Goals v. Faith

[Symphony]

I hear lots of people setting goals for themselves.  It's really big in the business world.  There was a whole James Belushi/Charles Grodin movie centered around this, "Taking Care of Business", in which Grodin, obcessed with his business routine down to the split second, accidentally loses his "File-a-Facts" calendar/wallet, around which his entire schedule revolves and exists.

What do you think about goal setting.  Do you think it's in conflict with living by "faith".

So much of the NT is about living by faith.

[aw]

I think its called "HOPE" in scripture. It refers to
steadfast confidence" that something will occur and not the "wishing and hoping" thast is usually attached to faith.

"Now FAITH is the substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith starts with HOPE or there is something you are confident in or about.

God is the source of all hope and will suply us abundantly with it. Romans 15:13 is super on this regard.

There abideth faith, hope, and love with the greatest being love. God loves us so we can have faith and be confident.

aw

[Symphony]

Hi, aw.  Thanks.

For me, goals seems to be in conflict with faith.

[Petro]

A parable at Luke 19:9-28, gives some insight into, setting goals and ones future.

Not all are called to be pastors, or teachers, or evangelists, or whatever, but all who are called, are equipped with gifts to occupy till I come.

All Christians are called to live in the world, but not be of it.

And Jesus prayed to the Father at Jhn 17;

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;


The goal (which can be accomplished no matter what one does for a living) is that JESUS might be declared to a dying world.

Blessings,

Perot

[Symphony]

Thank you, Petro.  Yes, that's a wonderful "goal".

[Petro]

Thank you, Petro.  Yes, that's a wonderful "goal".

Symphony.


Amen,

And concerning the confidence which aw spoke of,

.......this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (1 Jhn 5:14)

  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (Heb 3:12-14)

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Phil3:3)

Our confidence is in Him, becuase it is wrought in God..


God Bless,

Petro

[Allinall]

I think there are two distinctions here: goals and plans.  Jesus made it clear that plans are necessary, afterall, one doesn't begin to build a tower without first checking the cost, and figuring his finances so as to be able to complete the task started.  Jesus used that as a springboard for counting the cost of following Him.  He tells us to plan for the cost, and to consider it well.

However, when we think of setting goals, there is one stipulation I see given in scripture - "If the Lord wills...I will go here, buy this, do this, etc."  Forgive my paraphrase.  The point being that having goals isn't wrong.  Living life without the understanding that it is God Who is in control is.  It is He Who molds our goals, and often changes them.  That is why we must look to Him first, bathe our "goals" in prayer, found them in sound, godly counsel, and ensure that they are His will and not our own will alone.  God is sovereign.  We just need to remember that in more ways than just simply saying so.