“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Bible Verses About Keeping God First
Trusting God Above All
When we talk about keeping God first, the foundation of our faith lies in trust. Trusting in God means we rely on His strength, wisdom, and guidance, even when times get tough. We are reminded that our understanding is limited, but God’s understanding is infinite. By placing our trust in Him, we acknowledge that He knows our needs even before we do. Trust involves letting go of worry and giving our fears to Him. We find comfort in knowing that we are not alone and that He is our refuge and strength.
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
Psalm 56:3
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” – Psalm 56:3
Isaiah 26:4
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” – Isaiah 26:4
Jeremiah 17:7
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” – Jeremiah 17:7
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.” – Psalm 37:5
Prioritizing God’s Will
In our lives, we often find ourselves pulled in different directions by personal desires and worldly expectations. However, prioritizing God’s will means seeking what He wants for us above our ambitions. It involves dedicating our plans and desires to Him and being willing to follow where He leads. This surrender brings us peace because we know we are aligning ourselves with His perfect plans for our lives. When we put God’s will first, we will see our relationships and opportunities flourish as they align with His purpose.
James 4:15
“Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'” – James 4:15
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” – Colossians 3:23-24
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3
Seeking God in Prayer
Prayer is one vital way we keep God first in our lives. It is our direct line to God, where we express our thoughts, feelings, hopes, and needs. When we prioritize prayer, we cultivate a deeper relationship with Him, learning to trust Him and seek His guidance for our daily lives. Prayer not only allows us to speak to God, but it opens our hearts to hear from Him. In committed prayer, we find clarity, peace, and assurance that He is in control. Let us seek His presence through prayer consistently.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6-7
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Jeremiah 29:12
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:12
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24
Loving Others as God Instructs
Keeping God first also means loving others. Jesus taught us that loving our neighbor is just as crucial as loving Him. Our relationships with others reflect our relationship with God. When we show kindness, compassion, and patience, we demonstrate God’s love through us. This can be challenging at times, but by asking God for strength and guidance, we can manage to love even those who seem unlovable. Let’s remember that when we keep God first, loving others becomes a joy and not a task, filling our hearts with His love.
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34
Matthew 22:39
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Matthew 22:39
Galatians 5:14
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Galatians 5:14
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10
Being Grateful for God’s Blessings
Gratitude is essential in keeping God first in our lives. When we recognize and appreciate the blessings that God pours into our lives, we cultivate a heart posture that honors Him. Expressing thankfulness reminds us of His goodness and faithfulness. Whether big or small, every blessing serves as a reminder of His love for us. By focusing on what we have rather than what we lack, we can greatly enhance our relationship with God and inspire others to do the same. Gratitude allows us to keep our God in the forefront of our lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15
Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” – Psalm 100:4
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” – James 1:17
Staying Strong in Trials
Life is filled with challenges, and sometimes we can lose sight of keeping God first in those moments of struggle. However, trials can strengthen our faith and reliance on God. It’s during tough times that we can seek Him more diligently and realize how much we need His guidance and support. In these moments, maintaining our focus on Him helps us to persevere through difficulties, knowing that He has a purpose for our struggles. Keeping God first offers solace and hope, showing us that we are never alone in our trials.
James 1:2-3
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
1 Peter 5:10
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Sharing the Good News
Lastly, keeping God first is also about sharing His love and message with others. Each of us has a role to play in spreading God’s word and demonstrating His grace in our lives. It’s essential to take the time to share our faith journey with those around us and allow God to work through us. By sharing His goodness, we not only keep God first, but we can also lead others to Him. Let’s remember that sharing the good news brings hope to others and brightens their lives with the love of Christ.
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” – Mark 16:15
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Romans 10:14
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” – Romans 10:14
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” – 2 Timothy 4:2
Final Thoughts
Keeping God first in our lives involves trusting Him, prioritizing His will, and seeking Him in prayer. It means loving our neighbors, being grateful for His blessings, and finding strength in trials. As we share the good news of Christ, we inspire others to do the same. By keeping our focus on God, we cultivate a fulfilling relationship with Him and experience the joy that comes from living out our faith daily.
Let us strive to put God at the center of our lives, knowing that He guides us in every step we take. By aligning our actions with His will, we can bring hope and love to those around us.
For more insights on faith, check out Bible Verses About Putting Others First and explore Bible Verses About Seeking Truth for further encouragement.