Seek First
06/22/2026
Seek First
There are a lot of things competing for our attention these days. Responsibilities. Finances. Family concerns. Health issues. Future plans. Some of those things are important and deserve our attention. The problem comes when they begin to consume our thoughts and push God to the edges of our lives.
Jesus understood that tendency. That’s why in the middle of a teaching about worry, needs, and daily provision, He gave His followers a simple but life-changing principle.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
Jesus wasn’t speaking these words in isolation. The verses leading up to this are all about worry. People were anxious about food, clothing, and the necessities of life. They were asking many of the same questions we ask today.
How will I pay the bills?
What happens if things don’t work out?
What about my future?
What about my family?
Jesus didn’t dismiss those concerns. He simply redirected their focus.
Notice He didn’t say, “Ignore your responsibilities.” He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God.”
There is a difference.
Many of us have experienced what happens when life gets out of order. We put work first and family suffers. We put finances first and peace disappears. We put our own plans first and wonder why we feel distant from God.
Jesus teaches that there is a divine order to life. When God is first, everything else begins to find its proper place.
That doesn’t mean life becomes easy. It doesn’t mean every prayer is answered exactly the way we want. It doesn’t mean challenges disappear. But it does mean we stop carrying burdens we were never designed to carry alone.
I’ve watched believers walk through serious illness, financial setbacks, broken relationships, and uncertain futures while maintaining a deep sense of peace. Not because their circumstances were easy, but because their priorities were settled. They had already decided that God’s kingdom mattered more than everything else.
The truth is, whatever comes first in our lives shapes everything that follows.
If God gets what’s left over after our schedules, budgets, and energy are spent, we’ll constantly feel spiritually dry. But when He gets first place, our perspective changes. We begin making decisions differently. We worry less. We trust more.
Seeking God’s kingdom isn’t just a Sunday activity. It’s a daily decision. It’s asking, “Lord, what would honor You in this situation?” before making a choice. It’s opening His Word before opening social media. It’s seeking His direction before rushing ahead with our own plans.
The invitation Jesus gives is simple: Put God first and trust Him with the rest.
Action Steps
* Start your day tomorrow with prayer and Scripture before checking your phone.
* Identify one area where worry has been consuming your thoughts and intentionally surrender it to God.
* Ask yourself, “Is God truly first in my priorities?” and make one adjustment if needed.
Challenge for the Day
Before making any major decision today, pause and ask, “Does this reflect God’s kingdom and His righteousness?” Let that question guide your next step.
Prayer
Father, thank You for caring about every detail of our lives. Forgive us for the times we allow worry, fear, and distractions to take first place. Help us seek You above everything else. Teach us to trust Your provision, Your timing, and Your plan. May our lives reflect Your kingdom in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Seek First
There are a lot of things competing for our attention these days. Responsibilities. Finances. Family concerns. Health issues. Future plans. Some of those things are important and deserve our attention. The problem comes when they begin to consume our thoughts and push God to the edges of our lives.
Jesus understood that tendency. That’s why in the middle of a teaching about worry, needs, and daily provision, He gave His followers a simple but life-changing principle.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
Jesus wasn’t speaking these words in isolation. The verses leading up to this are all about worry. People were anxious about food, clothing, and the necessities of life. They were asking many of the same questions we ask today.
How will I pay the bills?
What happens if things don’t work out?
What about my future?
What about my family?
Jesus didn’t dismiss those concerns. He simply redirected their focus.
Notice He didn’t say, “Ignore your responsibilities.” He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God.”
There is a difference.
Many of us have experienced what happens when life gets out of order. We put work first and family suffers. We put finances first and peace disappears. We put our own plans first and wonder why we feel distant from God.
Jesus teaches that there is a divine order to life. When God is first, everything else begins to find its proper place.
That doesn’t mean life becomes easy. It doesn’t mean every prayer is answered exactly the way we want. It doesn’t mean challenges disappear. But it does mean we stop carrying burdens we were never designed to carry alone.
