| Every January, many of us have our New Year's Resolutions and goals that we'd like to accomplish. Most of them have to do with our weight. But several years ago, I began a goal each year to get into physical AND spiritual shape. That became a turning point in my life. And each year since then, I have made it a personal goal to not let another year go by without growing spiritually. I believe that is something every woman of God must strive for as a new year rolls around, so she doesn't become complacent or stay in the same place year after year.
So, as you're making plans now to hit the gym or resurrect your brisk morning walk to get into better physical shape, think about how you can get into better spiritual shape, as well.
Here are some New Year's Spiritual Goals that have motivated me through the years:
- Select a Scripture verse to be your motto for the year. Some I've chosen in the past include Psalm 105:4: "Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually; Psalm 90:12: "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom"; and Psalm 119:32: "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."
- Study a new book of the Bible each month. Vary, month-to-month between Old and New Testament books. (Some larger books, like Psalms and some of the major Prophets, may take longer). And try an inductive study (where you do the studying, rather than completing someone else's study book)
- Start a prayer journal. Record both prayer requests and answers, with the goal of becoming more consistent in your prayer life. It's a great tool to have and look back on at the end of the year and in the years to come.
- Schedule a weekly "date"with God. This is my favorite one because it can be as creative as you make it. For me, this has been a weekly walk around the lake in which I talk with God (and listen to what He has to say, too.) Make it a standing appointment each week or something new from week-to-week. The important thing is to schedule time with God into your calendar to make sure it happens on a regular basis and to make sure you really grow in your relationship with Him.
Go ahead. Try some of these spiritual goals, or come up with some of your own, and see what a difference they make in your life. And you grow, girl!
For more on setting spiritual goals, download my free article "Choosing to Live a Simpler Life" from my website: www.StrengthForTheSoul.com
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| Experience the joy of a renewed relationship
Is it time to go back to the basics when it comes to your relationship with God? Are you finding that sometimes it's the simple things that you used to do that kept your relationship with Him alive?
I remember writing my first book, Letting God Meet Your Emotional Needs, (ten years ago!) and recounting those little things that meant the most when it came to making Him priority in my life. I realized I need to go back to those "little things" if I want to experience the joy of a renewed relationship with Him this next year. Won't you take a look with me at those "little things" that go so far in building a more intimate relationship with God?
- Tell Him First: Tell God what's on your heart, what you need, what you're excited about, what went wrong. When things happen in your life, the first person you go to with the news is often the most important person in your life. Affirm to the Lord that He is the most important person in your life by letting Him be the first one you talk to in the morning, the last one you speak with at night.
- Take Him Seriously: In every relationship there are consequences to messing up. By not consulting with your loved one before making an important decision or by disregarding his views on something and doing it anyway, you put a relationship in jeopardy. Take the Lord and His commands seriously. Find out what He loves and cling to it. Know what He hates and avoid it at all costs. Make every decision in life one that revolves around and considers your love and respect for Him. In all your ways acknowledge Him and your relationship will move along smoothly (Proverbs 3:6).
- Trust Him Fully: There will be times when God asks something of you or allows something to happen that you cannot understand. That's where your trust comes in. Trusting Him fully means taking your greatest fears and placing them at His feet, acknowledging that God is in control of your life and you will trust Him no matter what pain may come your way to ultimately shape you for His purposes.
Try incorporating these three steps in your life on a daily basis to grow in your relationship with God this year. I'll be doing it along with you! God has been longing to get closer to you and I. Will this be the year we let it happen? I hope so!
For more on growing step-by-step in a more intimate relationship with God, see my book Letting God Meet Your Emotional Needs at my newly designed website: www.StrengthForTheSoul.com. |
