12/29/15: God First

GOD FIRST

(What the Bible says and a personal explanation about what “God First” means)

 

  1. Biblical Explanation:
  2. Acknowledge that God was, is and will always be the beginning, speaking everything else into existence

■   Genesis 1: 1-31

 

■   John 1: 1-3

  1. Recognize that He is the One and Only God (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:8-9)

■   Exodus 20:3

 

■   Deuteronomy 5:8-9

  1. Recognize that God, not other gods is who you want to have control of you and treasure God above all else because He rescued us from judgment so that we can take refuge in Him and tell of all His works (John 10:10, Psalm 73:21-28)

■   John 10:10

■    Psalm 73: 21-28                                                            

  1. Trust Him and His LOVE (1 John 4:10)

■    1 John 4:10

 

■  Excerpt from “Putting God First in Your Priorities by Joyce Meyer

(Make it your goal to have a deep, intimate relationship with God. Let Him into every area of your life. If you constantly look to other people for answers and validation, pray about this and ask the Lord to help you stop doing that and instead look to Him; 1 Thessalonians 2:4)

■  1 Thessalonians 2:4

 

(As we live to please God, He promises to bless our lives and make us prosper. When you decide to serve God with your whole heart and make Him first in your life, your soul will prosper and your joy and peace will increase. Remember to lean on Him more than anything else, and tell Him, “God, I want to do this, but I can’t do it without You.” He doesn’t expect you to live for Him in your own strength or ability, and He understands when you make mistakes.)

  1. Aim to be like Him (1 John 2:6)

■    1 John 2:6

 

—Jesus sought first the Kingdom of God and laid down His life for His friends (John 10:11, John 15:13)

    John 10:11

  John 15:13

.

  1. God is the only one that can sustain us both in time and for eternity (Psalm 73: 25-26)

■    Psalm 73: 25-26

 

  1. Keep Him in His rightful place in our priorities (Genesis 17:1)

■    Genesis 17:1

 

  1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

■    Proverbs 3: 5-6

 

—Explanation out of “The Student Bible”

In the original Hebrew “in all your ways acknowledge him” is more literally “in all your ways know him”. Nodding in Gods direction is not enough.

 You must know him by living closely with him, relating to him personally in every aspect of your life.

 

  1. Personal Quotes of Interest in relation to “God First”
  2. The first step toward a daily following of Christ is the denying of self – A.W. Pink
  3. Resolution One: I will live for God

Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will

  1. Focus on God, not your problems

Listen to God, not your insecurities

Rely on God, not your own strength

 

  1. Personal Explanation what “God First” means

            (My first thought of the day, First true love, First trusted friend)

 

God is the beginning of everything – He is the beginning of the world and all the living creatures on it

and

He is the beginning of me. I am created in His image and should strive to act like Him in all my daily activities. I should begin each day putting God first in my conversation with Him (Prayer) and in my studies so I can hear from Him.

 

            ***He is my direction for my feet and words for my lips IF I keep Him first.

 

***He is wings for my shelter (Psalm 91:4) and a shield for my battles (Armor of God) IF I keep Him first.

 

            We as humans are Nothing IF God is not First!

 

 

Minister Lisa Underwood