PUT GOD FIRST

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

REFERENCE:

Matthew 6:25-33

One of the great athletes in Britain, Eric Liddell, was to run for Britain in the 1924 Olympic games. He was a Christian. When the preliminary heats of his best event, 100 meters race, was set on a Sunday, Liddell quietly but firmly refused to run. The day of 400 meters race came, and as Liddell went to the starting blocks, an unknown man slipped a piece of paper in his hand with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30: “Those who honor Me I will honor.” That day Eric Liddell set a World Record in 400 meters.

The pursuit of fame, wealth, social media likes and the world’s applause are distractions that lead the minds and hearts of many away from God. They quietly suffocate the life of God in us until many believers bounce around looking self-assured, but are empty shells inside – the day of testing will reveal this. The cares, hustle, and bustle of this world have made many believers absent from the place of daily devotion and the house of God.

Do not get so busy that you do not find time daily to stay in the presence of God. Do not get to a point where you think you can do without God; that is building on a foundation of sand. When the wind blows, the rain falls, and the waters rise, that building will collapse. Jesus was very busy teaching, traveling, and healing the sick. The ‘clients’ He attended to daily were in the thousands, yet, that did not stop Him from rising early daily to spend alone time with God.

You say, “Well, I am so busy; I have early morning appointments; if my business partners or clients know I ‘do church,’ it may affect my chances, etc.” Jesus was so busy that He knew He needed time with God to handle His schedule. Following God costs, but God pays; Eric Liddell is an example. “If your religion costs you nothing, then your religion is worth nothing.” What price do you pay for your faith, or is your faith the price you pay for your popularity and wealth?

God is seeking people whose religion costs them something. Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful, unwavering, dedicated and committed man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Develop an intimate and ongoing relationship with God, soak yourself in the word and prayers, and God will honor you. You desire many things, but Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God…, and all these things shall be added to you.”

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY:

Mark 1:35-37, Psalm 27:4, 2 Peter 1:5-10

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REFLECTION

Have you been faithful in your prayers, bible study, attendance, and service in God’s house? Are you consistent in loving your wife and children? Consistent at your place of business or office? Have you kept your commitment and promises to God this year? Ask God to fill you with fresh passion, zeal, and fire and make you a ‘man after His heart.’ As you seek His face, He will reward you; He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.