If you want change, you have to change.
​
If we want a closer relationship with God -- to love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength -- we have to be intentional about it.

Let's commit to a new, fresh vision in 2020!
Let’s set our eyes above and watch God do the impossible.
Let’s have vision to see His character, His promises, His faithfulness.
Let’s have vision to see ourselves and others through His eyes.
Let’s have vision to see and be a part of the plans He has for us.
Let's get battle ready to walk into the good works God has prepared in advance for us.


Here are five areas to consider to more intentionally
​love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30):

More information on each is included in the sections below.

1. Dedicate 30 minutes to getting to know God
​and abiding in Him each day.

Let's commit to getting in God's Word daily. Preferably with our first minutes of the day, but any time that you can schedule it in works! There is no formula. Do what words for you! Here are a few tools we are using if you would like to check them out:
In our ...but God app we have a daily reading plan through the entire Bible in one year with a portion of both old and new testament each weekday and one for the weekend. It takes about 10-12 minutes and you can read it or press the speaker icon to listen to it each day. With only one assigned reading each weekend, there is plenty of time to catch up if you get behind.
We also have our Jesus 365 daily devotional that goes through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in short (less than 5 min to read) daily devos...once for every day of the year. It is available for FREE on our app, Instagram, Facebook, and website. If you prefer a hard copy, you can purchase one from Amazon here.
To accompany the Jesus 365 devos and daily Bible reading, we have a series of three journals (Part 1: The Promises with Genesis through Malachi devos, Part 2: The Promised Messiah with the Gospel devos, and Part 3: The Letters with the Acts through Revelation devos). The journals include the daily Jesus 365 devo with space for journaling each day (one thing you learned about the character of God, three things you are grateful for, plus space to journal prayers and what God is speaking to you through His word). ​Click on each image to order from Amazon ($12).

2. Dedicate 30 minutes to your health each day.

Walk, run, workout to a Sermon, Christian podcast, or worship music. It is another way to renew your mind and strengthen your body to equip you to glorify and serve the Lord. Maybe one or two days a week, grab a few girlfriends to join you. While you walk or run together, talk about what God is teaching you in your quite time and pray for one another. Let's get our bodies strong and ready for all of the good works God has prepared in advance for us to WALK in. Below are a few of our favorite podcast and sermons to listen to on our walks (hover over the image for the podcast name). We also have a worship playlist in our ...but God app.

3. Focus on ONE new health goal

Whether it is healthier food choices, drinking more water each day, getting more sleep, no snacking after 9 pm, ditching alcohol, or anything else…pick ONE HEALTH thing to really go all-in on. Often we try to do too many things at once and end up quitting them all. There is so much value in just picking one thing and making it a new healthy habit. Once you have mastered it, you can add another, but keep it simple at first. Or, you can choose a different goal each month, for example, January - drink 1/2 of body weight of water each day, February - ditch alcohol, March - cut out sweets, March - no snacking after 9 pm, etc.

4. Focus on ONE goal or passion God has been nudging you toward.

We were created in the image and likeness of God...a creative God. We were created ON PURPOSE FOR PURPOSE. Our unique passions, gifting, experiences, trials, quirks, and personalities are there for a reason. God has created good works in advance for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). We are not to neglect the gifts we have been given, but instead to fan them into flame (1 Timothy 4:14-15. 2 Timothy 1:6-7). We are on this planet for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). Whatever your life looks like right now, you can fan into flame the stirrings God has placed in you. Spend time in prayer asking Him about it. Step into these things, even if it is just tiny baby steps for now. Do something toward ONE goal or passion God has been nudging you toward.

Make time each week to set aside and work toward it. Maybe it is meeting with a mentor, taking a class, practicing a skill, volunteering to gain experience, making a business plan…decide to start moving in that direction this year. Ask God for VISION to see His plans for you in this season.

If you aren't sure what direction God is calling you, the following worksheets might help you start examining and brainstorming in prayer with God.

5. Keep a Sabbath day rest each week.

This isn't just our suggestion, it is a commandment from God. Look again at what God commanded about the Sabbath...

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." (Exodus 20:8-11)

It is a holy day and it is for OUR GOOD. Jesus even said, "he Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27).  From the beginning of time when God - who didn't and doesn't need rest - modeled it for us after six days of creation, He knew that we would need rest. He knew we would be prone to over-work, over-commitment, over-striving, and exhaustion.

So as part of our goal setting, let's commit to keeping a Sabbath day. The Jewish tradition was sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Modern Christianity has typically honored the Sabbath on Sunday. The day isn't what is important. The important thing is to work hard, using the gifts and opportunities and influence God has given you for six days, and truly rest from it one day. Do things you enjoy that fill you up. Spend extra time with God. Reflect on your week behind and week ahead. Renew your mind and reset your priorities. Take time to BE STILL and RESTORE YOUR SOUL. 

Click the buttons below for some reflection and check-in worksheets we use from time to time on some of our Sabbath days. You will be surprised how taking a day of rest will make your more effective during the week. You will gain margin in your life instead of lose it. God knows what He is doing!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: PATH TO PURPOSE

PATH TO PURPOSE is a reflection & goal setting guide we created to help you intentionally look back on where you have been -- what worked, and what didn't -- and look forward to where you want to go to get on your God-ordained path to purpose. We also have worksheets to help you put first things first, come up with a word & memory verse for the year, consider monthly challenges, and reflect on progress throughout the year. Click on the button below for free downloadable worksheets.