Living Intentionally: Aligning Goals with God's Will

 

Summary

In our journey with God, we must recognize the importance of intentionality in our spiritual and practical lives. Intentionality is the thread that weaves through our aspirations, opportunities, and the pursuit of results. It is the conscious effort to align our actions with God's will, to set goals that reflect our commitment to Him, and to take deliberate steps towards achieving those goals.

As believers, we must understand that God orchestrates encounters between believers and those seeking truth. He provides us with opportunities to shine as beacons of aspiration. When we set goals, we must do so with the understanding that God's timing is perfect, and our gratitude for His guidance is paramount. We must be intentional in our lives, recognizing our strengths and acknowledging our weaknesses, while also being aware of the threats that may impede our progress.

To live intentionally, we must seek God's will for our lives. This is not always a straightforward path, but through reading His word, surrendering to His will, and listening to the Holy Spirit, we gain clarity and direction. Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew Jesus' identity because of her intimate knowledge of God's word and her unique experience with the Holy Spirit. Similarly, we must immerse ourselves in God's word to understand His will for our lives.

Setting SMART goals—specific, measurable, aggressive yet achievable, relevant, and time-specific—is crucial in our spiritual walk. For example, committing to attend church services regularly is a tangible expression of our desire to grow in Christ. We must also be practical in our approach to life's challenges, whether it's pursuing a business venture or maintaining our health. Intentionality requires us to be proactive and disciplined in our actions.

Reflecting on the story of Joseph, we see that despite the threats he faced, his steadfastness in God's plan led to the preservation of his family and the fulfillment of God's promise. We too must persevere in the face of threats, whether they come from the world, our flesh, or the devil. By living intentionally and aligning our goals with God's will, we can overcome these threats and achieve the results God has planned for us.

In summary, to live a life that is intentional and aligned with God's purpose, we must be diligent in seeking His will, setting SMART goals, and being aware of the threats that may hinder our progress. We must also regularly engage in review and reflection, ensuring that our actions remain in step with God's plan for our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Intentionality is the cornerstone of a believer's life. It is not enough to desire closeness with God; one must actively engage in reading the Bible, praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit. This commitment to intentional living is what transforms aspirations into tangible results. [01:13:17]

- Setting SMART goals is a biblical principle that can be applied to our spiritual lives. Just as Joseph's perseverance in the face of adversity led to the fulfillment of God's plan, we too must set specific, measurable, and time-bound goals to navigate through life's challenges and achieve what God has set before us. [01:11:03]

- The story of Joseph teaches us that threats to our vision can come from various sources, including our own family, legal systems, and societal pressures. However, by remaining steadfast in God's word and responding with faith, we can overcome these threats and see God's purpose fulfilled in our lives. [56:07]

- The practice of review and reflection is essential in our walk with God. It allows us to express gratitude, seek wisdom, and discern God's plan, especially when we face what appears to be setbacks. By regularly evaluating our progress, we can stay aligned with God's intentions for us. [01:19:05]

- Understanding the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors (PESTLE analysis) that can threaten our goals is crucial. As we set our vision and work towards results, we must be aware of these external influences and navigate them with God's guidance. [45:07]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:1-3 - "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
2. Genesis 37:1-11 - The story of Joseph's dreams and his brothers' jealousy.
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three main sources of threats to our vision and goals as mentioned in the sermon? ([41:21])
2. How did Joseph's brothers react to his dreams, and what does this tell us about internal threats? (Genesis 37:1-11)
3. According to the sermon, what are the components of a SMART goal? ([01:11:03])
4. What does Ephesians 2:1-3 say about the world system and its influence on believers?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Joseph illustrate the importance of perseverance in the face of threats? ([56:07])
2. What does it mean to live intentionally according to the sermon, and how does this align with Proverbs 3:5-6? ([01:00:48])
3. How can understanding the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors (PESTLE analysis) help us navigate threats to our goals? ([45:07])
4. Why is it important to regularly engage in review and reflection in our spiritual walk? ([01:19:05])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant threat to your goals. How did you respond, and what could you have done differently to align your actions with God's will? ([56:07])
2. Identify one area in your life where you need to be more intentional. What specific steps can you take this week to align this area with God's purpose for you? ([01:00:48])
3. Think about a goal you have set for yourself. How can you apply the SMART criteria to make this goal more achievable and aligned with your faith? ([01:11:03])
4. How can you incorporate regular review and reflection into your daily routine to ensure you are staying aligned with God's plan? ([01:19:05])
5. Consider the external factors (political, economic, social, etc.) that might be affecting your current goals. How can you seek God's guidance to navigate these challenges? ([45:07])
6. In what ways can you immerse yourself more in God's word to gain clarity and direction for your life, similar to how Mary knew Jesus' identity? ([01:04:08])
7. How can you be more proactive and disciplined in your spiritual and practical life to overcome threats and achieve the results God has planned for you? ([01:13:17])

