Heavenly Priorities: Identifying and Prioritizing What Truly Matters According to Scripture
In a world full of distractions and demands, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. As Christians, we are called to set our hearts on heavenly priorities, aligning our lives with God’s plan. This involves identifying what is truly important according to Scripture and staying focused on those priorities despite the noise around us. Here are some practical steps to help you identify and prioritize what matters most according to God’s Word.
1. Seek God’s Kingdom First
Jesus clearly stated our primary priority in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This means putting God’s purposes and desires above all else.
Tip: Start your day with prayer and Scripture reading, asking God to guide you in aligning your actions with His will. Make seeking His kingdom your top priority in all decisions.
2. Love God and Love Others
Jesus summarized the greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-39: “‘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.’”
Tip: Evaluate your daily activities and commitments through the lens of love. Are your actions demonstrating love for God and others? Make adjustments to prioritize relationships and acts of kindness.
3. Store Up Treasures in Heaven
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus advises, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Tip: Focus on eternal investments rather than material ones. Spend time, energy, and resources on activities that have lasting spiritual impact, such as serving others, sharing the gospel, and growing in your faith.
4. Avoid Distractions
The parable of the sower in Matthew 13:22 warns about the seed that fell among thorns, representing those who hear the word but are choked by life’s worries and the deceitfulness of wealth. Distractions can hinder our spiritual growth and divert us from God’s plan.
Tip: Identify and eliminate distractions that pull you away from God’s priorities. This might include limiting time spent on social media, avoiding unhealthy relationships, or cutting back on activities that don’t align with your faith.
5. Live with Eternity in Mind
Colossians 3:2 urges us to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Keeping an eternal perspective helps us stay focused on what truly matters.
Tip: Remind yourself daily of your eternal home and purpose. Write down Scriptures that emphasize eternal truths and place them where you’ll see them regularly, such as your mirror, desk, or car dashboard.
6. Pursue Holiness
1 Peter 1:15-16 calls us to be holy in all we do, just as God is holy. Prioritizing holiness means striving to live a life that reflects God’s character.
Tip: Regularly examine your life for areas that need to change to better reflect God’s holiness. Seek accountability from a trusted friend or mentor and commit to personal growth and spiritual disciplines.
7. Serve Faithfully
Jesus exemplified servanthood throughout His ministry. In John 13:14-15, after washing His disciples’ feet, He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
Tip: Look for opportunities to serve others in your church, community, and daily life. Make serving a regular part of your routine, reflecting Christ’s love and humility.
Conclusion
Prioritizing heavenly things involves a conscious effort to align our lives with God’s Word and His purposes. By seeking His kingdom first, loving God and others, storing up treasures in heaven, avoiding distractions, living with an eternal perspective, pursuing holiness, and serving faithfully, we can stay focused on what truly matters. Let us commit to living each day with heavenly priorities, trusting that God will guide us and use our lives for His glory.
For more inspiration and motivation to walk the Christ Centered life pickup my book Purpose Driven Legacy (available June 4, 2024) and my follow-up bible studies at https://dustinroyerbooks.com/
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Thank you for reading! If you’re passionate about building your legacy and want to continue this journey, be sure to explore my follow-up books available on DustinRoyerBooks.com. Each book is designed to inspire and guide you through every step of creating a lasting impact. Let’s keep building our legacies together!