Aligning Goals with God's Purpose for the New Year

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the importance of setting goals with God as we step into a new year. We have 365 fresh days ahead, filled with opportunities to align our plans with God's purposes. Mistakes from the past are behind us, and His mercies are new every morning. We are encouraged to approach God boldly, seeking His grace and mercy in our time of need. As we set goals, it's crucial to be specific and intentional, avoiding the pitfalls of vague aspirations that lack clear steps. We must resist the temptation of hastiness, which often leads to missed opportunities and poverty of spirit. Instead, we are called to be diligent, taking time to plan and prepare, reflecting the image of our Creator who meticulously crafted the universe.

The book of Proverbs offers wisdom on the benefits of diligent planning, contrasting it with the folly of hastiness. We are reminded that God's way involves thoughtful preparation and patience, leading to true advantage. As we set goals, we should seek God's guidance, ensuring our plans align with His will. This involves not only setting personal goals but also spiritual, relational, and financial ones. We are encouraged to write down our goals, making them concrete and actionable. God's Word is a vital tool in this process, helping us discern His will and align our desires with His purposes.

Prayer is the key to unlocking God's plans for our lives. It is through prayer that we gain clarity and direction, allowing God to work in and through us. We are reminded that even if we make mistakes, God is faithful to work out His plans for our lives. He is a benevolent God who desires to bless us and use our plans for His glory. As we move forward, we are encouraged to trust in His goodness, knowing that He will guide us and come after us when we stray. With a bold and aggressive faith, we can step into the new year with confidence, ready to bring about God's purposes on earth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace New Beginnings with God: Each day is a fresh opportunity to align with God's plans. His mercies are new every morning, and He invites us to approach Him boldly for grace and mercy. This year, let's commit to seeking His guidance and embracing the new opportunities He provides. [00:00]

2. The Power of Specific Goals: Vague aspirations often lead to disappointment. By setting specific, actionable goals, we can move forward with clarity and purpose. Writing down our goals and seeking God's guidance ensures that our plans align with His will. [01:53]

3. Diligence Over Hastiness: Proverbs teaches us that diligent planning leads to advantage, while hastiness results in poverty. Taking time to prepare and plan reflects God's nature and leads to true success. Let's resist the urge to rush and instead embrace thoughtful preparation. [05:54]

4. Aligning with God's Will Through Prayer: Prayer is essential in discerning God's will and aligning our goals with His purposes. It is through prayer that we gain clarity and direction, allowing God to work in and through us. Let's prioritize prayer as we set our goals for the year. [35:55]

5. Trusting God's Faithfulness: Even when we make mistakes, God is faithful to work out His plans for our lives. We can trust in His goodness and benevolence, knowing that He will guide us and come after us when we stray. With a bold faith, we can step into the new year with confidence. [34:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:53] - The Importance of Specific Goals
- [03:43] - Overcoming Fear and Perfectionism
- [04:58] - Wisdom from Proverbs
- [05:54] - Diligence vs. Hastiness
- [08:04] - The Moral of Planning
- [09:13] - Lessons from The Lion King
- [11:17] - Setting Goals with God
- [12:54] - The Power of Specificity
- [14:25] - God's Pre-Planned Goals
- [15:51] - Identifying Personal Goals
- [16:51] - The Importance of Character Goals
- [18:15] - Seeking First the Kingdom
- [19:57] - Practical Steps for Goal Setting
- [21:32] - The Role of Prayer in Planning
- [23:42] - Collaborative Goal Setting
- [24:43] - The Power of 'Why'
- [26:10] - Making Specific Plans
- [27:24] - Learning from Mistakes
- [29:11] - The Importance of Feedback
- [31:22] - The Tortoise and the Hare
- [33:05] - Trusting God's Plan
- [34:16] - God's Faithfulness in Our Failures
- [35:55] - The Power of Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 21:5 - "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty."
2. Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
3. Psalm 138:8 - "The Lord will work out his plans for my life."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Proverbs 21:5, what is the outcome of diligent planning compared to hastiness? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on setting specific goals? [05:54]

2. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the pitfalls of setting vague goals? How do these examples highlight the importance of specificity in goal setting? [01:53]

3. How does the speaker describe the role of prayer in discerning God’s will and aligning our goals with His purposes? [35:55]

4. What does the sermon suggest about God’s faithfulness when we make mistakes in our goal-setting process? [34:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might Proverbs 21:5 inform a believer’s approach to setting goals in various areas of life, such as spiritual, relational, or financial? What does it mean to be diligent in this context?

2. Ephesians 2:10 speaks of good works prepared in advance for us. How can individuals discern what these good works might be in their own lives, and how does this relate to setting goals with God? [14:25]

3. The sermon mentions that God will work out His plans for our lives (Psalm 138:8). How does this assurance impact the way believers approach goal-setting and planning? [33:05]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between setting goals and trusting in God’s faithfulness, even when plans do not go as expected? [34:16]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you set a vague goal. What steps can you take to ensure your future goals are specific and actionable? [01:53]

2. How can you incorporate prayer into your goal-setting process to ensure alignment with God’s will? What specific time or method will you use to prioritize prayer in this area? [35:55]

3. Identify an area in your life where you have been hasty. What practical steps can you take to embrace diligence and thoughtful preparation instead? [05:54]

4. Consider a mistake you’ve made in the past year. How can you trust in God’s faithfulness to work out His plans for your life despite this mistake? [34:16]

5. What are some specific spiritual, relational, or financial goals you feel God is calling you to pursue this year? How will you write them down and make them concrete? [14:25]

6. How can you ensure that your goals reflect God’s character and purposes, rather than just personal ambition? What role does community or accountability play in this process? [16:51]

7. Think about a person or situation that challenges your patience. What specific prayer or scripture can you use to prepare for your next interaction with them? [18:15]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace New Beginnings with Divine Alignment
As we step into a new year, we are presented with 365 fresh opportunities to align our lives with God's purposes. Each day is a chance to leave past mistakes behind and embrace the new mercies that God offers every morning. This is a time to approach God boldly, seeking His grace and mercy in our times of need. By committing to seek His guidance, we open ourselves to the new opportunities He provides. This alignment with God is not just about setting goals but about ensuring that our plans reflect His will and purpose for our lives. [00:00]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek God's guidance for a fresh start this year? How can you intentionally align this area with His purposes today?


Day 2: The Power of Specific Goals
Setting specific, actionable goals is crucial for moving forward with clarity and purpose. Vague aspirations often lead to disappointment because they lack clear steps and direction. By writing down our goals and seeking God's guidance, we ensure that our plans align with His will. This intentionality helps us to focus our efforts and resources on what truly matters, allowing us to make meaningful progress in our personal, spiritual, relational, and financial lives. [01:53]

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Reflection: What is one specific goal you can set today that aligns with God's will for your life? How will you ensure that this goal is actionable and measurable?


Day 3: Diligence Over Hastiness
The book of Proverbs teaches us the value of diligent planning, contrasting it with the folly of hastiness. Taking time to prepare and plan reflects God's nature and leads to true success. Hastiness often results in missed opportunities and a poverty of spirit. By embracing thoughtful preparation, we can avoid the pitfalls of rushing and instead experience the advantages that come with careful planning. This diligence is a reflection of God's meticulous creation of the universe and His desire for us to mirror His thoughtful nature. [05:54]

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV): "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find yourself rushing? How can you practice diligence and thoughtful preparation in this area today?


Day 4: Aligning with God's Will Through Prayer
Prayer is essential in discerning God's will and aligning our goals with His purposes. It is through prayer that we gain clarity and direction, allowing God to work in and through us. As we set our goals for the year, prioritizing prayer ensures that we remain connected to God's guidance and wisdom. This spiritual discipline helps us to align our desires with His purposes, leading to a life that reflects His glory and goodness. [35:55]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to seek God's guidance for your goals? What specific area of your life do you need clarity and direction from God today?


Day 5: Trusting God's Faithfulness
Even when we make mistakes, God is faithful to work out His plans for our lives. We can trust in His goodness and benevolence, knowing that He will guide us and come after us when we stray. With a bold and aggressive faith, we can step into the new year with confidence, ready to bring about God's purposes on earth. Trusting in God's faithfulness allows us to move forward without fear, knowing that He is always with us, guiding and supporting us in every step we take. [34:16]

2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV): "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you made a mistake but experienced God's faithfulness. How can this experience encourage you to trust Him more deeply in the coming year?

Quotes

"His mercies are new every morning, and he's got a new plan. He's got a ready plan. He's got a plan, B, C, D, E, F, and G. He's got all the plans. No matter what you did, no matter what you messed up, no matter what went wrong, Jesus is ready to help. He's here. He wants us to come to him boldly, and he wants to give us mercy and grace in our time of need. That's what he does. Somebody say, that's what he does. That's what he does." [00:39:30] (22 seconds)


"Because though you had a pseudo vision, you had the pseudo goal, you really had no steps to get there that made any doggone sense. And so you ended up with what you ended up with. And sometimes we end up with that in our lives. We have a vague sense of what we're kind of going for, but because we weren't specific, weren't particular, we didn't take the time to think it out, to plan it out, to write it down, to get a clear picture of what it was supposed to be. We don't really get anywhere real good. And so this year, right at the beginning of the year, I want to challenge each and every one of us to plan some goals, to make some goals, to make some goals with God." [00:136:10] (34 seconds)


"The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage. I would like some advantage. Would anyone like some advantage? I would like some advantage. I would like some advantage. I will go ahead and try to get some. But if I'm going to get some, I'm going to have to be diligent about some things." [00:354:50] (20 seconds)


"Everyone who's lazy, you know, things aren't going to go that great for them. They're going to come up in poverty. And while I think there's probably truth to that, I think it's really insightful that the scripture points out there's a hastiness that causes folks to really miss all that they could have. Why is that? I think part of it is because diligent people, man, they want to do it. They want to get there. They're thoughtful. They're saying, I'm going to spell it out. I'm going to take the time to put it down on paper. I'm going to do my research. I'm going to study. I'm going to go ask so -and -so. I'm going to see different ways I might do this. I'm going to take my time and I'm going to thoroughly prepare. Why? Because when I do, I'm imaging God, the creator. Do you know the creator took his time to make the universe? He took his time. In other words, the book of Proverbs is demonstrating to us, here's the God way." [00:381:15] (49 seconds)


"So let's ask the question, how might we increase our advantages in the next year? How do we increase our advantage? Well, number one is goals. The command in Proverbs there, it implies a goal, the plans of the diligent. Well, it's not, it's not just random plans that don't go anywhere. It's plans toward a goal. The goal is implied in, in the text there. And these ones who are making goals, they're saying, I aim at something specific. See what they do. They get this awesome privilege. They give themselves to it." [00:593:10]

"I get to, I get to just imagine worlds in my head the same way God does. I imagine it in my head and I say, I like that and I like that and I like that and I'm going to pick some of these and I'm going to try to, with God's help, make it a reality. I'm going to choose to believe that thing is possible and I'm going to go after. In other words, they back up and they say, you know, this is fine, this is fine, this is fine, but I can think of something better than this." [00:625:18]

"Can I experience more of God's heart flowing through me? Like those are the best goals and the highest goals. So whatever other goal you're getting, like don't just cross the finish line and forget the character thing. In fact, drop the finish line if it makes you drop the character. Because God will, if you trust him, he'll find you. He'll find another way to that very same goal most of the time with your character intact. Somebody say hallelujah." [00:1050:07] (21 seconds)


"Because that's really what it is. It's not that for most of us, it's not that you don't want to seek God first. It's just that there's all these other things that seem to get in the way. Okay, so identifying what those are, what do I need to deprioritize so that God can take more of a first place in my life? Romans 12 too. Probably what you're gonna have to prioritize is more time in God's word. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. That's through God's word. Then you'll be able to test and approve what God's will is. His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Well, Carter, how do I know God's goals? Well, one of the ways you do it is you spend time in his word and he begins to point out. This is what he does. He points out, as you're in God's word, he goes." [00:1095:33] (36 seconds)


"Prayer is how he crystallizes for us. We had our theories of what God's will is, and prayer is where he shows us what it actually is. Prayer is Batman and Robin coming together. See, before, when you just had the plan, you were kind of like Robin off on your own. Now, let me know, Robin just isn't very exciting without Batman. He's just not." [00:2172:05] (17 seconds)


"But once you get them together, now they're a dynamic duo. And God says, once you pray, now we're working some stuff, man. Now we're working together. Now we can get some stuff done on planet Earth. I'm not a chef. Some of you might be. But I know, even so, that if you marinate meat for 20 minutes versus marinate meat for 20 days, you're just gonna have a different flip. Maybe not 20 days. Two days. Kenzie looked at me. She's like, no, don't do that." [00:2189:21] (31 seconds)


"Prayer is how God does stuff. Prayer is how God gets in the work. Prayer is how he gets us to understand what it is he's trying to do. That's what he does with prayer." [00:2163:10]

"Prayer is how he crystallizes for us. We had our theories of what God's will is, and prayer is where he shows us what it actually is. Prayer is Batman and Robin coming together. See, before, when you just had the plan, you were kind of like Robin off on your own. Now, let me know, Robin just isn't very exciting without Batman. He's just not." [00:2172:05] (17 seconds)


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Transcript
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