Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The conclusion of this message is simple: Put God first.

I think we can all agree that we are busy. Time seems to be a premium. As a child you see time filled with grooming, school, homework, sports, friends, family even taking their free time and filling it with video games, social media, texting, movies… note what is missing?

As an adult our list often is the same, save school for work… leaving out the same:

In our Bible we see God’s book, the instruction manual for our lives, starting out with “In the beginning God”. In fact, putting God first was so important to Him; He chose to put it at the beginning of the Bible!

There are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day and 7 days a week. We all get the same amount of time… it is what we do with it that matters. If we are going to make the most of the time given to us, shouldn’t we start out our time… with God first?

Putting God first in Salvation.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Because we are so busy we often look for shortcuts to understanding, which can lead to misunderstandings. We watch a movie instead of a book, listen to an opinion rather that seek the facts, allow ourselves to be educated by an organization rather then to learn about the issues ourselves.

Enter religion. So much is placed on the church advertisements to let people know about the music, the Bible, the facility, the activities, the people, the pastor and the parking; that salvation often is last.

People have been told for years to stop smoking, stop cussing, stop drinking – Clean yourself up THEN go to church. But nothing could be farther from the word of God.

Salvation should be the first and foremost charter of any Christian, Christian or Christian Church. When you look at the pattern of the Tabernacle the picture of the sacrifice if the FIRST thing seen. The Laver (cleansing) Articles of Fellowship (Church) and the holies of holies (access to God) we all things that came AFTER the sacrifice.

Seek God Early

Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Starting out our day with God will change the perspective of the day. Our focus, attitude, outlook and anticipation of our day will be seen through God’s eyes, rather than the eyes of the world and our fleshly problems.

Psalm 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Putting God First at Church

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

If you ask 10 people why they go to church; you will likely get 10 different reasons. With the Church today so interested in filling seats and paying the mortgage it can get easy to lose focus on the spiritual condition of the people.

Likewise, the people being busy about God’s business, it’s easy to lose focus on putting God first. As we see in 1 Peter, putting God first aligns our path to be able to help others. When we move prayed up by putting God first we will see the fruits of the Church and the people grow.

Putting God First In Marriage

1 Peter 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

Naturally this point could be made for those who might choose to have relationships prior to marriage. Scripturally, putting God first means to have those relations in God’s order; marriage first. Beyond that, within a husband and wife relationship, is a balance whereby the fleshly needs and the spiritual needs both are to be fulfilled as part of that proper relationship.

However, when the fleshly needs are placed before the spiritual needs it will never satisfy or complete the spiritual roles of both the husband and the wife. Over a period of time, the fulfillment of the flesh will no longer satisfy the needs of the soul. The wife, needing a spiritual leader will be left wanting. The husband, needing a helpmeet, will feel disappointment. When placing God first in the marriage and completing the spiritual roles that God has given for both the husband and the wife; it allows for a more open and fulfilling relationship

Putting God First in Raising Kids

As parents we know that are to train up a child. If we start the child out early with God: in prayer, at church, in the word…

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

It’s not secret that kids today have more distractions that ever before. Cell Phones, TV, Youtube, Facebook, Netflix, video games… all these things that, if we are not careful, will be done before God is even thought about. Part of the process of training a child is to train them to seek God first; however that also means that we, as parents, should be seeking Him first too.

Putting God First in our Jobs

Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Putting God first means to do what you were hired to do to the best of your ability. It does not mean to read your Bible or witness on company time. That is stealing from your employer. When you seek God first your work ethic, clean communication and attitude can be a tremendous witness to your co-workers.

The sad reality

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Too often we say that verse at the end of the day trying to find something good about it. When we don’t put God first we miss an opportunity to enjoy our day WITH God… rather than simply acknowledging him after.