Pri-O-rities for 2015 (Order Your Life)

Scripture Text - Psalms 119:133 (NKJV)
 Direct (order) my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity (sin-evil) have dominion over me. 

Intro: As we establish our priorities for this New Year, just as we would let special events in our lives order the choices we make, we should diligently endeavor to keep the rest of our lives so focused in the same way, so as to order our schedule according to God’s priorities for our lives.

I.  Order your life according to the things that matter most. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

  A. God’s Will is The Best Plan. We can do many things without God (acquire wealth, start a business, get an education, go to college, get a wonderful job), but only in God’s will can we find true joy, fulfillment, faithfulness…and expect someday to hear from Him… “Well done, good and faithful servant. “That wonderful plan God has already designed for your life and mine contains the very best of Purpose, Adventure, Fulfillment, Joy, Truth and new lessons.

 B. Who will you Trust?  

   1. Who will you trust to guide you this year?  Is there a person in your life with whom you would trust to guide your life through this year?  Would it be a spouse, parent, sibling or a very good friend?  Think about that person.  And then realize that God loves you infinitely more and has greater knowledge to guide you than that person with whom you would trust your life! We are to order our lives according to God’s word then sin and evil will not have dominion over us. 

II.   Order your life to develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus. 2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)
¹⁸ but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

  A. This is a priority in life.

In our society, we are concerned with accomplishments: what we do, how we perform, what we produce, how busy we are, etc. We may judge the fruitfulness of these things to gage how well we are doing. Yet Jesus said that all of this doesn't matter unless the person is intimately connected to Him: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned" (John 15:5-6).

B. Jesus will set us free.

  1. From the things of the world that would hold us in bondage. John 8:31 (NKJV)  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

John 8:47 (NKJV)  He who is of God hears God's words."

His will for our lives is not designed as a complicated mystery or puzzle which we have to decipher.  He is a God of revelation and wants us to know His will so we can order our lives accordingly and be free of all that would harm us and hinder our spiritual growth.

III. Order your life to fulfill God’s will regardless of circumstances.

  A. Is no little matter, is not easy, but rather the ultimate in adventure.  Yes, God’s Will includes trouble, trials, and tragedy, but it also includes the blessings of a problem-solver and God of all comfort, our Savior. Psalms 23:4 (NKJV)  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

John 16:33 (NKJV)  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 14:27 (NKJV)  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Yes there will be sacrifices but through it all you will say, like David in; Psalms 40:8 (NLT)
⁸ I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”

 What a way to live! 

Remember our priorities so far include Prayer, Reading of God’s word and Ordering our lives according to God’s will through seeking Him each day. 

Fulfilling God’s will for you will be more than drudgery; it’ll be a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Fulfilling God’s will unlocks your creativity.  It will open doors and bring the right people to you. 

Fulfilling God’s will close the doors that you shouldn’t open and go through.

Fulfilling God’s purpose always carries with it God’s favor and blessings! 

Fulfilling God’s will is the only thing you will want to face Him with.  He won’t say ‘well done’ over the money you’ve made or the reputation you’ve built, the people you might know or your prestige by which you impressed mankind. 

He’ll only say it because you found His way and ordered your life according to His priorities.

Invitation: Do you find yourself wasting away your life with nonessentials, rather than ordering your days around the things that matter most? Now is the time to (take command) order your life so that it fulfills God’s purpose for your life. It’s the only way to the abundant life, the favors and blessings of God and victory over sin and evil. If you have never asked Jesus to forgive your sins against God now is an excellent time while you have no distractions. Ask Jesus to save you and give you a home in Heaven and if you are sincere, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13 (NKJV) ¹³ For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

The choice is yours. Make the right one!

Priorities – Taking “Inventory”

Scripture Text

Psalms 26:2 (NKJV)
 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.

Intro: This time of year all businesses begin to take inventory for the purpose of determining what they accomplished for the past year and from that information, they formulate a plan for the New Year. We Christians need to do the same thing. We take inventory of what we have accomplished spiritually and formulate a plan for 2015.

I. Allow God’s Spirit to examine ~ study you in a very careful way. (v:2)

 a. Ask Him to show you where you need to change!

God’s purpose for all His people in this life is to conform them to the image of Christ.

