(by pastor Norman)

When asked what was the greatest of God’s commandments Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first commandment” (Matt 22:37; NKJV). In Exodus 20:3 we are exhorted by God to have no other gods but Him. Now that’s putting God first! King David’s desire was for a constant intimate relationship with God (Ps 27:4) and the author of 1 Chron 16:11 encourages us to seek God always. Jesus sought only to do God’s will in His life, not His own, even to the point of dying on a cross (John 5:30, Matt 26:42) and the apostle Paul tells us of the great beneficence of the Christians in Macedonia, noting that they sought God first before making decisions, such as giving (2 Cor 8:5). Paul writes further that we should offer our whole being as a sacrifice to God (Rom 12:1) and be focused on the heavenly things of God not the worldly distractions around us (Col 3:2). We are to be selfless in following Jesus, prepared for opposition and persecution, embracing the heavenly life He has for us (Matt 16:24-25) and worshipping and serving only Him (Matt 4:10). Putting God first means our relationship with Him comes ahead of all other relationships (Luke 14:26). We are blessed when we put God first. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6:33; NKJV). “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4; NKJV). What an amazing God we serve! Enough said.