Prioritizing God: A Journey of Faith and Transformation
Summary
In the message delivered by Ps Jenny Roche, the central theme revolves around the importance of prioritizing God in every aspect of life. The message begins with an emphasis on the significance of prayer and fasting, particularly highlighting the church's commitment to a 21-day period of focused prayer and fasting. This practice is rooted in the belief that dedicating the beginning of the year to seeking God can lead to profound blessings and breakthroughs.
The speaker draws attention to the biblical account of Daniel, who experienced divine intervention after a 21-day period of prayer and fasting. This example serves as an inspiration for believers to engage in similar spiritual disciplines, with the expectation that God will respond powerfully to their dedication.
The message further explores the concept of putting God first, which is illustrated through the biblical principle of tithing. Tithing is presented not as a mere financial obligation but as a covenantal act that demonstrates one's trust in God's provision and sovereignty. By giving the first portion of one's income to God, believers acknowledge His priority in their lives and invite His blessing on the remainder.
The speaker also emphasizes the importance of consistent church attendance, not just as a weekly routine but as a commitment to setting aside an entire day for God. This practice is likened to Jesus' custom of going to the synagogue, as recorded in Luke 4:16. By following this example, believers can expect to see a positive transformation in their lives.
Moreover, the message encourages believers to start each day with God by spending time in His Word, worship, and prayer. The speaker shares personal routines and practical tips for incorporating these spiritual disciplines into daily life, even amidst busy schedules. The use of technology, such as a church app with Bible reading plans, is suggested as a helpful tool for maintaining this daily commitment.
The message concludes with a call to action for those who have not yet made a decision to follow Christ. An invitation is extended to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, with the assurance that this decision will lead to a changed life and inclusion in the family of God.
The message is punctuated with personal anecdotes and references to historical events, such as Abraham Lincoln's call for a national fast during the American Civil War, to illustrate the power of prayer and fasting on a larger scale. The speaker also shares the church's testimony of how prayer has been foundational to its growth and success.
Throughout the message, the speaker weaves in the metaphor of life's journey, using the story of "Life in Five Chapters" to encourage believers to make necessary changes to avoid repeating past mistakes. The emphasis is on the transformative power of putting God first and the positive outcomes that result from such a commitment.
Key Takeaways:
- Prioritizing God in every aspect of life is essential for spiritual growth and experiencing God's blessings. By dedicating the first part of the year, month, week, and day to God, believers set a foundation for His presence and guidance in all they do. This principle is not limited to financial giving but extends to time, attention, and devotion. [01:19:11]
- Engaging in a period of prayer and fasting, such as the 21-day commitment highlighted in the message, can lead to significant spiritual breakthroughs. This practice is rooted in biblical examples and has the potential to open the heavens for divine intervention and confrontation with spiritual opposition. [01:02:25]
- Consistent church attendance is more than a weekly routine; it is a commitment to giving God an entire day of worship and fellowship. This practice aligns with Jesus' custom and has the power to transform lives by fostering a deeper relationship with God and the community of believers. [01:29:54]
- Starting each day with God through reading the Word, worship, and prayer sets the tone for the day and ensures that God's presence and wisdom are sought first. Even a brief time spent in these disciplines can have a profound impact on one's daily life and decisions. [01:32:16]
- The decision to follow Christ is the most significant one can make, leading to a changed life and inclusion in the family of God. This commitment is the starting point for a journey of faith and obedience, and it opens the door for God to work in and through an individual's life. [01:36:23]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 10:2-3 (NIV)
> "At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over."
2. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)
> "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
3. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
> "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Daniel's 21-day period of prayer and fasting, and what was the outcome? ([01:02:25])
