Notes from this week's podcast: First Things First with Sydney & Jo

Jo: God keeps saying: Make every day count for eternity. Ok, Father, how do we do that?

The Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. It was an 11-day journey that took them 40 years. None of us want to do that. We don't want to waste 40 years or 1 year.

Choose today who you will serve, will worship. That means He is first in our lives. What are some firsts in your home, in your life?

Sydney: It's a choice. Who are going to serve? It doesn't happen lackadaisically. We won't just end up following God. It's an intentional, every day, fixing your eyes on the Lord. 

Seek first the Kingdom of God. And all these things will be added to you. It's not a promise of wealth but of protection, following His way. There's protection, direction, wisdom. There's peace. 

When I think of first, it's the first day of the week, giving God time, not the leftover. To worship the Lord, together with His people, to set our eyes together with believers. 

Jo: Honor God by keeping the Sabbath. Why is that so important? God says that's where we find our rest. 

Challenge: Make sure you guard the Sabbath this year. Make sure you set that apart, keep it holy. It's a day of focus -- drawing in to God, leaning in with Him, just falling into His arms, and finding your rest. 

Sydney: It goes against the way of the world -- that it's another day to get ahead, do more. But, it expands our capacity. 

Jo: It's the rhythm He created us to be in. 

Sydney: Sports has crept in. So it takes pre-deciding before it creeps in to say no.

Jo: We may not understand it. But we can trust God.

* Sydney's example of children's basketball

Jo: It's the Word over the world. We can establish that He will have our day. He will order our day -- that what He desires for us is what we're going to be intentional to move toward. we have invited God to be in the midst of [our day]. And not only invited Him, HE's invited us to follow Him through the day. 

Sydney: We can invite Him in the little moments and all day conversations to the Lord -- inviting Him to every area.

Jo: It's more than a mentality, more than a checklist. It's not a mindset. It's where your heart is set. You choose. We're going to worship God first.

Sydney: That's what He wants -- our hearts, not our perfect checklist. The Word first, praying first. It's so easy to turn to people. First, go to Him.

Jo: When we go to God first, that's when we get extra time (not more busyness). It eliminates those phone calls, conversations because we had the first conversation with God. 

Sydney: Our money is another big first -- our money, our resources, our time -- what God's given us. It's not our leftovers. It's not trying to squeeze in what we can at the end, but honoring Him with the first. Before everything get busy and money gets tight, honor Him with your very first. 

Jo: Challenge: Pray. Let God show you. You can begin right now making Him first in your resources. Tithing, giving back to the Father first, honoring God. 

One way we worship God is giving back to Him in our money. Then, watch God do exceedingly, abundantly above what you could think or imagine. God is the ultimate provider. 

Sydney: Living like that (giving our money), it loosens our grip on money. Wealth and money is a huge god in our culture, and it grips people. One practical way to loosen that grip of wealth, of selfish desires is to say, "Lord, this money belongs to You. Here it is." We have seen the blessing, not more money -- He provides peace in our home. We've never been without. He's blessed us with His protection. 

What are we putting our hope in? 

Jo: God is love and love is a life of giving. He gave His Son. He gives of Himself. If we love God, if we choose to serve this day and worship Him, it's because we love Him. If we love Him, naturally we want to give to Him our money, our time, even our thoughts for the day (and reeling in our thoughts) so we think on His Word. 

Sydney: Think about also: What do I need to put off? What do I need to lay down? A lot is after our minds, especially with our phones and social media/voices. 

What are we ingesting with our eyes and ears? To have space and capacity to ingest God's Word and receive it, to really hear from the Lord.

Jo: Before you attempt to do this, get with the Father. Get your heart set on Him before you think about the list. When you get a good look at God, everything else seems to fade away and you really see what life is all about. I worship Him, and out of that worship then I'm going to bring to Him: what is it that I need to lay aside? Then, your heart will be ready to do it, obey it.

Sydney: Be doers of the Word, not just hearers.

Jo: It's a joy to do it, because you love God. People will see it. It's a tremendous testimony. When you live life like that and you go through the day, and you're doing things because you really love God, they're attracted to your heart.

Sydney: Lay down the world and turn to the Word. * Lay down the world. * Pick up the Word * Walk in the will, the way of the Lord. Let the Word guide you through all of the feelings you have.

Jo: It's easy to be misunderstood when you're sold out for God.

Sydney: Following the Lord looks different than our world does. He's so faithful to guide us and give us that endurance that we need to keep on.

Jo: The flesh wants everyone to love us, agree with us, and it just doesn't happen that way. We want to live a life sold out for God, be pleasing to God, to choose Him above all things. There's going to be a war, but let the Spirit of the living God guide you every time.

Sydney: Remember, He's after our hearts. Trust Him day by day, hour by hour. Trust Him with your life, invite Him in first thing. Go back to His Word, set your eyes on His Word, moment by moment, day by day, and He is so faithful to guide, to illuminate truths to give you discernment in the areas that feel heavy in your life, to give you the wisdom you need for your family to make decisions. It's hard. For today, He will guide you. 

Jo: Begin your year, get in a rhythm walking with God, letting Him be first. Let God be the ruler and reigner over our hearts.  

Scripture for further study: Joshua 24:15, Matthew 6:33, Exodus 20:8, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Deuteronomy 6:5, Hebrews 12:1-2, Isaiah 6, Galatians 5:17, Matthew 6:28-34