Setting Goals
Setting Goals:
*A goal is looking into the future and aiming in a certain direction. Attack it with your faith and submit it all to God.
A goal gives us direction–Goal gives you purpose–With goals you must have a plan–Set dates–keeps us realistic— Identify’s our enemies/strongholds– a goal makes us have Commitment.
In Habakkuk 2:2 God requested His plans and goals be written down CLEARLY and with a TIMESCALE!
*A Vision/Goal without Action is a Delusion!
*Where their is no Goal their is no order.
*Faith is believing with out seeing. Don’t just have hope. Have faith.
*Even when you know your God given Goals their will be trials, and things that come against you, to keep you from your Goals.
Proverbs 29:18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
Setting Goals:
*How you begin something will determine how you finish.
*Unless we give “serious thought” to our goals and how to reach them, our time, money, and priorities will usually be “Determined by Others”. You have the word of God. You have Jesus. You have the Holy Spirit. You have God. Get scriptures to stand on to help get past all the blocks and distractions. Even when your ready to quit, read them.
*Identifying some life objectives can lead us into deeper intimacy with the Lord.
* It can also result in healthier relationships with family and friends, and the peace of mind that comes from a well-planned strategy.
As Proverbs says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage”
(Prov. 21:5).
Goals and Motivation:
To begin, I encourage you to write down each of your goals. Let me remind you to keep your mind and heart open to God’s desires for you.
Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
*That doesn’t mean you are not supposed to make plans and set priorities.
*BUT it does mean that on occasion, you will need to adjust your focus as God reveals His purposes for your life.
Once your objectives are listed, write
WHY fulfilling them is important.
That way, you’ll know your Motivation for each goal you set.
*The “why” WILL Motivate YOU to “Continue Moving Forward” in your efforts when other things come up that could be a temptation to abandon that goal.
Some Goal Killers:
– Your Circumstances: easier to quit then stick it out (look at peoples New Years Resolutions- how many succeed?)
– Continual losers/track record of only failures.( We want to grow in the Lord and learn that we are NOT failures).
– Failure forecasters/never believe in the Goal to start with.
– Self-seekers/people looking for whats in it for themselves only.
-Don’t like Transparency, Accountability or Responsibility with self and/or others. -lack of Motivation/laziness.
What’s more, in order to achieve your ambitions, it’s important to have an IDEA of what your objectives are and WHY they are worth attaining.
John 15:16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
Types of goals:
I’d like to suggest a couple of areas to consider when setting goals:
1. Your “spiritual goals” are of utmost importance.
*Perhaps you need to re-examine your “quiet time”—or start one if you don’t already spend time alone with God.
* Plan when and where you will meet with the Lord during the week.
*Don’t leave it to chance.
*Unless you set aside time, other things will fill your schedule.
Another spiritual goal would be to join a “small group”. If there aren’t any small groups you like or interest you— YOU might offer your time and energy to facilitate one.
“Serving” is another spiritual goal to consider.
2. “Character goals” are vital to your growth as a spouse, parent, child, friend, pastor, boss, or employee. Try asking these questions:
• What would I like to become?
• What one thing would I like to see God change in me?
• What character quality—if developed—would make me a better parent, sibling, friend, etc.?
*Personality is what you’re born with; Character is what you develop to deal with your personality. Character is who you are— when no one is looking.
An Example of how a “character goal” may look like from a married man’s perspective. It may have three parts something like this: His Goals are to be:
1. A husband worth respecting
2. A father worth imitating
3. A leader worth following
Then Ask yourself: Why do I feel those objectives are important?
Answer. “That is what God has called me to be”.
*To “Move” in this direction will lead to a deep sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
* To “Become” these things will make time on earth worth having been here. . . .”
*It will set a “pace and direction” for children that, if followed, will ensure for them the best quality of life they can experience as well.
*Then Ask:” Why do I want to achieve this goal?”
That Motivation will help in the choices made and will guard us when temptation comes.
Get started
Determine the areas of your life that need specific goals, and go to work. *Whether objectives involve finances, relationships, or health, Don’t waste time feeling sorry that you didn’t take action sooner.
* Instead, begin to establish where you want to be six months or a year from now, and ask God to give you the strength to stay on track.
*ASK a friend to hold you accountable and periodically check up on your progress.
To ensure that you use your time well, sit down and make a schedule for the coming days.
When the year ends, you will be among the minority who ended the year with more accomplished and less left undone with our values in life strengthen.
*Values are what we are prepared to live for and die for and are tested in diversity (Mat 16:25)
We can drift from our values but we can (and must) realign.
Think about it:
How many in Christ’s body sit up half the night trying to figure out
their problems?
We think, “Maybe this will work. No, no…. Maybe that will solve it. No….”
There is a problem, but Jesus
knows your whole situation. And he comes to you, asking, “What are we going to do about this?”
The correct answer from us should be, “Jesus, you are God. Nothing
is impossible with you. So, I’m giving this problem over to you. It’s no
longer mine, but yours.”
That’s just what we need to say to our Lord today, in the midst of our
crisis:
Dear Lord, You are the miracle worker and I’m going to surrender all my
doubts and fears to You. I entrust this entire situation, my whole life, into
Your care. I know you won’t allow me to faint. In fact, you already know what
you’re going to do about my problem. I trust in your power, I’m Ready to follow your Leading and my additional Goals you are about to give me for Your glory and my Joy. Heavenly Father~ Please remain in me so that You can constantly remind me of your love and my weakness so that I may love your children as you have loved me. Amen
Ps. Nothing can be done over night. You have to work on it. Be disciplined.