Setting Priorities

G.K. Chesterton, English journalist, 1874-1936 “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, its been found difficult and therefore rarely tried.” Setting priorities is a very great challenge!

Setting Priorities Difficult to put God first! All Christians are jugglers of sort. As such, we must deal with all kinds of responsibilities and duties. Things can be over- whelming at times. Difficult to put God first!

Setting Priorities When neglect occurs something, or someone, suffers. Everything must be given adequate attention . When neglect occurs something, or someone, suffers.

School Activities and Recreation “Life = sum total of our commitments.” Heaven The key is to have God in the center, being given top priority as you move through life toward eternity. Build all other relationships, responsibilities, and obligations around God. Family God Church Job School Activities and Recreation

SETTING PRIORITIES . . . . 1. God and Church 2. Family 3. Job 4. School and Recreation

SETTING PRIORITIES . . . . “What we are at birth is God’s gift to us – what we make of ourselves throughout life (the kind of person we become) – is our gift back to God.”

SETTING PRIORITIES . . . . God Must Come First – Matthew 6:33 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. That is why solid attendance is important. And prayer, I Thessalonians 5:17 And Bible study

As the Lord’s Church: We are very important to each other. Romans 12:5 (NKJV) 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Setting Priorities: After God and Church is . . . . Time with Spouse Real danger that when children come you fail to grow together, and then you grow apart Ladies! Beware of the trap of “being too much mother and not enough wife”.

Timely advice from Nicholas Sparks, author of The Notebook It's obvious that you make your marriage a priority. NS: Yes, I personally think it's one of the best lessons that you can teach your children is to keep your spouse happy in a marriage and to make time for them individually. My wife and I go out to lunch three times a week. We go on a date once every other week. We take weekend trips --- just the two of us --- two or three times a year. We will also take a five-day vacation --- just the two of us --- once a year. My wife doesn't want to leave any more than that --- she's still a committed mom. But our children see us all the time --- hold hands, we exercise together. We get up earlier in the morning so we can have some time together. We make it a priority throughout the days and weeks and months.

The “U-Shaped Curve” of Marital Happiness Wife Husband

After God and Spouse is . . . Children…. The Fathers Obligation: And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV)

After God and Spouse is . . . Mothers - 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5 (NKJV)

Proverbs 29:15 “A child left to himself shall grow up to bring shame to his mother.” Children need the discipline, training, and especially the love of parents.

After God, spouse, and Children.. Your Job– Prov 22:29 – “He that is diligent in his business shall stand among kings and not ordinary men.” Col 3:23 – “Work heartily as unto the Lord.” If you are mediocre at work, why would anyone listen to what you have to say about religion?

The Challenge: Remain balanced. Must constantly readjust and get things in balance . . God and His church must always be in the center. We must make sure the family is in its proper place! Do not let school, family, or vocation move God out of first position.