In 2025: Putting God first in everything you do
This is the first podcast episode in the new year. So let me begin by saying, I wish you all the best in 2025, and I hope that you will discover more of who God made you to be and live this out in your daily life.
A New Year is a wonderful time to think about your priorities, to let go of things you’ve outgrown, both literally and figuratively. It can be a time to embrace more completely where God is calling you.
For me, a new year is also a time to take an honest look at my life and see where and how I need to grow spiritually, to connect with God more deeply, and to let the light of Christ shine more brightly in my life.
As I’ve been thinking about this the last few days—and I hope you will feel the same way—it all comes down to putting God first in everything you do.
Now, it’s one thing to realize we ought to do this. It’s another all together to actually do it, and do it consistently.
Asking the right questions
When I was on the Journalism staff in junior high school, every time we wrote an article for the school newspaper, we had to make sure we answered the basic questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Whenever we did that, it’s no wonder the articles were better.
So that’s the approach I’m taking in this episode about putting God first in everything you do.
We’re going to ask: Who? What? When? Where? Why? And How?
Let’s start with: Who?
Who should put God first?
Well, the easy answer, of course, is: Everyone. But the only way you can really answer this question is for yourself. It’s way too easy to think of people you know who definitely need to put God first in their lives. But you can never make someone else make God a priority. You can encourage others to put God first, you can invite them to, as I’m doing in this podcast episode, but whenever you try to force this on someone, it eventually backfires and does more harm than good.
Putting God first in your faith
For many years, when I would study the Bible and come across a passage where Jesus instructs his disciples to do a certain thing or think a certain way, I almost always thought of how the message applied to others. I thought of how everyone at church or work or in my family could or should do what Jesus was telling his followers to do. And how they should do it.
But one day it dawned on me that I was not always doing what Jesus said for myself. I was doing what Jesus said, so others would see the way they were supposed to do things. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with trying to set a good example, and I was very sincere in my efforts to live my faith, but I had developed a pretty severe case of self-righteous Pharisaism.
I would read a Bible verse and think of how someone else needed to obey it or I would think about how I could explain it so they would agree with the way I saw it.
Fortunately, God has on many occasions, opened my eyes and given me lots of opportunities to learn humility. And I have made a lot of progress in this area.
Now, when I find a new idea in the Bible or come across a familiar verse, instead of thinking how others need to interact with it, I focus on what it means for me, and how I can live it in my own life.
You’re not responsible for putting God first for someone else
The point is, it’s not my responsibility to monitor how others are living or not living their faith. I can only work on myself. And the best way to do that is putting God first in my life. I was putting the way other people were living their faith before God and before living my own faith.
Jesus says something to Peter which I have found very helpful in not being preoccupied with someone else’s spiritual journey.
When Peter got a preview of how he would be martyred because of his faith, he was naturally curious what would happen to John. Jesus replied,
Jesus answered, “If I want him [John] to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:22 NIV
It was true for Peter, and it’s true for you and me. I can honestly say I am no longer overly focused on how others are living their faith. My focus is on following Christ myself. You can’t follow Jesus for someone else. You have to do it for yourself.
And to follow Christ means to put God first in everything you do. That’s the example Jesus set for all of us.
The next question to think about is: What?
What does it mean putting God first in everything you do?
Well, it really comes down to making God a priority in your life. It means to love and obey God in all you do.
When one of the Pharisees asked Jesus what the most important commandment was, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5,
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 NIV
And to make the point that we need to put God first, but not neglect to love each other, he added
This is the first and greatest commandment. [In other words, this is the top priority] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:38, 39 NIV
Putting God first means obeying His commandments
To make loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind your number one priority is one thing, but living this out in your daily life is the real victory and shows that you’re putting God first in your life.
To really obey this command takes some earnest and honest self-reflection. It’s not always easy to look at yourself in the mirror, see the areas in your life where you need to do a better job of putting God first, and then actually doing it. But there’s nothing more rewarding.
The next question to ask is: When?
When should I put God first?
Again, the obvious answer is: All the time. We know that, but sometimes we forget. It’s easy to get absorbed in a problem, an event, or a relationship, and we don’t remember to put God first.
So, we’ll go with putting God first every day. But the “when” question doesn’t just apply to time. It also applies to how you’re feeling. It’s might be easier to put God first when you’re quiet, sitting in your prayer chair, expressing gratitude. But you can be sitting in that same prayer chair absorbed in a problem, and the problem has more space in your thinking than God does. You’re putting the problem before God.
When you’re sad, discouraged, depressed, when God seems far away, or you’ve prayed and prayed and don’t feel your prayers have been answered—they just seem like hollow words—or maybe you don’t even feel like praying at all, this is the perfect time to put God first.
I love this promise in Psalms. And you can fill I n the bland with any way you’re feeling.
When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Psalm 86:7 NIV
When God feels far away
Several days ago, I felt uninspired, and unconnected to God. I tried to think of some Bible verses related to what I was thinking about. I tried to pray. But it all just seemed like a bunch of words with no meaning.
Whenever I feel this way, the thing that gets me back on track the quickest is to think of things I’m grateful for. And it usually starts off with something pretty simple. I thanked God for the sheets on the bed. I thanked God for the windows in my bedroom and the window shades. I thought of various other things I was grateful for. Just normal everyday stuff that I often take for granted.
But it got the gratitude juices flowing and pretty soon I was being grateful for the many ways God has blessed me.
Listening for an idea
Another thing I like to do when I’m feeling down in the dumps is, once I’ve got some gratitude going on, I listen for a word or idea. And that’s what I did next. The phrase that came to me was “open door.”
