Daily Spiritual Goal: To Put Jesus First

“Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.”

39 “She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching.”

40 “But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.'”

41 “But the Lord replied to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.'” (Luke 10:38-42)

Every day, our daily routine reveals whether we are actively fulfilling the role of Martha, who always focused on the continuous busyness of life, or like Mary, our worship of Jesus Christ is first and foremost in our lives.

Are we taking the time to acknowledge and thank God for His Blessing of another day? God is the Sustainer of Life.

We have been blessed to receive the gift of 24 hours; yet, most of us do not even give God 60 minutes in the daily personal worship of Prayer and Bible Study.

One of Satan’s most effective deceptions is that we have the time to live as we please, and because God is merciful, all will be well. Yet, the prophet Jeremiah tells us that it is:

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23-24).

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus tells us that we must love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. When we fail to worship and obey God, we reveal an issue of the heart, we love ourselves more than God.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God. And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:6-7).

Loving God First is revealed as soon as we wake up to a new day. Our automatic response is to worship, and we joyfully speak a prayer of gratitude, singing praises that acknowledge the Lord’s gift of new Mercies.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25).

We revere God by making worship the first activity of our new day. Worship reveals our love and gratitude for God’s Abundant Blessings of His Steadfast Love, Faithfulness, Grace, Mercies, Provisions, Correction, and Protection.

By excluding God, we reveal that we value our human thoughts and strategies over God’s Sovereign Wisdom and Providence. 

“See then that you walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Because we are living in the Last Days of Earth’s existence [Matthew 24; 2 Timothy 3], we do not have time to play the Game of Chance with our Life. Following Jesus Is All or Nothing, there is no middle ground.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8-10).

Since we do not have the ability to predict the future outcomes of our decisions, we should renounce the habits of unbelievers, who trust human thoughts and their imaginings over God’s Divine Omniscience.

The same sacrificial life of self-denial that Jesus lived on this Earth is the same life that God, the Father requires us to live.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).

When we love God and appreciate Jesus’ Blood Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross, we will joyfully give up every obstacle that prevents us having a heart to heart relationship with Jesus Christ.

We redeem the time by using our faith to actively participate in our Spiritual Journey.  Cooperating with God, the Holy Spirit, Who performs the Spiritual Process of Sanctification, requires us to willingly surrender our will and plans to Jesus Christ

Sanctification is a spiritual process that can only occur in our earthly lives. The daily Spiritual Growth and Transformation of our heart, mind, and character from its inherited carnal desires into the Righteousness of Christ, prepares us for Eternal Life, but ceases when we take our last breath.

Do not believe Satan’s lie that we have the time to waste. Now is the time for us to follow our Shepherd with steadfast faith, obedience, determination.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

Reflection: This morning, as I reflected on the ungrateful and selfish use of my time, I whispered a prayer of forgiveness for taking the gift of my life for granted.

The Message of The Cross reveals that Jesus has done all that He can for us: “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

Following Christ requires the courage to renounce the personal habits that consume our time; saying No to the spiritual warfare of distractions, and most importantly, letting go of the people, who are interfering with our Love Relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our Triumphant King is Coming sooner than we think. We do not have time to think and live as Martha, because according to Jesus, only those with the habits of Mary will hear:

“‘…Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.'” (Matthew 25:23).

LORD God, with humility and surrender, we ask for forgiveness for wasting our merciful gift of time. We desire the wisdom and discernment to be intentional with our time, so we can always put You as First in our lives. Holy Spirit, transform our thoughts, words, and actions to reflect Christ’s Righteousness. We also pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal the habits and people, who are stumbling blocks, preventing our spiritual transformation in our journey with Jesus. LORD God, give us strength, as we follow Yeshua, our Savior, Shepherd, and  Triumphant King on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. In faith, we ask and believe that we will receive these things in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

© 2026 STEPS 2 Success With Spiritual Solutions Ministry