"GOALS"

It has been said, "If one aims at nothing, he probably will hit it." The setting of goals plays an important part in our lives. If a person does not set goals, then he will accomplish little during his lifetime. If a Christians does not set goals, then he will accomplish very little for Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul was a goal setter. 

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind…" (Philippians 3:13-15). 

The setting of goals is important; but if we do not put forth an exerted effort to achieve the goals we set for ourselves, then those goals will never be accomplished. If each Christian will set goals and then strive to achieve those goals, the congregation as a whole will benefit. Let’s look at some goals which as Christians, we should set for ourselves.

LET US DETERMINE TO BE BETTER STUDENTS OF GOD’S WORD

"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby," I Peter 2:2

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15

"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25

The Bible teaches that if one seeks to become a better student of God’s Word, he must desire to study God’s Word and then apply what he has learned from his study to his life. I would like to tell you that there is an easier way to study God’s Word. I would like to tell you that all you have to do is place your Bible under your pillow and in the morning you will be more knowledgeable in the Word of God. But the reality is that if you and I want to become better student of God’s Word, then we must find the time to study those profound and precious truths that are found therein. If I want a better knowledge of God’s Word, then it begins and ends with me. " Study to shew thyself approved unto God" (II Timothy 2:15, KJV).

It saddens me when I come upon Christians, who by this time in their Christian lives should be tremendous students of God’s Word; but they have progressed very little in their knowledge of God’s Word—they are still spiritual infants. Although it saddens it does not shock me, for when I read my Bible I find that the writer of Hebrews encounters the same thing (Read Hebrews 5:11-6:2). Realizing the importance of becoming better students of God’s Word, what are some things that we can do to accomplish this goal?

1. We can properly manage our time.
The Bible teaches us that we must be "redeeming the time" (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5). We all have the same amount time, are we making the most of our time. Often times as Christians we will review how we are spending our money to determine if we are being good stewards of that which God has giving us. Have you ever sat down and reviewed how you are spending your time to determine if we are being good stewards of that which God has giving us? God has giving us 24 hour days are we using those hours wisely and to His glory.

2. We can set our priorities in order (Matthew 6:33).
I could give you scripture upon scripture that speak of the importance of putting God first in our lives; but Matthew 6:33 is enough. Either you and I are seeking God first and He is pleased or we are not seeking God first and thus he is not pleased and we need to repent of this and strive to put God first and foremost in our lives. If you and I get Mt. 6:33 right then we will never have a problem finding the time to study God’s Word.

LET US DETERMINE TO BE BETTER TEACHERS OF GOD’S WORD.

The Bible teaches that a person is lost due to fact that he is a sinner (Eph. 2:1-3) and that if continues down this road the outcome is everlasting destruction (II Thess. 1:8,9) and that the only means that can save this person is the Gospel (Rom. 1:16). Do you and I believe this? If so, what are we doing about it. It is obvious that the Christians we read about in the Bible believed this truth of God, for notice what they did (Acts 8:4; I Thess. 1:8; I Peter 2:9). Are we taking the time to teach the Gospel to our co-workers, to our family, to our friends, to our neighbors. You maybe the only Christian that these people ever come in contact with. May we set forth an exerted effort to teach others the glorious Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

LET US DETERMINE TO BE A BETTER INFLUENCE FOR CHRISTIANITY.

Every Christian is an influence of the good or the bad. If we talk like the world, if we dress like the world, if we travel like the world (go into the same places that world goes) we can and will not be a positive influence for Christianity. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16), wherever Paul went he carried it with him. Do I carry the good news of Christ with me wherever I go.

Are you a positive influence for Christianity on the job, in the home, around your relatives, around your friends. Again, you may be the only Christian that these people ever come in contact with. What concept of Christianity do these people have based upon observing you (II Cor. 3:2)? Are they attracted to Christianity or are they repulsed to Christianity by the way you live your life? May we heed the words of our Savior, 

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16 

As we begin the new year, let each of us determine to be a better servant for Jesus Christ than we were the year before. Let us seek to become better students of God’s word. Let us seek to become better teachers of God’s Word. Let us seek to become a better influence for Christianity. If you are not a Christian, the greatest goal you can set and achieve for yourself is to become a Christian, for on the day of judgment whether or not you were obedient to the Gospel during your life here upon this earth will be the only thing that matters (John 12:48). As Christians, may we seek to be best possible servants that we can be for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mike Gurganus
PO Box 916
Henderson, NC 27536