Priorities
It only seems right to begin our 52-week journey by doing a little "housekeeping". The housekeeping of our spiritual life includes realigning our priorities and focusing on what's really important.
1) Put God First
Matthew 6:33 says "but seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God..." All other priorities should come second to and revolve around this most important point.
2) Family
Paul asks the body, "if a man can't rule over his own house, how can he take care of the house of God?" Consider this question throughout the week and then look at the structure of your own home. Is it a house of chaos or a home built on biblical principles and godly wisdom? New Testament scriptures give a lot of advice on the order of the home. Try putting these principles to play in your own home.
3) Church
The body of believers that make up a church has many responsibilities regarding the gospel. 1) We have the responsibility of attending church regularly. The bible says to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. 2) We also have the responsibility of helping preserve the gospel. This is why practicing the gospel in your home is so important. This gospel - this truth - must be passed down and preserved if another generation will see Heaven. 3) We are responsible for disciplining other members. The church house is where the broken can come to find refuge. Our mission is to love and disciple those that come.
Priorities are personal, and everyone has different ones. For some it's fitness, for others it's their career, and still others it's keeping up a functioning home. But don't let your personal priorities undermine your spiritual priorities. Nothing is more important than your relationship with God, and your calling to disciple others.
Bible Scripture: Mark 8:36 - For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (How does a man benefit if he gains the entire world, but loses his soul in the process?) Write down this scripture and place it in a location where you will see it every day. Read it often throughout the week and search your heart. Throughout the week, make a list of anything that hinders you from putting God first. Find ways to realign your priorities to keep God in the center of it all.
Faith Application: Commit to praying every day this week and fasting one day a week. Pray when you want. Remember, you may not pray an hour a day but don't let an hour go by without communicating with God. On your fast day, fast whatever you feel, but let it be a sacrifice; let it be from the heart. Fast something that has become an idol in your life and takes up your time and your energy in place of moments with God.
Prayer Focus: This week, we want to focus our prayers on realigning our priorities. Ask God what is keeping you from putting Him first. Pray over your family and your church family. Not only do we want healthy priorities in our homes, but we also want the priorities of our church to be aligned with God's will for the body. Pray over the homes in our church, that they can line up their priorities to create homes of peace, love, and faith. And finally, pray that we, as a body, can preserve the gospel and become disciples to the hurting and the broken. When others enter our doors may they be greeted with God's love and peace through our words, testimonies, and worship.
Family Activity: Complete this bible study activity and discuss. Husband and wives, read this great article. Kids... and everyone... watch this fantastic video on priorities!