Putting God's Kingdom First (1)

Seek...the Kingdom of God [above all else].
Matthew 6:33

What does it mean to put God's Kingdom first in your life?
It means 12 things.
Read them carefully then ask, "How do I measure up?"

(1) Obedience to God. "Anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven" ( Matthew 5:19 ).

(2) Love. "Love your enemies... If you love only those who love you, what good is that?"(Mt 5:44,46 ).

(3) Justice. "God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice" ( Matthew 5:6 ).

(4) Peace. "God blesses those who work for peace" ( Matthew 5:9 ).

(5) Holy living. "Let your gooddeeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father" ( Matthew 5:16 ).

(6) Integrity. "Just say a simple,'Yes, I will' or 'No, I won't'" ( Matthew 5:37 ).

(7) Generosity. When you give a gift to someone in need...give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you" (Mt 6:2,4 ).

(8)Spiritual wholeness. "Is anything worth more than your soul?" ( Matthew16:26 ).

(9) Biblical knowledge. "Your problem is that you don't know the Scriptures" ( Matthew 22:29 ).

(10) Faith in God. "If you had faith as small as a mustard seed...nothing would be impossible." "But with God, everything is possible." (Mt 17:20; Mt 19:26 ).

(11)Blessing people. Jesus not only taught this, but His constant healing of, training, and serving others demonstrated how to do it.

(12)Disciple-making. "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19 ). According to Jesus that's the only agenda worth living for - and if necessary, dying for!