That was interesting! I found this verse in Revelation.
See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8 NIV
This is just what I needed. And it was not hollow words. I felt so encouraged and strengthened way down deep.
When do we need to put God first? Isaiah puts it this way:
My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. Isaiah 26:9 NIV
Let the very first thought you think in the morning and the very last thought you think before you go to sleep, not to mention throughout the day, be about God.
The next question is: Where?
Where do I put God first?
Again, the answer is easy if you’re thinking of where in a geographical sense. Wherever you are, is the best place to put God first.
But the “where” doesn’t just mean a physical location. Let’s take the answer to this question a little deeper. I would say the place to put God first is in your heart, your affections, in your daily life, and the way you interact with others.
Have you ever known someone who could say all the right words at a church meeting, quote the appropriate Bible verses for any situation, and on Sunday be full of inspiration, but the rest of the week, they seem pretty far from a Christlike way of life?
I’m not saying this to be judgmental of them. I have been there myself sometimes. Well, I guess I’m a tiny bit judgmental in that I think they need to put their faith into practice in their daily life. But as I said earlier, I can’t do that for them. They need to put God first in everything during the week, not just on Sundays, when people are watching, or when it’s convenient.
Jesus tells it like it is
Jesus is pretty straightforward with this sort of attitude when he was talking to the Pharisees. They often were just putting on the appearance of being holy and spiritual when they prayed in the streets or offered their charitable giving to be seen by others, or they went overboard in the way they tithed.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Matthew 23:23 NIV
The Pharisees had not really put God first in their hearts. If they had, they would have had a lot more justice, mercy, and faithfulness in their lives and Jesus would have commended instead of rebuking them.
Putting God first with your whole heart
Now, we know King David messed up a few times. He may not have always put God first in his heart, but it was his overall desire, and he often put into practice. He says
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:12 NIV
When you put God first in your heart, He will be first in your life and everything you do.
And now for one of the most important questions we can ask:
Why? Why should I put God first in everything I do?
It really does get down to your motives. The Pharisees were trying to put God first, but they actually were putting what people thought of them before God.
So why should you put God first in your life? The simple answer is that without God, you wouldn’t exist.
There are so many references in the Bible of God creating us, but this one from Psalm 100 is my all-time favorite.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; Psalm 100:3 NKJV
Yes, God created you, but that’s not all. That’s not the only reason why we put Him first in our lives.
Moses reveals a great truth, which we sometimes pass right by. When he is urging the Children of Israel to be faithful to God, he says,
…choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, Deuteronomy 30: 19, 20 ESV
God is your life
Think about that for a minute. God does not just give you life by creating you. God is your life and the length of your days. And that doesn’t just mean how long you’re here on earth. It means for all eternity.
God is your creator, your source, your heavenly parent. God is the spiritual fiber of your being. The best way you can take care of yourself is to put God first in everything you do.
Jesus puts it this way,
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33 CSB
So we’ve covered the who, what, when, where, and why we should put God first in our lives. But it’s time for the nitty gritty of actually doing it. It’s time to ask the final question:
How? How do I put God first in everything I think and do?
Well, there’s no way to cover every possibility. Hundreds of books, sermons, podcasts, videos, and who knows what else have expounded on this idea repeatedly.
But I’ll share a few simple ideas.
How do you put God first in your life? Start your day talking to God. End your day talking to God. Start and end your day listening to God.
Praise God. Thank God. Sings hymns. Ask God questions, even if you think you know the answer. Ask God for help, again, even if you think you can do it all by yourself.
Share your deep innermost hopes and dreams with God before you tell anyone else. Confess your sins to God.
Most importantly, obey God’s commandments. Love God with all your heart and soul and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
Putting God first by following Jesus
And follow Jesus. Do everything Jesus told us to do. Love the way Jesus loved.
Jesus made it clear that everything he said and did was exactly what God told him to say and do.
Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19 NIV
For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. John 12:49, 50 NIV
When you follow Jesus, when you do everything he says to do, you’re actually doing what God told Jesus to tell us. So if you ever have any doubts about how to put God first in your life, just find something Jesus says to do, that seems relevant to the situation you’re in, and do it.
Putting God first in everything you do
Jesus’s life was the supreme example of putting God first in everything he did. He always put God’s will before his own. He only said what God told him to. He only did what he saw God doing. He always gave God the glory.
As I said, Jesus gave us the highest possible example of putting God first. Now, it may seem impossible to live up to that high standard. But we all have to start by taking the first step.
Or if you’re already on the journey, it’s just taking the next step, and the next, and the next.
And if you miss a few steps, wander off the path, or go backwards for a bit, you can always come right back to taking one next step forward of putting God first, with a moment of gratitude, humility, prayer, praise, or repentance.
Psalm 100
I’m going to close with Psalm 100. Earlier I read verse 3, but I think the whole psalm sums up the spirit of why and how we put God first in our lives.
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5 NKJV
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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Contact him here.
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Bible References
John 21:22 NIV
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him [John] to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Matthew 22:37 NIV
37 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Matthew 22:38, 39 NIV
38 This is the first and greatest commandment. [In other words, this is the top priority]
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
Psalm 86:7 NIV
7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.
Revelation 3:8 NIV
8 See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Isaiah 26:9 NIV
9 My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.
Matthew 23:23 NIV
23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
Psalm 86:12 NIV
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 100:3 NKJV
3 Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
Deuteronomy 30: 19, 20 ESV
19 choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days,
Matthew 6:33 CSB
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
John 5:19 NIV
19 Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
John 12:49, 50 NIV
Psalm 100:1-5 NKJV
1 Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
