December 30 | Goal Setting

scripture reading:	James 4:13–17
key verse:	Proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Many people will look back over the past year with a sense of accomplishment and hope. Others may have regrets and wish they had tackled life differently. Learning to set goals for your life is an excellent way to build encouragement into your daily routine, especially when you set reasonable goals that you can achieve without fear of failure.

Always begin the goal–setting process with prayer. Ask the Lord to show you specific areas in your life that will benefit from this type of organization. Making a list of potential growth spots will help you see the overall context of your life. Ask yourself, What would I like to accomplish in this certain area during the next year?

Make a promise to yourself that you will be open to the will of God. Allow Him to alter your goals when necessary.

Remember, He is perfectly in tune with your life and knows your strengths and weaknesses. Avoid becoming overzealous in the goal–setting process. Many who do often end up discouraged when goals are unreached. Set goals that stretch your faith but are also attainable in nature.

God is a natural goal setter. Throughout Scripture, He encouraged men and women to achieve the goals He placed before them. God wants you to achieve His best in life; allow Him to guide you as you set goals for the future.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all You have accomplished in and through me during the past year. As I look ahead to the future, reveal Your goals and objectives for my life. I want to fulfill Your plan.¹

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¹  Stanley, C. F. (1998). Enter His gates: a daily devotional. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

October 22 | Setting Goals by Faith

Scripture reading: Romans 8:28–30

Key verse: Jeremiah 29:11

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

God reminds us that He has a plan for our lives (Jer. 29:11). This is an important word of encouragement. But often we worry what His plan is and how we can achieve it. While goals are very important because they help to set a positive tone for our lives, they should never take the place of true love and devotion to the Savior.

Establish your goals with God in mind. In Romans 8:28–30, the Lord underscores the fact that He truly has His eye on our lives. Every detail is woven together so that the outcome will be beautiful.

Sorrows, heartaches, and failures play an important part in your life, as do the times when you achieve great accomplishments. Set your goals and live by faith in God. Trust Him to guide you as you dream of good things for the future. Be sure each goal you set is something He would approve. Prayer is vital to goal setting.

When you pray, ask the Lord to make you sensitive to His desires for your future. If you find yourself doing something that is not in keeping with His plan for your life, abandon it immediately.

Be encouraged! God will never leave you without direction and hope. Seek Him, and He will guide you. Remember, some goals take a long time to achieve. But the Captain of your soul is a God of love, who has wonderful blessings in store for you!

Heavenly Father, I praise You for the blessings You have in store for me!¹

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¹  Stanley, C. F. (2000). Into His presence (p. 309). Thomas Nelson Publishers.