Priorities

Too often, when our eyes are off of God and on to others, we miss it. We miss God’s intended plan for our lives. In choosing our priorities we often get it wrong, VERY WRONG. God wants us to love and care for others. He even said in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” HE never said love your neighbor more than self. Before you get your feathers ruffled, follow me. In making priorities in life we tend to say, or least I did at one time when listing my priorities, that our list should look like this:
God
Spouse
Children
Immediate Family (father, mother, sister, etc.)
friends

I was once asked, “Where are you on this list……?” I stared at the list….. and said I was not sure…I was maybe 7th or 8th.

The priorities I believe God has set are in this order:
God
Yourself
Spouse
Children
Other people (immediate family, friends, etc.)

This list may look a little different for you depending on your situation.…Point being, if anyone comes between you and God on that list……..it is interfering with your direct connection to God…….. If you have God first, then yourself…….this means HE will direct you appropriately to all other people. Also note, if you DO NOT put yourself as a high priority, taking care of your spiritual and physical self……you will not be healthy enough to BENEFIT or help anyone else on the list.

Soooooooo, I do not believe in the J-O-Y (Jesus, Others, Yourself) concept many suggest we use in making a list of priorities……If the order becomes Jesus, Yourself and then Others…….then Jesus will speak directly to you about the rest of the order. Hearing from HIM directly and caring for your needs ultimately enables you to CARE for and LOVE everyone else.

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Don’t let others direct your walk……keep that direct communion with HIM by closely examining what I have learned to call, “my totem pole,” a.k.a. my priorities.

God designed our lives and He intends to direct our paths. It is our choice….to live out loud Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else guard your heart, everything you do flows from it.”

Putting others on the totem pole between you and God clouds the picture….God wants DIRECT AND AUTHENTIC COMMUNICATION WITH EACH PERSON. He does not want to communicate with us through someone else. Holding God’s hand helps you follow his designed plan for YOU. If someone is between you and God, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s agenda…..and guess what?……they could become an idol in your life…….!

Examine your totem pole….Where is God and where are you on the list or pole?……Today, I can honestly say by my being second on the pole, having nothing between God and me, has TOTALLY AND 100% CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER. HEARING FROM GOD DIRECTLY is the KEY to all other relationships! God at the top is vital for leading the Life that you were created for…remember this key principle, “If God is second he may as well be last!”

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