In our last lesson, we dealt with the issue of meeting our goals, so
today I'd like to discuss five goals that we should set for ourselves
based on what we learned from the Apostle Paul's testimony…
Philip. 3:8-10 (KJV)
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of
all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [9] And
be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God by faith: [10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his
death;
The goals that I'm going to mention might seem obvious to you, perhaps
you've set them for yourself already. Nevertheless, some people don't
have any - they just live from one day to the next. There is nothing so
wasteful as activity without insight. Not only do I as a parent want to
be sure I live with the right goals in mind, I want my children to live
forming right goals as well. Let's take a look at them one by one...
1.) To please God
2.) To find real purpose and fulfillment in life
3.) To be worthy of your profession as a child of God
4.) To be active in service to God
5.) To be an asset to society
TO PLEASE GOD
In looking at the first goal, this must be the one that influences any
other goals we might have. The important things must be put first, so
therefore the minute we get out of bed and place our feet on the floor,
we should set out to please God! Did you do that today? Or did you set
out to please yourself? Putting God first will help us find our way in
setting the smaller, practical goals. You know ladies, as I stopped and
pondered whether or not it was my goal to please God every day, I realized
how self-centered I really am! I discovered that most of my day is planned
around what pleases ME! It pleases ME to get my exercise time. It pleases
ME to check my e-mail and see what goodies came in my electronic mailbox.
It pleases ME to run all the errands I'd like to get over with. It pleases
ME to tackle creative projects. But did I stop to give thought to whether
or not I was taking the Lord into immediate consideration?
Recently, I mentioned to my children that it pleases me greatly when they
voluntarily come to me and ask me if there is anything they can do for
me. Why does it please me? Because I know that they are laying aside what
they would prefer to do in order to do something specific for me. Well,
of course the Holy Spirit smote my heart and caused me to think about
whether or not I ever ask my Heavenly Father that question myself! Am
I giving to the Lord what I enjoy receiving from my own children?? How
much thought do I really give to pleasing God? How many times have I sincerely
asked the Lord what I could do for Him that would please Him any given
day? How many times have you and I been willing to forsake what would
please us for what would please the Lord… Yes, our first goal should always
and only be to please God. It brings everything else into proper perspective!
John 8:29b (KJV)
....for I do always those things that please him.
2 Tim. 2:4 (KJV)
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;
that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
TO FIND REAL FULFILLMENT AND PURPOSE IN LIFE
Ladies, we'll never find true fulfillment and purpose for our lives until
we are living under God's blessing and approval. That which is truly worthwhile
is found through pleasing God. He blesses those who seek to please Him.
He assists them in meeting their goals. The Lord protects them from the
enemies that would come against them. He multiplies what they do and prospers
their efforts. For instance, if your goal as a woman is simply to climb
the corporate ladder to the place of position, prestige, and power, how
much assistance do you think God is going to give you with a goal like
that? How much protection is He going to provide you from the hindrances
to your advancement? Does God really approve of it if it means leaving
your husband and children in order to arrive at such a goal? Knowing you
are thwarting God's purpose for your life in order to meet a particular
goal for yourself will rob you of real fulfillment. Nothing satisfies
your soul like knowing you are pleasing God - and in a position where
God can bless you. We should all strive to find ourselves in such a position,
amen? This too should be a goal for which we live. Carrying out that which
we SHOULD do always brings more fulfillment than that which we WANT to
do.
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
2 Tim. 1:9 (KJV)
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to
our works, but ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE and grace, which was given
us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
TO BE WORTHY OF YOUR PROFESSION AS A CHILD OF GOD
Another important goal we should set and live for is to be ever aware
that we are not bringing any shame to the name of the Lord. The Bible
says in Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great
riches...” A good name is developed over many days, months, and years
of living - yet destroyed in a moment of time! Having a good name is a
goal for which our heavenly Father would have His children live. The Lord
deserves to be honored by His children; such honor is due Him, amen? Are
you worthy of your profession as a Christian, dear lady? Or have you reproached
the name of Christ? Is it possible to separate your own name from the
name of Christ now that you are a Christian? Not so! Remember, big goals
help the smaller goals... Pleasing God first in our lives will never interfere
with bringing glory to His name - but will assist us in doing so! Certainly
living in a manner that is worthy of the Lord will not only honor God,
but also preserve and protect our own name too. Is God pleased with the
way you are representing Him these days?
