PUTTING GOD AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVERYTHING

It is a different way of life when we start to pursue God daily. Many of us may not be accustomed to placing God at the forefront of our thoughts, especially when we automatically carry out our tasks without thinking. It is like we make decisions and pray later. I remember growing up, I always got in trouble because I didn't think; I just did things, then I reaped the bad consequences of what I did later. Placing God at the forefront of our thoughts is a discipline we need to adopt. Romans 6:4 says, "For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives." It is part of our new lives to put God first in everything that we do. Now that we are saved through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, we have received a new life that is different from the life lived by unsaved people. Unsaved people put their personal agenda first before everything else; however, for us who are saved, we put God first before everything else. We pursue God's directions, not our direction.

Before I make decisions, especially decisions that will affect my future, I ask God for directions. I used to make decisions based on my feelings about what was good for me, but now I seek God first. I want to ensure that I am aligning with His will for my life because I know that His way is the best for me. When I was looking for a woman to marry, I prayed a lot because I wanted to marry the woman that God wanted me to marry, and God led me to Linda. When Linda and I were looking for a house to buy, we prayed a lot for direction. We wanted to buy a house that God wanted us to buy. At this moment, we are praying for a new car to buy because my car now has an engine light and it will require replacing the engine. My registration tag will expire at the end of October, and it will not pass the inspection. Putting God in the forefront of our mind is a new way of life; it is a new way of thinking and doing things.

Pursuing God daily is a decision that we need to make. It does not come automatically. We must work on it every day until it becomes a new habit for us. Once it becomes our habit, it will be easier because we become accustomed to it. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Do I pursue God every day? How should I pursue God daily? Am I willing to change the way I live in order to pursue God?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for this morning. Thank you for your consistent reminder to pursue you every day. Please help me always to put you in the forefront of my mind. Before I make a decision, I will seek you first. Please give me the willingness to follow your will upon my life, instead of following my feelings and understanding. Your ways are best for me. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.