What's Your "Bottom Line"?

When was the last time you asked yourself what your priorities are? Do you know what is really important to you? Do you know what your "bottom line" is?

Most of us have a "bottom line" in one or more areas of our life. When we hear the phrase "bottom line", we may think of it as a business term that means "the final total of an account" or we may think of the meaning "the underlying or ultimate outcome". Either way, without a "bottom line" it is hard to find direction and know when you've reached a goal.

So let's take this personal.

Family. Do you have a bottom line when it comes to what you will allow in the life of your children. Do you care enough (pay enough attention) to know what music they are listening to, what they are watching on television, viewing on-line? What about their friends?  Who are they? What do they listen to and view? What kind of attitude do they have with their parents? Do their parents have the same values as you? NEVER ASSUME!

Your life. Do you have a bottom line when it come to what you will allow into your life? What do you view when no one is around? What do you listen to when you have your ear buds in? Where are you willing to go when you know no one will ever know? Who do you hang out with when you know no one will find out? Do you even care?

When we are not willing to ask the hard questions, like those listed above, we can pretty much assume that the "bottom line" is simply none existent, not important or we don't realize, that to maneuver through life, it is good to have a bottom line.

God. Do you have a bottom line when comes to God?  What should your "underlying or ultimate outcome" be when it comes to your relationship with Him? While we need to examine ourselves and our motivations when it comes to our relationship with God, He's the one that gives us clear direction on what He wants and how to get there through the Bible.

Deuteronomy 13:4 tell us to follow, fear, keep His commandments, listen, serve, and cling.
Luke 4:8 says to worship and serve.
Matthew 22:37 says to love Him with ALL out heart, soul and mind.

Going to church; dropping money in the offering, doing good deed, being baptize; taking communion (and so on) are only rituals when we do not have a personal relationship with God based on the finished work of Jesus Christ (His Son), that allows our sins to be forgiven when we accept Him as our personal Savior.

Bottom lines. They are reached when we are willing to do the work. Life is hard but not impossible, well, not impossible when God is in charge. You can begin today by asking the hard question but the first and most important is, "Do you have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ"? 1 John 1:9