“The LORD will guarantee a blessing on everything you do...” (Deuteronomy 28:8, NLT)

Dear Friend,

Have you ever set goals that failed after a couple of weeks?

Maybe you lost steam along the way, found something better to do with your time, or got discouraged because you weren’t seeing the results you were hoping for.

If that’s you, I can relate. I used to be the ultimate project-starter, but I failed at finishing. I had 20 journals that I started writing in, but after 10-20 pages in, I found a prettier journal that I bought and began writing in it instead. This is what every area of my life looked like. Tons of great ideas and projects started, but none of them were finished.

Can anyone out there relate?

I’m happy to remind all of us that God is the ultimate project-starter and completer—He’s the author and finisher within us, and because He is faithful to finish, we can be too (Heb. 12:2).

In Philippians 3:13-14 (NASB), Paul says, “Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

In Paul’s faith journey, he doesn’t focus on his past failures or his wall of accolades. Instead, he pushes forward towards the goal.

What’s the goal ahead?

The goal ahead is prize of the upward call of God in Christ.

We could all spend the rest of our life focusing on all the things we’ve done poorly, or the amazing successes we’ve accomplished. But that wouldn’t get us far. In Christ, we’re all on the same playing field and the at the same level. God has more for each of us to accomplish.

This excites me tremendously to know that God is the God of second chances. He’s the God of greatness. He’s your heavenly Father saying, “I have more for you. More healing. More favor. More success. More of My goodness and faithfulness to discover. A future full of destiny, promise and purpose awaits you.”

Are you excited about the future that awaits you?

If not, stay tuned because this topic may encourage you.

For most of my life, I was the victim of my own choices. I didn’t know how to make good choices, so instead I made all the wrong choices. I involved myself in toxic, destructive relationships, thinking I was helping the other person. I ate food that was bad for my health and body. I wasted my time on things that got me nowhere in life—actually, they took me backwards.

Finally, I had an “aha” moment one day with Jesus. I decided I would no longer pay for the consequences of making bad choices. Rather, I would use my choices to bless and better my life.

God can use our daily choices to take us from being the victim to walking in victory.

This is the power of goal setting with God. You can use your daily choices and goals to work for you instead of against you!

God will help you set goals that align with His purpose for your life, and He will give you the grace to start—and finish–with strength.

In setting goals, you can ask yourself, who do I need to become to do all that God’s called me to do? Or, what are some areas where God wants to bring growth and transformation in my life?

If you’re not sure, here are some tips that might help you to get started:

First, seek God in your goal setting. Jeremiah 33:3 (NASB) says, “call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” God wants to be part of the details in your life! When you seek God, He will reveal His will to you and the possibilities for your future.

How do you know when God’s leading you?  

For me, I’ve had to continue to renew mind with God’s Word so I understand what His will looks and sounds like. This is a daily practice and something I’m learning and growing in.

Here are some ways that have helped me to discern God’s voice in making daily choices and setting goals:

• Follow God through peace, joy, and righteousness (Rom. 14:17,  Col. 3:15)

• God leads us through the passions and desires in our heart (Ps. 37:4)

• Walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7)

• The baptism of the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues (Acts 2:2-4, 1 Cor. 14)

• Journaling–there’s something about putting thoughts on paper, and seeing them in black and white that’s so helpful

• Reading the Bible because it will discern the truth versus what’s in our heart (Heb. 4:12); it will guide, correct, instruct, and teach us (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Each of things help me to seek God and discern how He’s leading me. Invite God into your goal setting, and ask Him to show you goals He’d like you to adopt.  

Second, it’s important to understand God’s will so we can redeem the time. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV) says, “See then that you walk circumspectly (diligently, perfectly, intentionally), not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Goals help us steward our life and make intentional choices so we can use our time wisely on the earth.

Time is the most valuable resource we have in this life. We can always make more money, buy more clothes, and have more stuff. But we will only have today once.

