Word for Today, Mon, 03 Jan 2004: Goals, Desires, and Purpose
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Today's devotional message comes from Neil Anderson's Daily in
Christ series. Last week, Neil wrote about the choices we have
and how it is possible to personally resist Satan. In the
message today, Neil writes about how we have control over our own
wishes, desires, and actions, but little, if any, control over
the wishes, desires, and actions of others.
Neil also distinguishes between goals and desires and notes that
godly goals can and will be accomplished. Whether they are
accomplished in us depends on whether or not we choose to yield
ourselves to God, for God is able to accomplish what we view as
impossible. The Bible is clear that nothing is impossible with
God. However, when we say such things (which are in scripture,
we do, first, need to understand the nature of God and His
purpose for our lives.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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NEIL ANDERSON'S DAILY IN CHRIST
from Freedom in Christ Ministries
January 3
GODLY GOALS AND DESIRES
Has He [God] said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and
will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19).
One key to successful living is learning to distinguish a godly
goal from a godly desire.
A godly goal is any specific orientation reflecting God's purpose
for your life that does not depend on people or circumstances
beyond your ability or right to control. Who do you have the
ability and right to control? Virtually no one but yourself. The
only person who can block a godly goal or render it uncertain or
impossible is you.
By contrast, a godly desire is any specific orientation that
depends on the cooperation of other people or the success of
events or favorable circumstances you cannot control. You cannot
base your self-worth or your personal success on your desires, no
matter how godly they may be, because you cannot control all the
people or circumstances that affect fulfillment.
When people or circumstances block our goals, we get angry. If
our mentally perceived goal is uncertain, we feel anxious. If the
goal appears impossible, we get depressed. But what God-given
goal can be blocked, uncertain or impossible? With God all things
are possible, and I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me. No one can keep us from being what God wants us
to be except us.
Notice how God distinguishes between goals and desires. John
wrote, "My little children, I am writing these things to you that
you may not sin" (1 John 2:1). Certainly God desires that we
don't sin, but His status as God and His purposes cannot be
blocked by anyone who exercises his will against repentance. But
it is God's desire that everyone repent even though not everyone
will.
God accomplished His goal when Jesus said, "It is finished." What
God has determined to do, He will do, so we can be all that He
created us to be.
Lord, show me Your purposes for my life and help me make them my
goals.
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This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.29984.1.293748.
Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.29984.2.293748.
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Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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