5 July 2023 - To be successful, we must put God first

Matthew 16:26-27(TLB) What profit is there if you gain the whole world—and lose eternal life? What can be compared with the value of eternal life? For I, the Son of Mankind, shall come with my angels in the glory of my Father and judge each person according to his deeds.

Jeremiah 17:7-8(MSG) “But blessed is the man who trusts me, GOD, the woman who sticks with GOD. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers - Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.

Jeremiah 17:7-8(AMP) “Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the LORD And whose hope and confident expectation is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the waters, That spreads out its roots by the river; And will not fear the heat when it comes; But its leaves will be green and moist. And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought Nor stop bearing fruit.

Proverbs 3:6(TLB) In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

Proverbs 3:6(AMP) In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth .

Proverbs 3:6(MSG) Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

The key to success is giving God His rightful place in our priorities.

In Genesis 17:1b(AMP) God said to Abraham: … Walk before Me , and be blameless and complete .

God instructed Abraham to be habitual in walking with Him and living for Him. We can do this by establishing daily habits of prayer, worship and regular, consistent time spent in His Word.

Putting God first means we give Him top priority over everything else. He is the principal figure in our lives and central to all we do and think. When we choose to put God first, we determine that He is more important than any other person. Those who put God first will stand out from the rest of the world.

They will obey God’s commands - John 14:15(NIV) “If you love me, keep my commands.”

They will take up their cross and follow Jesus - Luke 9:23(NLT) Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

David wrote in Psalm 37:5(TLB) Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him to help you do it and He will.