SMART Spiritual Goals

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"

Philippians 3:14 (NAS)

As I pray about and identify my God-centered priorities  for the new year, I recognize the benefit of writing spiritual goals.

A goal is "the distant mark looked at; the end one has in view." Written goals help remind us and provide us with structure. They help us stay focused on what we need to accomplish. We can expect greater success when we put our spiritual goals in writing.

Pray first for God's direction in setting spiritual goals; then, write SMART goals.

SMART goals are:

S - Specific: Identify what you are going to do, and how you are going to do it. I desire to know Christ and His Word. It's my priority.  Rather than, "I will study the Bible in 2012," my written spiritual goal is "I will study the book of James, completing all daily assignments,  for 9 weeks. Weekly, I will meet with my small group to discuss material and watch the video session."

M - Measurable: Identify how you will know that you have accomplished your goal. By completing all five days of homework and the video listening guide, I  know I am progressing toward my goal.

A - Attainable: Determine how your goal can be accomplished. My Bible study goal can be accomplished by spending 30 - 40 minutes completing each lesson.

R - Realistic: The goal should be do-able, and something you are willing to strive toward. My goal is realistic because I experienced past successes.

T - Time-bound: Identify the amount of time in which you will accomplish your goal. My Bible study goal can be accomplished in 9 weeks. 

Paul pressed on,  persistent and undeterred,  toward the goal, as a runner races to the finish line. God's beloved, let us press on together, eagerly seeking a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior, cheering one another along every step of the way!

Lord God Almighty, You are my Creator and worthy of my praise! Forgive me for times I have not commited my ways to You. Thank you for giving me strength and enabling me to carry out Your Will. Help me to remain stedfast and disciplined. Give me wisdom to maintain priorities and goals that please You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray...Amen.

What specific spiritual goals have your set for the New Year? Leave us a comment...we'd love to hear from you, and pray for you!

A Prayer for Families

Father God,

We thank You for our families. For those who don't know You yet, touch their hearts and open their eyes to see their need for You. Bring Christians who they will listen to into their lives.

Reconcile our families, Father. Erase past hurts and restore love for each other.

Help us Father to acknowledge You in all ways, for You say in Your Word that it is then that You will direct our path (Proverbs 3:6).

Put a hedge of protection around our families. Keep them in health and provide for all their needs. Pour an anointing of love over our families, and let them see Jesus in us.

We ask this in the Mighty Name of Jesus. We thank You for the answer, for we know that You say in Your Word, "This is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His Will, He hears us and if we know that He hears us, we know we have the petitions that we desire" (I John 1:14-15).

Amen!

(prayer by s.p.)

Priorities

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness..." Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

In the final hours of 2011, a holiday letter communicated the death of a dear friend. Four months after the cancer diagnosis, Cherie went to be with the Lord. She was 55 years old. The news caused me to reevaluate my priorities.

Priorities help keep us focused on what is important, and everyone has them. Merriam-Webster defines "priority" as something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives. 

Jesus said the greatest commandment is  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind"; and the second is "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22: 36-40). Priorities of first-century Christians included devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2:42).

What is involved in making and keeping Biblical priorities?

* Pray: Ask God for His wisdom and direction to identify three areas for improvement (Philippians 4:6; Psalm 37:5). How do these priorities align with God's Word? Do they flow from a desire to please the Lord? Commit your priorities to Him.

* Practice: How will you live out these priorities before the Lord and others? What example will you set? Depend on God's strength rather than human strength and good intentions (James 1: 22-25; Philippians 4:13).

* Progress-check: Take time to evaluate your progress. When circumstances or distractions blow you off course, repent, refocus, and recommit your way to God, staying accountable to Him (Psalm 139: 23-24).

* Praise: Thank the Lord God for your successes (Philippians 1:6; 2 Cor. 2:14).

As we begin the New Year, pray for one another and our descendants to make and keep godly priorities.

After prayerful consideration, what are your top three priorities for 2012? Let us know in the Comments section...we'd love to pray for you! May God bless you in the New Year and fill you with His joy!

Lori

Give Thanks

"Thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."

