“Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true…Ring in the Christ that is to be.”

These above lines were penned by an English Poet named Lord Albert Tennyson in the year of 1850,and how it still rings true for each one of us as we ring in the new year again. Many of us have jotted down mentally or on a piece of paper  our goals for this year that we hope to follow through and it got me thinking if I have set my goals for my own glory or to glorify God.

What is the glory of God?

The Greek definition of the word “Glorify” means to “magnify,to honor,to exalt” . The glory of God is eternal and does not pass away like the glory of man. When we look around us the creatures exhibits God’s glory , the angels glorify God , the Heavens declare the glory of God, so why shouldn’t man and woman created in the Image of God not live to glorify their Creator?

Hebrews 1:14 , Psalm 19:10 , Psalm 49:17

Humans often look at the cuteness of a newborn, the starry universe, the mountains ,deep blue seas or a blanket of snow and often end up praising their beauty; we forget that many of the invisible attributes of God can be understood from the things which HE created

Three ways we can set goals that  GLORIFY God 

I. We can glorify God by prioritizing HIM

It is important that we seek God first before we plan any minor or major decisions in our life. David in the book of Psalm 16:8 says that “I have set the Lord always before me”.

We must remember to give God the honor due unto His name and by doing so we aim away from our own glory and accomplishments. Giving God glory begins when we bow our knee ,and confess with our tongue that Jesus Christ is the Lord of our life and every goals.

Philippians 2:11.

What a great example God the Son Himself set by fulfilling the work God the Father sent Him to do on this earth and thereby glorifying the Father  John 17:4-5

We are here on this earth to fulfill God’s purpose.

**Do we prioritize God with our goals or are we selfish to receive all the credits?

II. We can glorify God through our service to others :

Love is an outward demonstration of the glory of God.We can honor God through our love for another, through the acts of generosity, ways of love, and by seeking the good of others.

You may have set specific goals this year for your family, church, community, personal ,or public life.

It may include :

–doing the chores at your homes/church even though no one else appreciates,

–walking off those holiday calories,

–mentoring someone,

–volunteering at a community center

–buying a meal for a family in need.

Whatever we have set to do, let us do it all for the Lord’s glory.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Mathew 5:16

**Do we serve others and God through our goals?

III. We can glorify God by giving Him praise :

Praise is a setting forth of God’s honor, singing of His awesome works, and breaking open the box of expensive ointment whereby the sweet savor and perfume of God’s name is sent abroad into the world.

We honor Him by making His Word and His miraculous acts in our lives known and understood around us.

Isaiah 42:8 Psalm 50:23 , 2 Thessalonians 3:1

When we  glorify someone we recognize their worth, beauty and speak of their honor so others may hear.

Likewise when we glorify Lord we speak of Him in a honorable way so we can worship Him with the beauty of holiness, and love.

**Do our goals give God the ultimate Praise and Honor?

Glorify God not just when we are in the church, but when we are out in the world.

Here are 5 verses for encouragement as you glorify God with your goals:

Remember Friend, the Glory of the Lord will protect us, guide us ,and complete us as we dedicate to set our goals for God’s glory.

Reflection :

What goals have you set for this new year?

How can you glorify God through these goals?

Have a blessed and Christ glorifying New Year !

Fellow sojourner,

Diana