The Enemy of the Good

“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.” (Prov 3:5-6)

I’m a big believer in goal setting. I set goals that span the year, and I’ve learned to break those goals into smaller chunks so that they’re more manageable. Reaching my goals, whether it’s the large ones or the smaller ones along the way, gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

Goal setting is backed by scientific research, and it’s also scriptural. While we won’t find a checklist in the Bible, we do see those in the Bible setting goals and striving for them. Moses’ goal was to lead the Israelites out of slavery and into the Promised Land. John’s goal was to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. And Jesus’ goal was “…to seek and to save the lost” (Lk 19:10). Continue reading “The Enemy of the Good”

Goals: Progress at Mid-Year

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jr 29:11)

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post about my word for the year (BOLD) and how my goals fall in line with the word that God has placed on my heart. With the year almost half over, it seemed like a good time to evaluate my progress on meeting these goals and to analyze how God is moving boldly in my life. Continue reading “Goals: Progress at Mid-Year”

Hope in the New Year

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor 5:17)

The new year is a time of renewal, when the rolling over of the calendar brings the opportunity for a fresh start. The slate has been wiped clean, and we all have a chance to write a new story – our story – and make it the best story we can in the coming year. We can leave behind the regrets and mistakes of the previous year. The new year brings something the old year no longer has – hope. Hope for a different outcome, hope that things will be better, hope that relationships will be restored, hope that Jesus will make things right. Continue reading “Hope in the New Year”