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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Goals and Spending Time with the Heavenly Father

 
Something I have been thinking a lot about lately is goals. Maybe it is the new year or maybe it is just because I have been doing some growing in my spiritual life, but whatever it is goals have been on my mind. Do you have goals for this year? Whether it is goals for projects you want to get done, areas you want to improve in your life, or ways you want to grow spiritually, goals are something worth thinking about and making for yourself.

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
 
Personally, I have been thinking of goals for my spiritual life, as well as goals for some general things in my life. One of my goals is to spend more time with my Father in Heaven, so I may be more like Him. Some of the steps I have taken to help me keep this focus, is to make having my personal devotions every day, a priority. I know from personal experience that if I don't make it a priority, it probably won't happen! I also have found that the more time I spend my Father in Heaven, the more I desire that time with Him. And as I desire to spend that time with God, I am not as quick to allow distractions and other things rob me of it.
 
There have been days that I have not spent the time with God like I should have. But then usually those days didn't go well. It is amazing how by spending time with God, focusing on Him and taking my problems to Him, how much more smoothly the day goes. That is one reason why I spend my time with God first thing in the morning. I feel it puts me in the right mind set for the day because I already asked God to help me face whatever is coming my way that day, and I have already asked Him to help me with whatever I may be facing. Then I don't spend my day worrying about things because I have already given them to God. This is not to say that I don't do my part; I am just saying I am not handling it on my own! :)
 
So what are you goals for this year? I hope that by sharing my goals and thoughts, that it has gotten you to thinking where you are in your spiritual walk with the Heavenly Father!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Building for Eternity

 
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
-1 Corinthians 3:9-15

Paul told the Corinthians that though he laid the foundation of Jesus Christ, it was now up to them to continue adding to that. But he said, "Take heed how each one builds on it". Paul said no other foundation can be laid than that which is already laid, which is Jesus Christ. So anyone who builds on this foundation can build with either lasting materials or non-lasting materials. Be careful what you lay, for it shall be clear on the Day (of judgment) what each one's work is, for it will be revealed by fire and the fire shall test each one's work.
 
If anyone's work which he has built, endures, he shall receive a reward. And if anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss but he himself shall be saved, yet as by fire.
 
Another verse that I think could apply.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. -Matthew 6:19-21
 
So with what are you building? Are you using materials that will last or ones that in the end won't matter? May you think of that and evaluate what materials you are using to build with.