“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

“I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the mark (goal) for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 3:13-14

Can you believe it’s almost March 1, 2011. When we were moving toward the New Year we heard a lot of talk, read articles and read notes and comments on Facebook about taking the time to write your goals for the New Year. See Fabulous PR coach Pam Perry’s article on the purpose of goals in this blog. https://ladyofprayer.com/?p=284 . Christian author Stacey Hawkins Adams spoke of writing about her goals for the 2011 New Year. She insightfully posted on Facebook, “I spent a few hours last night mapping out goals for the New Year, and I’m excited about challenging myself in several areas. Yet, while I plan, I know my future rests with the One who holds the master plan, so I must always start and end with Him”.

Well, what about you. Have you taken the time to write down the goals and steps you will take to achieve them? Admittedly, I am behind on fulfilling the entire task. I do not want to have any would’ a, should ‘a, and could have regrets about not accomplishing my goals for this year. You may not have written your goals earlier, but it is not too late for “mapping out your goals for this year”.

On Feb 23, 2011, author and Wife Coach Venus Mason-Theus , who is the visionary for the “Anointed Pen Conference” (http://www.anointedpenseminar.info) challenged me and other Facebook friends with the question “ What are your goals and what actions have you taken to achieve your goals so far this year? So I am asking you and I am challenging myself too, what three goals have you set for this year and what actions have you taken toward them?

Now, if you haven’t written your goals or have not taken any steps to achieve them, forget the past. Read the second quote at the very top of this page. Begin right now praying and thinking about writing your goals for the year. There is still time. Take the time to seek God’s face first, pray, meditate on the Word. Listen to what He states to you and write it down. If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time!”

A goal is a target, the desired end of our efforts. Paul talks about pressing toward the mark in Philippians 3:14. Having a goal doesn’t always mean hitting the target —but it does mean getting closer than you would have if you hadn’t had a goal at all. Someone once said, “It is better to aim for a star and hit a mountain than to aim for a mud puddle and hit it every time.” See Cynthia Bezek, “What are Your Spiritual Goals? July|Aug 2000 issue Pray! Magazine. The Bible encourages us to write our goals. Isaiah 32:8 says, “The noble man makes noble plans.” Proverbs 16:3 promises, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” We should have dreams and set goals to reach the dreams, but remember that God holds the authority to say “yea” or “nay”-veto power: “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”. (Proverbs 19:2)

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things (temporal things, that is) will be added to you” (Matthew. 6:33). Some of your goals could be to be get out of debt, manage your time wisely, to exercise twice a week or to start a new business. However, one of our first goals should be to seek a closer relationship with God. Start praying and writing. Look for Part II by Wednesday March 2, 2011.

Linda D. Fegins, The Prayer Leader
https://ladyofprayer.com
LLadylaw@aol.com