how often do we find ourselves chasing after worldly Pursuits only to realize we've left God behind what would our lives look like if we truly put God first in everything we do my friends these are the questions will be exploring today as we focus on how to put God first and not block your own blessings so today I will share with you powerful insights that can revolutionize your relationship with God and open the floodgates of His blessings in your life I am also going to pray a powerful prayer with you in the mighty name of
Jesus so watch until the end and open your hearts to receive the blessings of this prayer imagine you're at a Grand Buffet filled with an array of delicious dishes you're so excited to try everything that you pile your plate high with with every delicacy in sight but as you sit down to eat you realize you've forgotten the most important thing your utensils without them you can't enjoy the feast before you this my dear friends is much like our lives when we forget to put God first we may have everything laid out before us success relationships
opportunities but without God as our foundation we lack the means to truly enjoy and benefit from these blessings in the well-known verse from Matthew 6:33 we are reminded but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you this verse perfectly captures the essence of our message today when we make seeking God our top priority everything else falls into place he provides for our needs and blesses us abundantly now let's go on this journey together exploring how we can put God first and unlock the Abundant Life he
has in store for us my friends to truly put God first we must begin by recognizing his supreme authority over our lives this isn't about merely acknowledging his existence but about understanding and embracing his Divine role as the Creator and sustainer of all things when we grasp this truth it fundamentally shifts our perspective on everything in Colossians 1: 16-17 we're reminded for by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on Earth visible and invisible whether Thrones or dominions or principalities or Powers all things were created through him and for him
and he is before all things and in him all things consist these powerful verses highlight God's absolute sovereignty he is not just a part of our lives he is the very re reason for our existence everything we are and everything we have comes from him when we truly internalize this it becomes easier to prioritize him Above All Else think about it this way if you were given a Priceless work of art to care for wouldn't you treat it with the utmost respect and give it your full attention how much more should we honor God the
ultimate AR artist who crafted not just a painting but the entire universe recognizing God's Supremacy means acknowledging that our talents our resources and our very breath are gifts from him it's about understanding that we are stewards not owners of the blessings in our lives this realization should Inspire gratitude and humility leading us to seek his guidance in all we do in Proverbs 3: 5-6 we're instructed trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He Shall direct your paths these verses remind us
that true wisdom comes from surrendering our own limited understanding to God's infinite wisdom when we put God first we're essentially saying Lord I trust your plan more than my own this trust opens the door to his guidance and blessings it's important to note that recognizing God's Supremacy isn't about belittling ourselves on the contrary it's about understanding our true value as children of the most high God in Psalm 8: 4 to5 d David Marvels what is man that you are mindful of him and the son of man that you visit him for you have made him
a little lower than the angels and you have crowned him with Glory and Honor these verses remind us of our special place in God's creation we are deeply loved and valued by the King of Kings recognizing this should fill us with confidence and purpose when we put God first we're aligning ourselves with our true identity and Destiny now you might be wondering how do I practically recognize God's Supremacy in my daily life it starts with our thoughts and attitudes are we constantly aware of God's presence do we seek his approval above others do we measure
success by God's standards rather than the worlds these are questions we must honestly ask ourselves practically we can begin each day by dedicating it to God we can cultivate a habit of prayer not just in times of need but as a constant conversation with our heavenly father we can study his word allowing it to shape our perspective and decision-making process in every decision big or small we can pause and ask God what would honor you most in this situation this doesn't mean we become passive or neglect our responsibilities rather it means we approach every task
every relationship every challenge with the awareness that we're working for God's glory not our own as it says in Colossians 3:23 and whatever you do do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men when we live with this mindset even the most ordinary tasks become acts of worship recognizing God's Supremacy also means being willing to surrender our plans when they don't align with his this can be challenging especially when we've invested time and energy into something but remember God's ways are higher than ours his plans for us are always better than anything we
could devise on our own embracing this truth frees us from the burden of trying to control everything it allows us to rest in God's perfect plan even when we don't understand it my dear friends when we truly recognize God's Supremacy it changes everything it transforms our priorities our decisions and our entire outlook on life it liberates us from the tyranny of self-centeredness and opens us up to a life of purpose and fulfillment as we continue this journey of putting God first let this be our foundation let's commit to seeing everything through the lens of God's
sovereignty when we do this we position ourselves to receive the fullness of his blessings my friends now that we've established the importance of recognizing God's Supremacy let's turn our attention to another crucial aspect of putting God first dethroning the idols in our hearts you might be thinking Idols I don't worship golden statues but in our modern world Idols often take more subtle forms an idol is anything that captures our hearts and Minds more than God does it could be our career our relationships our possessions or even our own image in Ezekiel 14:3 God speaks to
