Three Things Needed to Reach My Goals

In review of Proverbs 16:9 it says, “We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.”

Bottom Line:

We can make our own plans, but the Lord will direct our actions.

What this means to me:

I can and should make plans on the way I want to live, but remember that God will direct determine my steps.

Proverbs 16:9 explains that, “We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it” (MSG).

I get to plan the way I want to live, but only God gives me the power and energy to actually make the transformation. What I’m learning is that there are three things I must have to reach my goals and to change my life.

First, I need God’s Spirit to empower me to make changes that I can’t make on my own. It’s not based on willpower; it’s based on God power. It’s not based on trying; it’s based on trusting.

Zechariah 4:6 explains, “‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD All-Powerful” (NCV).

Secondly, I need God’s Word to guide me. The Bible really is the owner’s manual for life. The more I read, study, memorize, and meditate on it, the more successful and fulfilled I’m going to be in life.

When Joshua was given the great dream of taking over the Promised Land; a goal that was going to take him the rest of his life, God had these words to say to him: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (Joshua 1:8 NASB).

Lastly, I need God’s people (fellowship) to support me. It’s difficult to reach my goals on my own. It takes a team to help fulfill a dream! A crowd can’t support me, but a small group can. They know when I’m sick, when I’m having a tough time, and when I need a break. I can share my goals and my successes and failures, and they will rejoice with me and encourage me to keep going. I need this to support me as I make the right kind of goals and pursue them wholeheartedly.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 explains, “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped” (MSG).

In retrospect, I find that I go into automatic mode quite a bit. When I do this, I’m not thinking about trusting God’s Spirit to work in my life. It does help that I make it a habit to get into God’s Word during the weekdays. This helps me to leverage the instruction and wisdom I get from it. I do have a small team that can provide input into my life. With this new year upon us, it’s time for me to get back together with these guys. Overall, I need to remember that I need the Spirit to empower me, His Word to guide me and a small group of guys to help support me.