Put God First

Episode notes: Persistence is faithful endurance and the determination to keep going despite obstacles. Be persistent even when it’s hard.  Remain faithful, committed, and devoted even when suffering something painful and difficult. That will produce spiritual growth and hope. Enduring challenges strengthen us and draw us closer to GOD. Be persistent in prayer.  Pray continually, never give up, and trust in GOD’S timing and faithfulness.  Be persistent in doing what is right (including acts of kindness) even when discouraged. Persistent faith, prayer, and action lead to blessings & spiritual maturity! 

James 1:2-4 - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”

Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Episode Notes...What should you do when sudden attacks, spiritual warfare, or unexpected trials come at you? Take your eyes off human effort and rest completely in GOD'S strength. Victory belongs to The LORD—and sometimes, our greatest move is simply getting still and letting Him fight on our behalf. Be still and stop reacting! Human impulse often urges us to argue or take matters into our own hands, but true victory comes from praying, holding our peace, and letting GOD handle the battle. GOD works in our weakness. Acknowledging our limitations allows GOD'S strength and sufficient grace to show up most powerfully in our lives. Speak life over your circumstances! Rather than cower in fear or speak defeat, declare GOD'S promises boldly over your life.

Psalm 46:1 – “GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  

Exodus 14:14 – “THE LORD will fight for you; you only need to be still.”

Ephesians 6:10–13 – “Put on the whole ARMOR OF GOD” to stand firm against enemy schemes.  

Episode note: God prioritizes ethical conduct, justice, mercy, and humility over empty ritualistic displays or societal expectations. Because God grants fresh mercy every day, believers are called to freely extend that same mercy, forgiveness, and kindness to others without partiality. Setting aside media noise, gossip, and pride allows the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, helping us discern and align our lives with God's will. We should aim to always do GOD'S will... GOD'S Way!  

Micah 6:8 – WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU? Only this: to DO WHAT IS RIGHT, to SHOW MERCY, and to WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.

Episode notes:  We must first do our part, then GOD will do His part!  It’s easy to ask God to step in and fix our situations, but God holds us accountable to do our part first—by submitting to His will, putting Him first, and walking in genuine humility.

• Covenant Requires Two-Sided Action: God is always faithful to His promises, but He expects believers to actively fulfill their responsibilities rather than waiting passively.
• Put God First Daily: Seeking God’s kingdom isn't just a general idea—it means consulting Him before making decisions rather than defaulting to shortcuts or personal preference.
• Humility and Repentance Clear the Path: True healing and answered prayers begin when we humble ourselves, pray, and consistently repent for missing the mark.

• Matthew 6:33 – Seek God's kingdom and righteousness first.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Humble ourselves, pray, seek God and repent.
• 1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.

Episode notes: Prepare to Receive Miracles & Breakthroughs! We must prepare ourselves to receive GOD’S blessings and upcoming miracles. We must renew our minds, speak life, align with GOD’S WORD, be thankful, and trust His promises even before seeing the miracle breakthrough.

• Eliminate Distractions & Gossip: Guarding our minds against worldly noise, negative media, and harmful gossip is essential to keeping our spirit aligned with GOD’S will.
• Obedience: GOD often uses simple or unexpected instructions to release extraordinary miracles.
• Consistently meditate on Scripture and prioritize time with GOD every single day to shift from focus on problems to active praise and trust.

Joshua 3:5 – Consecrating yourselves because the Lord will do wonders tomorrow.

Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Mark 11:22–24 – Have faith in God, speak to mountains, and believe without doubt.

Episode Notes: In a world full of unexpected obstacles, sudden setbacks, and overwhelming stress, it’s easy to feel like giving up. Whether you're dealing with financial strain, relationship struggles, or waiting on a breakthrough that feels out of reach, as God's family, we are never truly alone—and we must NEVER GIVE UP! 

Discover why every setback is just a setup for God's breakthrough, how persistent prayer moves mountains, and why being knocked down doesn't mean you're destroyed.

Scripture References

Mark 2:1–12 – Persistent faith of friends, leads to healing of the paralyzed man.

Galatians 6:9 – Do not get tired of doing good, for in due season we shall reap.

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 – Afflicted in every way, but not crushed; struck down, but not destroyed.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

Luke 18:1–8 – The parable of the persistent widow.

