“Consider Your Ways”

1/21/14

At the beginning of a new year we start out with excitement and anticipation for the things that we want to accomplish.  Sometimes our new goals are based on the fact that there were some goals that we didn’t accomplish last year.  In preparation for this  new year our thoughts should be reflective on actions, habits and priorities that we had last year that may have been the key factor on why we failed to accomplish what we set out to.

In the book of Haggi 1 verses 1-7 (summary):  It tells us that there was a call to rebuild the temple.  The Jews returned home to build GOD’s house.  They start out with a priority to start and complete the temple for GOD’s glory.  They get as far as building the foundation when they run into opposition at which time they turn their attention from GOD, abandon their work on the temple and leave it in ruins.  They now begin to build their own houses. GOD was no longer first on their list of priorities.   Haggi is sent by GOD to speak to the people. Haggi 1: 5-7  says: Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.  Twice within two verses GOD tells them to consider their ways.  Why?  Because they had given up their priority of being obedient by putting GOD first in exchange for disobedience and selfishness.  What started out being about GOD now became about them. 

Verse 5, 7 - Consider; literally, means set your heart upon your ways.  What ye have done, what ye have suffered, your present projects, and the consequences thereof.  We are at a place in history, a place in our lives that we must begin and take serious the consideration of our ways.  Time isn’t standing still, the signs are evident. 

How faithful are we when it comes to the priorities of GOD?  Where is GOD on our list of priorities?  Have we put him first? or last?  What will be our priorities for 2014?  And how do they align with GOD’s priority?  These are questions we should have no opposition in being asked and have a willingness to answer honestly.  I found these questions and came face to face with them as I was doing my research for this post. But I, like you, have to consider my ways.

These questions are a call to action and adjustment to our attitude and our ways. They are like seeing our ways in a mirror and being able to see everything but the consequences of our ways.  They clearly test our commitment and faithfulness in several areas of our lives: GOD’s position, our personal lives, relationships, church, work, and family.  I believe you’ll find these questions necessary and in most cases life changing. Please cut and paste them, print them out and answer them truthfully.  Answer one a day or all at once.  Most require only 1-2 sentences.  Don't let the number of questions overwhelm you or the enemy distract you.  Do one a day if you need to but you will be blessed in ways you can't imagine. These questions will open your eyes to all sorts of possibilities and the enemy will try to prevent this any way he can.  STAND STRONG AND JUST DO IT!

        Consider Your Ways

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of GOD?
2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask GOD to do this year?
3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
4. In which spiritual  discipline  do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
8. What's the most important way you will, by GOD's grace, try to make this year different from last year?
9. What one thing could you do too improve your prayer life this year?
10.What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in 10 years? in eternity?
11.What's the most important decision you need to make this year?
12.What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area?
13.What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?
14.What habit would you most like to establish this year?
15.Who do you most want to encourage this year?
16.What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?
17.What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?
18.What's one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or another person who ministers to you) this year?
19.What's one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?
20.What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?
21.What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?
22.What single blessing from GOD do you want to seek most earnestly this year?
23.In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?
24.What's the most important trip you want to take this year?
25.What skill do you want to learn to improve this year?
26.To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?
27.What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?
28.What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?
29.If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?
30.What's the most important new item you want to buy this year?
31.In what area of your life do you most needs change, and what will you do about it this year?

Save the answers, look at them every 3-4 months, at the end of the year review them and see where you’ve come from and where you’re going.  Have you changed your ways?

These are profound questions when answered truthfully will cause us to sit down, consider our ways and ask ourselves are they in line with GOD’s? And this is where the blessing is found.

GOD BLESS