How about choosing a word together with God?

More and more people seem to be exchanging the idea of a New Year’s resolution for a word that sums up a plan or goal for the year to come. Words like Enough, Abundance, Whole, and even Nope have been shared on friends’ and acquaintances’ social media pages.

While I resolved to abandon New Year’s resolutions years ago, I had yet to embrace choosing a word to identify with and focus on for the year to come. I could blame it on indecisiveness, or bucking a trend, but if I’m honest with myself, it has more to do with the exhaustion I always feel around that time of year.

Looking back to when January began, I felt burnt out. Instead of looking toward new and exciting opportunities ahead, I was drained from all of the times in prior months that I had said yes when I should have said no.

As the new year unfolded, my body gave out, and colds and the flu consumed me for seven agonizing weeks. My body was forcing me to say no; it was forcing me to pay attention to myself and my needs–something that has never come easily for me.

If I could sum up my last year with a single word, it would be the word LISTEN. Last year, I began a journey through counselling on learning how to better listen to myself and my body.

I began to dig deeply into my needs, and realized that I had buried many of them in favour of helping others. In the process of talking about my needs, I learned that meeting everyone else’s needs was not the same as meeting my own–even though at the time it felt like it.

I also began to listen to my emotional needs. I have been learning that I am not very good at asking for what I need, especially at an emotional level.

I tend to be introspective, but not allow others into that quiet, often dark space. I’ve been listening more to what my emotions are telling me, and then opening up with my husband and others close to me about what I’m feeling, and what I need.

Most importantly, I started listening more intentionally to God speaking to me through the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe that the Bible is God’s Word spoken to us, but I also believe that God, through the Holy Spirit, speaks to us in a way I’ve learned to call listening prayer.

The intimacy and joy I have experienced through listening prayer is a powerful testimony to a two way relationship with God–receiving from Him, as well as pouring out to Him.

As  the year progressed, my burdens, emotional, physical, and spiritual, became lighter. I felt joy where months earlier I had felt heavy and depleted. Listening to my physical body, my emotions and God my Father gave me a new outlook for the last half of the year.

My incredible counsellor, a prayerful mentor, a supportive husband, patient friends and a Faithful God have all been instrumental in assisting me on this journey.

Early in December, I received an email from a friend about the idea of choosing a word for the new year–but with a twist. Instead of me choosing the word, I would invite Jesus, by the power of His Holy Spirit, to give me a word.

In the midst of the bustle of the Christmas season I brushed this idea off. But one morning, with just days to go before the new year’s arrival, I decided to pray a listening prayer using the prompts my friend had provided. I asked Jesus, through His Spirit, to reveal His word for me for 2020.

The question had barely escaped my lips, when the word ABIDE sprung to mind. I followed up with another question. “Jesus. where in your Word confirms this for me?” Immediately the phrase, ‘apart from me you can do nothing’ came to mind.

I had to look up this verse, as I couldn’t remember the reference. It is from John 15:5. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

God had given me the gift of His Word (John 15:5) and a clear call to abide in Him alone. I look forward to seeing all that this year brings–in my family, in my writing, in my friendships, in my spiritual, physical and emotional health, and in all of the good gifts He alone gives–as I abide in Him.

by Caran Jantzen
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• Listening to God
• God is Speaking
• God Helps Us Pray

The post Have You Chosen a Word for the Coming Year? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Each of you has been blessed with one (or more) of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. If you have the gift of speaking, preach God’s message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 (CEV)

2025 is Upon Us! I’ve been thinking a lot about personal goals and what I want to change this year.

A general question someone asked me years ago has stuck with me: “If I keep doing what I’m doing now, will I be where I want to in one year, five years or ten years?” I’ll ask you the same in regards to your spiritual walk – if you keep doing what you are doing today, where will you be by the end of this year? In five years? In ten? Are there things that need adjustments? Are you using your God-given gifts to impact your world and make a difference?

As I think about my walk with Christ this year, three questions come to mind:

1.  Are there any activities, books, seminars, or men’s groups I could join that will teach me something new?
2.  What one or two things can I do in 2025 that will make me be a better reflection of Christ?
3.  Where does Christ want me to give special attention to in 2025?

– Physical
– Relational/Family
– Financial
– Spiritual
– Intellectual
– Professional

I know from past experience my chances of success go way up if any action step or goal is clear, makes it into my weekly schedule, and I have some form of accountability. I’d like to challenge each of us to pray through and answer each question above, then make goals that will be incorporated into our everyday life, and have some way to hold yourself accountable to them. Think about the things that could happen in and through you in 2019! Christ is waiting and ready to help you make a difference in your world this year!

