Eternity Should Shape Your Goals

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES What On Earth Am I Here For?

Eternity Should Shape Your Goals By Rick Warren — Sep 29, 2015 “I run with purpose in every step.” (1 Corinthians 9:26a NLT) God’s purposes for your life aren’t just for here and now; they are forever and ever and ever. If you think this life is all there is, then you will set goals as if this life is all there is. On the other hand, if you realize one day you are going to stand before God — when he’s going to ask, “What did you do while you were on Earth? Did you learn the things I put you there to learn? Did you trust my Son?” — then it will shape how you look at your goals. Do your goals help you know God, grow in God, serve God, share God, love God, and tell others about God? What I’m asking you is, for instance, how do you pray? When you pray, do you pray to get God to help you with your own purpose or do you pray to align yourself with God’s purpose? If you say, “God, I just want to do what you put me on Earth to do,” I guarantee you, God will bless everything you touch, because he is looking for people he can use to fulfill his purposes. Godly goals have eternity in mind. Paul gives an example of this when he says, “I run with purpose in every step” (1 Corinthians 9:26a). Paul was a Purpose Driven runner! He refused to be distracted. The Bible often compares life to a race, so I want you to think about this: In a race, the finish line is predetermined, and you make progress one step at a time. The same is true with goals. You work on them one step at a time, and you work with purpose in every step. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What is your goal? How does it reflect an eternal perspective? How does your goal help you in each of these areas: knowing God, growing in God, serving God, sharing God, loving God, and telling others about God? What step can you take today to move closer to your goal? Today’s Scripture “...it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32, KJV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS The Kingdom Our God is an extravagant God! He loves to do exceedingly beyond anything we can hope for or imagine. It gives Him pleasure to pour out His abundance and goodness in your life. It gives Him pleasure to give you His kingdom. What is the kingdom of God? It’s simply God’s operating system, or His way of doing things. Throughout scripture, God reveals His principles for living the abundant life. When you do things God’s way, you get God’s results; you get His success and blessing and that’s what He wants for you! Romans 14 tells us that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Do you need more joy and peace in your life? Follow the Word and open your heart to His kingdom. As you do things God’s way, you will get His results and live in the blessing of His kingdom all the days of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for Your hand of blessing in my life. Thank You for giving me Your kingdom. I receive it by faith today and choose to follow Your Word in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”