1 Thess. 5:18 (The Message)

Six-week-old, Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), suffered an eye infection. After receiving treatment by an incompetent doctor, she became blind. After her father died, Fanny was raised by her mother and grandmother. Her grandmother, Eunice, introduced her to the Bible and taught her the importance of prayer. Their landlady, Mrs. Hawley, helped Fanny memorize Scripture. Fanny memorized the Pentateuch, the Gospels, the Proverbs, many of the Psalms, and much more. Although blind, she was thankful, rather than bitter. Fanny Crosby said:

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

"If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die; the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Savior."

Fanny Crosby left the Church a legacy of over 8,000 hymns including "All the Way My Savior Leads Me", "I Am Thine O Lord", "Redeemed", "Rescue the Perishing", "Safe in the Arms of Jesus", "Tell Me the Story of Jesus", "Tis the Blessed Hour of Prayer", "To God be the Glory", and "Blessed Assurance". Perhaps some of her hymns comforted you in times of adversity.

Even in difficult times, give thanks to God. Giving thanks demonstrates obedience to the One who is worthy to receive praise and thanksgiving (Psalm 145:3; Revelation 7:12). Thank God for His salvation, love, faithfulness, presence, comfort, peace, mercy, His Word, and goodness. Read the Psalms, meditating on them. Memorize them, speak them, sing them, and pray them! Set an example for others (Psalm 35:18; 145:4).

Let every day be a day of thanksgiving - no matter the circumstances! It is God's will for us.

Engage

"These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor..."

Zech. 8:16 (NKJV)

How do we relate to a culture that opposes Biblical values?

Daniel, a citizen of Jerusalem and exiled to Babylon, learned the language and the literature of the Babylonians (Dan. 1:4); yet, he did not compromise his values. Daniel was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent (Dan. 6: 4 NIV). He continued his holy habit praying three times a day, even when it was "illegal" (Dan. 6: 6-12). As a result, Daniel was thrown into a lions' den (Dan. 6: 16). God spared Daniel, and he was removed from the den (Dan. 6: 19-23).  The king acknowledged Daniel's God (Dan. 6: 25-27).

Speaking to Grace Community Church,  Jim Garlow (pastor, author, historian) exhorted the congregation to learn the language (the thinking) and the literature (the values) of the society. Unbelievers are not commanded to come to us, we are commanded to "go" (Matt. 16: 15). Pastor Garlow shared personal examples of drawing others with differing values into conversation. He speaks the truth in love, with kindness and respect, and without becoming angry. Often, those with differing values are not as hostile as we expect.

We relate to the culture by engaging, yet transcending the culture, without compromising our values. We have the moral authority to speak truth. Pastor Garlow said, "It's not my opinion; it's the Word of God. His truth is worth explaining."

Pray that the LORD will give each of us opportunities to engage the culture without compromising our values. 



"Peace, be still!"

"And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling...Then He (Jesus) arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." Mark 4: 37, 39 (NJKV)

The LORD, Creator of the heavens and the earth, is in control of all things. He is in control of the winds and the waves. He is in control of all storms of life... yours and mine. And He is able to speak "Peace, be still!"

As I write, Hurricane Irene is unleashing its fury along the eastern coast of the United States. But even a hurricane must obey the Lord God Almighty!

Sovereign God, You are Creator and in control of all things! Have mercy God! We ask You to weaken and redirect the storm away from heavily populated areas. We praise You Lord that even the winds and the waves must obey You! Please put a hedge of protection around residents of the east coast! In the Name of Jesus, we plead, "Peace, be still!"

And may our Father God in heaven speak peace into your situation. Let it be LORD!

Prayer for Students

Heavenly Father, as another school year begins, we pray for all the students around the world. Give them a love and respect for school and their teachers. Help them to be disciplined to do their assignments. During the first days of school, lead each one to their new classes. Teach the students to be honest and honorable in their habits and communication. Guide them to make godly friends and be good role models for their classmates. Protect all who play sports and travel representing their schools. Create a desire to be pure in heart, mind, and body for this generation and for generations to come. Place in each student a desire to shape their culture to honor and glorify YOU. In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

We appreciate Bobbye's grandson for his contribution to this prayer. Thank you Robby...may you grow strong in the LORD!
And thanks to our teen photographer for her contribution as well. I love your heart for the LORD "A"!!!