So yall it’s been a long summer and I’ve recently been working to refresh my body, mind, and my spirit. I’ve started walking, I’ve been reading more, and recently, to refresh my spiritual life I started reading a Bible plan called “It’s Time to Reset: A 7 Day Devotional.” And day two of the devotional talked about putting God first and the importance of making him first in your life. And that got me to thinking. What does putting God first actually look like? Put God first is something I’ve heard most of my life, but what does that look like on a day to day basis? Well I did some research and I figured if I was wondering about this, maybe you guys need to know this as well. So in today’s episode I’m going to share with you a few practical ways you can put God first and I hope to inspire you to Put God First.
So guys every now and then you just need to refresh and reset and that’s exactly what I needed when I began reading this devotional. I had just had a long month of moving across country, my kids starting school, having a new schedule, and a lot of transitions so now that things are finally settling in, I needed to shift my focus back to where it should always be which is on God. I decided to do some research on ways to put God first because, well, we hear it at church all the time, but often times we aren’t given direction on how to do that. It’s like telling a person to go back a cake without giving them much direction on what steps to take, and if you’re like me and you’re better at eating cake than baking it, you really do need those directions! Lol.
Now before I get into how to put God first…I’m sure some of you may be wondering…why? Why do I need to put God first? What’s the big deal? Well, I don’t know if you live in the same world that I live in, but if you do, you’ll quickly see that things are kinda crazy. There are so many influences around us, both good and bad. Our minds can get so clouded by the news and social media. And then there are things we deal with in our daily lives such as family and work. For me, putting God first means that I won’t be distracted. I won’t be confused. I won’t be unsure about what I should be doing and where I should be going. Putting God first means that I keep my eyes on him, I keep praise and gratitude in my heart regardless of what is going on in the world. But putting God first I’m able to hear from him what path I should take instead of being influenced by what’s around me. By putting God first I will have peace, even when things are difficult. You have to remind yourself of all you have to gain by putting God first…and then you have to execute it.
So let’s dive into it. Here are a few of my favorite ways to put God first in your life.
Number 1: Start your day with God. Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first the kingdom of God, above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” So let me ask…what’s the first thing you do in the morning? Go to the bathroom? Grab you phone and stroll social media? Its snooze and pull the covers over your head? Maybe even groan about how you don’t want to get up? I’ve done all of those things, lol, but there’s nothing like starting your day with God. Start your day with prayer. Get up, you can sit on the side of your bed, or get on your knees, or go into a special area and spend some time with God. Starting your day with him invites him into your day. Think of it this way. The first thing you do is the most important thing that you do. So please don’t tell me that social media means more to you than your relationship with God. So let’s work on waking up with God on our minds and gratitude in our hearts. This sets the tone for everything else.
Now number 2 goes directly with number one and that is to journal. You can journal about what’s on your mind, you can journal about what you’re thankful for, or you can even write down your prayers, which I highly recommend. I call them love letters to God. I recommend journaling because have you ever been praying and get distracted because you started thinking about what you were gonna eat later then you had to start over again? Oh it’s just me, huh? I hate to admit it but, I can get distracted while talking to Jesus. I’ve fallen asleep in the middle of my prayer before…don’t judge me ok. But journaling your prayer makes you take your time, it makes you focus, it requires you be intentional with your words. Also, writing my prayers helped me to see, maybe I need to change this up. Everyday I’m saying the same ol stuff…I’m sure God is tired of hearing you ask for the same thing over and over…and journaling helps me focus on gratitude and it helps me stay consistent.
Number 3 is to spend time in God’s word. Now this can come in many forms. You can sit and read the Bible and even commit to learning a new Bible verse every week which is something I’m going to start trying to do. Write down your verse of the week and put it on the fridge, your mirrors, and wherever else you think you need to. You can read a book on spirituality. There are so many devotionals out there that explain God’s word and breaks it down even more. Another way to stay in his word is to listen to sermons. It’s never been easier to hear a message than it is now. You don’t have to go to church (even thought I recommend you do) in order to hear to message. You can go on Youtube, listen to a podcast, or even turn on the radio and there it is. Some of my favorites are Elevation Church and Transformation Church. If you need something a little shorter there’s also Joel Osteen. There are so many to choose from. So spend some time in the word is number 3.
Number 4 is let your light shine. Guys it means nothing to have all this Jesus inside of us if we never pour it out, if we never share it, if we never help anyone. It means nothing if we never share the love of Christ with others. Don’t hoard your faith. Share it. Find ways to help others and to give. Ask God to make it clear to you what you should do, how you should help, where you should volunteer. Take what God has given you and find ways throughout your week to share it and give it to others.
Number 5 is the end your day with God. So we are going end your day the say you started it, by spending time with Him. Pray and thank Him for your day…regardless of how good or bad you thought it was. Say some positive affirmations that will lead you into the next day. One thing I used to do was read those “Daily Bread” devotionals every night. They are short but effective. There are even some devotionals that require you to read one passage in the morning and the other at night. However you decide to do, but sure to end your day by putting God first.
So guys those were 5 ways to practically put God first, but I have one more tip I want to give you that’s kind of a bonus and that is to be careful of distractions. Guys when you decide to do something like this and work toward putting God first in your life the distractions are going to come full force. You already know what they are…social media, t.v., even people. Regardless of what comes, choose to be dedicated and follow through. Realize that you can spend 30 minutes in the morning with God and that social media will still be there when you’re done. You’re not missing anything. If you decide to pray mid day, it’s ok to put the phone on do not disturb…you can call them back when you’re done. If you decide to fast from certain things one day out of the week keep in mind that the things you desire will still be there when your fasting time is over. Don’t get distracted. And if you find yourself struggling with this ask God for help, but also do the work as well.
So that’s it guys. Start your day with God, journal, get in the word, let your light shine, end your day with God, and keep those distractions at bay. Try some or all of these things in your daily routine. If you really want to see some results, try it for 90 days straight. That’s the best way to form a habit, and what an amazing habit it is to put God first in your life.
So I hope that you feel inspired to do the things necessary to strengthen your relationship with God. To let the light of Christ shine from within you every day. And to keep those distractions under your feet so that you can give God the attention that He so deserves.
So until next time stay encouraged and inspire someone else along the way.