the prophet about this very issue saying son of man these men have set up their Idols in their hearts and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity should I let myself be in ired of At All by them this verse reveals that idolatry isn't just about external objects but about what we prioritize in our hearts when we allow anything to take God's rightful place we create stumbling blocks in our spiritual journey these Idols can block the flow of God's blessings in our lives so how do we identify these hidden Idols one
way is to examine what OCC occupies most of our thoughts time and energy what do we turn to for Comfort or validation what causes us the most anxiety when threatened the answers to these questions often point to the idols in our hearts for some the idol might be success or achievement we may find ourselves constantly striving Never Satisfied always chasing the next big accomplishment while ambition isn't inherently wrong when it becomes our primary source of identity and worth it's taken God's place for others the idol might be relationships we may place our hope for fulfillment
and happiness entirely on another person forgetting that only God can truly satisfy the depths of our souls in 1 John 5: 21 we're given this simple yet profound instruction little children keep yourselves from Idols amen this verse reminds us that guarding our hearts against idolatry is an ongoing process it requires vigilance and honesty with ourselves once we've identified our Idols the next step is to Dethrone them this doesn't mean we abandon our career end our relationships or give away all our possessions rather it means we put them in their proper place subordinate to our relationship
with God it means we hold them with Open Hands recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God to be used for his glory in Matthew 22: 37-38 Jesus gives us the greatest commandment you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind this is the first and great commandment when we truly love God with all our being everything else naturally falls into its proper place our career becomes a platform to glorify him our relationships become channels of his love our possessions become tools for
his kingdom dethroning Idols often requires sacrifice we may need to let go of certain Ambitions adjust our priorities or release our grip on things we've held tightly but remember my dear friends whatever we give up for God he replaces with something far greater himself in Mark 10: 29-30 Jesus promises assuredly I say to you there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospels who shall not receive a h hundredfold now in this time houses and brothers and
sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life this doesn't mean God will literally multiply our possessions but that the richness of life in him far outweighs anything we might sacrifice as we Dethrone Idols we may experience a sense of loss or discomfort initially our hearts have grown accustomed to these false sources of security and fulfillment but as we persist in putting God first we'll discover a deeper joy and peace than we've ever known in Psalm 16:1 David expresses this truth beautifully you will show me the path
of life in your presence is fullness of joy at your right hand are Pleasures forever more true fulfillment my friends is found not in the gifts but in The Giver another practical step in dethroning idols is to regularly take inventory of our hearts we can ask God to reveal areas where we've allowed other things to take his place this requires humility and willingness to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves but it's in this place of honesty and vulnerability that God can do his deepest work in us remember this process of dethroning Idols is not about perfection
but Direction it's about consistently turning our hearts back to God even when we falter God's grace is sufficient for us in our weaknesses as we make him our highest priority he works in US transforming Us From the Inside Out in 2 Corinthians 3:18 we're assured but we all with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory just as by the spirit of the Lord this transformation is a lifelong journey my friends each day presents new opportunities to choose God over our
Idols each decision to put him first strengthens our spiritual muscles and deepens our relationship with him as we consistently Dethrone the idols in our hearts we create space for God to work powerfully in our lives we position ourselves to receive His blessings not just material Prosperity but the richness of his presence the fruit of his Spirit and the joy of walking in his purpose my dear friends I encourage you today to examine your hearts what Idols have taken root there what do you need to surrender to God take a moment now to commit those things
to him trust that as you Dethrone these idols and Elevate God to his rightful place you'll experience a freedom and fulfillment beyond anything this world can offer remember putting God first is not a burden but a blessing it's the key to unlocking the Abundant Life he has promised us us my friends let's now explore the Practical aspects of cultivating a God first lifestyle this is where our beliefs transform into daily actions living a God first life isn't about perfection but about consistent intentional choices that honor him in Romans 12:1 Paul urges us I beseech you
therefore Brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a Living Sacrifice holy acceptable to God which is your reasonable service this verse reminds us that our entire lives can be an act of worship when we offer ourselves fully to God so how do we practically present ourselves as living sacrifices it starts without daily routines consider beginning each day by dedicating it to God before your feet Hit the Floor offer a simple prayer like this Lord this day is yours and I am grateful guide my steps my thoughts and my actions this sets
the tone for putting God first throughout your day next prioritize time in God's word and prayer just as we need physical Food daily we need spiritual nourishment in Psalm 119 ver 105 we're told your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path regular Bible study illuminates our path helping us navigate life's challenges with God's wisdom coupled with prayer it becomes a powerful ful tool for aligning our hearts with God's will another crucial aspect of a God first lifestyle is stewardship this means recognizing that everything we have our time talents and
resources belongs to God we're simply managers of his gifts in 1 Peter 4:10 we're instructed as each one has received a gift minister to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God when we view our lives through this lens it changes how we use our resources we begin to ask how can I use this to glorify God and serve others rather than asking what's in it for me this shift in perspective opens the door to incredible blessings both for us and those around us cultivating a God first lifestyle also involves our relationships