2 Tim. 2:19 (KJV)
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The
Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name
of Christ depart from iniquity.
Psalm 29:2 (KJV)
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the
beauty of holiness.
TO BE ACTIVE IN SERVICE TO GOD
Sad to say, many Christians today do not have this goal before them! Oh,
Christians are active all right, but not active in serving God. It seems
they have forgotten they have been bought with the blood of the Lamb!
Their life is not their own anymore, yet they are selfishly living only
for themselves. "Thanks for the salvation Lord - see you later!" Ladies,
we show our love and gratitude toward the Lord when we serve Him not just
with a sense of duty, but out of a sense of love, devotion and gratitude.
We should plan on serving the Lord with ALL our hearts. For God so loved
that He GAVE... When we love Him as we should, we'll give too! How's your
service for the Lord today? Are you busy for Him, or TOO busy for Him??
Perhaps you are serving the Lord with double intention – to boost your
own reputation through much spiritual activity. Listen, if we aren't serving
God with pure motives, then we are still only serving self!
Joshua 24:14 (KJV)
Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth:
and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the
flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
1 Samuel 12:24
Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider
how great things he hath done for you.
TO BE AN ASSET TO SOCIETY
Everything you are a part of should become better because of your being
there. How's that for a sobering goal? Are you a member of a local Bible
believing church? Then it should be a better place because you are there!
You should be contributing to the well-being of that body of believers.
We are all members of a family, are we not? Then your family should be
better for your attachment - you should be contributing to the good of
your entire family. An asset is something that brings gain - it doesn't
create loss. Many Christians today think not of what they can give, but
rather of what they will receive; they are takers. That is why so many
members become quickly disgruntled with their pastor or church family.
They are not getting as much attention as they think they should. Ladies,
we should prefer giving over receiving! Did you visit and join your church
with the intent to add - or subtract? What contribution have you made
to your church body since being there? Employers ought to benefit from
having Christian employees. Your children should benefit from having a
Christian mother. Your home should miss your presence when you are gone,
not improve because of your absence! When you go home to be with the Lord,
will the world have benefited from your life?
Eccles. 9:10 (KJV)
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is
no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither
thou goest.
A few years ago, my son Paul was enrolled in the Civil Air Patrol, which
is a division of the Air Force for boys ages 12-18. For three years he
attended weekly meetings for physical training, leadership training, aerospace
education, marching and drill practice, and the learning of search and
rescue skills. Naturally he was excited about what he was receiving from
the program. But I also presented another point of view to him about the
Civil Air Patrol program. I asked him what he was contributing by being
there. As a Christian he should be adding to the program, not just taking
from it, amen? I do not want my children to grow up with a welfare mindset;
an attitude of "What's it gonna get me?" Mothers, we need to train our
Christian children to think about what they are contributing to everything
they become a part of instead of simply whining over not getting something
for themselves!!
After leaving the company of others, when people look down at our footprints,
they should be able to say to themselves, "Jesus just left here." Is it
like that when you think about the places you've been, the programs with
which you are associated, the classes you take, the activities in which
you engage? Just what is your contribution to society? Have you ever given
it a thought, or were you too consumed with what life had to offer you??
Seek to be an asset, seek to make a difference for Christ in every situation!
Do it on purpose - make it a goal... It's called having a "ministry mindset"!
Acts 20:35 (KJV)
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support
the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It
is more blessed to give than to receive.
2 Cor. 9:7 (KJV)
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Luke 6:38 (KJV)
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For
with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you
again.
I hope you've enjoyed the opportunity to consider some of these long-term
goals, the goals you may or may not already have. Remember, if there is
not a Christ-centered purpose to one's daily activities, there is no purpose
at all. You exchange a piece of your life for your goals – are they worth
it? If you've been building your life upon day to day living, you've chosen
the short end of life! All temporal activity is meaningless apart from
the God of all meaning... Set your goals on Him!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
Related Devotional - Meeting Your Goals
