GETTING YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT! Do you have problems with any of the following: spending too much time on things that are insignificant, missing deadlines, increased stress, lack of direction, or decision-making? It could be that you need to prioritize. Why prioritize?
We have been looking at how to successfully manage our money and the resources God has given us. We have determined that successfully managing money and possessions involves putting God first in everything we do.
When times get hard, we need to trust God. We now look at some biblical counseling on managing during hard times.
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Seeking God’s Guidance
Holy Father, teach us how to plan and manage the responsibilities you have given us. Help us learn how to prioritize what really matters. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Prioritizing helps us make better decisions, use our time and resources more effectively, and it helps us achieve our goals more efficiently.
However, getting our priorities straight demands that we put God first. Putting God first puts us in the right mindset for serving Him with all our hearts. It helps us seek what really matters. When we put God first, then the other things that matter easily fall into place.
The Bible stories and teachings of Jesus demonstrate this important truth. For our priorities reveal whom we really love.
Demonstrating the value of prioritizing, Jesus, when one of the scribes or Jewish clerks of Jesus’s time asked Jesus which commandment was the most important. Jesus gave this as what should be our No. 1 priority!
“ ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” ’ ” (Mark 12:30, NKJV).
When we place Jesus as our number 1 priority, we leave no room for another master to take His place.
However, when we fail to establish our priorities, it is easy for us to fall into the syndrome of trying to love two.
This is the point Jesus makes in Matthew 6:24
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
The one thing Jesus didn’t say is that it is hard to serve God and money. He didn’t say that we need to be careful in how we serve God and money.
No, No! Jesus said that we can’t serve both God and money. It is impossible. This thought should put fear in our hearts if we are trying to do so.
It is just as Paul implies in Philippians 2:12
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (Philippians 2:12)
1 John 2:15-17 help us determine what our priorities should be. He warns us against three things that should not be on our list of priorities. What are they?
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (I John 2:15-17)
So we should make certain that these three things are not our top priority: (1) physical pleasures, (2) material possessions, and (3) the pursuit of power and fame. These are things of the world.
It makes sense that Paul wrote in Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
Of course, this is easier said than done because the things of the earth are right before us every day. Hence the pull for these things can be strong. Our desire for immediate gratification pulls heavy on our hearts and minds. Therefore, we must be very careful and constantly remain aware of this. Even though we know that all these things will someday be destroyed, they still have the potential to pull us away from what really matters.
This is why it is necessary to know what your top priority is. And it is important that we always keep it consciously in front of our minds. Doing this helps us keep things in the right perspective. Furthermore, when we keep our minds stayed on Jesus, it becomes easier to resist the temptation of immediate gratification.
The book, This Day with God offers the following advice.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth… For “All power” is given to Him (Jesus) to give to those who claim to believe in His name… Therefore, put yourself under Christ’s discipline. This Day With God, p. 290. Adapted
2 Peter 3:10-14 also helps us understand why it is important to get our priorities straight.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; (2 Peter 3:10–14)
Once we set our top priority, then we are ready to prioritize those things that really matter. Here are some tips for setting priorities: (Split)
- Identify your goals: Start by identifying what is most important to you. This may include your spiritual, personal, professional, and financial goals. (Split)
2 Make a list: Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish, including deadlines and due dates.
3Evaluate each task: Consider the importance of each task and how it relates to your Number 1 priority and your goals.
4Rank your tasks: Once you have evaluated each task, rank them in order of importance as it relates to your Number 1 priority.
5With your focus on your Number 1 priority: Start working on your task related to your highest priority first, and work your way down the list. In relation to your Number 1 priority, this may include morning devotion, prayer, bible reading, bible study, attending church, joining a prayer group, etc. (Split)
6Re-evaluate regularly: Your priorities can change over time, so it’s important to re-evaluate your goals and adjust your priorities accordingly regularly.
7Be flexible: Sometimes unexpected events or emergencies can arise, so it’s important to be flexible and adjust your priorities when necessary. But never adjust your Number 1 Priority.
By setting priorities and following these tips, you can increase your productivity, reduce stress, achieve your goals more efficiently and keep your mind focused on what really matters! Eternity!
Speaking of eternity and what really matters, the day will come when the things of this earth will become valueless, even your money. How is that possible? Find out on Day 6: When No One Can Buy or Sell
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My Local Church:
Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church
7902 Wheatly Street
Houston, TX 77088
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