it means seeking to honor God in how we treat others whether it's our family friends co-workers or even strangers in Philippians 2: 3: 4 we're encouraged let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lonliness of mind Let each esteem others better than himself let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others when we prioritize the needs of others and seek to reflect Christ's love in our interactions we're putting God first in our relationships another key aspect of a god- first lifestyle is integrity
this means living consistent ly without beliefs even when no one is watching in Proverbs 11:3 we're told the Integrity of the upright will guide them but the perversity of the Unfaithful will destroy them when we choose honesty even when it's difficult we're putting God first when we resist temptation in private moments we're honoring God these choices may seem small but they build a foundation of character that positions us for God's blessings cultivating a God first lifestyle also involves our thought life in 2 Corinthians 10:5 we're instructed casting down arguments and every High thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to the ob Obedience of Christ this means being mindful of what we allow to occupy our minds are our thoughts align with God's truth are we dwelling on things that honor him when negative or ungodly thoughts arise we can choose to replace them with scripture or prayers my friends living a god- first lifestyle is a journey not a destination it's about progress not Perfection there will be times when we falter when old habits creep back in or when we momentarily lose sight of our priorities
in these moments remember God's grace his love for us isn't based on our performance but on his unchanging character as we consistently cultivate these God first habits we'll find Our Lives increasingly aligned with his will we'll experience the peace that comes from knowing we're living in harmony with our Creator's design we'll discover a sense of purpose that transcends temporary circumstances and we'll position ourselves to receive the fullness of God's blessings not just material Prosperity but the rich Abundant Life that Jesus Promised remember putting God first isn't about earning his love or blessings it's about living
in the reality of who he is and who we are in him it's about aligning our lives with the truth that he is supreme and that our highest joy and fulfillment are found in him now to all those within the sound of my voice let us go to the Lord in prayer I want you to pray this prayer with me or listen to this prayer in faith so that you can have all the blessings of this prayer let us pray to our gracious and loving God Heavenly Father you are the alpha and omega the beginning
and the end your majesty fills the heavens and the Earth your love is deeper than the oceans and higher than the mountains your wisdom surpasses all understanding I stand in awe of your infinite power and boundless Grace Lord this day is yours and I am grateful for the gift of Life guide my steps my thoughts and my actions Lord I Thank You for Your unending faithfulness in my life I'm grateful for your constant presence guiding me through every season thank you for the gift of your word a lamp under my feet and a light unto
my path forgive me Father for my trespasses and for the times I've placed other things before you I forgive those who have wronged me just as you've forgiven me Lord help me to truly put you first in every aspect of my life transform my heart and renew my mind that I may seek your kingdom above all else give me the strength to Dethrone the idols in my heart and to worship you alone I declare that my life is fully surrendered to you in the name of Jesus I rebuke every Spirit of selfishness and pride that
tries to elevate itself above you I bind every spirit that seeks to distract me from your presence father teach me to be a good Steward of the gifts and resources that you've entrusted to me show me how to use them for your glory and the benefit of others help me to cultivate Integrity in all my dealings both public and private let my thoughts always align with your truth and your will Lord I ask for your blessings to flow abund abundantly in my life bless me with spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of your word heal
any areas of Brokenness sickness or disease in my body Mind and Spirit protect me from the attacks of the enemy whether physical emotional or spiritual guard my heart and mind against deception and false teachings strengthen me to resist temptation and to stand firm in my faith Lord I lift up my loved ones to you let these same blessings healing and protection be upon them draw them closer to you and help them to put you first in their lives Lord as I say this prayer together with everyone listening I am grateful for every heart that is
opening before you right now we come in agreement lifting each other up before your throne of grace fill us with your Holy Spirit empowering us to live god- centered lives Lord we declare victory over every area where we've struggled to put you first we claim the Abundant Life you've promised not just in material blessings but in the richness of your presence protect us from the schemes of the enemy and guide us in your perfect will may we be living sacrifices holy and pleasing to you for yours is the kingdom the power and the glory forever
and ever thank you Lord for hearing and answering my prayer in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen if you were blessed by this prayer type the word amen in the comments section below I declare that all the blessings of this prayer are now upon you in the name of Jesus you can help us to reach more persons and spread the gospel you can do this by sharing the video with a friend or family member and by clicking the like button also remember to subscribe to our channel daily Jesus devotional for more videos that
will bless your heart and uplift your spirit we appreciate all your support you're blessed to be a blessing please feel free to leave your prayer request in the comment section so that we can present them before God for your blessings and victory and so that other believers on the YouTube platform and all over the world can join us and start praying for you right now stand in faith with us while we pray to to God be all the glory May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all [Music]