Key scripture – “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.” (James 1:18).

Pastor Tony Evans says that one of the major determining factors to know if you are putting God first in your life is to ask yourself where you turn when you have a decision to make. When you have a problem to resolve, or you need guidance, do you turn to people first? Do you turn to your desires first? Or do you look to God, His Word, and His principles first?

Getting God’s perspective on a matter and then applying it to the particular situation you are dealing with is one revealer of God’s position in your life. Do you recall your parents saying these words to you when you were young and you had made a decision without talking to them first, “Why didn’t you talk to me first? I just wish you would have talked to me first.” Often times parents will let their children know that they could have avoided mistakes or problems in life if they would have simply sought and followed their advice as parents first.

While this holds true in parenting, it holds even more true with God. Perhaps you are wondering why you are not hearing from God or experiencing His abiding presence and victory in your life. God’s answer to your question is simply, “Because you don’t look to Me first. In fact, you go to the world first—a system that leaves Me out, and you only come to Me when none of that works out.” The key to kingdom success is found in the word: First. When you prioritize and put the rule of God first over every area of life then you will experience the power of kingdom living in your life.

Where do you turn first when you face a crisis or an important decision? What does your decision-making say about your priorities? Stop and think about how can you put God in first place in the issues and choices that you face today?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I want to prioritize Your kingdom and prioritize You because that is the key to living a life filled with Your abundance. Lord, I know that You should always be first, but I sometimes get distracted, and I panic and forget to turn to You. When I start to do that help me to remember what Jesus said, “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:30-33). When I seek You first, everything else, in my life that is second, will be taken care of. Which means, I do not need to worry and fret about my family, job, provisions, health, finances, and plans, because I am seeking You first and I will be taken care of. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.