Keeping the First Things First - a 3-Day Devotional With Consumed by FireSample

Plans, Purposes, and Pursuits

“Riches and fame - and all that they can buy, I’ve come to find they never satisfy” (Lyric excerpt from “First Things First” by Consumed by Fire)

Throughout our lives, many opportunities & paths can be presented to us. When it comes to “seeking the kingdom first” in those decisions, it doesn’t mean that you’re choosing the path of whatever looks the most like “full-time ministry” or a “church job.” No. The kingdom needs people filling roles of all different facets and walks of life. It’s the only way we grow the family of God.

Understanding again that “seeking the Kingdom” is a constant state of the HEART. It’s asking ourselves the hard question of, “what is my motive on this decision?”

If all we chase are the desires of the flesh (the pleasures of our five physical senses) and the things that the world system sees as valuable, then I’d present to you that it is very likely that we can actually get all that we’re chasing. We would still feel a sense of emptiness at some point.

“The lips of the righteous feed and guide many, But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding. The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God]. Proverbs‬ ‭10:21-22‬ ‭AMP‬‬

It sounds a lot like Matthew 6:33, doesn’t it?

Jesus was telling His disciples the importance of not getting caught up in daily needs but instead living in a constant state of trust, one day at a time. He was teaching us not to get so caught up in the hustle that we start losing focus of the Kingdom.

“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭AMP‬‬

I love that part at the end, though, “all these things will be given to you also”… See, none of these things are bad to have. They just aren’t to have our pursuit.

But I’d also present to you that religion has made many of us think that all of us believers are still a lot worse than we are. However, that’s not my message. I’m coming to you with good news! Once you’ve been born again, made Jesus the Lord of your life, and the Holy Spirit is residing inside you, you’ve been given a new heart, and the Holy Spirit is now working on your desires and your pursuits.

He never abandons you in the process. He’s our ever-present help in time of need. The key is to lean into that leading and nudging of the Spirit instead of resisting it, but we’ll cover more of this on Day 3.

So the question becomes, what is “seeking the kingdom first”? Well, I would ask you, what is the kingdom’s mission in a nutshell?

Paul revealed in Romans 14:17 that “the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

The kingdom’s mission can be summed up in those three categories. Jesus came to make us the righteousness of God in Christ. Jesus came to give us the WITH GOD and to walk in the peace OF GOD. He left us the Holy Spirit to experience life in a state of joy instead of the constant pressure from failing or making the wrong decision.

REFLECTION

He’s called me righteousness.

Are my decisions reflecting my new nature?

Are any of my pursuits helping expand the message & good news of righteousness? I.E., do I invest my time, focus, energy, or money into anything that is furthering the spreading of the good news of the Gospel?

He’s called me to peace.

Am I pursuing peace in my decisions? I.E., Am I being a peacemaker?

Am I deciding because I feel pressure from a person or because the Holy Spirit is leading me in that direction?

He’s called me to JOY in the Holy Ghost.

Am I still letting religion be the guardian of my life? I.E., Am I more conscious of sin and my performance and trying to earn the goodness of God than I am receiving the joy of my salvation in believing that Jesus paid it all?

SCRIPTURES

Romans 14:17 KJV

Proverbs 10:21-22 AMP

Matthew 6:33 AMP