Careful Thought To Our Ways

[abigya]

Careful Thought To Our Ways

by Sara Seile

The motivational speakers of our day want us to set great goals for our life: "Where do you want to be in two, five, or ten years? What type of lifestyle do you want when you retire?" We are encouraged to set goals slightly beyond our reach, and then instructed how to create a plan to accomplish these goals. The implication is that a more focused effort will yield superior results and lead to greater "success."

But before we can ask where we want to be in the next few years, we must first ask a longer term question: "Where will I be in one hundred years?" No other goal is worth pursuing until we have a solid answer to this most basic (but all-important) question. What difference does it make which college we attend, which job we take, or what our home looks like if we have failed to address the issue of where we will spend eternity!?

Proverbs 14:8
"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."

We must be wise with the days we are given and no longer be deceived by the values of the world's system. There's nothing inherently wrong with goals and plans; but far too often, they lead to a self-determined lifestyle and away from the true Director of ALL plans; "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Our planning must be as a direct response to God's leading; and once in place, our plans must remain in complete submission to His will; "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). When our goal is to be in the center of His will, the specifics of where we will be and what we will be doing are really none of our business. This last sentence is worth reading again!!

Every moment of our life is a precious gift from God. Even though the average life span continues to increase, our time is extremely short. An average life lasts about 45,000,000 minutes (much less in many countries). This may seem like a lot, but by this time tomorrow 1440 minutes will be forever gone; "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).

We must not waste our limited time by chasing after things which vanish; "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15-16). We must evaluate ALL our decisions and goals based on the overriding desire to glorify God in all we do, to rejoice in His many blessings, and to long for the time when we can worship before His throne for all eternity. Any other set of values must fade to nothing in comparison.

Every day we are handed a block of time and given the freedom of how it will be spent. This is a wonderful opportunity, but the clock continues to tick! Let's honor our Heavenly Father with our goals and plans and give careful thought to our ways.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

What difference does it make which college we attend, which job we take, or what our home looks like if we have failed to address the issue of where we will spend eternity!?

The late American comedian Jackie Gleason once said "Whoever says that money can't buy happiness doesn't know where to shop!" Its sad that this philosophy permeates our modern culture so. In pursuing this way of life, we've allowed our possessions to possess us. As a result, true happiness eludes us because it is always beyond our grasp. A bigger house, a more expensive car, a new toy - that's what will make us happy.

There are many people who've been driven into bankrupcy and despair in the current economic turmoil because they've been pursuing this belief system and now it lies in ruins.

Wake up, you people, before it is eternally too late! Come to Christ and find His purpose for your life. For it is in finding that purpose that one finds true happiness.

SLE

 

[abigya]

For it is in finding that purpose that one finds true happiness.

SLE

Amen! "Purpose in Christ "

Simple truth that many of us fail to realise....

 

[rppearso]

This is very true, you gotta line up your priorities. I disagree in that the specifics are very much our buisness because we will be the ones executing the steps and God will be opening doors to step through, if you do not plan things (like where you will be and what you will be doing how will you know what steps to take), if you do not put the plow to the field or ensure you have enough money or materials to build the tower God can not help you. If you want to go on a mission but dont know the language its not going to happen (you have to know what country you are going to and what you will be doing there so you can prepare), if you want to be an engineer you dont go to school for english.

I get a between the line feeling that the church does not really like education or college or people who are constantly questioning the church dogma or the leaderships inturpretation of scripture or more importantly there focus of scripture.

God will give you a desire in your heart and a set of giftings to set out a plan and as you take thoes steps you should pray for guidance and for doors to be open and you move forward as the doors are either opened or closed and where you get in the end may not be exactly as you had planned but its in the general ball park otherwise you would have been set on a completely different path with a different set of doors to be opened or closed. God does not leave us in the dark you just have to look deep into yourself and pray for wisdom.

You want to use thoes 100 years with no regrets and then at the end be able to say ok God I guess im going to see whats next.

Careful Thought To Our Ways

by Sara Seile

The motivational speakers of our day want us to set great goals for our life: "Where do you want to be in two, five, or ten years? What type of lifestyle do you want when you retire?" We are encouraged to set goals slightly beyond our reach, and then instructed how to create a plan to accomplish these goals. The implication is that a more focused effort will yield superior results and lead to greater "success."

But before we can ask where we want to be in the next few years, we must first ask a longer term question: "Where will I be in one hundred years?" No other goal is worth pursuing until we have a solid answer to this most basic (but all-important) question. What difference does it make which college we attend, which job we take, or what our home looks like if we have failed to address the issue of where we will spend eternity!?

Proverbs 14:8
"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."

We must be wise with the days we are given and no longer be deceived by the values of the world's system. There's nothing inherently wrong with goals and plans; but far too often, they lead to a self-determined lifestyle and away from the true Director of ALL plans; "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Our planning must be as a direct response to God's leading; and once in place, our plans must remain in complete submission to His will; "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). When our goal is to be in the center of His will, the specifics of where we will be and what we will be doing are really none of our business. This last sentence is worth reading again!!

Every moment of our life is a precious gift from God. Even though the average life span continues to increase, our time is extremely short. An average life lasts about 45,000,000 minutes (much less in many countries). This may seem like a lot, but by this time tomorrow 1440 minutes will be forever gone; "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).

We must not waste our limited time by chasing after things which vanish; "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15-16). We must evaluate ALL our decisions and goals based on the overriding desire to glorify God in all we do, to rejoice in His many blessings, and to long for the time when we can worship before His throne for all eternity. Any other set of values must fade to nothing in comparison.

Every day we are handed a block of time and given the freedom of how it will be spent. This is a wonderful opportunity, but the clock continues to tick! Let's honor our Heavenly Father with our goals and plans and give careful thought to our ways.