THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF PROSPERITY
May: Setting Goals
Last month, we focused on our beloved identity in God, because it is Love that carries us through the completion of our goals. We are assured of success when we are aligned with God.
We also know that as we set goals, we are creating a picture of what we want. As we hold thoughts in mind, they manifest for us. As we do so, we attract all the resources we need to achieve that goal. Getting specific about what we want and the resources required will help us to work in the flow of the universe and its supply.
What are your desires? You tuned into those in the section on Divine Purpose—can you make them more specific? A wise person said that when you feel a desire, it is God’s way of knocking on the door of the heart. This month, we again focus on what brings joy and connection with God in order to see our specific goals.
What the Bible says:
“… your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matt. 6:8
“Those who speak on their own seek their own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him.” John 7:18
“Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Phil. 3:12
“…and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Romans 5:5
What Unity says:
“Wrapped up within each of us is a great richness of thoughts. These thoughts are prisoners in the subconsciousness only waiting to be set free to go to work for us. They are waiting for the coming of the Son of God, who releases prisoners and sets the captives free. This Son is now seeking expression in you; is you. Release your rich thoughts, set free your innate powers, and take from the rich substance of the Father what you will.” Charles Fillmore, Prosperity
“If you can convince yourself that you are a son of God, your next step is to declare it in word and to carry it out in the acts of your daily life.” Charles Fillmore, Talks on Truth
“You are primarily a spiritual being, the expression of God’s perfection, the receptacle of His love; and when you think and act in the consciousness of perfection and love, you cannot help being open to the influx of God’s love and the fulfillment of His divine purpose.” Charles Fillmore, Jesus Christ Heals
Ideas for practice:
• Edwene Gaines, in her book, The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity, suggests beginning to write down your desires, including those that sound fun. This is because our joy is where our heart is, and if we follow that, we will be tuned in to God’s yearning for us. Another suggestion is to envision yourself at the end of your life, and look back on all the things you have accomplished and enjoyed. In your journal, use one or both of these ideas to create a list. Play with these ideas and be creative and outrageous. Remember to be specific, too—a test for specificity is whether there is a future time when you will be able to say, “I’ve accomplished that.” Create a worksheet with columns that read: “Goal, Target Date, Resources Needed, and Other People Involved.” For example, you may want to grow in prosperity, but your specific goal may be, “Study Edwene Gaines’ book, The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity by the end of the month.” The target date is 1 month from today. The resource is to obtain the book, and it is something you can do alone, but you could also gather your prayer triad and discuss it.
• Look back over your list of ideas and select the ones that really speak to your heart. Hold your list in prayer and see if any ideas hold a greater resonance. Do the goals you set above need more specific, intermediate steps? What are they? How is God present in these experiences and steps? Pick one step you can take today, two to three steps you can take in the next three months, the next six months, and the next year. You now have a plan of action for living out your goals. Take time in silence to simply bless your plan and consecrate it to God’s purpose.
• If you have not set goals for your spiritual life, do so. Imagine what it would take to grow to the next level of spiritual maturity or consciousness. Are there practices you would like to incorporate? How often will you do them? Make a covenant with yourself for a realistic practice. Keep this in your journal so you can refer to it often.
• Continue to meet in your prayer triad, sharing your thoughts and praying together on these themes.