Setting Goals for 2025: A Biblical Approach to Success

 

 

As the new year approaches, many of us begin reflecting on what we want to accomplish in 2025. Setting goals can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming without the right foundation. The Bible provides a powerful framework for goal-setting, grounded in faith and aligned with God’s purpose for our lives. Let’s explore how to make your 2025 goals not just achievable but meaningful, with principles rooted in Scripture.

 

Desire, Pray, Believe

 

Mark 11:24 says, “What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.” This verse highlights three essential principles for achieving your goals: desire, pray, and believe.

     1. Desire: Your goals should stem from a strong or even burning desire. Desires that are rooted in God’s purpose for your life will naturally lead to success.

     2. Pray: Prayer is the key to aligning your desires with God’s will. When you spend time in prayer, your desires become His desires, and His desires become yours. This alignment ensures your goals have eternal significance.

     3. Believe: Faith is essential. When you believe in God’s promises and His ability to provide for your needs and desires, you can move forward with confidence.

 

Align Your Goals with God’s Purpose

 

The primary purpose of our lives is to give glory to God. As you set goals, ask yourself: Does this align with God’s purpose for my life? Your passions, talents, and abilities are often indicators of the purpose God has for you. Consider the needs around you and how your gifts can meet those needs.

 

Philippians 4:19 reminds us that “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” While He promises to meet your fundamental needs, He also delights in giving you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). Ensure your goals align with both your God-given purpose and glorify Him in doing so.

 

Write It Down

 

Habakkuk 2:2 teaches us to “write the vision and make it plain.” Writing your goals down is critical for clarity and focus. When you document your goals, you create a tangible reminder of what you’re working toward. Place your goals somewhere visible so you can review them daily, keeping them fresh in your mind and heart.

 

Create an Action Plan

 

Success requires a plan. Once you’ve identified your goals, break them into actionable steps. Each step should be intentional and aligned with God’s purpose for your life.

 

For example, the SMART framework suggests goals should be:

   •     Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.

   •     Measurable: Establish criteria to track your progress.

   •     Attainable: Set goals that challenge you but are within reach.

   •     Realistic: Ensure your goals are practical and aligned with your current season of life.

   •     Timely: Assign deadlines to create urgency and accountability.

 

While the SMART method is a useful tool, take it to the next level by adding a spiritual dimension: align every goal and action step with God’s purpose and pray over each one.

 

Take Action

 

The difference between dreams and reality is action. James 2:17 reminds us, “Faith without works is dead.” It’s not enough to desire something or believe in it—you must take action steps toward it. Start small if necessary, but start. Progress, no matter how incremental, moves you closer to your goals.

 

Be Flexible

 

As you pursue your goals, remember this saying:

“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”

 

Flexibility is crucial because God may have plans for you that you cannot yet see. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

 

Sometimes, achieving your goals requires adjusting your plans. Be open to God’s leading, even when it means taking a different direction than you expected. Trust that He is in control, and know that every change is positioning you for His purpose for your life.

 

Consider All Areas of Life

 

When setting your goals for 2025, remember the areas of life that need attention to create a balanced and fulfilling year:

   •     Body: Health and physical well-being.

   •     Soul: Emotional and intellectual growth.

   •     Spirit: Your relationship with God and spiritual maturity.

   •     Social: Building meaningful relationships and connections.

   •     Financial: Stewarding your resources wisely.

   •     Family: Strengthening bonds with loved ones.

 

Reflect on these areas and prayerfully consider how you can grow in each one while aligning with God’s purpose.

 

Success in 2025: A Summary

     1. Desire: Set goals based on your God-given passion and purpose.

     2. Pray: Align your desires with God’s will through prayer.

     3. Believe: Have faith that God will provide and guide you.

     4. Write It Down: Make your goals clear and visible.

     5. Plan: Break your goals into actionable steps.

     6. Act: Take consistent action to bring your goals to fruition.

     7. Be Flexible: Trust God’s control and adjust as needed.

 

Final Thoughts

 

As you look ahead to 2025, remember that success is not just about achieving your desires but about glorifying God in the process. By aligning your goals with His purpose, praying for guidance, and taking action, you can step into the new year with confidence and hope.

