Pastor Scott Applegate
Start
The beginning of a New Year can be symbolic of getting a fresh start, a new beginning, and gaining a fresh perspective, which marks the newness Jesus offers us all. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:26, Ephesians 4:24, Isaiah 43:18-19)
Right
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV
Now
“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14 NLT
“Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net. Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.” Proverbs 6:4-11 NLT
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17 NIV
Procrastination always leads to regret.
Godly goals provide:
- Vision
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18 KJV
- Direction
“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” Hebrews 2:1 NIV
- Motivation
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 NIV
- Resolution
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NLT
- Production
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV
Questions to ask yourself when setting goals:
1. Are my goals based on God’s purposes for my life?
“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 NIV
2. Will the results of my goals bring glory to me or to God?
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
3. Are my goals motivated by love?
“Let love be your highest goal…” 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT
4. Will my goals be accomplished by my will power or by His real power?
“’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6 NIV