Setting Goals

My mother always stressed the importance of setting goals, aiming high for desired results, and then striving to achieve them. As I was praying and asking God to help me set goals to think on those things that are pure and righteous; speak what edifies; do those things that please Him; and be all that He calls me to be as His child, I felt a pause in my spirit to meditate on those four words: think, speak, do, and be. The result was humbling. On the surface, those words may seem simple and to the point, but with God, those words carry a deeper meaning, thereby, requiring a greater responsibility in our walk with Him.

1. THINK: What things should we think and not think?

—Think on things of excellence: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

—”Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:3).

—”Do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh?” (Romans 13:14 NIV)

—”If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise” (I Corinthians 3:18).

—”Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know” (I Corinthians 8:2 NIV).

—”If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (I Corinthians 10:12).

SPEAK – What things should we speak and not speak?

—”What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs” (Matthew 10:27).

—”The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Matthew 12:34).

—”In all things speak the truth in Christ” (Romans 9:1).

—”This is what we speak not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words” (I Corinthians 2:13).

—”Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

—”Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).

—”If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God” (I Peter 4:11).

—”Speak to each other about these things every day while there is still time so that none become hardened against God, being blinded by the glamor of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).

—Speak in faith: “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever [speaks] to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” (Mark 11:23 NKJV).

3. DO— What does God call us to do and not to do?

—”Do not speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters” (James 4:11 NIV).

—”Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things” (Matthew 6:34 NKJV).

—”Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

—”Do not be afraid; just believe” (Mark 5:36). “Do not be afraid” appear in the Bible 365 times. This is a command, which tells us that every day, we are not to be afraid. This truth should be embraced in this present day, so that no matter what happens, we will rest in God’s hands.                                                                                         

—” Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

—”Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

—”Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16 NIV).

—”Do to others, as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31 NIV).

—”Do not deceive yourselves. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise” (I Corinthians 3:18 NIV).

—”Do not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2 ESV).

4. BE —What does God want us to be and not to be?

“Be” is a definitive verb that states something decisively and with authority. It is a command and not a suggestion. This truth must be embraced in this present day, so that we can rest safely in God’s hands.

—”Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:7 NIV).

—”Be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28 NIV).

—”[Be confident in this], that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).

—“Be not carnally minded but be engaged in wholesome thinking, as we clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:1).

—“Be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 ESV).

For brevity sake, the above is an abbreviated list of commands and warnings that God has given us for our benefit and well-being. That is why it is critical to study and uncover the deep treasures that His Word holds for us.

This brief study of think, speak, do, and be, caused me to understand the extent of what I was asking of God and what that request requires of me every day. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

This is a wonderful promise to all who faithfully and diligently pay attention to God’s commands and warnings. Then we can take hold of the promised hope and a future beautifully designed by our Creator.

God encourages us to seek Him now with our whole heart while He may be found; call on Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6). For He truly desires fellowship with us, so that we may really know Him. When we do, He will respond with magnanimous love as He shares His heart and instructs and guides us in how to navigate this challenging world in which we live.

PRAYER: FATHER, You care for me so much that You know every detail of my life, every thought, dream, hope, fear, and every word before I speak it. May my goal always be to think and meditate on your Word, to speak Your Word in faith, to do Your Word, and to be a living testimony of Your Word. In Jesus name, amen.