Remembrances about Priorities

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Insights: Let me wrap this week up with three remembrances.  First, serious thought precedes any significant change.  In today’s verses we see we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  The way we think about the Triune God has major impacts on us as individuals and when we get our thinking right the passage goes on to tell us that we then may prove what God’s will is.  The second remembrance for this week helps with the first one.  Second, written plans confirm right priorities.  I strongly encourage you to keep a journal.  Write your prayers in it.  Write what God reveals to you in your quiet times with Him and His Word.  Write the things going on in your life.  A written record like this helps one confirm and maintain the proper priorities in one’s life.  In other words, a journal helps keep you focused on what matters most to you and God.  Third, a loss of distinction and conformity to the world go hand in hand.  Today’s verse tells us to stop conforming to this world.  You cannot have it both ways.  You can either conform to this world and NOT have a vibrant, dynamic and growing relationship with Jesus, or you can live a life of distinction and experience everything previously mentioned.  The choice is yours.  After the military conquest of the Promised Land was complete Joshua gave a similar choice to the people of Israel.  He said to them, “If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.  Whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (24:15).”  Who will you choose?  A life characterized by proper prioritization will bring glory to God and great satisfaction to you.  Beloved, choose distinction.  Choose life in Christ Jesus.

Questions:

1. Do you keep a journal in order to help you maintain right priorities?
2. Does your life reflect the distinction found in Jesus?

Prayer: Father, I desire for my life to reflect You and Your priorities.  I realize this could mean significant changes for me, but I want to honor and glorify You with a life of distinction. Amen.