Lord, I want to reach new heights this year and I want to glorify You. Would You show me where you want my focus to be? Help me to choose well and to be a proper representation of You this year. Thank You for fresh beginnings. Amen.

Question: How will you answer the questions above?

By Mike Woodard
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Spiritual Family Financial Goals

Aim for Jesus – by Jon Walker

Measurable Goals

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Let your way of life be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5

Content – How’s it working out for you?  Has it been a tough year?  Have you struggled?  I have.  Maybe most of us have.  We all know economic woes, but in the long run, those don’t really matter too much, do they?  The things that really bother us are usually far more personal than our money.  In fact, if money is so personal in your life that it rises to the top of the list, then it’s probably time to read this verse again.  The real point of this verse is contentment.  That’s the biggest struggle for most of us.  We are a long way away from the prayer of the sages: “Lord, make my heart so malleable that I am ready and willing to accept whatever You provide for me.”  We need to learn contentment.  I suppose that process is very much the same as the one which says, “And He learned obedience through suffering” (Hebrews 5:8).

Frankly, contentment is impossible unless I trust the Lord.  That’s why the author of Hebrews points us toward His faithfulness.  How can I be content if I think contentment is about anything except His faithfulness?  If my contentment rests on any other foundation, I will be disappointed, won’t I?  This is a good time to reflect on the truth that whatever the world provides, it can repossess (with interest).  A life built on sand is a life built on people, possessions and power.  It’s wonderful when you have these things but they are merely blessings of His grace.  In the end, life must be built on something more solid than blessings.  The rock-bottom of contentment is the fact that He will not forsake us, even when everything else seems to evaporate.

The Greek verb here is arkeo.  It is essentially the expression of being satisfied with the provision of God.  “My grace is sufficient” is exactly the same concept (and word).  God provides.  How He provides and what He provides is not my concern.  My concern is simply that He does provide and I am called to rest in that truth.  The real character of my life is reflected in the foundation of my rest.  May I be restless to do His will – and to rest in Him.  This is the sacred balance: that His purpose becomes my driving force and His character becomes my contentment.  The entire message of Scripture can be read in these words:  May I find rest in You, O Lord.

Do you need a New Year’s resolution worth pursuing?  Try this:  Rest, O my soul, in the graciousness of God.

by Skip Moen
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• More Content Relating to the New Year
• Every Reason to be Content –  by Max Lucado
• Learn to be Content – by Phil Ware
• The Secret of Being Content by Max Lucado

The post A New Year’s Resolution appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Commit to the Lord Whatever You Do. Proverbs 16:3

There have been a lot of books written, speeches spoken and things said about goals over the years. Most of us have gone to conferences and/or seminars that have guided us in goal setting and have reiterated the importance of having goals in business, in our professional life, in our personal life.

But rarely have we heard much about having goals or setting goals in our faith life. Yet, here’s Paul plainly laying it out:

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14 NASB

Our Goal: The prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Now, what does that mean?

Paul’s actions steps to reach his ultimate goal were to…

Know Christ
Be like Christ
Be all that Christ had in mind for him to be
Forgetting what was in the past
Striving for what is ahead

Like an elite athlete in training, we must have a single-mindedness and not allow anything to distract us or keep us from reaching our goal.

Yet still remembering what Paul teaches in Ephesians 2:8:9, as Dr. David Jeremiah so clearly reminds us,

“No one is saved BY good works, but every Christian has been saved FOR good works.”

To me, the cool part of this is that Jesus wants to help us reach our ultimate goal.
He wants us to know Him more.
He wants us, even calls us, to be more like Him.
He wants us to have an abundant life and to live it joyfully.

Opposite of what we often face when we set our business, professional and personal goals – instead of folks competing and striving against us, we have our goal, Jesus Himself, cheering us on, supporting our efforts, giving us strength in our weakness, reminding us that all things are possible through Him.

If we make Jesus our ultimate goal and our focus is striving to and pressing on to reach that goal, then all “other” goals (business, personal, professional) should fall in to their proper place underneath the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Set your sights on high. Know from where your help comes.

by John Grant
used be permission

FURTHER READING

• I Had Three Basic Goals in Life 
• The Goal 
• Aim for Jesus
• Spiritual Family Financial Goals 
• Measurable Goals

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“And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ’s full stature.”  Ephesians 4:13 (TEV)

When I played golf, I thought I was doing pretty well just to get the ball somewhere on the putting green.

The truth be told, my main goal was to reach the green without majorly embarrassing myself, so I was satisfied even when my ball made it somewhere near the fringes.

