Priorities are “first things,” those things to which we devote our attention, time, action, effort, feeling and thought. The priorities we choose direct our life. Our priorities in life are determined by our view of life and what we value. What is at the heart of your values and priorities?
Identity and Purpose
As disciples, our priorities are bound up in our identity and purpose. As a result of the redemption and salvation through Jesus, we have become new creatures, our hearts and spirits have changed (Rom. 6:4). We are now true sons and daughters of God with his spiritual genes in us (John 1:12-13). This new life brings with it a new mindset, a new identity, new priorities and a new lifestyle. (2 Cor.5:16-20). Our priorities reflect who we are in Christ.
Before I became a disciple, my life focused on me, my appearance, my relationships (especially boyfriends), my education and my job. Most things in my life were to build me up; even some worthwhile pursuits were ultimately about me. I did things for my comfort and convenience as well as to help me feel good about myself. When I first became a disciple, the change in my mindset was very obvious to me. I had a focus beyond myself. I found that having a personal relationship with God was wonderful and exciting. Reading the Word became an adventure in getting to know God. Sharing my faith seemed to just flow out of me naturally. I was eager to meet with God’s people. Submitting myself to grow in my character was an earnest desire; not a dreaded effort. I was experiencing being a new creature.
At regular intervals in our journey with God, we need to stop and do a life check and think back to what we were like when we first began our new life with Christ. Do we still have the same eagerness, the same zeal, the same desire for God and his kingdom, the same priorities? Have we grown deeper in our faith and more fervent in our relationship with God, or are we struggling to hang on? Have our focus and priorities become blurred and scattered or sharper and clearer?
Priorities are Important to God.
God clearly states that our priority must be him (Mt. 22:37, Deut. 6:5). In the New Testament, Jesus calls us to put God first (Mt. 6:33).
This same emphasis is seen in the Old Testament. Through out the Old Testament writings, we see God’s yearning to have a close relationship with his people. Even though the Israelites had God’s direct intervention in their lives, they frequently shut him out. The prophets charged God’s people with “not knowing God” (Is. 1:3) and with “forgetting God” (Is. 51:12-13; Jer.3:32). They were spiritually dying for their lack of knowledge of God. That means they were dying from their lack of living in a faith- relationship with God. They did not choose to have a close, personal relationship with God. They choose to follow an outward appearance of religion while failing to have a deep heart relationship with God.
Our Heart and Mindset Direct Our Priorities.
Scriptures point to the foundation necessity of setting our hearts on God and maintaining right priorities. Colossians 3:1-2 indicates that our priorities and lifestyle are dependent on our heart and mindset, “Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts (affections) on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set you minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ.” Where are you setting your mind and heart?
Decisive Effort Underlies Godly Priorities.
Romans 12: 1-3 further describes the foundations for Godly priorities. These consist of deliberate effort and sacrifice in giving over our fleshly nature to God in order to maintain our focus on the kingdom and the righteousness of God: “Therefore, I urge you brothers in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed any longer 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.”
We cannot be passive about this, as the force of the world tries to push us into its mold. We must make a deliberate choice to put effort into allowing the Word of God and the Spirit to transform our minds. It is this process of transformation that will keep us seeking first the kingdom of God.
Feeding Our Spiritual Nature Sustains Godly Priorities
One of the factors that helps us maintain a spiritual mindset and continue in Godly priorities is a steady diet of God’s Word. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus states: “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Within the context of this passage we see Jesus used the Word of God to sustain him in temptations from Satan. This scripture is significant to us because it emphasizes our need for a steady diet of God’s word. We eat food daily to sustain the life and energy of our physical bodies. Similarly, we must feed our spiritual nature with the Word of God, daily.
Ephesians 6:17, tells us that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” In the context of this passage, the sword of the Spirit is one of the pieces of armor that we need in the spiritual battle that is all around us. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus showed us how we can use that spiritual sword, the Word of God, to be victorious over the schemes of the evil one. If we are not reading and meditating on the Word of God, we will not have a spiritual sword to disarm Satan. We will fall prey to his schemes and grow weak and weary in our pursuit of God.
Hebrews 4: 11-12 reminds us that there is power in the Word, and that it is living and active and can help us to transform our hearts, minds and character: “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”.
The Word of God is like a powerful seed that when planted in our hearts and minds can produce faith (Rom. 10:17), wisdom, Godly living and spiritual fruit (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Suggestions for Reading the Word Daily
Schedule time to read the Bible:
- “To Do List”– Start by making a “to do list” of the things you need to do during your week as well as things you want to do. Include: time with your children; time for responsibilities in caring for your children; time for household responsibilities such as meal preparation, grocery shopping, laundry, et; time interacting with your husband; include job time, if you have a job outside the home; include time for hobbies/entertainment.
- Make a Block Schedule – Place the things from the “to do” list on a block schedule for the week. You will have general blocks of time for certain items as well as specific times for other activities such as doctor appointments, etc.
- Make Time for God – Look over the schedule and determine how you can move things to make time for reading the Word of God and praying. Write it in the schedule for each day. It is most effective if it is the same time everyday.
Sacrifice
- Be prepared in your mind and heart to sacrifice time. This may mean getting up earlier, going to bed later or giving up working on a hobby or entertainment.
Effort
- Be consistent in reading the Bible, even when you don’t feel like it.
- Get encouragement and support from your friends to help you accomplish this. For example: If you are having difficulty getting up in the morning to read the Bible, ask someone to call you. Encourage others to ask you about your quiet times. If you don’t know what to read, ask others for ideas.
Block out Distractions
- If your children are old enough, tell them that you need to spend time reading God’s Word. Set them up to be involved in an independent activity, while you read.
- Do not answer the phone during this time.
- If you have a small baby or toddler, read when they are asleep.
- Pray to keep your mind focused on what you read. Ask God to bless your reading with insight and encouragement for your faith.
Have a reading plan
Plan out the books of the Bible you will read. If you are just beginning to read the Bible or just getting back into reading the Bible, consider the following:
- 1 and 2 Peter, James, Philippians, Colossians, 1,2, and 3 John
- a gospel
- the book of Acts
- Psalms
- Do a topical study on a characteristic you want to grow in. You will need a concordance for this.
- Make a long term plan to read the Bible in sequence so that you can more clearly see God’s plan through history and to have a deeper understanding of the nature and character of God.
Take Notes
Get a notebook and take notes as you read. These notes can be as basic or as detailed as you want. As you read, look for characteristics of God, how God interacts with man, scriptures to encourage your faith, scriptures that help you with various problems and relationships, commands to obey, etc. Ask yourself reflective questions and take at least one idea you will apply in your life.
Pray as you Read
As you read the scriptures ask God to help you understand them and to do them in your life.
Enjoy Your Time with God!!!
