GOD’S PRIORITY
72It is of paramount importance to know the order of priorities God gives us to live a successful and victorious life. If we follow His order, many pains and struggles can be avoided. The order begins with who or what has first place in our life, then second and so on. After sorting out our priority list and practicing it, soon it became a part of us and we did not have to think about it.
I found that various religions and cultures have different sets of priorities. They place, let’s say, children at first place even before their God. Sometimes God is at the end, or is not on the list at all.
When my wife Carol was alive, we had a priority list straight from the beginning. It helped us live a smooth, harmonious life. It prevented many potential conflicts. We had life without war. Our children noticed that we never argued, and later asked us if we did when they were not around. Carol told them, “No; we did not have any arguments”.
Many people have problems to deal with, and when they find the right direction, they will know all can be sorted out. Let’s say you love your fellowship and friends and some very important program is going on. It includes all kind of activities. Then, let’s say your son or wife is in trouble, though it’s not necessarily urgent. It could be some sort of emotional or stressful situation. What should one do? Should you leave the program and take care of your family, or postpone the family needs until after the program? In my experience we should know exactly what our priority is; we should know the solution.
I remember when we were in Spencer Lake at a conference. We had a guest from Prague, Czechoslovakia we couched and tutored. We had also visitors from Canada. My son (almost 9 years old) asked me to help him with a project he was involved in. Sometime ago I promised him we would do this project together. He needed me and I had to make a decision. I placed my son before the event, and I apologized to our sponsored guest and friends and left with my son.
God created Adam first, and then He gave Adam a wife. The children came later, after they were out of the Garden of Eden. Then came Adam’s life work, a job; and much later, fellowship of believers. The fellowship of believers came after his other priorities. Priorities are not measured by how much time we spend with others. Priorities are determined by their level of importance. More often than not, our children or job need more time in comparison to our other priorities.
PRIORITY:
1. God
2. spouse
3. children
4. job
5. fellowship (church)
If we follow this order of importance, then we may avoid much consequential pain and struggle.
Who or what is in first place makes the difference in our outcome.
Sometimes, when Grandma is sick one may spend more time with her than with another person. The same applies if your dog is sick; you must spend more time with your sick dog.
Remember that God and church are not at the same priority level. The church should be on the end of the list. It does not mean we become negligent to the church we love. Love covers a multitude of sins and eliminates conflict.
When a husband and wife understand priorities, conflicts are avoided.
I recognize that changing priorities often brings difficulty, but in the long-run will pay off. The rewards will outweigh the effort. It eliminates pain and imbalance we can live without. Remember that stress is dangerous to our health.
Many people do not have time and are in distress as to how to do all they need or plan to do. If priorities are sorted out there will be time for everything.
Please do not confuse your relationship with God and your relationship with the church fellowship. They really are different. Also, do not exchange God with work or business.
People are very important, even more than work. We cannot put the system ahead of God or people. People and life are more important than even the law. We know from the Bible that if an ox falls into a well on the Sabbath day, one will not wait until the second day!
For a man, his wife is in first place after God. For a woman, her husband is in first place after God. The children see their parents in first place after God. First is God, then the father and mother. It is the invisible law, which should not be violated.
Knowing the order of priorities brings respect. The husband is the spiritual leader in the family. He is not to be a dictator, but a leader. He is to be first place in the family after God and he is to work and love his family to earn their respect. Man is not the priest of his family unless his wife and children make him such. This is why teaching and living priorities is important.
Without priorities, nothing will work properly.
Remember God and His Word is in first place.
Conclusion: Setting priorities is setting guidance for a better life.
No. 1199
© 1986, 2009 Vladimir UhriPrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Beautiful and important words sister. Thanks.
How wonderful to hear how well setting the proper priorities worked out for you. It is so important to be aware of what is better and not just doing the good. God honors one being committed to wife and family before work and church activities. It is so easy to get caught by doing for "God" thru church activities and forgetter the better which is your own family. We forget God has raised up each person for their purpose. I have a tendency to see a need and try to meet it. God is dealing with me that I'm not the only person He has at His disposal to meet needs! Priorities - absolutely!
It is so refreshing to read about the importance of priorities in our lives. Your order is my order as well. People ofttimes forget that the church is not God and should never be used as an excuse for neglecting family. Nor should children take place before the spouse. Husband and wife become one, not children and parent. Thank you for this hub.
I wish I understood this priority list early on in my faith walk! It took many years before someone exposed this to me. My problem (back then) was I put God, and serving in my (local) church in the same priority spot. Hence, church came first and then my job and then wife and kids. In hindsight, was I surprised we had problems? Well, needless to say, this is no longer the case.
