Aligning Our Priorities with God's Will

Devotional

Day 1: God First—The Ultimate Priority

Putting God first means letting Him permeate every area of life.
To seek God first is not simply to check a box with a quick prayer or a Sunday service, but to allow His will, values, and purposes to shape every decision, relationship, and pursuit. God desires to be the center, not just the top, of your priorities—transforming your family, work, and community life through His presence. When you align your life to His kingdom, you experience His provision and guidance, and your actions become a reflection of His love and righteousness to those around you. [57:50]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV):
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been treating God as an add-on rather than the center? How can you intentionally invite Him to direct your choices in that area this week?

Day 2: Family—Your First Ministry

Honoring God means prioritizing and nurturing your family relationships.
Family is the first place where faith is lived out and modeled, whether you are married, single, or a parent. Providing for, loving, and discipling your family is a sacred calling, and the health of your family life is a powerful witness to the world. Even when life brings challenges or brokenness, God calls you to honor Him in your family relationships, to be vigilant against the enemy’s attacks, and to make your home a place where faith, love, and commitment are visible and real. [01:05:27]

1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV):
"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can invest in your family relationships this week—whether through time, encouragement, or spiritual leadership?

Day 3: Work as Worship, Not an Idol

Work is a God-given avenue for service, creativity, and provision, but must never replace God or family.
God designed work to be honorable and meaningful, a way to serve others and steward His gifts. However, it is easy to let work overtake your relationship with God and your family, especially when the world applauds career success above all else. True biblical priorities mean working with excellence and integrity as unto the Lord, but never sacrificing your faith or loved ones on the altar of ambition. Let your work be an act of worship, not your master. [01:14:32]

Colossians 3:23 (ESV):
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed work to overshadow your relationship with God or your family? What boundary or habit can you set this week to keep work in its proper place?

Day 4: Church and Community—Serving as the Body of Christ

Engaging in church and community is essential, but must flow from a life rightly ordered by God’s priorities.
God calls you to live out your faith in community, using your gifts to serve others and build up the body of Christ. Church involvement and community service are vital, but they should never come at the expense of your relationship with God or your family. When your life is aligned with God’s order, your ministry and service become an overflow of His work in you, blessing both the church and the world around you. [01:17:53]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV):
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts to encourage or serve someone in your church or community this week?

Day 5: Living as a Signpost of the Kingdom

Your priorities are a witness to the world and a reflection of your mission in Christ.
The way you order your life—your time, resources, and relationships—shows others what you truly value and whom you serve. When you align your priorities with God’s, you become a signpost pointing others to Jesus, living out the great commandment to love God and love others, and the great commission to make disciples. Even when it is challenging or costly, the growth and fruit that come from living God’s way are lasting and impactful, both for you and for those who watch your life. [01:23:33]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV):
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Who in your life is “reading” your priorities? What is one change you can make this week so that your life more clearly points others to Christ and His kingdom?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the deep and practical question: Are our priorities truly aligned with God’s priorities? It’s easy to declare with our lips that God is first, but the real test is found in our calendars and our budgets—how we spend our time and resources. These are the true indicators of what we value most. The call is to move beyond mere declarations and to let our actions, choices, and daily rhythms reflect a life surrendered to God’s will, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly.

The biblical model for priorities is clear: God is not just the first item on a checklist, but the ultimate, central focus through which every other area of life is ordered. Seeking first the kingdom of God means allowing His values to permeate our family, work, and community life. It’s not about giving God a quick nod in the morning or on Sundays, but about letting Him transform every sphere—our relationships, our finances, our work ethic, and our service to others.

Family is highlighted as our first ministry after God. Whether married, single, or parenting, the home is the primary place where faith is lived out and passed on. The enemy targets families because strong, Christ-centered families are a threat to the kingdom of darkness. We are called to honor, disciple, and love within our households, recognizing that our witness begins at home.

Work is affirmed as a God-given priority, not a curse or an idol. We are to work with excellence as unto the Lord, but never at the expense of our relationship with God or our families. The world may applaud those who sacrifice everything for career success, but Scripture warns against gaining the world and losing our soul.

Church and community come next, as we are called to live out our faith in fellowship, service, and love for our neighbors. However, even ministry must flow from a life rightly ordered—God first, then family, then work, then church and community. We are to be signposts of the kingdom, living in the world but not conformed to its values.

The challenge is to evaluate our lives honestly, to look at where our time and money go, and to realign our priorities with God’s. This may involve painful choices, but the growth and fruit that come from living according to God’s order are lasting and worth every sacrifice.

