Secondly, we reconsider how much time we’ve been giving to the Word of God. We set new goals to study, and listen to preaching and teaching. I set my alarm each morning to wake up before everyone and fill my spirit with teaching from Kenneth Copeland, Bill Winston, Rod Parsley, and other men of God.
The Power of Goal-Oriented Faith
When I travel, I encounter a lot of goal setters. They set goals for weight loss, marriage, education, their career, to be a better parent, how many books they will read in a year, and the list goes on.
Something that’s much more rare, but so important, is setting spiritual goals. Spiritual goals require spiritual assistance. That’s why, first and foremost, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit.
When the famous sculptor, Henry Moore, turned 80, he was asked his thoughts on the secret of life. He answered by saying, “The secret to life is to have a task, something you do your entire life, something you bring everything to, every minute of every day for your whole life. And the most important thing is, it must be something you cannot possibly do.”
If the goals you’re setting can be accomplished without the Holy Spirit’s assistance, they’re too small—and displeasing to God.
Goals you can accomplish on your own don’t require any faith. God becomes irrelevant in your daily routine because you don’t need His help. The Bible says:
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 ESV)
One of the reasons setting spiritual goals is so important is because, as believers, we are called to be assets, not liabilities, to this world. God told Abraham that He would bless him and he would be a great blessing (Genesis 12:2).
It is God’s assistance in our lives that empowers us to be a constant blessing to this world. Without His power, we would never increase (Psalm 75:6-7).
Our lives must first be changed by the power we carry before we can change anyone else. God’s power in you will be evident to others.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13 ESV)
Spiritual Goals
As an example, let me show you some of the areas that Ted and I reevaluate each year and set new goals.
First, is our dedication to prayer and fasting. While it’s becoming more common for believers to begin their year with prayer and fasting, this would not be the only time you engage these principles.
We look at what was accomplished in the previous year and set an actual goal for how often we’ll fast and what amount of time we’ll set aside to pray. Don’t give God your left over time; give Him the first of what you have.
Prayer and the Word are vitally important because they empower you to walk in freedom in every area of life (John 8:32).
The enemy would love for you to become stagnant and complacent. He loves dealing with that kind of believer. He understands that a lack of knowledge allows him to destroy your life (Hosea 4:6).
Many people set exercise goals for the New Year. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy and told him that although exercise is good, its benefits don’t compare to the benefits of godliness.
For example, I take sickness very seriously. I don’t give into it one bit. After having gained revelation from God’s Word and through prayer over the years, I have built my faith in the area of healing.
I refuse to run to the medicine cabinet for myself or my children. I know may position in Christ and I take a stand. Once you’ve received revelation in any area of your life, you won’t suffer any longer in that area.
A New Financial Level
Finally, Ted and I always set our giving goals for the year. Since we’ve been married, we’ve given more to the Lord even year than the year before.
This financial goal comes before any other financial obligation. I’m not talking about tithing. That goes without saying. I’m talking about giving above and beyond the tithe. Your tithe isn’t a seed; it’s a payment due to God. Tithing alone doesn’t bring financial increase; what you sow beyond your tithe does.
We constantly check throughout the year to see where we are with our giving goals to ensure we will give more than we did the previous year.
As a result, we will increase financially with every year that passes. Nothing will stop our promotion. The same will be true for you.
It’s time to set spiritual goals for your year. There’s nothing wrong with setting natural goals, but the spiritual goals are the ones that will take you higher. Victory will be yours on a daily basis.
Look at the words of Solomon. Let this verse build expectancy for your greatest year ever:
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3 NLT)
Setting and sticking to these goals will ensure that you build spiritual strength to succeed. Having a strong spirit is the gateway to receiving the blessings that Jesus has set aside for you.
Let me know in the comments some of the goals that you’re setting for your family in this New Year! Love you! —Carolyn
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1/02/2019
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