WHEN WE GAIN CLARITY IN SERVING GOD, ALL OUR PRIORITIES CHANGE

Have you ever thought about Serving ? Serving is an interesting word and it can define a variety of actions and focus. Serving generally requires “Action” and brings about “desired” results. Serving has both positive and negative connotation. Serving ‘Others” is generally a good thing, whilst being “Self Serving”, not so good. From a Biblical context, SERVING is about helping others who are in need of assistance. In Luke 22:27, Jesus said, “I am among you as He that serveth.” Jesus certainly came to us as a servant, teacher, and leader. He did so many miracles for mankind that it is truly overwhelming, and He also managed to take on all our sin and “Die On A Cross” in our place. Taking on our punishment and setting us FREE from God’s Wrath, also freeing us from death, promising us “Eternal Life” instead. Christlike Service grows from a genuine Love For Jesus, and a Heart that is open to GAIN CLARITY AND UNDERSTANDING IN WHO TO SERVE, AND HOW TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS THAT ARE AT HAND. The main point that I am focusing in on for all of us to contemplate is “WHAT DO WE PRIORITIZE ONCE WE HAVE GIVEN OUR LIFE TO CHRIST ? The secular world does a lot of work toward things that on the surface seem good. Health is a great example. So much money, and so many hours spent to help mankind and our frail bodies:) A mountain of books written to ‘Help” us achieve self awareness and happiness. Endless ideas on how to be successful or better at something. Communication, vocation, relationships, path and purpose….the list goes on and on. The problem with the worldly approach is simple. FOCUS IS ON SELF. IF WE PUT OUR FOCUS ON GOD, AND WHAT HE SEES AS PRIORITIES, THE WE GAIN CLARITY…AND ALL “OUR” PRIORITIES CHANGE ! WHERE DO WE START ? THINK ABOUT ETERNAL PRIORITIES, NOT THINGS IN EARTHLY EXISTENCE.

BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU. Matthew 6:33

FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THEIR YOUR HEART WILL ALSO BE. Luke 12:34

YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME. Exodus 20:3

SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH. Colossians 3:2

IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. John 14:15

The Word Of God in Scripture is absolutely overflowing with Priorities ! God’s Priorities ! Why is it so difficult for us to SEE AND HEAR exactly what should be most important in our lives and have Clarity on how we should take action in our thoughts and behavior to accomplish those very things ? Seek God; Obey God; Worship God First and Foremost; Make Heaven and Eternity your storehouse for what you treasure most. SO SIMPLE, AND YET SO HARD. The reason seems pretty simple to me. We seem to put OUR NEEDS AND PRIORITIES FIRST. We get around to God when we have time. We “fit” Him in to our busy schedules. We count on ourselves and our “hard work” to get things done. Our PRIORITIES are mixed up, because GOD is not who we are looking to serve FIRST. Until we gain CLARITY in serving God, our priorities always stay in the sphere we inhabit; focused on Ourselves. Looking at the scriptures above, I see so many areas of struggle in my own life…DO YOU ? Financial Security is a necessity, so my bank account, my investments, my work must be a priority. My time is filled with a lot of Idols; sports, hobbies, travel, work…Is Yours ? Sometimes my earthly life consumes me….How about You ? I like to set my own rules and opinions…You ? PUTTING GOD FIRST IS A MONUMENTAL PRIORITY FOR US TO TRULY HAVE CLARITY ! One thing that I have gained in my time maturing in my Relationship with Jesus is that ‘unless you surrender all and become intimate in your honesty and vulnerability and Trust in His Love for you, you will never find Peace or Rest ! The Good News is that GOD LOVES YOU ! HE IS PATIENT, but He does require CHANGE ! It is on US to accept His grace and mercy and SEEK HIS WILL FOR OUR LIVES.

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND, THAT BY TESTING YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, WHAT IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT. Romans 12:2

SO FLEE YOUTHFUL PASSIONS AND PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, AND PEACE, ALONG WITH THOSE WHO CALL ON THE LORD WITH A PURE HEART. 2 Timothy 2:22

LET EACH OF YOU LOOK NOT ONLY TO HIS OWN INTERESTS, BUT ALSO TO THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS. Phillippians 2:4

Can We Get Out Of Ourselves and Our World to SEEK GOD and actively MOVE in the things HE PRIORITIZES ? It takes actively looking. It takes actively becoming involved. It takes a willingness to be uncomfortable perhaps, or feeling over our heads maybe. Jesus came to earth to wake us up and CHANGE US ! Jesus wanted us to see God, and see how much WE needed a new perspective on LIFE. The Kingdom Of God came to be among us that WE might live the tenants that will await us in His Heavenly Kingdom….if we CHANGE OUR HEARTS, and put our Lives In His Hands. ACCEPT HIM, and have Eternal Life. REJECT HIM, and have Eternal Separation And Darkness. It should be so clear that there is only one choice that we should pursue. HIM ! Jesus is who we must serve; not the world and nor Ourselves. JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE ! Everything always starts when a first step is taken. Seek Him. Pray to Him. Read His Word, and let it soak into your HEART :) Draw a NEW map for your path and purpose and priorities, with JESUS AT THE CENTER. HE IS WAITING FOR YOUR DECISION….. AMKE HIM FIRST/JAA

THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH, AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT. DO NOT MARVEL THAT I SAID TO YOU, “YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” John 3: 6-7

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