Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

God and Goals Day 3 of 5

What do faith-fueled goals look like?
from GOD + GOALS: How To Set Goals As A Christian by Lara Casey
 
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. – Proverbs 16:3
What do God-led goals even look like? Can you have a goal that doesn’t explicitly have to do with ministry—like getting in shape or going back to school? Or, do all your goals have to be “pray more,” “go on a mission trip,” and “serve at my church”?
Some goals and practices are already laid out for us in scripture, which is so helpful: read your Bible (Psalm 119:9), spend time in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18), be with other believers (Hebrews 10:25), and share your faith (Psalm 96:3). God desires these things of us to keep us close to Him—to keep us fruitful and faithful. This isn’t a checklist to follow, but rather the result of a heart that’s been transformed by God’s grace. We are compelled to do these things because He loves us so much. 
But what about the rest of life? God wants us to do all things for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)—the big goals He has for us and the seemingly mundane. Whether it’s building a business, completing a degree, mothering children, making wise financial decisions, taking care of your body, or even putting all of your laundry away (spiritual laundry? Yep!), if those things are done with the aim to please God, you could use them to be a light for Him. It doesn’t mean we have to be perfect in our attitudes in those things or our progress, we just have to be faithful. 
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters – Colossians 3:23
When we do all things for His glory, people see something different in us. They wonder where our hope comes from and, Lord willing, we’ll get an opportunity to share the Source. So, do your goals have to be all about missions and serving your church? Wherever the Lord has placed you, bloom where you’ve been planted. Whistle while you work, and even the mundane becomes meaningful!
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:6
Pray with me: Father, thank you for planting me right where I am. Help me to take action on the things you’ve laid before me with spiritual eyes, seeing them as God-led goals, no matter my assignment. Help everything I do to point back to you—even the times I mess up and fall short. Let Your grace be my banner as I make progress on goals, knowing it’s not about perfection, it’s about YOU—the author and perfecter of my faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

God and Goals Day 2 of 5

How do you know if a goal is from God or from yourself?
from GOD + GOALS: How To Set Goals As A Christian by Lara Casey
 
You’re starting to see it: without goals, you might wander around aimlessly in life. God-led goals are good. But! How do you know if they’re God-led and not from yourself? How can you tell the difference? You’re afraid you’ll choose the wrong goals!
Do you know what’s so wonderful about God? A lot of things, but namely, He wants to do this life right alongside you. When you feel lost in your goals and purpose, or in choosing between one path or another, He wants you to ask Him for help—and he loves giving it! James tells us, ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5 ESV). 
Don’t know whether your plans are good?
Do a little check-in:
Open the Word and look for specific scriptures or stories in the Bible that confirm the goal you have in mind. Is your goal Biblically-sound? Are there specific scriptures that confirm it? ‘All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness’ (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV).
Ask Him! Pray and ask for God to show you the way He wants you to go. ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you’ (Psalm 32:8 ESV).
Ask trusted friends or God-loving mentors for guidance. ‘Without counsel, plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed’ (Proverbs 15:22 ESV).
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all magic formula for uncovering goals except God Himself. If the answers still don’t feel clear, don’t give up! This might be part of the process He wants you to go through.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
In the wait, we are refined and readied for what’s next. Wait on His wisdom, and He will give it to you in His perfect timing!
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. – Matthew 7:7-8
Pray with me: Lord, thank you for your Word! I’m so grateful for your clear guidance and wisdom. Please help me to discern the difference between goals and plans that are born out of my love for you versus all the rest. Help me to know Your voice, trust in Your leading, and seek You above all else. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8
 

God and Goals Day 1 of 5

Is it okay to set goals as a Christian?
from GOD + GOALS: How To Set Goals As A Christian by Lara Casey
 
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5 NIV
You want to follow God AND achieve goals with purpose. But you’re worried that setting goals will lead you away from God’s plans for you. So, you’re wondering, “Is it okay to set goals as a Christian? What does God’s Word say about how to do this and stay in line with His will?” God has a lot to say about goals, intentional planning, and stewarding well what we’ve been given. 
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12:1-3
The short answer: goals are good! Even Jesus had goals. God desires for us to live on purpose, not by accident. The fact that you’re asking and seeking His will means you want to do this life well. His Word is about to illuminate for you how to set the right goals and stay motivated to achieve them. 
But, don’t expect to find a checklist or a quick-fix formula for goal setting in the Bible. If it were that easy, we might read the list, check it off, and never talk to God about our plans. It’s not about following rules, it’s about a relationship with the One who created you with unique gifts and talents to use, God Himself. 
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
The alternative to setting good goals? Wandering around aimlessly, letting life happen to you. Think about it. Did any of the key figures in the Bible just sit around doing nothing? Sure, they had their missteps, but Moses, David, Solomon, Esther, Ruth, John, Paul, and Jesus Himself had goals, and they got after them with God’s strength and wisdom. You’re about to do the same, one small step and leap of faith at a time.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:36-40
Pray with me: Lord, I want to follow You, setting goals that align with your will for my life. Thank you for creating me with unique gifts and talents to use for Your greater purpose. I want to go where you’re going. Please show me how to set goals the way you desire. I need your wisdom on planning and purpose so I can steward what you’ve given me—my time, my money, my work, my relationships, my health—right where I am. Open my eyes to Your truth and help it move from my head to my heart to my hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

EMMANUEL - The Chosen Day 4

A vessel (think water pitcher) is designed and created for the purpose of containing something.

COME AND SEE - The Chosen Day 3

Come and see—what an interesting strategy. Like Andrew and Peter, Philip hardly knew the one he now believed was the Messiah.