Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Setting Godly Goals

As the new year changed a lot of us were talking about, of course...New Year's Resolutions. And a resolution really is just a desire to attain a goal. Every January it gives me a reason to contemplate, not only my goals, but maybe ask God, "What kind of goals do YOU have for me?"




We all have desires in life, which can sometimes become goals, but every time I have a desire that persists, I have to be ready to submit that to God and ask "Is this really something you want for me, or is this something that I just want?" There isn't anything wrong with wanting and desiring things and situations, but before we jump on board the "Goal Train" I think it's best to view it in light of scripture and God's Word.

Without trying to be uber-spiritual here, I think we honestly have to know that God's desire foremost is for us to know Him as Our Heavenly Father and Savior. Then after that, He desires we "become like Jesus". OK, OK, I know that's impossible for us as human beings, but that should be our desire...to become as much like Jesus as possible. Prayer, Bible Study, just plain contemplating God and His Word gets us in that place of being "transformed".

Romans 12:1-2
1. 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.
2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what God's will is...His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

And then allowing the Holy Spirit to change and transforms us results in a more Christ-like life.

Galatians 5:22
And the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Please don't let anyone tell you that God doesn't care about where you live, where you work, who you hang out with, or who you marry. That's a way to walk in our own desires. These are all decisions that effect our daily walk, and ultimately our destiny. Just know God has good plans for your life and that He cares about all the details.

I want to share a link with you to a great blog, written and lived by a great, godly gal named Julie Gillies. Some of you may read her (she's on my sidebar). Julie always has timely and great wisdom she shares. I'm going to capsulize a little of what she said, and then I'm going to ask you to go visit her for a more in depth look at making Godly Goals.

How to Pray When You're Setting Goals

1. Allow time for prayerful reflection.
2. Ask for clarity and direction.
3. Ask Him to shape your thoughts
4. Ask for pure motives
5. Ask God to show you the gifts He wants you to use.
6. Ask God to help you prioritize
7. Give yourself a break.


http://www.juliegillies.com/2011/01/how-to-pray-when-youre-setting-goals.html

I'm inviting you to go visit Julie and read this post, it's so on target for giving God the opportunity to instill His desires into our hearts.

I'd love to hear about the goals that you feel God is speaking to you about, and how those are translating into new decision making for 2011!

love, in Jesus,
Debra

10 comments:

  1. Thank you Debra that is exactly the 7 steps to setting goals I've been looking for.

    It's perfect. The one goal I've set for myself is to make a difference in someone in need's life.

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  2. Good Morning Debra!

    What a wonderful post. I so needed to hear this and I can't wait to go and check out Julie's blog. I feel like recently I did jump into a few things that I felt like were so God, but maybe were more just about something I wanted to do. So, as of right now, my goal is to spend more time in prayer with Him and in His word and to just be content. I know that He will direct my steps if I stop running from one thing to the next and just listen to Him...really listen.

    Love ya!
    Adrienne

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  3. I just read Julie's blog...such great stuff! I opened my prayer journal and took so many notes! Thank you Debra! xo

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  4. Thanks Debra, the perfect way to start my day!

    Take care, Sue

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  5. I SO agree with you here, Debra. ALL of our decisions are important to the Lord, even seemingly small ones.

    Thank you for including my blog post and a link. I truly appreciate you, girl! (((Hugs)))

    May God give you a WONDERFUL 2011!

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  6. Very good and perfect timing for me. Thanks, Angela

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  7. This is so inspiring, thank you so much! I have set quite a few Godly goals myself this year :)

    xoxo Rachel

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  8. These are great tips, my only goal is to love Jesus more:)

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  9. Sounds just like what I need....tend to let the important things go when I should be putting them first....life is second, God is first...
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

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  10. This is such a wonderful and inspiring post! I really needed to hear the things that you said Debra... I know in my on life I need to slow down a bit, I'm always in a rush and try to do to many different things business wise, and I stay stressed out all the time... and I know that isn't something that God wants for us... and I do jump into things sometimes without praying about it first, especially if it's something that I really want to do. I need to remember to pray first, it would save me a lot of time and heartache! I will be going over to Julie's blog later today when I get back home and check her blog out! Thanks so much for sharing these wise words with us Debra!
    Blessings~~~ Daphne

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