Radical Obedience

Is there something God is asking you to give up? What specific steps do you need to take to fulfill this obedience?

This week the messages that keep appearing from all different sources are not so much what to give up, but what to change.  Everyday I have seen the message to Put God First.  To live for my heavenly father in all that I do.  But how do you put God first?

I am still working on the answer, because putting God first is new to me and I am not sure what it is really supposed to look like.  But when I searched my heart two things came up:

1.  Money- I love the false sense of security that comes from money, from knowing there is extra in my account to cover for emergencies.  Debt causes me extreme stress and my student loans are enormous, so I am constantly thinking about how to pay down what is equivalent to a new home.  Often times I will do things not for the love of them, but for how much money they will bring in.  I am always looking at the bottom line.  I have conformed to the way of the world by thinking success is related to how much money I make and what I look like on the outside is more important than what is inside.
2.  Selfishness- although this is very closely linked with money, I have a fear of there not being enough so I am not the best at sharing.  Again, I think of how much it costs and how much it would be to replace and end up holding on to things instead of sharing.

Of course both of these go back to fear and not having enough.  Which is ironic because God has made sure I was taken care of my entire life!  So why do I doubt so much?  Why can't I trust HIM first?

Before I started this study, God put it on my heart to change careers and start teaching.  Obviously, not the path to more money and the opposite of selfishness.  While I was researching what it would take to switch career paths, I got a job offer.  I didn't even apply for a job, the offer just came to me.  I am pretty sure that was divine intervention.  The more we are learning to say YES to GOD in this Bible study, the more excitement it is creating in me about this new position.  I am so thankful God gave me enough strength to SAY YES, before I had the tools to know how to hear Him and follow Him.

As far as putting GOD FIRST and releasing the love for money and releasing selfishness, I think it will be a long journey.  Here are some Bible verses that I found to help along the way:

A generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 
 -Proverbs 11:25

Do not conform to the patter of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.  
- Romans 12:2

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
-Matthew 6:33

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
-Matthew 6:21

How do you put God First?  I would love to hear what that looks like for you.