I hope many will read your hub, and avert problems similar to those I eperienced. Thanks for writing it. Blessings.
Lynne Cole, thanks for visit and wise comment.
RevLady, your professional and personal comment is very valuable. Thanks you very much.
aka-dj, your comment is blessing to me.
A very interesting and really important hub. Thank you Vladimir. Its always good to remember that we should not forget, that God come first. Have a lovely weekend my dear friend:) Bless you.
Have a beautiful weekend too, my sis.
Thanks for comment. I appreciate it.
I was recently asked to list my priorities in life in regards to my work...my response was
God
Family
And lastly work...I still stand on that this day and intend to never change.
Great Hub Brother
Blessings
Good hub. I am not quite sure that church work is separate from God's work. In other words, isn't church work working for God? If this is so, then how can you classify church work as last on the priority list?
I think that church work also has priorities. In our church, we do not hire any one to clean the church. The congregation takes turn to sweep, vacuum, clean the toilets, water the garden etc. They are mostly volunteers divided into goups. Seniors are exempted from the cleaning job.
The Church Board' job is organising etc. My father never disciplines us (eight children), and it is my mother who does. He preaches every night from Monday to Friday and Saturday, and he has a full time teaching job at a Methodist school. As a preacher, of course, his preaching takes priority over disciplining the children.
God bless.
This is problem when people are confusing church with God and His Word. The spiritual gifts are for edification of church and therefore the church is not perfect yet. God and His Word is perfect. Because we love church does not mean is perfect. If people glorify church it is idolatry. Sis, it is general speaking and not personal.
There is only One God. There is no other.
I had a similar experience to Judah's Daughter. I figured that since I had been "in ministry" prior to marrying, there was no point in stopping. My husband encouraged me to maintain my teaching position, and I did, for six years. The problem was, the more I did, the more others in the church expected me to do, and I finally said, "Enough!" - and quit everything in order to be able to concentrate on my family, and what I knew God's true plan was for me as a wife and mother. We are all happier now. Maybe someday it will be time to take back up a ministry position, but that time isn't now.
Vladimir, I must say I don't understand how your wife and you never argued. Even when my husband and I are on the same page, so to speak, we still have spats, because of our different personalities, backgrounds, and perceptions. Maybe you could write a hub explaining how your wife and you found and maintained such unity. I would like to experience harmony with my husband in priorities. We agree as to the big things, but the "little", everyday things trip us up regularly. Thank you in advance for your answer.
Hello sister Joy. Thanks for comment. I am writing story of my life and will continue to write Carol's Legacy. But I need time. Before we got married we talked about it and I said that people do argue not really about serious matters. When one sells or buy house it is serious and there is almost nothing to argue. We learned to keep mouth closed (mind and mouth are troublemakers) and I was teaching in the church on to be absolutely positive. Do not say anything bad if you do not say first something good. Our children were taught "before you complain on your sister of brother first say something good about them." Then it was difficult to complain. I came from hospital home and I was singing most of the time leaving hospital out. It was "infectious" children lined in at the door in as soon they did hear me enter garage. They were singing. After I was filled with Holy Spirit it appeared to me, I was almost half decade walking like about the ground. I was so full of joy; it was like repeated new birth I experienced before.
Quill, my brother, I commented but it disappeared. I appreciate you. Love you brother.
PRIORITY (according your hub):
1.God
2.spouse
3.children
4.job
5.fellowship (church)
What priority you would make for a single mother, who does not have a spouse, but only has God given children?.....
She is singing together with her children walking with them... :) She doesn't go to any church, but she thanks God every day and every minute for that he gave her children. What kind of priority is this? Not a right one?
Good job with your writings.
After God next will be children. I know mother whose child is on first place, and husband on second. If he still be living I think by now they will be divorced. I know huge amount of people like this.
Thank you for stopping and comment.
My children will be always my priority. And I thank God for them. I am sure the same was with that mother you know. She is also a single mother, right?
Right.
But there is something missing. God must be on first place.
Vladmir - what a relevant and wonderful hub. Sometimes, we tend to wrongly prioritise and end up paying the price. Sometimes, we tend to hold jobs and socialising over family. If only we got it right, it makes life so much easier and better, doesn't it? Thanks for a great read!
Shalini, I appreciate your comment, how truth it is, and it is simple and save a lot of pain. Thank you.
Vladimir, thank you. I'll be waiting to read more of your story.
God is changing many things in me, but so many things that shouldn't be are still a mystery. I know He will explain them in due time. I am also waiting on Him, and doing my best to change what He asks me to.
God IS on the first place, because God gives us children....
