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!