How can we use our time to make the most out of our life?

I don’t want to get to the end of my life, and regret the way I used my time on earth. I want to meet God face to face and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful with the little things I gave you, now let’s get to the real work” (Matt. 25:21).

If we looked at our life and understood that we are merely stewards, and the way we steward determines our eternal destiny, I wonder if we would make different choices.

You see, I believe that we’re going to receive jobs in heaven based on our faithfulness on earth. Why? Because the Bible is constantly telling us what the kingdom of heaven is going to be like. The sum of those parables say, “get ready, get prepared, be diligent because you’re going to wish you would’ve lived on purpose during your time on the earth!”

If you knew that the way you spent your time on earth impacted your reward in heaven—and for all eternity—how would you use your time differently?

Let me put it this way. Have you and your family ever saved money for a vacation? Maybe you all came together and decided to put away money, making temporary spending sacrifices, knowing that there was a greater prize ahead. Then a year or two later after all that saving and sacrifice, you and your family go on a sunny getaway, with memories and fun to share for years to come.

Pursuing a goal by the grace of God is the same—but the rewards are eternal. You are setting aside time to accomplish your destiny. The prize is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, and there is much more at stake; the rewards are far greater.

Finally, be sure to write down your goals so you can run towards them! Habakkuk 2:2–3 (NASB) says, “Then the LORD answered me and said, Write down the vision and inscribe it clearly on tablets, so that one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hurries toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it delays, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay long.

Studies show that people who write down their goals have a much higher chance of success. In fact, our brains see written goals as a priority, and it helps us notice opportunities and resources available that align with those goals. When we write down our goals, create clear and actionable steps, and imagine them fulfilled in our life, it results in real-life progress.

Writing down your goals brings clarity, so you can move from dreaming to doing, from hoping to planning, to seeing your dreams come to pass.

When you set goals with God, you don’t have to worry about failure because He is the Author and Finisher of your faith, and everything that you’re believing for. His grace will help you start, plan, and finish your goals, empowering you to accomplish your destiny.

When writing down your goals, be sure to use the SMART Goal method:

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Relevant

• Within a Timeframe

This method helps you break down your goals so you can create a clear, actionable plan. I always recommend setting aside a little time each day so you can make progress towards your goal. It’s best to start with one or two goals at time, so you don’t get overwhelmed or distracted by multiple action items.

I like to put images of my goals on a vision board, and find Scriptures that go with my goals, so I can see them and speak them.

When we align our seeing, thinking, speaking, believing, and acting with God’s plan for our life, then it aids the mind renewal process and changes the way we see ourselves.

Are you ready to set goals and pursue them with God?

Let go of perfection, and just keep pressing forward like Paul. God commands the blessing upon the word of our hands (Deut. 28:8), so let’s pursue our goals with faith, and leave the results to the Lord!

At New You Ministries, we have a lot of materials to help you with your goal setting! Here are some resources to help you set goals with God:

• Watch the full Setting Goals with God Live Bible Study here!

• Get my Hello, New You Book and Walking in the New You Workbook

• FREE DOWNLOAD: Get ready to turn your faith-filled vision into a focused plan! Get your free Goal Getter Guide here!

• Join our Lifestyle Courses to help you walk in freedom and transformation in every area of your life!

• Participate in the next Live Bible Study every Tuesday at 5:30PM MT on YouTube!

These resources will help you discover the power of goal-setting with God so you can break free from destructive lifestyle choices, and walk in the freedom of who you are in Christ!

Thank you to all of our partners who are helping us share the life-changing gospel in practical, simple ways. Your generosity is enabling us to create free materials and resources so others can see transformation in their life, too.

If our ministry has blessed you, please consider donating or becoming a partner today! There is power in partnership, and together, we’re sharing the transforming truth of Jesus to a world who truly needs Him.

We love you and are praying that God’s grace would be revealed mightily in your life—spirit, soul, and body!

With Love,
Erin

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