new year Archives - Page 2 of 7 - Daily Thoughts about God

“Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should” Psalm 90:12

Having measurable goals is good because life is short. Striving to reach your goals is good.

Jesus knew why He was on earth and everything He did and said moved Him toward that goal (to seek and save the lost). He always had time for people, but time with His Father was of utmost importance to Him. He needed to get direction from His Father.

We can set big goals (lifetime) or little ones (clean the deep freeze). We can set spiritual goals, self-improvement goals, career, educational, fun, weight-loss, housekeeping, decorating or cleaning goals.

I confess that I am a results-oriented person. I set measurable goals for myself and I work hard (with the Holy Spirit’s direction and power) to reach those goals.

Not long ago, I was going through some papers and found ministry goals I had set for myself eight years ago. I was amazed to see how God had honored the goals and the faith of the team working with me – far beyond my biggest dreams. God honors and is pleased with faith.

My husband has often said,

“If you don’t have a target or goal, any road will get you there.”

Conversely, if you set measurable goals, trusting God to provide your needs, you can count on God’s faithfulness to reach them. One of my deep desires is when I stand before God, He will say,

“Well done, my faithful servant.”

In my life and ministry, I have worked with and observed many people. Sometimes I am saddened to see that many never use or develop the talents God has given them.

Are you adequately investing the talents God has given you?

Do you pray and ask God to help you set measurable goals for the tasks He has called you to?

Do you set priorities?

If not, let me encourage you to begin the habit of doing so.

Father God, most of us will live seventy-five years or more. You have planned every day of our lives – yet given us a free will to follow You and Your wonderful plan for our lives or go our own way. Father, help us to number our days – realizing that life goes by so quickly. And help us do what counts. Enable us to recognize when we are diddling our days away with frivolous things. Cause us to do what counts for eternity. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Do not put your confidence in your ability to follow Christ, but instead in his ability to lead you. by Jack Deere.

While visiting my children in Senegal, West Africa, we were invited to attend a wedding. The wedding reception was held at the bride’s parent’s homestead. But how to get there was a problem.

We had travelled for about an hour on rutted roads crossing barren fields–hot in the African sun–and through small villages sending chickens and goats scurrying. At clusters of mud huts wide-eyed children waved. Geoff had stopped several times to ask directions, to no avail. No road signs, I thought. How will we ever find the way?

At the fork of a dusty road, Geoff slowed the four-wheel drive. “Which way?” he asked his wife Esther. “Your guess is as good as mine,” she laughed. “How about left at the baobab tree.”

We passed an old man walking barefoot beside the road. Geoff slowed and waited for the man to approach the window. A brisk conversation ensued. The man nodded his head, then entered the van. “He knows where the place is. He’ll show us the way,” Geoff said. Immediately we relaxed. With a good guide sitting beside the driver, in no time we arrived at our destination.

As we approach the uncharted territory of another year, with its challenges and opportunities, we will lose our way unless we have Jesus as our guide sitting up front showing us the way. This year is not new to Him. After all, “Every day of our lives is written in his book” (Psalm 139:16). He knows the way.

Do you have Jesus in your life? Are you following His directions? With Jesus in your “car” directing the way, you will get to your desired destination.

Lord Jesus, I want to follow you. Show me the way today and help me to listen. Amen.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

God is waiting to show His love and kindness to you and to guide your life. He wants to make something beautiful of your life. And you can open your heart and life to Him today by praying this prayer with a sincere attitude.

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Measurable Goals

Having measurable goals is good because life is short. Striving to reach your goals is good.

Are you adequately investing the talents God has given you?

Do you set priorities?

Further Reading

He Will be My Guide

Do not put your confidence in your ability to follow Christ, but instead in his ability to lead you. by Jack Deere.

Further Reading

Tag: <span>new year</span>

Measurable Goals

Having measurable goals is good because life is short. Striving to reach your goals is good.

Are you adequately investing the talents God has given you?

Do you set priorities?

Further Reading

He Will be My Guide

Do not put your confidence in your ability to follow Christ, but instead in his ability to lead you. by Jack Deere.

Further Reading