In Scripture Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Jesus goes on to tell us in Luke 17:21 that the Kingdom of God is within us:

Luke 17:21 For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you.

The Kingdom of God is within us and we are to seek it first. The answer that we need most is on the inside of us. The changes that will bring the long lasting results take place on the inside of us.

Our natural tendency is to take care of the outside first -- what we can observe. When we lose weight, get a new wardrobe, color our hair, or grow a beard, we look different -- but are we different? We are still the same old us on the inside. Exterior change is limited to exterior results. Interior change brings about unlimited growth and changing the inside always results in outside change. When we work on the inside, the heart of the person (where God judges), we set ourselves up for the plan of God -- doing it Gods way in Gods timing.

When you make a decision to go to a new level, you encounter blockades that will hinder your growth. Usually the blockades are not what is going on outside of you. These blockades exist on the inside of you, stopping you from accomplishing your objective.

What you are on the interior is so much more important than what is going on around your exterior. We need to see what is going on inside of us, since that is the true driving force of our success.

How we have been trained over the years, both positively and negatively, is having a bigger effect on us than we realize. We need to be open to what is on the inside of us. We need to know what is really driving our decisions.

Did anyone ever tell you over the course of your life that rich people are bad or selfish, that money is the root of all evil, or that rich people have a tough time getting into heaven? All of these statements could have a negative effect on us, and keep us from having an abundance of finances. We need to straighten out our interior thoughts and ways so that our exterior can line up with our true desire.

How are we really going to know what is going on inside of us? Too often we are blind to areas that are holding us back. Until we know what needs to be fixed, we remain in the dark.

Here are three ways that will give you immense insight into your interior:

Step One: Find wise, experienced people who will invest into your life and show you areas you need to work on. Allow them access, want their help, listen to what they have to say, and apply it. They will work with you for your benefit, showing you things that would take you years to learn or grow into on your own.

Step Two: Take time for inner reflection. Look inside yourself. Allow yourself to see who you really are. When you come to know the truth, the truth will set you free. Allow yourself the quiet time to look closely at yourself. Schedule the time to be quiet and still, and be faithful to that schedule. The time you spend will reap big dividends for years to come.

Step Three: Journal daily. Be honest in your writing, and allow who and what you are to come out of you. You will discover your strengths, as well as your weak areas, and then be able to eliminate the stumbling blocks that have held you back from being all you can be. This will allow you to see what areas you need to grow in and how to capitalize more on your strengths.

Once you know the area to work on, you will want to correct your thinking so you can begin to prosper and flourish in that area. Journaling throughout the process will keep a record of your growth. This will be a great encouragement to you when you go back and read what has already been accomplished in you. In turn, you will hunger to journal more. The new insights into yourself will lead you to new knowledge, creating a new environment so you can grow and prosper -- becoming all you can be.

Your interior is where the most beneficial work will be done. You have seeds of greatness on the inside of you. By removing the boulders, stumps, and weeds that have been placed there over the years, you will allow your fertile ground to bear much fruit that will remain.

Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. Seek the Kingdom inside first and all these things will be added unto you.