JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to put God first.

Making God first priority in our lives is the right thing to do because He is worthy of our ultimate allegiance. In the first of the 10 Commandments, the LORD says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Anything that becomes more important to us than God is an idol.

According to First Corinthians 15:3, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is a matter of first importance. Jesus instructed us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. The first and greatest Commandment in the whole law is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

When we put God first, our priorities become aligned with God’s priorities. Our focus turns to the treasures of His kingdom.  Romans 14:17 tells us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Putting God first is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Matthew 6:33.

Jesus said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The book of Matthew refers to the kingdom of heaven more than any other book in the Bible.

Jesus was giving us a focus point to replace worry with faith. That focus point is the kingdom of God and His righteousness. These are bright lights that cause the darkness of worry to retreat.

Jesus said, “Do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘what shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

This Light Reflection inspires us to place God’s kingdom and righteousness as top priority in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Matthew 6:33.

Jesus said, “Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

God’s Kingdom is firmly established. David wrote in Psalm 145:13, “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion endures through all generations.” Earthly kingdoms will rise and fall, but God’s kingdom will never be shaken.

God’s Kingdom also has great value. In one of Jesus’ shorter parables, He said that the kingdom of heaven was like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

God’s Kingdom is also filled with good fruit. Romans 14:17 says that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Making God’s Kingdom and righteousness top priority is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com