This is the material I have prepared for next week's Bible study. Our study in the last few weeks has revolved around Godly goals and Vision.
As we start a new year, I would like to challenge us all to make it our passion to seek God radically this coming year. Bring Him into every moment and every circumstance. Orchestrate our life so that your prayer time does not look any different than any other time of the day. By doing this, our ultimate calling…the plan God has for your life will find us like a magnet. As we GET TO KNOW GOD and develop a deep relationship and friendship with Him, our lives will change so we reflect MORE OF HIM and LESS OF US in everyday life. That is our ultimate calling, the one we share with all other believers…to reflect Jesus to them, to be His hands and feet on this earth.
As we begin this year, I challenge you all (and also myself!) to declare that this is the Lord’s favor and to seek Him with an intensity that is RELENTLESS. I pray that we become God-Stalkers not just God-Chasers. We communicate constantly with the Holy Spirit and bring Him and His truth into each and every moment. I also pray that we get a hunger and a thirst for His Word that is insatiable! His Word changes us from the inside out. Even if we only have a few minutes, one or two verses can quench a thirsty spirit. It is time that we make God our first priority and not just give Him the time we have left over after a busy day. He is our day…He gives us life and breath. It is so important that our time and energy start to reflect that. Everything changes when we start to put God first…our attitude, our thoughts, our words, our entire life becomes transformed as we start to think “God’s thoughts” and not our own.
I urge each of you to pray about the things that God is calling you to do in the next year. I believe ABOVE ALL He is calling us to “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). Now I would like for everyone to take some time and write the next year’s vision statement. In Habakkuk 2:3 God instructs us to “write down the vision in big, block letters”. He also tell us in (Proverbs 29:18) “Without a vision, the people perish”. Let’s start taking God at His Word. I challenge you to ask the Holy Spirit exactly what your vision statement should include. I am enclosing a vision statement worksheet and also a link to a website that will help you find out your spiritual gifts. These tools will help you line up your vision with God’s vision for your life. Have a blessed New Year and time of reflection.
The Vision Statement describes the future we intend to co-create with God. Describe how the world would be improved, changed, or different if our vision was successful in achieving its purpose. The Vision Statement provides direction and inspiration. Dare to dream the impossible! God’s specialty is working miracles and using His strengths in our weaknesses. Do look at your past experiences, talents, spiritual gifts and core values to lead and guide you. But remember that God is bigger than all those things! He can lead you to a dream that far surpasses anything you will be capable of doing alone. If the dream seems WAY to big…it is more than likely a God-Sized vision that only He can bring to pass. All He is looking for from us is a “Yes, Lord!” Our willingness and submission is all He requires.
After writing your vision statement, come up with short-term and long-term goals that will lead you toward that vision. They should be SMART....specific, measureable, attainable (with God’s help), relevant and time-sensitive. As a steward of our resources (time, energy, etc.), our day should reflect where we are going. Time and energy should be devoted each and every day to achieving God’s vision for our life. Even more importantly, we should pursue God and His vision will find us!
Example:
My vision is that I will co-author with the Holy Spirit a Bible Study titled “Rebuilding the Temple”. It will center of how people can rebuild their mental, spiritual and physical health through a study of God’s Word. With the help of the Holy Spirit I WILL write this Bible study and teach it in my home by the first part of this year. I will write one week at a time until it’s completion. I will also be present in each moment and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading each and every day. I also feel the Him challenging me to go on a “negative thought and word” fast. I will take negative thoughts captive and only think LIFE-GIVING THOUGHTS. In the same notion, I want all the words that come out of my mouth to be life-giving. All my words should heal, bless or prosper!
Spiritual gifts assessments:
http://www.crossroadscco.com/clientimages/26980/spiritualgiftstestjanuary2008.pdf
http://www.d-m-m.org/support-files/giftstest.pdf
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