Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s be inspired by what the Lord will do.

Today’s scripture, Ephesians 6:7‭-‬8 (NLT) exhorts…
Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Consider…
What are your goals in life?
What do want to accomplish in 3 to 5 years?
How are you progressing in achieving your New Year’s resolutions?
What goals have you set for today?

Do you have spiritual goals?

In 1981, George T Doran introduced the specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time-related (SMART) method for writing effective management goals.

Are any of your spiritual goals SMART goals?

More importantly, do you know God’s SMART goals for you?

Jeremiah 29:11‭-‬14 (NLT) says…
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

Notice God’s plans are specific…

• For His people
• For their good
• To give them hope
• To give them a future

God’s goals are measurable, in that they will be achieved when He brings His people home. And in case you’re one of the Bible scholars that say this was written specifically for the Israelites in captivity in Babylon, I encourage you to read Jesus’ words to His disciples…
There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. – John 14:2‭-‬3 NLT

God’s measurable goal is to bring us home to spend eternity with Him!

Notice God’s plans were articulated with the possessive personal pronoun I. Therefore, He assigned fulfillment of His plan to Himself.

• I know
• I have
• I will

It’s good to know that God knows, has, and will accomplish His plans. That’s why we can testify, and pray, with the Psalmist…
The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. – Psalms 138:8 NLT

God’s plans for us are Self-assigned. We just need to be spiritually aligned.

Needless to say, God’s plans are realistic because there’s nothing impossible for Him. In Luke 18:27 (NLT), Jesus declared…
“What is impossible for people is possible with God.”

And in Jeremiah 32:27 (NLT), we read…
“I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?

Never doubt God! He can do anything, we just need to be aligned with His will. to see His realistic goals fulfilled.

Lastly, the time-related part of God’s plan, is in His time. Only He knows when His plans will be fulfilled. We know that because Jesus said…
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. – Matthew 24:36 NLT

There’s one caveat, even God’s time is full of grace. Look at what 2 Peter 3:9‭-‬15 (NLT) says…
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him

God’s deadline for us to live with Him in eternity has already been set. He is just taking His time to bring it to fruition in order to round up all the repentant souls He can get.

The key to time with God, is what we do while we’re waiting. In the scripture just read, Peter said…
while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

Which brings us to our part in God’s plan. Notice that in between God stating His plan and when the people will know that He’s achieved it, the Lord tells the people in Jeremiah 29…
In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.

I hear God saying, “stay in My waiting room of grace while I workout my plans for you.” The Hebrew writer said it this way…
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – Hebrews 4:16 NLT

God invites us to wait in His throne room, while He accomplishes His plans for us.

Let me expand your perception of what waiting in God’s throne room looks like. Rather than thinking of waiting as being exclusively on our knees asking the Lord for help, look at today’s scripture and realize that it’s operating in His presence continually.

You see, when you operate with God in mind in everything you do, you place your self smack dab in the middle of His will, and His presence.

Do you remember when Jesus fed the five thousand with two fish and five loaves? Look closely at how He did it…
“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” – John 6:10‭-‬12 NLT

I believe Jesus is telling us to remember what He will do and…

• Sit in His presence
• Give thanks for His provision
• Use what He’s given us to bless others
• And be good stewards with what’s left over

I believe when we do that we are working unto Lord, and as stated in today’s scripture, He rewards us for the good we do.

Could it be that God rewards us for doing good, because we’re being His Glory Light reflectors that Jesus describes…
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16 ERV

Wow! It just dawned on me, our actions should bring God praise!

That reminds me of a player who executes the coaches plan and causes observers to recognize the genius and creativity of the coach. For example Michael Jordan is considered by many to be greatest of all time in basketball, but it was Phil Jackson who was praised for getting him, and Kobe with the Lakers, to place the team above their talent. That’s what God is saying, put my desire to bless others above yours to be blessed. When we operate with this God honoring mentality, we seek to make others better, rather than focus on the betterment of ourselves.

Doing this follows Jesus’ example and seeks to please God. It shows faith that when we prioritize God, He will reward our efforts to please Him. That makes me think of Hebrews 11:6 (ERV), which says…
Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.

Today, remember that God rewards those who seek Him, and set God Oriented Aspirations that Lead you in Serving (GOALS) others for Him.

Remember what the Rewarder said He will do, and make Him the reward that you wholeheartedly seek.

Today’s song is…
My Reward

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)