The Word - May 9, 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 those 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 Scripture means exactly what it says. Every successful endeavor, divine or human, ordinarily comes from specific goals or purposes in the minds of those who set them, mentally, or preferably in writing.

When a child of God can define their goals in life, we can pursue them with a "single eye." If you choose to devote your life to the things of the eye and the senses in this life, rather than the future one, it will come to pass.

If the believer chooses instead to live with eternities values in view, for Christ and His kingdom, and perseveres in so doing, it also will come to pass. When we describe someone as a "committed Christian" that is what is involved. Such a person, "walks in the Spirit." The other person, "walks in the flesh," being called in Scripture, "carnal or fleshly (1 Cor.3:1-5).

How do you set proper goals? I suggest the following sequence: Set down a number of goals in any order, but all within the over-all goal of glorifying God and obeying His Word. These might include needed improvements in your devotional life, in prayer, in witnessing; or character goals (love, patience, faithfulness), etc.

The idea that we should set specific spiritual goals may seem foreign to many Christians. This is in spite of your belief in God and His ability the great Designer and Planner. "I have purposed it. I will also do it (Isaiah 46:11).

What about the child of God? Read our Scripture again: "I have plans for you, plans for good, and not disaster." We are chosen in Him before the creation of the world. That is an immense plan! Our Lord Jesus meticulously fulfilled every detail of Messianic prophecy according to the divine plan,

Having said all of this, then how should it apply to the way a true believer lives? We should have spiritual plans and goals for our lives which are in accord to God's will. This requires our cooperation with the Holy Spirit. If not, our life can become a quagmire filled with broken dreams, never to fulfill the real purpose for God saving us in His Son.

Tomorrow we will look at the kind of spiritual goals we should all have, in order to fulfill our Father's purpose and plan for our lives.