“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).
You must give God first place in your life. People are typically crisis-oriented. People typically wait until a crisis develops before they do something about the issue.
Even in teaching your children to pray, teach them that God is the first One to acknowledge in the morning. I didn’t learn this right away; it didn’t dawn on me until many years later. But you need to set the precedent with your kids that when they get up, the first thing they do is pray, Father, I want to thank you and acknowledge you in all ways and that you may direct my path.
Say, “Thank you Lord, your healing power flows in my body from the crown of my head to the very soles of my feet.”
You know the Spirit of God can lead you away from an environmental problem, he can lead you to the right room, the right place, the right building, and away from the wrong room, wrong place and wrong building.
I mean, the Spirit of God can lead and guide you if you will acknowledge him in all your ways first.
Before you turn on the Today Show, spend your time with God. Start out with God before you get your snap, crackle, pop. You want to start out with God first before you get your aerobic exercise done. You want God to be Number One in your life and if you put God first you’ll get his direction first. If you put him last, you’ll get his direction last.
Many people are crisis oriented. They will wait until they are diagnosed with a terminal disease and then all of a sudden they want the Word of God every moment, every second. Then they are meditating the Word and wanting everybody pray for them.
That’s like trying to build a house in the middle of a hurricane. It’s not impossible, but it’s a whole lot easier when the weather is good. Why wait until the last minute? Now is the time to put the Word of God in your mouth. Now is the time to say what God said. Now is the time to meditate the Word so that your profiting can appear to all.
Study Reference: Psalm 63:1; Luke 6:45-49; Isaiah 55:6
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).