Chuck Lawless | What Are Your Goals for 2017?

Wow! Can you believe it’s already the middle of January 2017!!!?

It is, though, and it’s time to turn our attention to what God might want to accomplish this year. If you haven’t already set your goals (and even if you have), I encourage you to set goals in each of these areas:

1. Spiritual disciplines. Establish a plan to spend time with God each day. Do whatever it takes to walk more closely with God (to learn how I read the Word each year, click here).
2. Relationships. Most of us have room for improvement in how we relate to others. Perhaps you need to pray more regularly with your family. You might need to reconcile with someone.
3. Finances. Saving money requires a plan. Set goals, start working your plan, and spend wisely. If you do, you’ll have more to give to God’s work.
4. Career. Whatever your profession is, you likely want to improve in some area. Do all that you do for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).
5. Education. Even if you have earned a terminal degree in your discipline, there’s always more to know. Set some reading goals. Take another class. Keep learning.
6. Health. God has given us one body that He expects us to take care of. Simply walking more each day is a start.
7. Local church. If you’re not already involved in a local church, you can start now. If you’re already committed to a congregation, don’t let yourself grow stagnant – set some new goals for service in that church.
8. Evangelism. Few of us are natural evangelists. Set a goal to share the gospel with somebody at least once a month, once a week, etc.
9. Missions. Your options might include international service, or they might be limited to North American opportunities – but you can likely do something.
10. Spiritual reproduction. Make a commitment to pour yourself into another Christian this year, with this goal in mind: somebody will love and follow Christ more at the end of 2017.

Dr. Lawless currently serves as Professor of Evangelism and Missions, Dean of Graduate Studies, and Vice-President for Graduate Studies and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Seminary, in addition to serving as Team Leader for Theological Education Strategists for the International Mission Board.

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