Key Takeaways

1. True priorities are revealed by our actions, not our declarations. It’s easy to say God is first, but our calendars and budgets tell the real story. The way we allocate our time and resources exposes what we truly value, and this is where the call to surrender becomes real and personal. [46:16]
2. Putting God first is not about checking a box, but about letting Him be the lens through which every other priority is viewed. God doesn’t want to compete with our family, work, or recreation—He wants to transform them. Seeking first the kingdom means inviting God into every decision, relationship, and responsibility, allowing His will to shape all we do. [59:06]
3. Family is not a distraction from ministry; it is our first ministry. The home is where faith is modeled, taught, and lived out. Whether you are married, single, or parenting, your witness begins with those closest to you, and the enemy will target this sphere because of its power to shape lives and communities. [69:20]
4. Work is a sacred calling, but it must never become an idol. We are to work with excellence as unto the Lord, but not at the expense of our relationship with God or our families. The world may celebrate those who sacrifice everything for career, but God calls us to a higher order where work serves the kingdom, not our ego or ambition. [76:30]
5. Living on mission means our priorities are shaped by the great commandment and the great commission. Our lives are to be signposts of the kingdom, pointing others to Christ through the way we love, serve, and steward what God has entrusted to us. This requires continual evaluation, realignment, and the courage to make hard choices for lasting growth. [83:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:44] - Opening Prayer and Surrender
[41:49] - The Challenge of Obedience
[43:02] - Announcements and Fellowship Opportunities
[44:19] - Introducing Life’s Priorities
[45:37] - Declarations vs. Actions
[46:56] - Time, Resources, and Revealed Priorities
[47:37] - The Witness of Our Lives
[50:43] - Understanding True Value in Priorities
[51:23] - The Pull of the World vs. The Kingdom
[57:16] - God as the Ultimate Priority
[59:06] - God at the Center, Not Just the Top
[65:27] - Family as First Ministry
[73:10] - Work as a God-Given Priority
[77:13] - Church and Community
[81:41] - Navigating the World’s Influence
[83:33] - Living as Signposts of the Kingdom
[84:45] - Priorities and Mission
[87:18] - Practical Steps for Realignment
[91:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) — > But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

2. 1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV)
> But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

3. Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
> Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 6:33, what does Jesus say should be our first priority in life? How does He say our other needs will be met?
In 1 Timothy 5:8, what strong language does Paul use to describe someone who neglects their family responsibilities?
Based on Colossians 3:23, how are we supposed to approach our work, and who are we ultimately working for?
The sermon said, “Our calendars and our budgets…reveal our priorities.” What examples did the pastor give of how our time and money show what we value? [[46:16]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon explained that putting God first is not just about checking a box, but letting Him be the lens through which every other area of life is ordered. What does it mean for God to be at the center, not just the top, of our priorities? [[59:06]]
Why do you think the Bible places such a strong emphasis on caring for family, even saying that neglecting this is “worse than an unbeliever”? [[01:05:27]]
The pastor said that work is a God-given priority, but it must never become an idol. What are some signs that work might be taking the wrong place in someone’s life? [[01:16:30]]
The sermon challenged us to look at our calendars and budgets to see our true priorities. Why is this kind of honest self-evaluation so difficult, and what might we discover if we do it? [[46:16]]

Application Questions

When you look at your own calendar and budget, what do they reveal about your true priorities? Is there anything that surprises you or that you feel needs to change? [[46:16]]
The pastor said, “Family is not a distraction from ministry; it is our first ministry.” In what ways can you be more intentional about discipling or loving your family this week? If you’re single, what does it look like to honor God in your closest relationships? [[01:09:20]]
Are there areas where you tend to “check the God box” (like a quick prayer or Sunday service) but don’t let God shape your decisions, relationships, or work? What is one area where you want to invite God to be at the center, not just the top? [[59:06]]
The world often celebrates sacrificing everything for career success. Have you ever felt pressure to put work above God or family? How can you resist that pressure and keep your priorities in God’s order? [[01:16:30]]
The sermon encouraged us to “seek first the kingdom” in every area of life. What is one practical step you can take this week to realign your priorities with God’s—whether it’s in your time, your finances, or your relationships? [[01:27:18]]
The pastor mentioned that living according to God’s priorities can be uncomfortable or even painful, but the growth is worth it. Can you share a time when making a hard choice for God’s priorities led to growth or blessing in your life? [[01:26:38]]
Who is one person you can bless this week with encouragement, generosity, or service as a way of living out your priorities on mission? [[01:29:45]]

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