Priorities

This New Year we have made New Year’s resolutions/commitments, but I want to give you something to think about. So many times when we make these new commitments, we have them “out of order”. This is not to say that things we commit to do aren’t good things, but that there are more important things to consider in this time we are living. Here is how I believe we should prioritize:

1. God/Kingdom of God
2. If Married, your spouse
3. If child(ren), then the kids
4. Careers/Professions
5. Whatever other hobbies or commitments

Always put Jesus, God the Son - made flesh, first! He is the only way we can be reconciled unto the Father. He is the only way to Heaven. In Him we find everything we need – life, joy/happiness, peace, health, and richness in every area of life – unconditional love. He knows what we were and what we were doing even before we asked Him into our hearts, yet He still loved us anyway. Cultivating our relationship with Jesus should be our number one priority. We should desire to go from glory to glory in Him. And as we mature, we should do the work of the Kingdom of God – preparing ourselves and everyone else to be with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Whether we die or we are here for the Rapture, the most important thing you can do in this life is decide to live your life for Christ. Getting married, having children, having a successful career or business, losing weight, whatever is good, and all who desire to have these things can have them. But none of these things can get you to Heaven. You can have all these things and more and still spend eternity in Hell – the place no one wants to go, but some are not willing to do what it takes to get there – accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and walk according to the Word of God.

If you are married, then your spouse should be the next commitment on your list. Husbands, you are to love your wives as yourselves. If you wouldn’t want anything said or done to you, then you shouldn’t say or do them to your wife. Husbands are to dwell with their wives according to knowledge, which means husband get to know your wives. Wives, we too should dwell with our husbands according to knowledge. You know he likes watching football with no interruptions, so wait until a commercial – unless it’s about the game or an emergency. Husbands are to love their wives even as Christ loves the Church. This goes for wives too. Wives, we are to love, honor, respect, prefer our husbands. We are to encourage each other/build them up, not tear them down. We, husbands and wives, are to submit ourselves one unto another not depriving each other of physical and emotional needs. We get so busy with our everyday lives that we forget to “check in” with our spouse, our friend. We forget to “fill” our spouse. Then when someone else begins to give then attention, someone else begins to “fill” them; it opens a door for the enemy to come into our marriages. When you decide to put Jesus first, you’ll have a better marriage relationship; I know this from experience; He will show you how to love one another - getting your eyes off yourself and onto your spouse – I was spoiled and use to having my way. God is Love, and He lives big on the inside of us which means that the Love of God is on the inside of us. Our natural love for our spouse plus the Love of God in us helps us to deal with them when they are having a bad day, despite what they do or say, and to stay and fight! We should not allow anyone or anything to put asunder that which God has joined together. God joins husbands and wives together for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till deaths do they part. God hates divorce and so should we. As a matter of fact we should hate and detest everything that God hates and detests.

Next should be our children and then our careers. Children are a blessing, and should enhance our family relationship. They should not take up all of our time where we don’t have time or don’t feel like spending time with our spouse. We understand that we are not going to have all the time in the world like we use too, but we make sure that we spend with our spouse. Children should not put a burden on your marriage; I kind of fell into this. Every mother wants to be a good mom, but I was putting more time and attention into my children, and I wasn’t giving my husband the time that he deserved and needed. The Holy Spirit helped and is still teaching me balance in this area. Mothers are not only moms, but we are nurses, house cleaners, teachers, disciplinarians, and short order cooks. Moms have a lot to do; so hubbies, get in there and get involved if you’re not already; especially if the wife also works. It not only the “woman’s job” to raise the kids, but you have a part to play as well. And if there are women out there that are not nurses, teachers etc to their children, then………………. Well……………. Get in there!

Then we have our careers. We all want to be the best that we can, but as we have seen in the economy, you can have a profession one day and not the next. We should not put our hope/trust in our profession/careers or man, but only in God. He supplies all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. This is yet another reason to put Jesus first. No matter what type of work you do or how much money you make, as long as you got King Jesus first, all will be well. He takes care of us in the good times and in bad times. I know this from experience. Your spouse loves you (or should love you) no matter what work/profession/career you have, and your children will always be your children. As long as you are willing to work or willing to contribute to the family in some manner agreed upon, there’s nothing left but love and support. Family loves you no matter what!

Jesus, God the Son - made flesh, is the one, true constant we have in our lives. He is the same today as He was yesterday. Spouses may leave you, children will eventually leave the “nest”, and careers/professions will come and go, but God will NEVER leave you nor forsake you; He is with you everywhere you go. Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you do not have to fear any evil. This is why He should be number one. When you have God first, you have the peace that surpasses all understanding – knowing He is who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He can do! Everything in our lives here on this earth is subject to change, but God is the only one that remains the same!

Remember there's a sinner's prayer on this site. If you have back-slid or haven't tasted and seen that the Lord is Good, then say this prayer. You don't have to be in a church building to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. There is a moment that will happen, and it will happen in a twinkling of an eye (as fast as you can blink), and those who have confessed Jesus as Lord and have walked according to the Word of God will be raptured up to be with Him forever and ever. Yes, it sounds too fantastical to be real, but don't take the chance that it's not and be left behind. So don't put this off. No one knows the hour or the day when this will take place, but it is for us to be ready when it's time to go. The first step is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you say this prayer, contact me; let me welcome you and personally encouraged you in your new life with Jesus!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!