PRIORITIES

PRIORITIES

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. –Proverbs 23:4-5

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” —Proverbs 23:29-35

           What is an idol? It is anything that comes before our Lord God Almighty.   Anything that is taking priority over Him is idolatry. Addictions— whether it is seeking to acquire more and more wealth or alcohol— just depending on it for whatever reason or any other addiction or craving— if these are more important than following the Lord as first priority, then it is idolatry.

            We are told to “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). Here is where our priority is to be. Is it?

            What does it mean to “love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind?” My emotions/feelings are to have Him as top priority. My will is to have His will as top priority. And my mind is to be renewed to think as He desires me to think. Is this is what is happening in my life? Is it happening in your life? May it be so!

Dear Father please let nothing distract me away from following You faithfully. Oh may this be the case in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5ZrO_IIDwo