Navigating the New Year: Setting Godly Goals for Spiritual Growth
As we stand on the brink of 2024, isn’t it a beautiful realization that the Lord has granted us the gift of another year? Breathing in the fresh air of the new year, we are reminded of the goodness of God and the joy, peace, and love that accompanies His grace. We are encouraged in this message by Arthur Connor, Jr to delve into the transformative power of setting meaningful goals in the light of God’s Word.
Sermon: What’s The Goal?
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What’s Your Goal?
As we grow this year by Setting Godly Goals, the question posed echoes beyond the ticking clock into the corridors of our souls: What’s your goal? Not just the ordinary resolutions that echo in the secular world during this season but profound, spiritually-driven goals that align with the ultimate purpose for every believer — discipleship.
Allow me to draw your attention to a powerful scripture from Luke 14:28 (ESV): “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t he first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?”
Examine the Cost and Preparation
The Bible, in its wisdom, encourages us to approach our goals with intentionality and preparation. Our first step in setting goals that honor God is to examine the cost and preparation. Just as a builder estimates the cost before constructing a tower, we, too, should evaluate the commitment required to be true disciples of Christ.
Pastor Arthur shares his love for planning and preparation, likening it to budgeting for a trip or even a sermon series. However, he beautifully ties this to the spiritual realm, urging us to plan and prepare for our discipleship journey.
Planning and Preparing — Essential Before Building
Proverbs 24:27 guides us: “Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” In this light, Pastor Arthur emphasizes that planning and preparing are essential before building. Whether it’s a career, a family, or any pursuit, these biblical principles align with God’s desire for us to approach our goals with diligence and foresight.
Setting Godly Goals Leads to Better Results
Proverbs 21:5 tells us, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as being hasty leads to poverty.” Here, we learn that setting goals leads to better results. Diligence in our planning, combined with trusting in God’s guidance, creates an environment for success. However, Pastor Arthur wisely reminds us that plans don’t guarantee our goals will be met because life is uncertain.
God Determines Our Course When Setting Godly Goals
Proverbs 16:9 reassures us, “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” As we set our goals, we must remember that God determines our course. Our plans should be bathed in humility, acknowledging God’s sovereignty over our lives.
Honoring and Glorifying God in Our Goals
As we embark on this new year, let’s center our goals on the profound truth Jesus shared in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” In a world obsessed with self-driven goals, let’s choose to set our aspirations based on honoring and glorifying God.
In conclusion, let’s commit our plans to God, knowing that He is the ultimate guide on this journey. May this new year be a season of spiritual growth, deepening our relationship with Him by Setting Godly Goals that align with His divine purpose.
