Rick Warren's Blog, page 526

Goals Help You Do What Matters Most

The Bible tells us that Jesus set goals. In fact he often announced publicly what his goal was for the next phase of his ministry.

So why should you set goals? We���re going to talk about three reasons today and three more tomorrow.

The Three Things You Need to Reach Your Goals

Proverbs 16:9 says, ���We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it��� (The Message).

You get to plan the way you want to live, but only God gives you the power and energy to actually make the transformation. Why? Because God provides the three things you must have to reach your goal and change your life.

What Kind of Goal Does God Bless?

Not every goal that you can set is a good goal or one that God���s going to bless.

So how do you know the kind of goal that God will bless? Ask yourself these questions:

Trust God for the Help You Need

Obviously, when God and Jacob entered their wrestling match, God could have overpowered Jacob and ended things instantly. Why did God let the struggle go on?

Here���s the lesson: When God allows a crisis into your life, he doesn���t solve it immediately. He lets it go on for a while because he wants to see if you���re really serious about seeking him. If God answered every prayer immediately, you���d begin to think God was a big vending machine: Put in a prayer, pull out whatever you need.

A Crisis Can Lead to Healing Choices

Are you in a crisis today? That means God is up to something! You���re about to be changed. You don���t have to stay the same. God is getting ready to make a change in your life.

The Bible teaches that our biggest struggle in life is with God because we want to be in control. We want to be God.

The Giants Between You and Your Dream

In the story of David in 1 Samuel, he actually had to fight four other giants before he got to Goliath. They weren���t physical giants, but they were giants in his mind.

You are far more likely to have to face those giants than a Goliath, but they can be just as big and intimidating, and they can keep you from becoming who God wants you to be and fulfilling the dream that God has put in your heart.

Here���s What You Should Spend Your Money On

The best use of your money is using it to get people into Heaven.

Luke 16:9 is a problem verse that most people don���t understand. Jesus says, ���Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home��� (NLT).

Wise Money Managers Look Ahead

Money is a tool to be used for God���s purposes. We���re not to hoard it. We���re not to stockpile it. We���re not to worship it. We���re to use it! Use temporary resources ��� what God has put in your hands ��� for permanent good.

Your Money Management Matters to God

God uses money to test you. He doesn���t just automatically give his blessings to anybody; he tests you first to see if you���re responsible. If he can trust you with material possessions, then he can trust you with spiritual power. But if you���re not even managing your money well, why in the world should he give you the stuff that really matters?

How to Be Biblically Shrewd with Your Money

The Bible tells a story in Luke 16:1-13 of a rich man who enlisted a manager to take care of his property. When the manager was accused of mishandling his master���s money and was called in to give an account of his stewardship, the manager devised a plan.