Romans 8:29 (NKJV)  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Conform means to be in agreement on every point. Is your life being brought into agreement with Christ’s way of doing things? Let God examine and show you the truth.

 b. Are you fulfilling the purpose of God in your life? Do you even know your purpose? Romans 12:2 (NLT)  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Our purpose in life is to constantly be changed into that new person He created us to be.We are changed in our thinking as we pray and read God’s word. We find His will for us.We were created to bring praise, honor and glory to Him while we are in this world.

II. Allow God to prove you through your actions

   a. Prove means to show the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions. Are you most like the Father God in your actions or the world?

Is your life being shaped more by others’ expectations of you than by God’s priorities?

Are some of the things you are doing based on guilt, or a desire for approval or a need to make a good impression? Does God see the motive for your actions based on His will, yours, or someone else’s? Take note each week as to the use of your time. How much time is spent on the things of God? Ask God if any activities you are involved in that may not be on His agenda for you. When your activities have a reason, God’s reason, you can be less affected by the opinions of those who may not understand why you do what you do. God blesses His activities!

III. Allow God to test you in mind and heart!

   a. Test means to subject to strain, as of endurance, patience, affliction, trouble; or duty. Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV)  If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. James 1:3 (NKJV)  Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. A lot of people talk the talk of faith, but do not walk the walk of faith when tested. 2 Corinthians 13:5a (NCV)  Look closely at yourselves.Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith.

What you and I are seeking in the end is the freedom to be who God is calling us to be.

  Philippians 1:20-21 (NLT) ²⁰ For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I  will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. ²¹ For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. This should be the goal for our lives this year of 2015! Not just in theory, but in every day practice.

Invitation: Will you allow God to examine your heart as we give this invitation? Allow Him to show you your heart as He sees it. Where do you stand in your relationship with God? Do you even have a relationship with God? Will you allow God to test your motives and purposes for what you do? Will you take action and look back on what you did last year and see how much it fit God’s plan for your life! Will you come and rededicate your life to Him as we sing the song of invitation?

Priorities for 2015– Read God’s Word

Psalm 1

Intro: The second letter in priorities is “R” which stands for the importance of reading God’s word. The bible is God’s inspired word to us and He speaks directly through His word to teach, correct, instruct and equip us for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) ¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Holy Spirit takes God’s word as we read it and through it teaches us truth and changes our lives and gives us direction and equips us for living the abundant life.

I. The word of God keeps us from the wrong way Psalms 1:1 (NKJV) ¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 

  a. Keeps us from ungodly counsel. The human heart is so perverted, that it seeks joy and happiness where it cannot be found; and in things which are naturally and morally unfit to produce anything of a lasting value in our lives.

We do not seek the unbeliever’s worldly human advice.

Only God knows the way to true joy and happiness in this life and the life beyond.

  b. Keeps us from the paths of sinners.  All human beings apart from God’s Spirit will go the wrong way. They have no power to overcome sin, evil, or Satan.

 Sinners try to find real lasting peace and contentment in their heart and lives through sin and the temporary things of this world. We don’t walk down that path.

  c. Keeps us being scornful. Since the sinner loves to sin, they try to discredit God’s word and His way by their mocking and being disrespectful to God’s word.

II. The word of God gives us delight Psalms 1:2 (NKJV) 

² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Happiness, joy and delight are the grand objects of pursuit among all men.The true way of obtaining these things is here laid down.

Real joy, delight and happiness comes from doing God’s will.

  a. As we meditate on it day and night

  As we ponder and contemplate (think on) God’s word, we find great delight in the word of God knowing He made us and knows what is best for us and will truly bless our lives. Sin never brings real joy, only death! Real Joy comes from the Spirit within.

