Resetting Your Life Priorities

Resetting Your Life Some questions 1)What are the priorities of your life? 2)What is a priority? 3)Here’s a definition: “a thing that is regarded as more important than other things

Resetting Your Life 4)Imagine this situation: You’re ten miles offshore fishing for sharks with three friends in your boat and here is your situation. a)The engine has quit b)There are no other boats nearby c)You have forgotten your sunscreen d)Your friend is seasick e)It’s raining f)You have enough food for a good g)You have hole in the hull of your boat h)The fish (the Jaws type) aren’t biting but they are circling your boat

Resetting Your Life 5)What is your priority? 6)How did you make that decision? 7)Did your belief system help you make that decision?

Resetting Your Life A few questions about PRIORITIES 1) Pete Rose said “Number two ain’t nuthin!” What’s does that quote have to do with priorities?

Resetting Your Life 2)Is it really about “priorities” or “priority?” Let’s tell a story now about priorities: Acts 9:1-19 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.2

Resetting Your Life 33As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”4 55“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”6 77The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind.8

Resetting Your Life So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 1111The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!

Resetting Your Life 14And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Acts 9:

Resetting Your Life Saul before Damascus road 1)He was successful, famous and a man of means 2)He had focus 3)He had purpose 4)He had a plan 5)He had passion 6)He was singular in all he did 7)He was a leader 8)He was a man under authority 9)His priority was eliminating Jesus followers

Resetting Your Life Saul after Damascus road 1)All nine things were still true 2)But, one thing changed - #9 3)The subject of his priority changed 4)Jesus became his passion 5)Everything else in his life changed because his priority changed

Resetting Your Life Making it real to you 1) In reality the priority question is never about “What?” but rather, “Who?” 2)Let me explain … it’s always a choice between two people. Which one of these will sit on the throne of your life? You or Jesus? 3)Who is your priority? 4)What rock goes in the jar of your life first? 5)You might call this the ultimate “RESET!”