I’m preparing now for my State of The Church talk for Alive Church in a couple of weeks, I will be looking back at all we have done and all God has accomplished through us this past year. I will also be looking ahead toward 2014 at our ministry goals and the strategies to reach them. I will also be sharing my personal goals – it gives me great accountability for the year.  Here are 4 key areas that I am setting goals in and will be sharing publically based on Luke 2:52: “ Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” (NLT) Consider what you would like to accomplish in 2014 in each of these areas:

1.     Intellectually

Ask this question: what do I need to learn in 2014? Your mind is a gift from God and you have a responsibility to develop it. Like any muscle in your body, if you don’t use it you will lose it – atrophy will set in. “To acquire wisdom is to love oneself;

people who cherish understanding will prosper.”  (Prov 19:8 NLT)

2.     Physically

Ask this question: what do I need to do in 2014 to improve my health? You may need to lose some weight or get more rest. It may be as simple as beginning an exercise plan or changing your eating habits. Perhaps you need to chill in 2014 to relieve yourself of living such a stressful lifestyle. There are tips throughout Scripture to help with health: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” (Prov 17:22 NLT)

3.     Spiritually

Ask this question: what will help me to grow closer to God in 2014? In 2 Peter 3:18 Peter wrote, “…you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (NLT) Like any other area of your life, growth is not automatic. You must be intentional about your Spiritual growth.

4.     Socially

Ask this question: What will my ministry to others be in 2014? “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10, NLT) Don’t just hope you get a chance to use your spiritual gifts in 2014, instead prayerfully make a plan and ask God to use you in your social circles to change lives for the sake of eternity.

It is a known fact that less than 5% of Americans develop and write their goals. By taking this simple action you will be giving yourself an opportunity to be a part of the top 5%. Begin with these four areas, write them down, put them on your refrigerator or tape them to the mirror in your bathroom. As you think about this you may feel like you have tried before and failed, that you did not have the power to see them through in the past. That’s why it’s important to ask Jesus to give you the strength you need and to rely on Him moment by moment: “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph 6:10 NLT)

You may have read many self help books, they give you many great things to do, but they can’t give you the power you need to do them. Only God can do that through His son Jesus “in his mighty power”. Live like Jesus in 2014 by developing goals Intellectually, Physically, Spiritually and Socially.

“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” (Luke 2:52 NLT)

Next Steps For Your 2014 Goals:

Take action now, take 20 minutes today and write a goal for each of these four areas of your life in 2014. Put them in visible places and make them a matter of prayer on a daily basis. Get a copy of my book Life Palette today to help make 2014 your best year ever and live as the masterpiece God created you to be.