by over the last year and here we are in another one. So many changes in 2022 and I’ve been reflecting and thinking about what is to come in 2023. I’m expecting great things because we serve a Big and Great God, who is able to do all things but fail (Luke 1:37). 

Have you ever thought about what would happen if you actually believed and embraced that we can do all things through Christ (Phil 4:13)? That you can do anything because He is with you and won’t let you fail? How would that change your approach? Would you be more confident? Would you be bolder? Would you move instead of sitting on a vision? Would you take steps instead of waiting for something to fall into your lap? 

If we commit our ways and actions to Him, He will establish our plans (Prov 16:3). If we’re committing our ways to Him, they will line up with His word and His ways. In order for this to be the case, we have to know His word and not just the parts we like. The whole of His word is one way He speaks to us and shares His thoughts and will with us. The more we are studying and spending time in His word, the better we know His voice and have the ability to operate according to His ways (Josh 1:8). If we want our lives to change for the better, that is a place to start. 

We have to put first things first! According to scripture, if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will provide what we need (Matt 6:33). I think our problem is that we have it backwards, we seek what we need first and then give God what’s left over, after the kids and family, work, friends, play, etc. What if we really sought God’s kingdom and His righteousness – FIRST? What would happen? How would He bless us? I don’t know but I want to practice this and make it a habit – seeking God through His son Jesus and His righteousness – first. I want to know what He has for me and how far He will take me for His glory.  

If I put Him first, how might I be changed? For that matter, how might people around me be changed because I’ve been with Him? What might be revealed to me as I study His word and spend time with Him and how might that strengthen my walk with Him? What might change in your life if you put Him first? I’d like to find out. Today is the first day of the New Year, so we should start now. No time like the present to pivot and start something new. I think we might be surprised what happens when we make the Lord first in our lives. 

May God richly bless your life beyond what you can think or imagine in 2023!