FIRST THINGS FIRST! - Keys to success (Key 7)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
The ability and the willingness to put first things first is one of the greatest keys to success in life.  It starts as we develop the skill to be able to determine what is more important and what should receive the major focus, but it does not end there.  Once we have determined what the importance is, we have to begin to give that aspect focus and attention.  It is this that leads to success.
Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (Amplified Bible)

1. THINGS BECOME TOO IMPORTANT

We begin to lose the battle when within our hearts things (physical things) begin to take over.  Things get to the point where they have the rule over our lives and take the place of God.  We are so busy and consumed with the things in our lives that God is no longer on the throne of our lives.  If we will ensure that our priorities are in order then we can enjoy the reward of giving God His place in our lives - PEACE.   Because we have allowed things to have priority, we lose the peace.  Many times the things that we allow to dominate our hearts are the gifts and blessings that God has given us.  Our talents (careers), our bodies, our families, our resources.  The whole course of nature is upset when we substitute things for the place of priority that belongs to God.
Matthew 6:31-33 So don't worry at all about having enough food and clothing.  Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them.

2. THE URGENT VERSUS THE IMPORTANT

I have discovered that this aspect is the aspect that causes most people to lose sight of what is really important.   Have you ever had one of those days when you knew you had some important things to do only to discover at the end of the day that you rushed around doing so many things and what really needed to be accomplished was not?  The urgent things are always demanding our attention and our immediate action and often the important things are sacrificed.  Let me give you an example; I have seen men pursue careers and rush from meeting to meeting and in the process neglect their families, only to discover at the end that they have lost their families.  You and I must determine what is important and that we will not allow the urgent to derail our purpose and consume our lives.

3. PRIORITIES

Priorities are things we focus on and the things we give attention to.  Priorities are the things that are important.  Our priorities are the things we aim for and strive after.  Certain things are more important and get more attention as a result.  Priorities are our orders of ascendancy.  Priorities indicate a set of order.  How we order our lives indicates our priorities.  How we spend our money is a good indicator of our priorities.

4. IT STARTS WITH OUR HEARTS

This is what God is looking at.  Are our hearts full of things that place demands on us?  Or are our hearts free from things and longing for God?  The possessive clinging to the things of life is one of the most destructive habits in life.  Because it is natural, most times we do not even recognize it.  But it can devastate our lives.  Everything we commit to God is safe.  What is not committed to God is not safe.
1 Corinthians 4:7 What are you so puffed up about? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why act as though you are so great, and as though you have accomplished something on you own?
God is after first place in our hearts.

5. GOD WANTS FIRST PLACE IN OUR LIVES

Many things demand our hearts and lives.  But we need to get our priorities right.  God first and everything else secondary.  Imagine how this would change our lives.  I believe that God is calling us back to this style of life.
Matthew 6:31-33 So don't worry at all about having enough food and clothing.  Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and He will give them to you if you give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to.
God wants to add everything that we need, if only we would place Him first.

6. HOW CAN WE GET OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT?

We can begin to get our priorities right as we carefully evaluate what is important and what aspects should receive what degree of attention.  Draw up a list and rate the things on the list in order of importance. If family is the most important on your list, then you need to ask yourself if they are receiving the right proportion of attention.  To be able to enjoy success this evaluation cannot just be done once.  Each day and with every decision and choice we have to make we have to evaluate it in the light of our priorities.  I once knew a man who did not know how to say no.  He had his own business and was good at his work. As a result he got lots of orders and he kept saying yes to every job.  Eventually he had far more work that he could cope with. He started running between jobs, never completing one job on time or to the satisfaction of the clients. People began to get angry with him and eventually the message got out that he was unreliable. As a result people stopped asking him to do work and things did not go well.  Eventually he had to move into another line of work.
The issue is that putting first things first is a daily choice.  It is something we have to decide about every day and moment for moment.

7. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO GIVE GOD FIRST PLACE?

1. Don't be defensive, or make excuses.
2. Be serious about putting God first.
3. Come to God determined to be heard!
4. Be specific about the things that have taken the place of priority in your life.
5. Ask God to forgive you!
6. By a decisive action, place Him on the throne of your life.
7. Start pursuing God.

8. THE TESTING OF OUR PRIORITIES

Just like with Abraham, God tests our hearts.  Sooner or later He will bring us to this test.  If Abraham had not passed the test, the whole of history, as we know it today would have been different.  But Abraham passed the test!  So can we!  When we come to the point of testing, we don't have many options.  Let's pass the test and put first things first.