But, say, in case of disaster, it is mother's instinct to save her children and not her husband....if she has a choice. The same with a normal father- he would save his kids before he would save his wife....
I consider it this way, at least....
Joy, I always appreciate your comments. Thanks you very much. I am working hard to continue.
ReuVera, of course you are right. The children need more care then husband as an example. God never need us we do need Him. But still He is on first place of authority.
Thanks for stopping.
PS Priority later work often subconsciously and then everything fits and work well together.
Wife is on first place for husband after God. Wife can give another children but child cannot until will grown up.
I hope I explained clearly.
another excellent hub I like the list
PRIORITY:
1. God
2. spouse
3. children
4. job
5. fellowship (church)
Too much thanks.
What happened to my comment?
Oh, there was no comment found or seen, sorry. Perhaps you may resend it.
I agreed with your priority list. God (Me) should always be the first Priority. If we don't have that as the number one then the rest will fall apart. I know of someone who got confused about where church and family were in the order, but I had to set them straight becasue it was affecting everything else. I do not go the chruch and my congregation is here on the internet, but I do put God (me) first. I am not saying be conceited as it may sound so. Jesus said that We are Gods, and no matter how it gets dismissed or explained away, he meant that we are the God's in our own lives and that we can do and be anything that we want and to take care of ourselves first. He doesn't mean to be selfish or be elitist about that. So yes we have to put ourselves first then Spouse then family then job and then others. It should be this way for everything, just for some it isn't called GOD.
Thanks for comment. But here is some confusuon I do not understand. If man is God then god created the universe. Would you please tell me how did you do it?
We all do it. We are part of God and he part of us. He will never leave us and we will never leave him. It says that in the Bible. Who wrote Genesis?
Lady Guinevere: Oh my! Satan is up to his old tricks, "You shall be as gods" (Genesis 3:5). There is only One God and the first commandment is, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me". This "ME" means God, not me as in His creation. Anyone who worships God's creation as equal to God is believing the lies of the Devil. Therefore, we know Jesus was not created, but through Him all things were created (John 1:1-3)!
Romans 1:25 "They exchanged God's truth for a lie and worshipped and served the creation rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever."
We are not gods, nor are we equal with God. Through Jesus Christ, we become the children of God! Jesus was equal with God because He is God in the flesh (Immanuel). He is called "Son" of God because He is the express image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15)! We are called "sons" (no captal S) when we accept this Bible truth that He is God and Savior because we then become the offspring of God ~ His children.
John 1:12 states, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name". LG, we must pray for you!
Judah's Daughter, I do appreciate your valuable comment. See God said once we are gods. He said to Moses: to the Egyptians you will be god for them. But meaning is god, like boss for some another specific people. But We are not GOD.
Lady G., only way is to repent and give your heart to GOD ELOHIM who is only ONE through His Son Jesus. Hebrew text say: Listen Israel, God is our Lord our Creator is One.
Please do not loose salvation and live separated from God eternally. He loves you. He cares for you. Please do not believe lies.
Hahahahahahahaha I already belive in God you fools. I am connected to God and I am sorry that all you can see is your way or no way. Please do not ASSUME anythig less of God bcaseu you do not understand him. I get everything for the same Bible that you do. So if there are lies going on then you are victims too. Who said anything about repenting? I didn't. Did you know they took out most of the Angels in the 6th Century and then the rest all except 3 in the 15th century. Now what do you suppose they did with some other things that may have been in that Bible that is not anything near to the one back then.? Answer that for yourselves becaseu you will not see me here in your hubs again.
Judah's Daughter spreading HATE will not get anyone to God becasue God is not hate and would never ask anyone to spred that about or for him.
Good day all.
Judah's Daughter loves you and I love you too. I know it and I do not have to ask her for it. But we hate lies of the devil.
Angels are not our concern. Jesus is. Jesus is Lord, He is the Word. We enjoy Him. He took care of our sin and there is none any more.
Believing in a Devil is hogwash. Where is your self accountablility if you continue to blame everything on invisible beings? Test Tube Babies--who made them? We made them. Angels you say are not important then you must not beleive in Micahel or Gabriel or any of the other Arch Angels. No sir you do not love something that you think is hideous and that needs savbing or repenting. God does not work that way and you must ask yourself why would anyone want to tell you that in the first place.
I defriended you and I have no idea how Judah's Daughter was my friend and she is defriended too. I played her games once before, but I learned and I will not do it again.
You all have a good life and I do hope that you learn what Love Is--it is in that Bible of yours.
Bye
Guys, please, don't fight over God.... Everyone has his/her God inside and this is WHAT matters.... If people don't do bad things, don't be dictators and rulers of others, then we'll be all right...
