PUTTING GOD FIRST IN OUR LIVES

[Guest Carly49]

Hi:

This is a subject that I have a hard time understanding! I don't know EXACTLY what putting God FIRST in our lives means.

God says He is a jealous God! We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, strength and mind. Jesus says that many people love their wives, husbands, businesses, homes etc. more than HIM!

When I first wake up in the morning, I always say good morning to the Lord and bless Him first before I even say anything to my husband, but I DON'T think that's ENOUGH!

I had been in a backslidden state for some time till very recently. I know that the Lord has once again called me back unto Himself. Thank you Jesus! I WANT to get it RIGHT this time, while I still have the chance, with the help of God and people that love the Lord and know Him personally like YOU!

What do I physically and or spiritually have to do to "PUT GOD FIRST IN MY LIFE" so I can receive ALL the BLESSINGS that He has for me?????? You can quote scripture, but I still need to know what to do?

Carly

[Catsmeow]

Hon, just keep being the lovely person God made you. You're unique. You're one of a kind. There's nobody out there with your DNA. Your face. Your personality.

You're unique and marvelous and wonderfully made...and He knew you before you were born of your mother.

Delight in that. Delight that you are a precious and tenderly fawned over child that God delights in. Just be you.

Don't get too bogged down in legalistic issues. God wants you to love Him. Give your attention to Him. Greet Him as you do in the morning and at night.

Talk with Him while you grocery shop. Laugh with Him. Smile at Him. Pretend you're giving Him a BIG hug!

I do. It's so much fun...Just love the journey as you walk hand in hand.

And if you slip, He's got pretty big hands to catch you.

[Kabowd]

I don't have alot of time to post right now (supposed to be doing chores...lol)..but I'd encourage you to read Genesis 22 when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. This is where the rubber met the road for Abraham's faith. We can say we love God all day long, but sometimes it isn't until we have to sacrifice something we love when we truly see where our heart is. To me, putting God first means avoiding putting anyone else in His place. When we cling to other things (money, friends, spouses, etc) and treasure them so much that we think we could never let go..they've become an idol. Abraham's willingness to offer up the son he had long-awaited and been promised showed that in his heart, God was still first.

*incidently: this chapter is also the first time the words "love", "obey" and "worship" appear in the Bible.

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

When we put GOD first in our lives,HE makes our other loves so much sweeter(the love for our family and friends)By putting the LORD first ,to me,means doing HIS will.Being obedient to HIS word.Staying focused on things of heaven(store up your treasures in heaven)not things of this world.By giving HIM thanks,worshipping HIM,sharing the gospel with others.Keeping in prayer and attending HIS house.GOD will reveal to you what you must do to put HIM first.Read your bible(alot of times the answers are there )

[Born Again]

When you start to realize that you are nothing without Him and every decision, every thought and every action revolves around Him- it begins to look more clear. We all want to do things that are pleasing in His sight- what easier way to do that if we are focused on Him and allowing Him to guide our every move? (Hebrews 12:2) It's not about us, it's all about Him. :il:

[kittyjo]

Just remember... JOY

J= Jesus First

O= Others Second

Y= Yourself Last

Joy - Loves Strength

http://my.homewithgod.com/mkcathy/studies/fruit_joy.html

Galatians 5: 22-25

22 But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The joy of the Holy Spirit is that deep abiding, inner rejoicing in the Lord. It can best be described as a gladness of heart.

Isaiah 61:10

10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Circumstances in our lives can cause us to be happy, sad, angry, hurt, or discouraged. However, the joy of the Lord does not waiver with emotion.

JOY COMPARED TO HAPPINESS

Joy is like the sun ... always shining even when night falls or clouds cover it.

Happiness is like the moon ... waxing and waning.

Happiness is a kiss ... joy a golden wedding anniversary.

Happiness is born in the mind ... joy in the heart.

Happiness is exchanging Christmas gifts ... joy is awareness of what Christmas is all about.

Happiness comes from humans

JOY comes from God.

John 15:11

These things have I spoken unto you,

that my joy might remain in you,

and that your joy might be full.

By keeping our priorities in the proper order we can experience the JOY of the Lord, regardless of our circumstances.

J= Jesus First

O= Others Second

Y= Yourself Last

[nebula]

Carly -

What a great question!

If you think about it, there are different ways of putting the Lord first.

* Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. (I Thess. 5:16-18)

* Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

* 28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

32"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." (Mark 12)

Remember that "love" is an action word - a verb - not a feeling, not a thing.

* 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath,. . . . (Romans 12)

* 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2)

I know this seems like a lot - but puttin God first ought to be more about "do" than "don't" (although the "don'ts" shouldn't be discarded, they shouldn't be the focus).

The Lord bless you on your journey!