1 John 5:14–15 – Confidence in prayer knowing God hears our requests.

Luke 11:9–10 – Ask, seek, and knock: the promise of receiving.

Episode Notes: 

When you face an impossible situation, human logic often fails. Trust that God will make a way even when we can't imagine how! God provides specific instructions for our breakthrough even when we hit a wall. God's way requires exact obedience, even if His instructions sound completely crazy to the world. 

• Developing a deep, personal relationship with God allows you to stand firm when you hit unexpected barriers because you know God will make a way.
• God often uses simple, everyday tools already in your possession to initiate a massive miracle.
• God requires exact obedience to His specific instructions, not our modified versions or convenient shortcuts.

Scripture Links

• The Red Sea Miracle:  Exodus 14:15-22.
• The Jericho Wall: Joshua 6:1-5.
• God will make a way! Isaiah 43:19

Episode notes...

Sometimes bad decisions and/or devastating consequences occur when the enemy uses chaos to distort our vision and pull us away from what truly matters. Discover why a genuine relationship with GOD requires the humility to acknowledge our brokenness and our willingness to rely entirely on  HOLY SPIRIT.

WE MUST ASK GOD TO:

• Create a fresh, clean, and pure heart within us.
• Renew the broken or worn-out spirit within us.
• Give us GOD’S presence at all times and HOLY SPIRIT to always dwell within us to help us.
• Restore our joy for the salvation JESUS gives us!

*** CHALLENGE: Share Psalm 51:10-12 with at least one other person each day for 10 days... because we all need a clean heart, the right spirit, and a restored soul!

Episode Notes...

How often do we stop and ask God what He thinks about a situation? Or about people? Let's dive into a prayer strategy learning to ask God to help you see people and circumstances from His perspective.

When we rely entirely on our own human understanding, we may react in ways that cause misunderstandings, quarrels, and unnecessary drama. But when we pause, remain humble, and seek God first, He will always give us the right response—even when it isn't the easiest one.

Scriptures Mentioned in This Episode

• Heart over Appearance: 1 Samuel 16:7 – “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.”
• Higher Thoughts: Isaiah 55:8 – God's ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than our own.
• Stepping Out in Faith: Matthew 14:28-29 – Remembering that Peter didn't just jump out of the boat; he asked Jesus to call him first.
• Divine Guidance: Psalm 32:8 – God promises to instruct us, teach us, and counsel us with His eye upon us.
• A Renewed Mind: Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed to discern God's perfect will.
• Seek Confirmation: Judges 6:36-40 – Gideon’s fleece and why God welcomes our desire for clarity.
• Ask for Wisdom: James 1:5 – If any of us lack wisdom, we only need to ask God, who gives generously.

Key Takeaway

"Lord, let us see what You're seeing. Lord, when others look at us (Your children), let them see us the way You see us."

Don't just be a hearer of the word today—be a doer. Recommit to doing things God's way, putting Him first, and walking with the discernment of the Holy Spirit.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a shift in perspective today!

Episode Notes...

What happens when the truth isn't sugarcoated, but wrapped in unconditional love? In this straight-talk episode of PUT GOD FIRST, I dive headfirst into a topic most people try to avoid: the real truth about sin. Moving past cultural definitions, social media trends, and convenient human opinions, let's go directly to GOD'S Word to see how sin impacts us all—not just through the wrong things we do, but through our failures to step up when GOD calls us to act.

We learn breakthrough happens when we choose obedience over comfort. From the rebellious nature of hiding our messes to the life-changing gift of fresh morning mercies, this broadcast is a profound reminder that while we can be messy, God’s love remains absolute, unequivocal, and ready to forgive when we truly repent.

Key Takeaways

• No Sugarcoating Allowed: Jesus didn't dilute tough truths. We need a "very real" conversation about our accountability.

• Sins of Omission: Failing to do the right thing when you have the power to do it is still a sin. 

• Fresh Mercy Every Morning: Embrace this reality... when we truly repent, [don't just feel sorry ... actually stop doing that sin]... embrace GOD'S grace and mercy...then, nothing can separate us from the love of GOD! 

Scripture References

• Romans 3:23 – "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

• 1 John 1:9 – The danger of self-deception versus the ironclad promise of forgiveness and cleansing when we confess. “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].” [Amplified]

• James 4:17 – The divine standard for action: “ So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

• Proverbs 28:13 – The spiritual law of exposure: "He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them finds mercy."