by Joyce Dunaway @DunawayJoyce

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33 KJV).

What or who is the most important thing or person in your life? When asked this question many of us would say our families, our jobs, or our worldly possessions. But how many of us would say God is our top priority?

Even as Christians many of us would claim God is first, but do our actions prove this declaration? How can we make sure He is the most important person in our lives?

Following are some actions which will ensure we’re putting God first in our lives:

Give Him the First Hour of the Day

When the alarm sounds, many of us start rushing (maybe after the first cup of coffee) to meet the demands of the day. Our minds focus on what has to be accomplished. But what if our first thoughts centered on God? Our pastor often advises us to spend the first hour of the day with God. But we make excuses—we have to fix breakfast, get our kids to school, head to work or do homeschooling—we just don’t have the luxury of an extra hour. For some of us it might mean setting the alarm earlier. You may groan at that suggestion. However when we do spend quiet time with God, we are more peaceful and better equipped to face whatever trials or frustrations enter our lives.

Read God’s Word

God speaks to us through the pages of the Bible. The words written there were inspired by Him. His Word tells us everything we need to know about having a relationship with Him and how to live our daily lives.

Study God’s Word

If possible, participating in a group Bible study is very beneficial. The discussions often help us realize we’re not the only ones struggling with certain issues. Also, the homework assignments make us accountable and help us delve deeper into His Word. When your schedule doesn’t allow time for group study, there are numerous studies you can do on your own.

Memorize Scripture

Have you ever been in a stressful situation and a Bible verse pops into your head? By storing His Word in our hearts, we have ready access for comfort, strength, patience, and wisdom. His Word also keeps us from veering off the path of following His leading.

Pray

Prayer is a two-way conversation with God. Many times we give God our lists of wants and needs but don’t take the time to listen to His voice. It’s wonderful that we can pray to God throughout the day—while driving, washing dishes, doing laundry—but it’s also important for us to “Be Still” and spend uninterrupted time with Him.

I would love to hear how these suggestions or others have helped you put God first in your life. Please share your thoughts in the section below.