Torch, Fall 1990

---------------------------- concept often with such phrases as "ought," "seek first," "do all," "one thing I do ," and "I am determined." Prioritizing shows up also in the admo– nitions "work," "study," "stand," "watch," and "walk worthy." God had priorities when He created the world. The detailed account of this action is in Genesis. God had priorities for His chosen people, the Jews. And, not surprisingly, God has priorities for · Christians today. Very early in life I learned a triplet of terms that has helped me to remember some very important priorities– worship, walk, and work. I believe it is a must for us Christians to apply these priorities in our personal, family , and church life. PERSONAL PRIORITIES Personal worship of God should be of highest priority for us. Worship simply means ascribing glory to Christ and praise to God. We can do this in a variety of ways. When we read and meditate on the Scriptures and pray to our Heavenly Father, we worship. God is glorified as His creatures look to Him for guidance. When we pray before a meal, we worship. Our Lord is honored as we come to Him with thankful hearts for His provision of food. When we give money for the work of the Lord, we worship. When we share with someone how God has blessed us or met a very special need, we worship. All heartfelt praise to God brings Him great delight. Our personal walk with God (life– style) should also be a priority. If our walk is a Christian one, it will have boundaries, biblical boundaries. Yes, the Scriptures contain many principles for our lives that are for our benefit and His glory. Our walk must lead us toward our goals. To be like Christ in His qualities and graces should be our highest goal. This comes gradually as we allow the Word of God to influence our behavior. The result is progressive Christian maturity. Our walk must be led by the Holy Spirit. "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh" (Gala– tians 5: 16). The Spirit uses the Word of God, the counsel of others, and circum– stances to guide our steps. Our personal work will reflect our attitude gained in worship and shown by our walk. What kind of workers are we? Excellent, just good, or poor? God expects us to strive to be the best. Jesus told us that profitable servants go beyond doing just what is expected. As we make being profitable servants a priority, we will be able to earn the excellent grade each workday. Here are some helpful suggestions offered in the Christian Management Report of August/September 1990. Begin each day with a "to do" list. Prioritize each item with: A=must do; B=should do; C=could do. Then ask yourself: 1. Is it worth doing? 2. Is it something I can do? 3. Should I delegate this to someone else? 4. Is it a top priority - a "must do" item? Once we have done this kind of prioritizing, we start with our most important A item. Only when the As are completed should we move on to the Bs, and so on. FAMILY PRIORITIES Dads and moms must lead the way in setting family priorities. In single parent homes this responsibility rests with that parent. And , in families with no children, husband and wife should discuss priorities together. First, families must learn to worship at home. We taught our children to do this on a personal basis. And when we were together during very special times, we enjoyed the Word, prayer, and singing together. Second, families need to have guidelines for the family walk. The best guide is God 's manual for living, the Bible. We are to read it as a family and obey it as a family ; these are absolute priorities. Children need direction and love, correction and love, challenge and love. As we lovingly motivate them to do what is right now, they will love us for it later. We must stand up for what is right. As Christian families, we should walk like we are opposed to sin, not tolerant of it. This is essential to preserve our testimony for Christ. We must protect our family 's walk. TV control, reading guidance, playmate choices, and a number of similar challenges demand parental concern. To ignore this is to invite disaster. We should make family rest a part of our family walk. Take a true vacation to the country or to the city. Rest and share together. Taking this time away from the home, the daily rituals , and rough pressures takes planning. Some of my family's most treasured memories are of the camping trip out West with a homemade trailer built on a '59 Dodge frame . Third, as fam ilies we must give greater emphasis to working together. Pampering produces laziness and irresponsibility. Children should be given chores related to their abilities and ages. Family projects are fun and, for some reason , seem to be remembered the longest. CHURCH PRIORITIES Worship in the local church is God 's will for the family , and thus a priority. Hebrews 10:25 tells us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Family life is not designed to replace fellowship with other believers. No family activity should keep the family home from church unless there is sickness or some crisis situation that is understood by the Lord and others. Every church has a style, a culture. We should make it a priority to fit in with the walk of the congregation we have chosen to join. As we abide by the church constitution and bylaws and the church covenant, we realize the privi– lege we have to worship, walk, and work with others in God's family. We should make it a priority to work in our local church. Sometimes church membership almost becomes a club membership where people are spectators at religious performances rather than spiritual participants. The work of the church is done too often by paid professionals only, while the members of the body remain virtually inactive. This is not God 's way. He wants us all to join in the work of the ministry. The church is really all of us; it is our work. Personal priorities, family priorities, and church priorities- these all require choices. When determining a course of action, we should ask ourselves these questions : What is right from God's perspective? How will it affect others? How permanent will be the results? How does it rank among other important things? Why must this be done first? Life is full of choices. Prioritizing will help us make the best choices. "I have set before you life and death, blessing and the curse; therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deuteronomy 30: 19).