Biblical Goals Are FAITH Goals

In review of Philippians 4:13 it says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (ESV).

Philippians 4:13

Paul tells how he has learned contentment and the secret of living in every situation. For he could do everything through Christ, who gives him strength.

Paul was content because he could see life from God's point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. Paul had his priorities straight, and he was grateful for everything God had given him. Paul was able to detach himself from the nonessential so that he could concentrate on the eternal. Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in life. True contentment comes from my perspective, priorities and my source of power.

Can I really do everything? The power I receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do his will and to face the challenges that arise from my commitment to doing it. He does not grant me superhuman ability to accomplish anything I can imagine without regard to his interests. As I contend for faith, I will face troubles, pressures and trials. As they come, I can ask Christ to strengthen me.

God will help me in any area of my life that I give to him, including time management. To make the most of my time, I must believe that God will help me if I trust him.

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (ESV). I’m either going to be mastered by the clock, or I’m going to master it. And the only way I can truly master it is with the help of Christ, who gives me strength.

We’re not talking here about positive thinking or pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps, self-help psychology. I need more than positive thinking. I need supernatural help to manage my schedule and my calendar.

Faith is a factor in how I manage my time. Even setting goals is a matter of faith. I have to believe that God will help me. Jesus said, “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Matthew 9:29 NIV).

Setting FAITH goals is how I manage my time in a biblical way. This morning I’ve come across five characteristics of a FAITH goal:

Focused. A focused goal is specific. You cannot use the words “more” or “less” in a focused goal, because those words cannot be measured. I must say, “I want to do this by this date.”

Attainable. An attainable goal is possible in faith. If I don’t have enough faith to believe it, don’t set it, because I’m wasting my time. Unrealistic goals are just going to discourage me.

Individual. This means that my goal concerns me, not somebody else. I cannot set a goal for what I can’t control!

Trackable. A trackable goal is measurable. I can measure my progress and prove that I did it.

Heartfelt. I have to feel passionately about my goal. If I set a goal that I’m not passionate about, I’m not going to accomplish it.

So will I be ready to set big, bold goals in faith? Start managing my time well by making goals that are focused, attainable, individual, trackable, and heartfelt.

Bottom Line:

Christ gives us the strength to face anything.

What this means to me:

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. With the help of Christ, I can do everything God asks me to.

In summary, Knowing that I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength is the key to contentment and the secret of living in every situation. I need to learn to see things from God's point of view and be grateful for everything God has given me. I'm learning that true contentment comes from my perspective, priorities and my source of power. The power I receive from my union with Christ is sufficient to do his will and to face the challenges that arise from my commitment to doing it. In my life, I will face trouble, pressures and trials. God will help me in any area of life that I choose to give to him. I must believe that God will help me if I trust him. I can manage my time well by making goals that are focused, attainable, individual, tractable and heartfelt.

This morning Father I thank you for your reminder to me that I trust in you, you will provide what I need to accomplish it. I pray today that you will provide me with your wisdom and guidance on what’s in front of me, how I lead and interact with others. This I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen!