Every soccer player knows that if you want to make goals you have to train, know what direction to go, know where the net is, and aim for it. Now of course it takes skill and teamwork and good coaching, and a myriad of other things, but the point is that a person doesn’t just turn up on the field one day and automatically become a star player.
But somehow it seems that at times in life we expect to just show up and be successful in our Christian life and behavior without knowing what we’re shooting for. It takes a lot of things – a love for God and a desire to please Him, training, coaching, instruction, accountability, etc., but it helps to know what the goals are!
Here’s an ABC list of some personal goals. You may have other words to put on your own list, but these are some I want to consider at the start of 2023.
A– Always keep my eyes on the Lord. Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
B– Be Thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
C- Consider Him. Hebrews 12:1-4 … let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
D– Do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
E– Encourage someone daily. Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
F- Focus ahead, not behind. Isaiah 43:18 Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. Philippians 3:13-14 …forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
G- Grow 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
H- Help others. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
I- Inspire others. Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good.
J- Judge myself, not others. Matthew 7:3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
K- Keep on keeping on. Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
L- Love the Lord and my neighbor. Luke 10:27 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.
M- Meditate on Scripture. Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night…
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
N- No Complaining Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
O- Obey God’s Word. Psalm 119:60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
P- Pray more. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation…
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Q- Quiet times (for rest and renewal) and a quiet spirit. Isaiah 30:15 For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
R- Rejoice Psalm 32:11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
S- Speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
T- Trust in the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
U- Understand Ephesians 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Proverbs 2:1-11 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
V- Value the right things. Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
W- Walk as a child of God. Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
X- eXercise Patience. Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Proverbs 19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
Y – Yield when appropriate. James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Z- Zest … Tackle life with keen enjoyment and gusto! Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.
I hope these 26 things can be overriding principles in what I do in 2023. I’ve posted them over my desk as a reminder.
How about you? What will your list say?
Happy New Year!
Ruth
Reaching, Encouraging, Connecting 