First Things First

Today during the 2017 New Year Day Sunday morning sermon I took a 1 gallon container and filled it with about 4 inches full of sand, then 4 inches of pebbles, then I wedged about 4 potato sized round smooth stones in the top and was just able to close the lid.  It was stuffed to the max....so we thought.  Next I started to fill another empty 1 gallon container and but first started with the large round smooth stones.  But instead of 4 stones I doubled the amount and added 8 large stones. Then I added 4 inches of pebbles and on top of that 4 inches of sand.  To help it all settle in I also added about a half a quart of water before closing the lid.  It was the exact same size container, but by starting with the large stones I was able to significantly increase the amount.  The point?  Imagine those containers represent a 24 hour day and the large stones represent important priorities and the gravel and sand represent less important and trivial time wasters.  When you put your priorities first then you will be able to accomplish much more than you thought, even if you thought your day was full before.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 to "Seek first the Kingdom of God".  When we put God first, since He is our creator it makes sense that we should ask Him what is important, He directs our path and is able to maximize our production far beyond what we could do otherwise.

For the next 17 days of 2017, from Jan 1 to Jan 17, I challenge you to join me by putting first things first and commit to spending the first 15 minutes a day in worship, word and warfare (prayer).   For the Christian it would be hard to argue any priorities (stones) more important to place first in your day than spending time in worship, the word and warfare.

If you are reading this and the first 17 days of 2017 have come and gone then start anyway.  Make a commitment to give God the first 15 minutes of your day for the next 17 days in pursuing your heavenly father in worship, word and warfare.  I believe God is wanting us to get back to the basics, the fundamentals in growing in faith and spiritual maturity.   Your commitment to the fundamentals, to placing your stones, those important priorities, first in your day will unlock the favor of God in your life in ways you have yet to experience.

For the next 17 days I will be giving a Facebook Live video devotional and encouraging word every morning and evening at exactly 7:17 am and 7:17 pm. Look me up at  https://www.facebook.com/PastorMattWhite Hope to see you there!