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Intentional Faith Living
Intentionality is the cornerstone of a believer's life, requiring more than just a desire for closeness with God—it demands active engagement. To live intentionally means to immerse oneself in the practices that foster a deeper relationship with the Divine. This includes consistent reading of the Bible, dedicated prayer time, and an openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Such a commitment ensures that aspirations are not merely dreams but are transformed into tangible results through deliberate actions and choices that align with God's will.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16

Reflection: How can you structure your daily routine to include more intentional spiritual practices starting today? [07:40]

Day 2: Set SMART Spiritual Goals
Setting SMART goals is not just a business principle; it is a biblical concept that can be applied to our spiritual lives. By setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Aggressive yet Achievable, Relevant, and Time-specific, we can navigate life's challenges with purpose and direction. This approach to goal-setting helps us to focus our efforts and measure our progress, ensuring that we are moving towards the fulfillment of God's plan for our lives, just as Joseph did despite his adversities.

"And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.'" - Habakkuk 2:2

Reflection: What is one SMART goal you can set this week that will help you grow spiritually? [01:11:03]

Day 3: Overcome Threats with Steadfast Faith
The story of Joseph illustrates that threats to our vision can arise from various sources, including our own family, legal systems, and societal pressures. However, by remaining steadfast in God's word and responding with faith, we can overcome these threats. It is essential to recognize that our journey will have obstacles, but with faith and reliance on God's promises, we can see His purpose fulfilled in our lives.

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." - Genesis 50:20

Reflection: What current threat to your spiritual growth can you entrust to God, seeking His strength to persevere? [56:07]

Day 4: Engage in Reflective Gratitude
The practice of review and reflection is essential in our walk with God. It allows us to express gratitude, seek wisdom, and discern God's plan, especially when we face what appears to be setbacks. By regularly evaluating our progress, we can ensure that our actions remain in step with God's intentions for us and adjust our course as necessary to stay aligned with His will.

"Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!" - Lamentations 3:40

Reflection: How can you incorporate a time of reflection into your daily life to ensure you are following God's plan? [01:19:05]

Day 5: Navigate Life with PESTLE Awareness
Understanding the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors that can threaten our goals is crucial. As we set our vision and work towards results, we must be aware of these external influences and navigate them with God's guidance. By considering these factors, we can make informed decisions that align with our faith and God's purpose for our lives.

"The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving." - Proverbs 14:8

Reflection: What is one PESTLE factor that you need to consider this week as you pursue your God-given goals? [45:07]

Quotes

- "Intentional lives allow us to overcome threats and get results. Read His word, surrender to His will, and listen to His Holy Spirit." [01:09:27](Download | Download)

- "Setting SMART Christian goals is crucial. Specific, measurable, aggressive yet achievable, relevant, realistic, and time-specific goals align with our spiritual aspirations." [01:11:03](Download | Download)

- "Living for Jesus is a practical day-to-day activity. Being sold out for Christ means integrating faith into every aspect of our lives, not just on Sundays." [01:14:39](Download | Download)

- "Review and reflection are not just about acknowledging what we didn't do; it's about expressing gratitude, seeking wisdom, and discerning God's plan for us." [01:22:56](Download | Download)

- "The story of Joseph shows us that despite threats, steadfastness in God's plan leads to the preservation of His people and the fulfillment of His promises." [56:07](Download | Download)

- "Understanding the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors is crucial as we set our vision and work towards results with God's guidance." [45:07](Download | Download)

- "We must be intentional in our spiritual lives, actively engaging in reading the Bible, praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit to transform aspirations into tangible results." [01:13:17](Download | Download)

- "The practice of review and reflection is essential in our walk with God, allowing us to stay aligned with His intentions for our lives." [01:19:05](Download | Download)

- "God orchestrates encounters and provides us with opportunities to shine as beacons of aspiration, reflecting our commitment to Him." [44:16](Download | Download)

- "To achieve results, we must be proactive and disciplined in our actions, aligning our goals with God's will and being aware of the threats that may impede our progress." [01:26:42](Download | Download)

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Transcript
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