Goals 2012

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

As I sit and reflect on the past year I remember many things, some are positive and some are negative. As I wrote I thought, negative to whom? The Bible says, “All things work together for good to them that love God …” Romans 8:28

I usually set spiritual goals for myself each year, reviewing periodically to “stay on track”. One of the meanings for the word goal is “the end toward which effort is directed: aim “. My aim is to draw closer to the Lord to “know him and the power of his might” Ephesians 6:10

Today I reviewed the goals I set last January. I kept or surpassed most of the goals. There was one that I didn’t even do, which I will again put on my list. I was encouraged by what I did accomplish.

Do you want to grow closer to the Lord this year? Set some goals. Do not start with big goals but with little goals.

Suggestions:

1. Keep a prayer/praise journal. What can you write? Write prayers to the Lord. Write down answers to prayers. Write down praises, thanksgivings and gratitude to God.

… I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1

2. Memorize verses that will help with a problem in your life i.e. gossip, anger, selfishness etc.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

3. Read the Bible daily.

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalm 119:16

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

4. Pick up a daily devotional or sign up for an email devotional.

5. Be an encourager in your corner of the world. Send cards, emails or make phone calls to those hurting or those who need to be encouraged by a kind word or deed.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

6. Read nonfiction Christian books i.e. spiritual growth, biographies.

Everyone is in a different spiritual place in life. Don’t look at what others are doing, ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do.

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. II Corinthians 10:12

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2Peter 3:18

As you set goals for 2012, do not look back on what you did not do, look forward to what you will do, with the Lord’s help.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Safe Harbor

As I look outside my office window, I reflect on the view and how blessed I am to work in a beautiful place. The water is serene and still as the boats gently float attached to the moorings. Sometimes I live my life more like a wild storm then being in the middle of a safe harbor.

Christ is the safe harbor. I need to pull into the harbor, and rest in the calm and tranquil waters; no matter what the problem He is there.

Hebrews 13:5 says,” for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

This doesn’t mean sometimes, or once in a while, but never leave us. He is there through each and every storm of our life.

Each one of us has problems in his/her life, some are very small and really insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Some problems are extremely large and we wonder if we will ever get over it. We need to trust Christ to see us through.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

There are so many problems we may go through in this life, the big question is: How do I handle these problems in the light of God’s word? I am not an expert at always doing the right thing, but through the years I have learned, most of the time, to look at God’s word to see how to handle a problem.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

Are you going through rough and choppy waters?

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Psalm 93:3 -4

Stormy seas – problems in your life

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Psalm 107:29

Is the current against you (people or circumstances against you)?
Quite a few years ago my husband had a problem with someone spreading lies about him. Throughout the whole episode we trusted God to work it out. The offender soon stopped when he could not get the desired results, getting people to dislike my husband.

One day I was reviewing some of my Bible notes I noticed that just before this happened I had studied and made notes on a few verses. The verses had to do with the problem we were about to face. Here are the verses:

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalm 143:8

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Pro 11:13

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Pro 12:19

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. Pro 20:22

God was preparing me for the current that would be working against us. These verses helped me to do the right thing. My usual reaction is to speak first and think afterwards. God had different plans and His plans are always right. He worked the whole problem out, we never said a word but people knew the truth.

Dashed upon the rocks - painful.

Are there problems in your life that feel like you are being dashed upon the rocks? God will make a way.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1Corinthians 10:13

Is the foamy surf making the way unclear? Are you discouraged?

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Psalm 119:71

When discouragement comes, we need to look UP.

How can we stay in the safe harbor?

* Time alone to read, think, pray, journal – set time aside to spend with God

* Prayer walks

* Do something where there will be immediate visible progress – focus on others

* Rest

* Play music that ministers to you

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26:3-4

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Study

There is much to be said about studying the Word of God. Study in the Greek means to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.

Wow! Do we do all those things? Are we diligent about studying God’s word as we are in other things in our lives? Do we read books about God’s word and take it at face value? We need to make it our aim to know God and His Word more intimately.

The five W’s of studying are: who, what, when, where and why.

Who should study?
Everyone who wants to learn more about God and His word.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Proverbs 15:28

When we are in the Bible studying we learn what God says about things.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15

Comparing scripture to scripture will prepare us to answer intelligently.

What to study?
God’s word
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psalm 33:4

When to study?
Daily
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Act 17:11

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

Where to study?
In a quiet place

The Bible does not list any particular place, but a quiet peaceful spot where the Lord can speak to you is a good place to start.

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Psalm 4:4

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that He is God and listen for His teaching.

Why study?
To be ready to share the Word
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1Peter 3:15

To get wisdom
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13

To lighten your path
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

To know God’s way
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

To know God
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Psalm 53:2

Knowledge is a wonderful thing to have but wisdom is applying the knowledge. I have my work cut out for me, how about you?

Have a blessed day,
Donna