One day a local golf pro told me that the key difference between an average golfer and one who is excellent is this: The truly great players shoot for the hole, not somewhere near the hole or somewhere on the green. They aim directly for the hole.

He told me, “You should make the hole your goal.” My intelligent, thoughtful response was, “Yeah, right! That’ll be the day.”

I didn’t think I’d ever be able to hit the hole, so I didn’t even try. The reason so many of us get stuck, unable to move deeper into intimacy with God is because we don’t think it’s truly possible, at least for us. And so we don’t even try.

But it is possible to mature, “reaching to the very height of Christ’s full stature.” We need to practice at it, and that’s called discipleship. We need to help each other grow, and that’s why we have small support groups.

But the good news is this: God himself is working within us, bringing us into alignment with the very image of Jesus. Aim for Jesus and not just the fringes of faith.

By Jon Walker
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  I Had Three Basic Goals in Life – by Norm Brown

• The Goal – A Devotional by Phil Ware

• Spiritual Oxygen: Are You Getting it?

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“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” Psalm 119:105

Every day, like many other believers, I reflect on God’s precious promises and provisions. For me, a recurring passage is re-evaluating my personal faith walk. Usually, after prayerful meditation, I conclude that I need to immerse myself more in God’s timeless gift – His enduring Word. I ask the Lord to create in me an insatiable hunger for His Word, because if I neglect to daily partake of its life-giving sustenance, my spirit experiences profound spiritual malnutrition.

Throughout the ages and generations, God expressed and preserved His Word. He birthed creation through His spoken Word. He inscribed His Word into stone tablets, and ultimately, He clothed His Word in Human flesh. God gifted us with His Word to nurture and sustain our spirit. Throughout Psalm 119, the Psalmist exudes passion, insight, and thankfulness for the essential and eternal gift of God’s Word. Insightfully, He emphasizes that God’s Word illuminates his understanding – keeping His life on the right path. Jesus reiterates that

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Despite its many modern translations and interpretive nuances, God’s Word remains a divine heirloom relevant for every believer and generation. Resolve to immersing yourself daily in God’s Word. Regularly meditating on and obeying these timeless inspired words transforms our character. It enables and equips us to discern our Father’s heart and to persevere through times of testing, trial, and tribulation.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Create in me an insatiable hunger for Your Word. Help me to faithfully and regularly set aside daily quality time to read and mediate on Your Word. Amen.

By Allan Mitchell
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  The Unchained Word – A Devotional by Marilyn Ehle

•  What Is Your Measuring Stick? – by Dr. Henry Brandt

•  Do We Take God at His Word – by Kathy Cheek

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“Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should” Psalm 90:12

Having measurable goals is good because life is short. Striving to reach your goals is good.

Jesus knew why He was on earth and everything He did and said moved Him toward that goal (to seek and save the lost). He always had time for people, but time with His Father was of utmost importance to Him. He needed to get direction from His Father.

We can set big goals (lifetime) or little ones (clean the deep freeze). We can set spiritual goals, self-improvement goals, career, educational, fun, weight-loss, housekeeping, decorating or cleaning goals.

I confess that I am a results-oriented person. I set measurable goals for myself and I work hard (with the Holy Spirit’s direction and power) to reach those goals.

Not long ago, I was going through some papers and found ministry goals I had set for myself eight years ago. I was amazed to see how God had honored the goals and the faith of the team working with me – far beyond my biggest dreams. God honors and is pleased with faith.

My husband has often said,

“If you don’t have a target or goal, any road will get you there.”

Conversely, if you set measurable goals, trusting God to provide your needs, you can count on God’s faithfulness to reach them. One of my deep desires is when I stand before God, He will say,

“Well done, my faithful servant.”

In my life and ministry, I have worked with and observed many people. Sometimes I am saddened to see that many never use or develop the talents God has given them.

Are you adequately investing the talents God has given you?

Do you pray and ask God to help you set measurable goals for the tasks He has called you to?

Do you set priorities?

If not, let me encourage you to begin the habit of doing so.

Father God, most of us will live seventy-five years or more. You have planned every day of our lives – yet given us a free will to follow You and Your wonderful plan for our lives or go our own way. Father, help us to number our days – realizing that life goes by so quickly. And help us do what counts. Enable us to recognize when we are diddling our days away with frivolous things. Cause us to do what counts for eternity. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  I Had Three Basic Goals in Life 

•  Accomplishing Your Dreams

•  Spiritual Family Financial Goals – by John Grant

•  Salvation Explained

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