The Power of First

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “First things first.” And the concept of first seems significant, often intimidating. What do you think of, say, first thing in the morning? What is your first thought? What is your first deed? Is it success? Failure? Acceptance? Rejection? The first issue seems to bring up the matter of priority. Scripture emphasizes it as well… “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, ‘If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.’” Mark 9:35 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” Luke 14:28 There’s order, deliberation and purposeful thought when it comes to the issue. And there’s a tremendous blessing in that. “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” Romans 11:16 Think about your first thought of the day. Does it set the tone for chaos and stress or for peace, prosperity and wellbeing? And, God views us in a “first” context. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29 “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 Therefore, shouldn’t we pay some attention to the principle? Let’s reevaluate what makes “first things first.” Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse