Blog
“Putting God First”
By Sheldon Smith
We often hear people around us say they put God first. It is true that we must seek Him first but many people don’t know how to do that. It takes study, meditation and prayer. That means reading scripture, contemplating who the message is being given to and how it affects you, praying to God for wisdom through the Holy Spirit, and applying what you have learned to your life. It’s more than just an outward expression of faith but rather a true inward transformation.
If we put God first, He will provide. Matthew 6:31-34 reads, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
One cannot seek God without study. Proverbs 1:5 tells us,
“A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel…”
The Bible, God’s Word, is the wisest counsel of all and shows us how to put Him first. We cannot go wrong by learning through study and abiding by it.
2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 3:14-17 tells us, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Through study, we achieve the level of learning necessary to impact our conduct. Matthew 11:29-30 reads, ”Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Ephesians 5:6-11 tells us, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;”
Are you truly putting God first? If not, would you like to discuss how you can become closer to Him? Feel free to pay us a visit. You can also message us on Facebook or send us an email to blackstonecoc256@gmail.com.
