Some people rely on money as their everything. They have lived for pleasure and comfort, and their money has supplied those comforts. Others live for people. Their family is the most important thing in their lives, and they will stop at nothing to meet their desires. Then there are those who are Christians, and they know that Jesus must be their everything, so when asked what the most important thing in your life is, they will automatically answer, “Jesus.” I think each of us needs to understand that when He is everything, no one will have to ask. It will show in our actions.
When something is your number one priority, it will take one of your most precious possessions: your time. It takes time to get to know anyone. Our relationship with God is no different. True love doesn’t just require quality time, but also quantity. God is a personal God, and He wants our devotion. Not for what He can do for us, but for a relationship with us. He is also a jealous God. He must be first, or He will not be our God. We can make anything or anyone a god by the time we give it. God not only wants top priority in our lives, but He also commands it.
In Matthew 6:33, we are to seek Him first. First, our time would be early each day. I know what most are going to say. “I’m not a morning person.” Sometimes in life we must discipline ourselves to do what is best even though our flesh wants to resist. How you start your day matters because it sets the tone for the rest of the day. You can train yourself to be whatever you need to be. Give Him first place in your time.
Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Love Him first in your emotions and desires. When we love someone, we consider how they feel and how our decisions will affect them. In Matthew 22:37-38, we are to give Him first place in our hearts. Before making choices in life, find out how God feels about what you are thinking of doing. If you love Him with all your heart, it will not be hard to make the right choice. He also tells us in verse 38 that this is the first and greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Look at your life and identify what is consuming your time and your thoughts. Are you zooming out and looking at the big picture of life, considering both the negative and positive effects of your choices? Do you allow sports or family gatherings to interfere with your church attendance, your study of the Word, or your prayer time? Does the rush of the day steal your quiet time with the Lord? What is it that is keeping you from putting Him first, so much so that others notice your commitment to Him?
In Exodus chapter 20, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Verse 3 teaches us not to put anything before our God. If we keep this commandment, all the others fall into place. One phrase my husband often used was when our boys would fail at something and say, “I didn’t mean to.” His reply was, “You didn’t mean to!” Meaning they had not thought things through and made a plan to do what they were supposed to. It is time we Christians make plans that will not fail. We must make our plans in our relationship with God and then make the other plans for the day. Don’t try to work God into your day; put Him first and let the rest fall in line. Will this mean some discomfort as you retrain your mind and body? Yes, it will, but it will be so worth it. Determine in your heart that God will be first in your day, in your time, your emotions, and your physical well-being. Satan loves nothing more than to steal your time with good things. He loves every minute that he can rob you of so that you have less time with God. He is a thief and a liar. He wants to destroy you, and his design is to use whatever he can to keep you from growing in a vibrant relationship with God. He will try to convince you that you are saved, that God understands when you don’t study or pray, and that he is right. God does understand. He understands that you have chosen other things or comforts above Him. We can convince ourselves it is ok, but God says it is wrong. Every day you choose; what will you choose today?
Exodus 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before me.”
I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
When He is everything, it changes how you act and how you see everything.
