Establishing Priorities

Every Christian has to ask theirselves this question, "What is my top priority?". If our answer is anything other than God, then our priorities are wrong. God should always be the number one priority in our lives. We as Christians have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. There is absolutely nothing in this world that is more important than God and His kingdom, yet so many believers have failed to give God His rightful place in their lives. Having wrong priorities gives the enemy a foothold to come in and wreck havoc in the believer’s life. Just think about it, when the enemy gets a foothold, then it becomes a stronghold. It’s time for the body of Christ to get a wake-up call, and establish the priority of putting God first.

We see a woman in the Bible named Mary, and she had a sister named Martha. Jesus came and payed these ladies a visit. As we delve into the Scriptures, we see the difference in each ones priority.

LUKE 10:38-42 (KJV) - "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

From reading this passage of Scripture, we see that Martha had her priorities all messed up, but her sister Mary chose the one needful thing, and that was giving God top priority in her life. Mary of Bethany was a true worshipper, and she wasn’t occupied with all the distractions of this world. Martha was a worry wart, and was always busy, busy. She was out of balance, and Jesus gave her a loving rebuke. I can just imagine the Lord wanting to do the same to a lot of us. We get so caught up in the things of this life, that we forget the one needful thing - the most important of all, which is God Himself. The body of Christ has been too distracted, too preoccupied with so many things, and all it does is build up stress in our lives. Distractions will cause many people to look to material things, which will cause them to get their eyes off of God, and onto this world and it’s system. When we learn to put God first, we will successfully thwart the devil’s plan. Just think about this: Putting God first, gives the devil a black eye!

When we really think about it, we all make time for what’s important in our lives. Why then, is it so hard for many Christians to make time for God?. Why do we give Him leftovers when what He truly desires is first place in our hearts? Many Christians, and most people in general don’t know how to manage their time properly. It seems so much time is wasted, and very little is used productively. We as Christians should set the example for all to see. We need to set aside time in prayer, time in worship, time reading the Word, and time sitting at the feet of Jesus. The only way we are going to grow as individuals and as a body, is by spending quality time in God’s presence. When we seek Him first, He promises to meet all of our needs. The key here is putting Him first, and not the things. Jesus said in MATTHEW 6:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His rigtheousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." If we would only get a revelation of what it means to seek first the kingdom of God, I believe many Christians would have a deeper relationship with God.

David was another person in the Bible who knew the importance of seeking God first above all else. His heart’s cry should also be ours as well: "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple." PSALMS 27:4 (KJV)

I think it is time for all of us to enquire in the temple of the Lord. It’s not just a place to visit, it’s a place to live. It’s our very dwelling place as believers. Just think about it - when we put God first and give Him our best, He will give us His better! The things of this world will one day fade away. God and His eternal kingdom will NEVER fade away. Jesus said in MATTHEW 6:19-21 (KJV) - "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."