As we get ready to ring in a new year, it is a great time to celebrate and reflect on all the good things of this past year. And even more importantly, it is the perfect time for us to start thinking about how we want this next year to be different and set some goals. Setting goals is so important to our overall health and happiness. There is no coincidence that the better job that we do setting goals and working diligently toward those goals, the more rewarding our year will be.

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Scripture:
“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” – Revelation 21:5

Observation/Application:
Does God want us to set goals? Let’s see what scripture says around this subject:

•  “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5
•  “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14
•  “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” – Luke 14:28
•  “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” – John 6:27
•  “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
•  “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” – Proverbs 29:18
•  “And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:2-3

There are so many scriptures around this topic of goal setting and being good stewards of our God-given gifts and talents that it is super clear to me that setting goals is in agreement with the Word of God. Our God is clearly a God of order and organization, so being more organized and goal-driven is only going to support our walk with Christ. For we all work toward the day as described in Matthew 25:21 where our Lord and savior will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

So as we get to setting goals for this year, let us ensure that our goals are based upon, and centered around, God’s Word, and His Will. If we want our plans to succeed, then it only makes sense to ensure that they are aligned with, and supported, by the Almighty God who through we can do all things, right?

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Without further delay, here is a high-level guide to help support your goal-setting activity for the upcoming year:

•  Physical (Health and Fitness) – Since our bodies are a temple that house the Holy Spirit of God that lives in us, it is important to set some goals around our health and fitness. – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” – (1 Corinthians 6:19)
•  Work (Prosperity and Protection) – Jeremiah 29:11 – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’.”
•  Spiritual, Holiness, Righteousness – Are we so close to God that we can’t help but walk in His love and presence throughout each day? Do we “love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength” as outlined in Mark 12:30 and Matthew 22:37? (Holiness reference: Romans 5:19, Righteousness reference: Proverbs 10)
•  Mental (Wisdom, Peace, Strength, and Courage) – Let us seek wisdom and understanding, for it gives us peace and blessings and is far greater than silver and gold (Proverbs 3:13-18), (Peace reference: Romans 8:6, Strength and Courage References: Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:9, 1 Chron 28:20) – Want wisdom beyond human understanding? An easy goal for this and other categories would be to read the Bible cover to cover this upcoming year. Do this and see what God reveals!
•  Family – it is good to look at this goal from the standpoint of each role that we play in the family. For example, the same person could be a husband, son, brother, uncle, and father. We should set family goals for each of these roles. Reference: 1 Timothy 3:5, Exodus 20:12, Genesis 2:24, Psalm 133:1
•  Social (Love Relationships) – Let us not be so self-absorbed that we neglect our brothers and sisters in Christ. “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” – Mark 12:31, Matt 22:39
• Love Foundation – And let each our goals be built upon the foundation of love. As a guide, we can refer to the book of 1 Corinthians that tells us that, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. –  1 Cor 13:4-7

Hopefully this guide provides a good starting point for a solid goal-setting session for the upcoming year. There are so many ways to approach this, but if we set goals in each of these categories and stick to it, we will have a much better chance of walking in God’s peace and blessings as we reach toward our God-given purpose. And let us not ignore any of these 6 important categories else we will get out of balance and neglect the total person that God created us to be. If we find ourselves getting upset and losing peace, there is a good chance that we are neglecting some of these critical areas in our lives.

And let us hold firm to these commitments that we make to ourselves. When we don’t keep these commitments to ourselves, deep down this will work against our spirit, and cause us to lose respect and love for ourselves. This can turn into broken promises to those we love, and ultimately snowball into full blown depression. And when we don’t love ourselves, how can we expect to love others effectively?  Loving ourselves allows us to love others more deeply and effectively, and walk around with true joy in our lives. When we love God and know who He created us to be, loving ourselves becomes much easier. We can actually have fun all throughout the day as we work to fulfill God’s purpose.

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God has created each of us to a great purpose, and with gifts and talents that are truly unique to us. It is our duty to live our lives worthy of the blood of the Jesus Christ who laid down his life for us. Let us attack this coming year and have the best year ever. And let us remember that the world does not rest solely on our shoulders. God our Creator is our Helper! And God will guide us when we try, and when we fail, if we turn and lean on Him.

Wishing you the best in your God-centered goal setting for the upcoming year. He will teach us the way to go as we walk in faith (Psalm 32:8). And we will finish this race strong, in Jesus mighty name.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Thank you for all that you have done for me in the past, and all that you continue to do and will do in the future. Help us to live a life worthy of your sacrifice. Use us Lord. Unleash the Holy Spirit in us. Let your gifts and talents be used for your glory and great purpose. Help us to get out of our own way. Let us seek you first, and your Way! You are the light of the world! Guide our every step, our every word, our every thought. Keep us from temptation and from anything that is not good and pure and holy. Deliver us from evil Lord. Strengthen and encourage us. Lift us up. Let us be bold in You! Let us achieve each and every goal that we set for this year that aligns with your Will and your Promise. And we give you all the honor and glory and praise, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Photo By VFS Digital Design

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