There are many things in this world to keep us distracted and full of worry. Join us today as we discuss priorities.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Watch the video of this teaching at https://www.celllifechurch.tv/aligned-priorities/
In a fast-paced world and in a world of uncertainty, it is easy to be worried about life. It is tempting to think and dwell on things we cannot control. We worry about finding employment or paying the bills. We worry about the decisions our governing officials are making. We worry about those around us who are not in good health. There are several things we can worry about on a daily basis.
When we worry and allow our mind to get caught up in the things we cannot control, this causes our priorities to get out of alignment. Afterall, worrying cannot add an hour to our life yet some of us are in a constant state of worry.
Jesus spoke about worry and what our priorities should be in Matthew 6:28-34 when he said this:
(28) “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (29) Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (30) If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? (31) So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (32) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
The creator of the universe who clothed the flowers and the fields, has the ability to take care of you. He can provide you with food. He can provide you with water. He can take care of your needs. The things we spend our time thinking about and dwelling upon become what is important to us or our priorities. What are your priorities?
To know what your priorities are, figure out what things you spend your money on, or how you spend your time and the people you spend your time with. All these things will determine your priorities in life. If you pull up your calendar or schedule on your mobile device, what activities do you do, and whom do you do them with? These questions help us see what is important to us.
In the midst of the passage we read about worry, Jesus speaks about priorities and what they should be. Verse 33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” You see, when we seek his desires and passions, then we have no need to worry.
So, what does it mean to seek God’s kingdom? Well, the Kingdom of God is threefold. It applies to the past, present, and future. God was, and is, and is to come. We are given a promise when we seek him first. We find it in the next chapter of Matthew.
(7) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (8) For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
When you seek Jesus, he will be found. Sometimes when we say “yes” to Jesus, we leave the door cracked for him to enter our hearts but we never open it all the way. Or maybe after a while, we begin to take the open door of our heart and slowly begin to close it. Jesus cannot transform you if he is not given full access to your heart. To become like Jesus, we must allow him to change us into the person he wants us to be.
Our number one priority is to seek Jesus. Seek him, until you find him. When you find him, become like him. This brings us to the second priority of our lives, seeking his righteousness.
(17) For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, so the righteousness of God is Jesus. When we have faith and boldly approach his thrown, Jesus is faithful to hear our hearts and heal our brokenness. When we seek God’s righteousness, we are seeking Jesus, the son of God. This means working out our salvation daily as described in Philippians.
(12b) continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (13) for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
The closer we draw to Jesus, the more his good purpose is fulfilled in our lives. When we put Jesus first by aligning our priorities to his, our wants and desires begin to change. They start to become his wants and desires, his good plans and purposes for our lives.
Tomorrow has enough worries of its own. When you have the right priorities in the correct order, you will fulfill the promise that Jesus has for you by seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness. Then all the things that line up with his plan for you, will be given to you.
When your heart is aligned with God’s heart, you will have all you need and desire. For he desires his best for you. His plans are not your plans, his plans are better than you could ever hope for or imagine for yourself
God promises to never leave you or forsake you. He also has mighty, awesome plans for your life. Plans that will prosper you and not harm you. His plans will give you hope and a future.
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