Everyone wants to start the year off right. This is a new year and with the new year can come new goals that we set for ourselves. Health goals are always a big one. Perhaps goals in our work. Whatever goals you may set for 2017, I encourage you to consider the One, True God. What does God desire for my life in 2017? That is a great question. Some things we know, others we may not. For instance, I firmly believe God’s will for every soul is to believe on Jesus. Some don’t believe this… but I do. I think there is Scripture that leads me to believe this (1 Timothy 2:3-4 is a good example). But God’s will does not end in our salvation, it begins with our salvation. God also desires us to advance the Gospel. God desires us to be students of His Word. We see an excellent example in Jesus who often quoted and referred to the Old Testament Scriptures. If it was important for Jesus, it should be important to us. God’s will is for us to help others. In context to the local church, I am referring to discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2). God desires us to help others as we live out the Christian life. I am a firm believer that every Christian should disciple and be discipled. It is not a “calling”, it is a “command”. There are many other areas that can be addressed (like raising our children for Jesus among many other areas), but I think you get the point. Out of our goals and resolutions for 2017, please consider most of all, “What does God desire for my life in 2017?” It may just change your year, and I believe it will change it for the better.
What are some of our goals? I have several. Some goals are ministry goals (more coming up about this on this Friday’s update), others concern my family. Lily (my oldest daughter, 10 years old) and I are reading through the Bible together this year. She is reading in English and I am reading in Spanish (it will be a “first” for us both). We have already had some sweet discussions about what we are reading. I am excited about this. Obviously, becoming more fluent in Spanish is a big one. Really, most (if not all) of my goals revolve around glorifying Jesus. I am trying to practice what I preach.
Whatever goals you have, I encourage you to consider what God’s desires are for your life. Life is really not about us. It is all about Jesus. Enjoy and make the most of 2017!