New Year Priorities

I. Introduction: In the past couple of weeks, the elders have been talking about spiritual goals for the church and work we can do next year to reach them. Next week the elders will present some of these goals and entertain discussion of things important to the church at Northwood. On a personal level, we need to set spiritual goals as well. Many people begin the new year with a resolve to make improvements in their lives. Some want to be healthier, some want to be wealthier, and most simply want to be better. As we approach this new year, we must make God the priority in our planning. All things must be centered with Him or it will come to nothing.

II. Why we need to plan

A. If we evaluate our life from the past year, we may find that another year has passed without significant growth.

B. A plan will outline specific goals that, when attained, will provide a foundation for future spiritual growth. Without a plan we will be like a ship adrift in the sea, following the waves and the wind instead of a ship cutting through the waves to reach its destination.

C. There is much to do and little time.

D. Many things will fill up our time if we do not take control. Ephesians 5:15-16 – “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” A plan will help us schedule time for important things and find time wasters that keep us from growing.

E. A plan will give us a path to our goals.

F. When we take driving trips, we get out maps to determine what roads we must take to reach our destination. When we set spiritual goals, we must determine how to reach them Our goals must be specific (not “I want to learn more about the Bible” but “I want to be able to show from the Bible how a person can become a Christian,” or “I want to study the parables,” read Bible in a year)

G. Our goals must be realistic.

H. Unrealistic goals put unneeded pressure on us and set us up for failure and disappointment. Realistic goals, which account for our available time and ability, provide victories that encourage us to better growth.

I. We are stewards of time God has given us and so must use it wisely.

J. Parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30. We must give an account to God in judgment (Romans 14:12) so it is imperative that we prepare now to give a good accounting of our use of God’s time. God gives each person 24-hours each day. How we use or waste it is entirely up to us.

III. To make our goals spiritually focused, we must have certain attitudes.

A. Stewardship

B. We are stewards of time God has given to us.

C. We must also view our material possessions as stewardship—how can we use our material possessions to glorify God?

D. We can use our homes for hospitality. We can use our kitchens to prepare meals for those who need them We can use our cars for transportation for those who need it.

E. Our families can be used for His glory.

F. Instead of being an obstacle or an excuse, families can work together as a team to serve God and fellow brethren. Our children are often a connection to others whom we can teach that we might not have met otherwise.

G. Priority

H. We have to establish priorities in our lives and determine to give our best effort, time, and money in supporting those priorities. If you do not establish your main priorities you will fill your time (and allow others to fill your time) with lesser priorities and time wasters. We must establish what is important and plan around it.

I. Matthew 6:33-34 – The kingdom of God is to be first.

J. Must be in word and deed We preach this principle but if we do not dedicate time to prayer, study, and work for the Lord’s kingdom we are not practicing it. When we put God’s kingdom first, He will take care of the little things. We must trust Him! This does not negate the requirement to work hard and work well (Proverbs 10:4; 27:23-27; Ecclesiastes 3:9-13).Our priorities (God, family, etc.) cannot be just lofty principles but must be the cornerstone of our life plan

K. Discipline

L. The greatest challenge of all is to maintain the discipline to do what we have determined. Our tendency is to go back to what we have always done; it takes time to develop good habits. We must not get frustrated when we fail, but get up and resolve to do better in the future.

M. Discipline requires that we organize our time so we can have time for study, prayer, service, strengthening the bonds with spouse and children, recreation for self.

N. Some do not like to make plans for they think them confining. Those who have used time management principles have found that the control over their time allowed them to enjoy life more since they were able to do what was important to themselves and others.

O. Discipline requires that we sometimes say “no.”

P. This is a difficult concept because we are asked by many people that we admire and love to do things that we really do not want to do and do not need to do.

Q. We must realize that we cannot do everything. We must realize that for some things that we just cannot do others will do it.

R. There are many organizations that have their own agendas and plan things that require volunteer time.

S. Some of these things are good and we can meet other people, perhaps teaching them the gospel. However, we can not always do everything that others want us to do. We must know our agenda and, if it corresponds with the organization, fine, but if not, be willing to say “no.”

T. Of course, we should not say “no” all of the time.

U. Some out of laziness or selfishness will do nothing in service to others; this is not what we are discussing. However, some can never say “no” and so their spiritual lives and family relationships suffer for someone else’s agenda.

V. Practice

W. Learn time management principles

X. There are many books in the library and bookstore that teach the principles and methods. Read several, take what is good and use it.“You will never find the time, you must make time.” Make realistic, specific goals about what you want to attain next year then determine what exact steps you must take to reach them. Evaluate what you are doing now to see if there are things that you can delegate to others (kids and housework) or quit doing altogether (committees, subscriptions) that would free up time to do what you need to be doing.

Y. Most importantly, ask God for help and wisdom

Z. Proverbs 3:1-18 James 1:5-8