Putting Jesus First.

"Putting Jesus first" is the defining mark of a disciple. It is the daily, deliberate choice to enthrone Him as the supreme authority, treasure, and purpose of our lives.

Here is a poem and reflection on this life-changing commitment.

---

Putting Jesus First

It is the great and sacred trade,

The choice by which our lives are made.

To dethrone the"I," the selfish will,

And all our being,He must fill.

It's not a list of rules to keep,

While promises are shallow,cheap.

It is a shift of heart and soul,

To let His Lordship take control.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.”(Matthew 6:33)

Putting Jesus first in every thought,

The battles that the mind has fought.

To take each fear,each doubt, each care,

And place it in His sovereign care.

“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”(2 Corinthians 10:5)

Putting Jesus first in all I say,

To let His love guide me today.

To speak with grace,and truth, and light,

And not with pride or selfish spite.

Putting Jesus first in what I do,

In every task,both old and new.

To work for Him,with all my might,

And do it all as in His sight.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”(Colossians 3:23)

Putting Jesus first with all I own,

Acknowledging His gift alone.

To hold my treasures with open hand,

And follow His supreme command.

Putting Jesus first in all my dreams,

In all my hopes and future schemes.

To say,"Your will, not mine, be done,"

And trust the race that must be run.

It is a death, a cross to bear,

A letting go of every care.

But in that death,a life is found,

On sacred,holy, solid ground.

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)

So let Him be the central theme,

The waking thought,the waking dream.

The first in love,in joy, in strife,

The first and last of all my life.

For putting Jesus first is not a chore,

It's life and peace forevermore.

---

What It Means to Put Jesus First:

This is the practical outworking of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). It means:

1. Preeminence in Affection: He is our chief delight and our ultimate treasure. We love Him more than anyone or anything else (Matthew 10:37).

2. Authority in Obedience: His Word is the final authority in our lives. We submit our decisions, relationships, and actions to His will, even when it's difficult (Luke 6:46).

3. Dependence in Prayer: We bring everything to Him first, before we try to solve it ourselves. We acknowledge our need for Him in all things (Philippians 4:6).

4. The Lens of Our Perspective: We view our circumstances, our successes, and our failures through the lens of His love, His sovereignty, and His purpose for our lives (Romans 8:28).

A Prayer of Surrender:

"Lord Jesus, I confess that I often put myself, my plans, and my desires first. Forgive me. Right now, I deliberately choose to put You first.

Take the throne of my heart. Be the first thought in my morning, the first priority in my decisions, and the first love of my life.

Help me to seek Your Kingdom above my own. When I am tempted to push You to the side, gently remind me of Your love and draw me back. I surrender my will to Yours today.

Thank you for being a Lord who is worthy of first place.

Amen."