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“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>For anyone who has a commitment to allow Christ to lead their life, did you consult Him on what should be top priority in 2011 for you? Are your goals in accordance with Christian values and is the time required or plans to do them not in conflict with what God wants you to do? As Isaiah 49:1 and Jeremiah 1:5 says, God knew us before we were born and he had plans for us even then.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>God is in no way opposed to our achievement, but toward good and eternal things and achieved in appropriate ways. Even Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24 – 26 and Philippians 3:13-15 noted the importance of goals focused on seeking God’s Kingdom; answering God’s call and the discipline necessary to achieve what God puts before us to get the ultimate crown.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>God wants to be involved in all areas of our life but we must seek him (Psalm 37:4-6). Set goals in accordance to His word and specific to what He plans for you. But how can you do that?
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In 1993, I completed the training session The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;”>. author of the book by the same name, is affiliated with the Institute for Principle-Centered Leadership. It is an excellent resource for being productive in business but is good for anyone plotting what they want to accomplish and how to make goals real, measurable and not just dreams. You plan based on values and roles important to you, as God’s word says.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As you make goals, consider roles that are most important. Are you a wife, mother, father, husband, daughter, son, friend, employee, student, church and community worker in addition to being a Christian?
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Will the goal take time away from things that should be first or should the goal for a time hold a high priority? A goal that might hold a higher priority for a time might be to stop drinking because it is becoming detrimental to your other roles and to you, or going back to school to get a job or better job as God leads.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Do other projects or plans need to be of less importance or deleted?
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In the 1990s I joined a fitness club and exercised in the evenings after work. There was nothing wrong with the plan, but I was a wife and mother, and it just didn’t work, my family needed me. I learned to exercise in the mornings at home without disruption to my top roles, my husband and children.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ask God for guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6). Establish objectives (Psalms 37:23 – 24). Be disciplined and schedule time to do what God has put in your heart knowing He promises to help. You will succeed in doing what God has for you, as long as you follow Him (Philippians 1:6).
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ecclesiastes 3:1 says there is a time to every purpose. Let the Lord lead you to the purposes for you. As a Christian, your ultimate goal is to be commended by God or pleasing in His sight (Matthew 22:37-39; 2 Corinthians 10:18). Even if your plans are pleasing, is how you are going about it pleasing in His sight? Pray and consult God’s word to be sure.