Shalom/Peace!
Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One! (meaning, God is Lord, the One and the only one)
This is it! Please, don't fight!
I believe in angels. I put them in charge all the time of need. But I do not major on them. They are our gift and servants. God is my priority. Fight and strife is of devil and I would like to avoid it.
Love is agape best. But it does not produce strife.
Sorry you choose your path. You have free will.
ReuVera, thanks for your valuable comment. You are right: Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One! (meaning, God is Lord, the One and the only one).
Lady G. You accuse in confusion that Jesus is the lair. He never broke the low and never sin. He said: the thief come to kill, to steal and to destroy John 10:10. And He said: devil is the father of lies. Well devil is doing good job. So many believe his lies. What criteria are you using for truth?
Rebuke is of God; God also hates lies; Satan is the father of lies and is the arch-enemy of God and His children. Jesus/God rebukes Satan and so do His children. Satan accuses God's children of hating, when indeed rebuking someone is loving them; rejecting the Word of God is hating God and those who are His. I am praying for the repentance and salvation of LG. She's been through many traumatic experiences, yes, of which I can relate. Truly, I try very hard to be direct with her because she is artful at twisting words spoken to her gently. May God's Spirit reveal His love to her in only the way He knows how...if it is yet possible.
2 Tim 4:3-4 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."
2 Thes 2:11 "For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness."
May God have mercy ~~ a major distraction has ocurred, which is not instigated by God. This hub is about priorities, and the number one priority is not "ME", but "GOD"; Praise Him forevermore.
Amen and thank you Judah's Daughter. You are speaking the truth.
Thou shalt call no man a fool saith the lord. God and God only created the earth and everything in it. Praise be to God and God only...Amen.
Thank you TimeHealsAll for visit and comment. Our God is awesome.
There is one God, I would like to know the scripture where Jesus said we are all gods, all I know is we put no gods before the one and only God, such as worshipping idols, like movie stars, hot singers, whatever you put above God and fellowship should be in our everyday life if we live with God in our hearts. The Holy Spirit shows us the way, its not hard to do if he is in us and we keep him there. There is good(God) and there is evil (Satan). We get to choose.
You are right on, Pollyannalana! There is no scripture where Jesus says we are gods. LG is deceived. You, and everyone else here are children of God. We know Him and walk in the truth because His Spirit lives in us ~ the Spirit of Truth! Amen!!
Pollyannalana, Absolutely biblically correct!! Amen to it. Thanks for visit.
Judah's Daughter, you are great teacher. Thanks for excellent comment.
Very well done .. the priority list, I mean. Priorities help us to keep our plans on schedule and in order and in proper function. Chaos is less likely to have any entrance into our lives. And a family that is in agreement with a priority list is a family that cannot be torn apart. Well done and excellent advice!
Debradoo, amen to it. I cannot say it better.
So does this mean we are to praise LG? I've never seen her name in the bible. What has she done for us. To believe she is as magnificiant as God means she can do all things with a swoop of her hand. I am sorry but then again I'm not for speaking up for my Lord!
I am sorry for her. She is confused and deceived. She needs prayers.
Satan also thinks he is god.
Thank you for visit.
Vladimir Uhri, Excellent hub! I totally agree with the priorities! God has set a standard for us to live by. Seeking God first puts all the other priorities into their proper perspective. You will know how to Love your spouse & children. Work diligently at whatever you do and know how to fellowship with His Church.
I am so glad that you said; "Remember that God and church are not at the same priority level. The church should be on the end of the list. It does not mean we become negligent to the church we love." This is an area of confusion for many...
You are also right about a husband and wife. When you together really understand the priorities of God. There is very little conflict. You respect one another and you work as a team. As the Word says "the two become one..."
This is a wonderful hub! You have made many great points that will help many. These priorities really do work! I thoroughly enjoyed this! Well done! Thank you for sharing, Blessings!
Your comment is excellent one, could not be better. Thanks.
Judah's Daughter says:
2 months ago
Amen! Children learn what they live and consistency is most important. By developing the "habit" of prioritizing and staying with those priorities, they develop merit. I pray your son grew up to practice these same priorities.
Years ago I had a supernatural teaching from the Lord, which showed me the priority list directly from Him! It is the same:
1) Make sure I am right with God; that my relationship is close with Him.
2) Focus on being the godly wife to my husband.
3) Teach my children in the way they should go.
4) Church and Ministry.
Learning the lesson the hard way, I had gone directly into ministry bypassing my husband and children, which did not bear fruit. Only when I did as God told me did He bear fruit in the ministry through me. Praise God, brother!