III. The word of God gives us stability and blessings Psalms 1:3 (NKJV)  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 

 a. Shall be like a well rooted tree. Ephesians 3:16-17 (NLT) ¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. As we read God’s word, we will be rooted in His love so we will not be easily blown about by every wind of teaching. We will become stable and strong as we face the storms of life and conquer all enemies.

  b. Shall be fruitful and productive.  Those who delight in God’s word will bring forth fruit in their season, the fruit of the Spirit and be productive in good works.

  c. Shall prosper in the blessings of God. (v:3c)

 If a person meditates on God’s Word, his actions will be godly, and his God controlled activities will prosper and God will bless all he puts his hand to. This is the way to abundant living. (John 10:10)

IV. Being obedient to God’s word makes us holy and righteous Psalms 1:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴ The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. ⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 

 a. Separates us from the ungodly. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)  For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. John 17:17 (NKJV)  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 

 God’s word cuts away the sin and evil from our hearts separating us from the way of ungodly people and sets us on the path of godliness. We don’t partake of the world’s sinful ways.

 b. Keeps us from God’s judgment. Romans 8:1 (NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

V. The word of God keeps us under His direction Psalms 1:6 (NKJV)  For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

He knows our way. As we read God’s word He watches over us, attends our way and provides for us. “The way” means one’s whole manner of life including what directs it and what it produces.

a. It keeps us on the righteous path in life. Psalms 19:11 (NLT)  (God’s words) are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. Psalms 19:12 (NLT) How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.  

 b. Our motives, purposes, and works, are all brought about by God Himself. The worthless life of the ungodly will not endure and will be judged by God Himself.

Invitation: The word of God tells us that all men are sinners and the wages of that sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 3:23 & 6:23) Make sure you know Him today. ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God and invite Him into your heart and life to take charge of you. If you do know Him as your Savior and Lord, are you reading God’s word to find out what He wants for you in this life? If not, why not?

Priorities for 2015

Intro: As we have just entered the New Year, it’s time to think about our priorities for 2015. Our top priorities should be of the spiritual nature.  Those things that will help us grow in our relationship with God. Our spiritual life controls how we respond to all other things. God’s will for us all is stated in; 3 John 1:2 (NKJV)  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

I. The first letter “P” in priority stands for prayer. (Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)  'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

  A. We have an open invitation from God to call on Him in prayer.

Only through prayer can believers stay in contact with God, know what he wants them to do, and then have the strength to do God’s will in all areas of life.

  B. The promise is (V:33b)

     1. He will answer us. We should pray in confidence, complete trust in God and His word to us.

     2. He will show us the things we don’t know. God’s plans for the future are inaccessible to ordinary people. Only God can unlock the secrets of the future, and He offered this knowledge to Jeremiah and to every one of us who are children of Abraham by faith.

II. Jesus invites us to call on God in prayer.  Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV)
⁷ "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

 In (Matt. 6:9-13) Jesus had given the disciples a model prayer. Now He assured them that God welcomes prayer, and urged them to come to Him through their own prayers in His name.

 A. Conditions of prayer

    1. Asking – Continuous and persistent action.  Emphasized by the present tenses in the verbs:

    2. Seeking- Like seeking some lost treasure that means the most to you.

    3. Knocking - You don't knock one time on a door and then leave before someone has a chance to answer. You continue to knock till the door is opened. God will always be at home waiting for your knock. His promise is found in (Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)  'Call to Me, and I will answer you.

B. Some things to ask in prayer.

   God’s wisdom for daily living and for clear direction in our daily lives in the choices we make and paths we follow. Pray for God’s help in being faithful, disciplined and committed to Him in the use of our time and resources all year long. Pray for help in seeking His Kingdom first and living righteously.

C. The promise if we do these things faithfully. (V:8)

   1. It will be given you. The answers we need to make right choices that will keep us faithful to Him.

   2. You will find. We will find God more than ready and willing to help us along life’s journey this year.

   3. It will be opened to you. Every door that leads to the abundant life and His blessings for us will be opened to us.

III. These promises are for everyone who asks.  Matthew 7:9-11 (NKJV) 

⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

   A. The Father is willing to answer us because He delights in granting our request.

   B. He will give us the good things that we need to promote our well being.

Prayer makes sure we live with a humble acknowledgement of our need for His grace, knowing He is our only hope for staying on course and fulfilling our created purpose.

God rewards those who call on Him. He will turn no one away!

Invitation: For the abundant life, make prayer your top priority for this year. Pray about everything from church, family and Nation, to all your own needs.  Ask God regularly to show you His agenda and priorities for your life, to order your steps so you can fulfill His Kingdom purposes in and through your life. First priority of prayer is salvation. If you have never called on Jesus to save you, now is the time! Ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God and invite Jesus into your life to take charge.