How does one put God first?

[spiritmech]

Many traditions, Christian and non-Christian, tell me that if I put God first, then He will take care of the rest. ("Seek ye first the kingdom of God ....").

Intellectually, I can consent to that. Religiously, I see how that definitely ought to be true. But I have a hard time surrendering these other things, and I find it very difficult giving up my idols.

So, how does one put God first? How, exactly, do I put my idol down?
sm

[ApologiaPhoenix]

Many traditions, Christian and non-Christian, tell me that if I put God first, then He will take care of the rest. ("Seek ye first the kingdom of God ....").

Intellectually, I can consent to that. Religiously, I see how that definitely ought to be true. But I have a hard time surrendering these other things, and I find it very difficult giving up my idols.

So, how does one put God first? How, exactly, do I put my idol down?
sm

Friend. I wish I had the answer to this. I really do. I'm still struggling with it also. However, I think one thing is kept in mind.

Even if one isn't actively thinking about their faith, if one is strong in it, it is always in the back of their minds as a built in reflex as it were.

Also, I don't think putting God first means life is a-okay. Christ put God first and got crucified after all.

My suggestion? Meet with other Christians. Be honest about your struggles. Also, learn to not listen to emotions. Gary Habermas has some great MP3s in the audio section of his website garyhabermas.com on dealing with emotional doubt. I highly recommend them.

[barley]

How to put God first? What does the word of God teach? Matthew 6:33, not only are we to first seek His kingdom first but also His righteousness. How does God declare His righteousness, how does He make known His righteousness, how are we to do righteousness, what does it mean to love God? To love God is to keep His commandments. I John 2:3,5. As we learn God's Word, we learn what God expects of us and what to avoid. I John 5:21. We seek not the world's standards of living, but the standards of living that God has set forth for us. Colossians 3:1,2. See alot of verses on this, but Romans 8:5,6. When we read the Word and we have to choose what we may have taught previously versus what God's Word actually teaches, we choose what God's Word says. Take for instance, Some people say that God punishes people who sins. For a you, a believer, this is not true, there may be consequences for foolish decisions, but they do not come from God. See Romans 5:1, We have peace with God, God is not at war with you, He is at peace with you. Likewise, some people teach that Christians have to go through the wrath, Look at Romans 5:9, we shall be saved from the wrath to come, we will be removed, gathered together and brought to heaven before the wrath comes. I Thessalonians 4:17,18. There is plenty more to be said, but this would take hours, this alone should get you going. Thank God for help in understanding more, some one you can learn from face to face. Focus on reading Romans through Thessalonians. This is where the Christian is to find instructions for living a Christian life. This may be a new concept to you but, in brief, most Christians and denominations love the Gospels, which is fine, but in order for us to understand what Jesus Christ accomplished for us by his death, resurrection, ascension, and the giving of the gift of holy spirit on the day of Pentecost, we must read Romans through Thessalonians.