I’ve watched believers walk through serious illness, financial setbacks, broken relationships, and uncertain futures while maintaining a deep sense of peace. Not because their circumstances were easy, but because their priorities were settled. They had already decided that God’s kingdom mattered more than everything else.
The truth is, whatever comes first in our lives shapes everything that follows.
If God gets what’s left over after our schedules, budgets, and energy are spent, we’ll constantly feel spiritually dry. But when He gets first place, our perspective changes. We begin making decisions differently. We worry less. We trust more.
Seeking God’s kingdom isn’t just a Sunday activity. It’s a daily decision. It’s asking, “Lord, what would honor You in this situation?” before making a choice. It’s opening His Word before opening social media. It’s seeking His direction before rushing ahead with our own plans.
The invitation Jesus gives is simple: Put God first and trust Him with the rest.
Action Steps
* Start your day tomorrow with prayer and Scripture before checking your phone.
* Identify one area where worry has been consuming your thoughts and intentionally surrender it to God.
* Ask yourself, “Is God truly first in my priorities?” and make one adjustment if needed.
Challenge for the Day
Before making any major decision today, pause and ask, “Does this reflect God’s kingdom and His righteousness?” Let that question guide your next step.
Prayer
Father, thank You for caring about every detail of our lives. Forgive us for the times we allow worry, fear, and distractions to take first place. Help us seek You above everything else. Teach us to trust Your provision, Your timing, and Your plan. May our lives reflect Your kingdom in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Embracing God’s New BeginningsRenewed, Not Worn DownThe Gift of Rest, Not a BurdenOne Thing I AskTransformed, Not ConformedArise and ShineFor His Glory in the OrdinaryChoosing Generosity Over ConvenienceAbide and Bear FruitDon’t Forget the BenefitsSetting an Example in Every SeasonLosing to LiveReady When He ComesThe Low Road That Leads to LifeWhere Your Heart Truly LivesThe God Who Sings Over YouRest That Goes Deeper Than SleepUnited in ChristHow Good and PleasantOvercome Evil with Active GoodThe Strong TowerActivated FaithNo Condemnation—Only FreedomThe Goodness Found in WaitingConfessing and RemainingUnder the Same SkyTeach Me to Walk in Your WillAnxious for NothingThere Is No Rock Like Our GodLiving the Word, Not Just Hearing ItStirred to Love
February
A Soul That Magnifies the LordStrong Where It Matters MostWalking Through the Darkest ValleyThe Golden WayA Word That Lifts the WeightRun With PurposeTraining for What LastsJoy That Grows Under PressureWhen Anxiety Multiplies, God SustainsRefined by the FireGrace That OverflowsStrength for Every SeasonUnashamed to Bear His NameDevoted to One AnotherThe Joy of a Righteous ChildWalking in LoveThe Glory That Fills the EarthFinish WellThe Pain That Produces PeaceOur Only AimThe Way, The Truth, The LifeStrength to Seek HimThe Whole Duty of ManTreasure Hidden in the FieldO Lord, You Are My GodDelight Yourself in the LordWalk in His StepsFriend Who Sticks Closer
March
The Long-Suffering Love of GodOvercome Evil with GoodBe Strong and CourageousMorning GuidanceThe Quiet Power of GenerosityWhat We See Is Not All There IsThe Faithful ProtectorStrength and DignityCasting What We CarryCharm Fades, But Reverence RemainsThe Voice of the Good ShepherdPeace That Changes EverythingBefore Everything ElseFor Such a Time as ThisWhen Life Turns, Turn to GodMake His Name KnownTrusting the God Who Sees the Whole RoadGreater Is He Within YouSurely Goodness and Love Will FollowThere Is Still a Rest for YouWhen Fear KnocksA Sorrow That Leads to LifeWhen Your Soul Thirsts for MoreOpen Hands, Open HeavenUnstoppable PeaceWhen Seeking Becomes SurrenderUnited in Spirit, Rooted in ChristThe Lifter of My HeadBlessed Is the KingBehold the Lamb Who Takes Away SinThe King Who Came to Serve
No Comments