From Accidental to Intentional Living

You don’t drift into God-first living.
You decide it — daily and intentionally.

1. THE REALITY

• New year, new intentions
• Most people don’t fail from lack of care
• Life crowds out what matters

Jesus starts with priorities, not goals.

Luke 10:38–42 (ESV)
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

(MULTILINE)

2. JESUS & ANXIETY (MATTHEW 6)

• Anxiety =  attention
• Pulled in many directions
• Life pressure is real

Jesus doesn’t shame anxiety — He shepherds us through it.

3. WHY ANXIETY GROWS
• Life centered on:
Survival
Provision
Control
Tomorrow

When God isn’t central, anxiety becomes normal.

(MULTILINE)

4. SEEK FIRST

• Seek = organize life around
• First = priority, not perfection

Your best year flows from a strong walk with God.

(MULTILINE)

5. THE ONE-THING SHIFT
You don’t need to fix everything

• You need one God-first change

Focus beats overload.

(MULTILINE)

6. MARY & MARTHA (LUKE 10).

Luke 10:38–42 (ESV)
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

• Martha: busy, distracted, anxious
• Mary: still, focused, present

Jesus’ words:
“One thing is necessary.”

Key phrases:

• The devil can’t make you bad — just .
• Good things can crowd out the God thing.
• Too many first things create .

(MULTILINE)

7. THE CONNECTION

• Many things → anxiety
• One thing → peace
• Seeking first → order

(MULTILINE)

8. HEART CHECK
Where does God need to be first again?

• Spiritual
• Marriage
• Family
• Physical
• Work
• Financial
• Social
• Attitude

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9. TIME & THE CALENDAR

• You have time for what you prioritize

Key phrases:

• If you care — you .
• Planning shows intention; calendaring shows conviction.

(MULTILINE)

10. PLANS WITH SURRENDER
Anchor Statement:
We hold tightly to the Lord — and loosely to our plans.

(MULTILINE)

NEXT STEPS
Choose one God-first focus

• Commit to 14 Days of Prayer
• Put it on your calendar
• Find out more here: https://www.cornerstonecheshire.com/next-steps

Key phrase:
We’re building a rhythm, not chasing a moment.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (FOR THE WEEK)

1. What was the most meaningful phrase or moment from this message?
2. Where do you feel the most pressure or anxiety right now?
3. Which area of life needs God to be first again?
4. What “good thing” might be crowding out the “best thing”?
5. What is one God-first change you can make this week?
6. What needs to move or change on your calendar?
7. How can prayer help you trust God more with your plans?

Final reflection:
What is the one thing Jesus is inviting you to choose?