2. According to Proverbs 3:9-10, what are the promised results of honoring God with the firstfruits of our wealth?
3. How does Matthew 6:33 instruct believers to prioritize their lives, and what is the promised result of doing so?
4. In the sermon, what personal routines and practical tips did Ps Jenny Roche share for starting each day with God? ([01:32:16])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Daniel's 21-day fast led to such a significant spiritual breakthrough? How might this apply to our own spiritual practices? ([01:02:25])
2. How does the principle of tithing, as discussed in Proverbs 3:9-10, reflect a believer's trust in God's provision and sovereignty? ([01:19:11])
3. What does it mean to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" in the context of daily life, and how can this principle transform a believer's priorities? ([01:21:09])
4. How can consistent church attendance, as emphasized in the sermon, foster a deeper relationship with God and the community of believers? ([01:29:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you dedicated a specific period to prayer and fasting. What changes or breakthroughs did you experience? How can you incorporate this practice into your life more regularly? ([01:02:25])
2. In what ways can you honor God with the firstfruits of your income? Are there any adjustments you need to make in your financial priorities to reflect this commitment? ([01:19:11])
3. How can you make seeking God's kingdom and righteousness a daily priority? Identify one specific change you can make in your daily routine to put this into practice. ([01:21:09])
4. What steps can you take to ensure consistent church attendance and active participation in your church community? How might this commitment impact your spiritual growth? ([01:29:54])
5. Consider your current morning routine. What specific actions can you take to start each day with God through reading the Word, worship, and prayer? ([01:32:16])
6. Have you ever felt that God was not the center of your life, even though He was present? What changes can you make to ensure that God is front and center in all aspects of your life? ([01:12:45])
7. Reflect on the story of "Life in Five Chapters" shared in the sermon. What "holes" do you need to avoid in your spiritual journey, and what practical steps can you take to walk down a different "street"? ([01:33:58])
Devotional
Day 1: Foundation of Divine Presence
Prioritizing God at the start of each new cycle creates a spiritual foundation that invites His presence into all facets of life. By dedicating the first part of the year, month, week, and day to God, one sets a tone of divine guidance and blessing that permeates every decision and action. This commitment to God is a holistic approach that encompasses not just finances but also time, attention, and devotion. [01:19:11]
Proverbs 3:9-10 - "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
Reflection: How can you honor God with the 'firstfruits' of your time and resources today?
Day 2: Breakthroughs in Discipline
Engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer and fasting can lead to significant breakthroughs and divine encounters. The biblical example of Daniel, who after a 21-day period of prayer and fasting received a powerful response from God, encourages believers to expect that their dedication will be met with divine intervention. [01:02:25]
Daniel 10:2-3 - "At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over."
Reflection: What spiritual discipline can you commit to for a period of time to seek a deeper connection with God?
Day 3: Transformative Worship Commitment
Regular church attendance is more than a routine; it is a transformative commitment that aligns with Jesus' example. Setting aside a full day for worship and fellowship each week fosters a deeper relationship with God and strengthens the bond within the community of believers. [01:29:54]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How does participating in weekly worship and fellowship impact your spiritual growth and connection with others?
Day 4: Daily Communion with God
Beginning each day with God through His Word, worship, and prayer ensures that His wisdom and presence are the first influences on the day ahead. Even brief moments spent in these disciplines can profoundly shape one's perspective and choices throughout the day. [01:32:16]
Psalm 5:3 - "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Reflection: What changes can you make to your morning routine to ensure you start your day focused on God?
Day 5: The Life-Altering Decision
Choosing to follow Christ is the most significant decision one can make, leading to a transformed life and inclusion in God's family. This commitment marks the beginning of a faith journey characterized by obedience and the opportunity for God to work through an individual's life. [01:36:23]
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Reflection: If you have already made the decision to follow Christ, how can you live out that commitment more fully today? If not, what is holding you back from making this life-changing decision?
Quotes
1) "God wants more of us so we can have more of him. He wants to be involved when you do your shopping, when you attend to your sport, when you're with your family, with your friends, when you're in conversations." [01:12:45] (Download)
2) "God must be first. He's got to be top of the list. It is the priority relationship... if we want to have this blessing, everything that God has for us, I really want to urge you to just partake and practice these things." [01:15:14] (Download)
3) "Tithing is simply a way that God teaches us to put him first... it's about God seeing if you are putting him first, and he dares us to try it." [01:28:05] (Download)
4) "Consistent Church attendance... God wants us not just to put an hour a week, he says that the Sabbath day is Holy. It's the whole day family." [01:29:54] (Download)
5) "Imagine if we all lived a 'pray first' kind of life... praying should always be our first response and not our last resort." [01:10:10] (Download)
6) "The first principle I want to talk about is how we benefit because you see when we do this, God says is that what you're going to do? Let me show you what I'm going to do... now the first has the power to empower the rest." [01:19:53] (Download)
7) "We're going to see 2024 really giving us those results that we've been believing for every new year. I believe this year if we appropriate this into our lives, we'll see this change." [01:21:09] (Download)
8) "God doesn't want to be just a Sunday God. We see this in Leviticus 27:30, he wants to be our everything God, family. And we put God first by giving him the first of everything." [01:18:37] (Download)
9) "We're going to make sure that we do this and so we've talked before on the subject of 'pray first' and now the series that we called is also 'pray first'... the Bible tells us that we should pray without ceasing." [01:08:30] (Download)
10) "God is saying I don't mind that you have those things you enjoy, I don't mind that you're having other loves... just do not put them ahead of me. Put God first, amen." [01:17:56] (Download)
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