The Word - March 22, 2012 - SETTING SPIRITUAL GOALS WITH ETERNAL VALUES

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In these days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me with all your heart, you will find me" (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

This means exactly what it says. God has a plan for your life, but there are conditions to be met if we are to find them (Romans 12:1-2). Every successful endeavor, divine or human, normally comes from specific goals or purposes in the mind of those who set them, mentally and in writing. I am referring to those goals that extend from the uttermost good of achieving God's eternal purposes in your life through His Son!

How do you set proper goals? We suggest the following sequence:

· Set down specific goals in any order, but all with the over-all goal of glorifying God and obeying His Word.

· These might include improvements is such disciplines as you devotional life, prayer, witnessing.

· Then character goals that include love, patience, faithfulness; also include family goals, such as special time with your spouse, seeking to bless him/her with some blessing every day.

We could also include physical needs such as losing weight, increasing stamina by exercise; or eliminating debt by using a specific plan in order to achieve success.

What kind of spiritual goals should we have? God desires us to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). He wants us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus (2 Peter 3:18). He wants us to have the right priorities and then live according to them. These are the following:

1.) God and His kingdom must be first ) Matthew 6:33

2.) The eternal takes precedence over the temporal 2 Corinthians 4:18

3.) The spiritual takes precedence over the physical (Matt. 6:19-20

4.) People take precedence over things (Mark 8:36-37)

Setting spiritual goals is only the first step. How will these goals best be achieved? By a systematic series of steps, carried out preferably with an ongoing accountability to someone you respect as godly and spiritually discerning, who will give you the time, Tomorrow we begin that process, having in mind, our ultimate purpose is to glorify our Savior and God!