Priorities

The Bible is a book about priorities. It tells us that God’s ultimate priority is His own glory, and the way that His glory is esteemed is by God loving us as another priority, although not on the same level as His glory. It tells us that Adam and Eve’s priority was their own desire. It tells us that Abraham’s priority was to become a usable vessel. Moses’ priority was obeying and following God, even though he did strike the rock. Joshua’s priority was fulfilling his mission. David’s priority was after a godly heart, though he had numerous catastrophes along the way. Jeremiah’s priority was for national repentance.  Peter’s priority was for a passionate life. Paul’s was to preach the gospel where it had never been preached before. Jesus’ priority was to show us His Father’s heart. What is your priority?

 

We live in a busy world with too many things to do, too many television shows to watch, too many options for entertainment, too many odds and ends that need attention, too many squeaky wheels, too many opportunities for self indulgence, too many roads to meaningless living, too many invitations to materialism, too many avenues toward self exaltation, too many examples of wasted lives, too many reminders of squandered blessing, too many demands to fit in, too many illustrations of lifeless Christianity, and too many sacrifices of genuine godliness in favor of illegitimate selfishness. Like it or not, that’s the world we live in. Now, what is your priority?

 

I become more and more convinced that if we aim at nothing, we are certain to hit it, and unfortunately, I think that describes most Christians. But there is good news! The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way! Jesus promised us life and “streams of living water” and joy! 

 

What is your priority? Is Jesus really the priority of your life? Do you seek Him above everything else?  Do you pursue Him above all else? Do you follow Him over everything else? Do you love Him more than anything else? Do you honor Him beyond everything else? Do you long for Him above all else?

 

Let me offer you three priorities for this year:

1. Seek God passionately! - Seek Him through reading the Bible and through prayer more than you ever have in your life. Seek Him through faithfulness to your church unlike ever before.  See Him in worship like He really is the King of Glory!

2. Strive for godliness diligently! - Strive for holiness in your life. Strive to live a pure life.  

Strive to avoid compromise and shun selfishness at all costs. Strive to live a life that honors

God like never before!

1. Serve your neighbor lovingly! - I don’t mean be a nice guy. I mean SERVE! Serve when it is costly. Serve when it is inconvenient. Serve when you do not want to. Show your neighbor what Jesus looks like. Give to them and pour out your life to them. And above all, do it with “agape” type love that serves joyfully and counts it a privilege to do so!

 

I can guarantee you that if you do these three things, your year will be an amazing year of experiencing God in a new way! You will find more joy, more meaning, and more purpose. But there IS A CATCH!  There IS a cost to pay! The cost is your time, your energy, your selfishness, your pride, your ego, your attitude, your reputation, and your apathy. Are you willing to pay that price? Now tell me again, what is your priority?

 

Jesus is worth everything! Fall in love with Him again right now and live a life of enthralled worship because HE IS YOUR PRIORITY! Nothing else compares.

 

1-5-12