 

Be flexible and open to God’s leading. When you trust that He is in control, even unexpected changes can work for your good (Romans 8:28). Consider every area of your life—body, soul, spirit, social, financial, and family life—and let 2025 be the year you live intentionally, faithfully, and purposefully. God is with you every step of the way!

 

The Rule of More: Balancing the Wheel of Life in the New Year

 

The Rule of More: Balancing the Wheel of Life in the New Year

Over 40 years ago, I learned about the Rule of More from one of my mentors. It was introduced to me in a business context: the idea that your business associates, vendors, employees, and customers will always want more from you. Whether it’s better service, more value, or greater results, people expect more, and when you stop delivering it, they may look elsewhere. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just how business works. 

At its core, the Rule of More teaches us to stay ahead of the curve, to anticipate needs, and to continually offer more than is expected. This principle served me well in my career and helped shape my approach to success.

But as time passed, I began to see the Rule of More in a broader light. It’s not just about business—it’s about life. We all live in a world where people want more from us, and we ourselves often feel the constant pull to pursue more: more time, more money, more happiness, more fulfillment. The Rule of More applies universally.

The Rule of More in Life

Here’s the interesting thing about the Rule of More: it works both ways. From the giver’s perspective, it challenges us to provide more value, more effort, and more generosity. But from the receiver’s perspective, it reveals the deeper truth that we’re all longing for something greater—something that truly satisfies.

Years ago, this reflection led me to preach a sermon about the Rule of More, focusing on the spiritual outpouring of Pentecost. For this blog, I’ve adjusted the lens to view the Rule of More through the lens of the New Year. How can we navigate life’s demands and desires while staying grounded and fulfilled?

A Tool for Balance: The Wheel of Life

In pursuing more, one of the greatest challenges is maintaining balance. It’s easy to overextend ourselves in one area of life while neglecting others. That’s where a tool I’ve used for decades comes in: The Wheel of Life.

The Wheel of Life is a simple yet profound concept. Imagine a wheel with spokes, each representing a key area of your life:

• Body: Your physical health and well-being.

• Soul: Your mind, will, and emotions.

• Spiritual: Your connection to God and your faith.

• Social: Your relationships and community.

• Financial: Your approach to money and resources.

• Family: Your relationships with loved ones.

At the hub—the center of it all—is God. Everything flows from this core. When one area is neglected, the wheel becomes uneven, making it harder to move forward.

A Worthy New Year Resolution

As you enter 2025, a worthy resolution is to bring balance to your Wheel of Life. This doesn’t mean striving for perfection in every area but ensuring that each part of your life gets the attention it deserves.

Here’s how to approach it:

1. Body

• Commit to caring for your physical health through regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient rest. A strong body supports a strong mind and spirit.

2. Soul

• Take time to nurture your emotional and mental well-being. Reflect on your decisions, manage stress, and invest in personal growth.

3. Spiritual

• Strengthen your relationship with God. Make time for prayer, Scripture, and moments of reflection. The hub of the wheel holds everything together.

4. Social

• Build and maintain meaningful relationships. Focus on being present and intentional with friends, colleagues, and your community.

5. Financial

• Review your financial habits and goals. Are you being a good steward of your resources? Balance includes planning for the future while being generous in the present.

6. Family

• Invest time and energy into your family. These are the relationships that matter most and provide a foundation of love and stability.

The Rule of More in 2025

As we step into the New Year, the Rule of More offers a valuable reminder: life will always demand more of us, and we will always desire more. The key is to focus on the right kind of more—the more that aligns with our values, nurtures our relationships, and supports our growth.

Here are a few questions to consider as you set your resolutions:

• What kind of “more” am I pursuing in 2025?

• How can I give more to others in ways that matter?

• Is my Wheel of Life balanced, or are certain areas being neglected?

• Am I keeping God at the center of it all?

Moving Forward

The Rule of More challenges us to grow and give in meaningful ways. But it also reminds us to pause and reflect, ensuring that the “more” we seek brings balance and fulfillment rather than stress and burnout.

This New Year, let’s aim to align the more we give and the more we pursue with what truly matters. By balancing the areas of our lives and keeping God at the center, we can move forward with purpose and peace.

Here’s to a 2025 filled with balance, gratitude, and the right kind of more.

The Who, What, Why, and How of Forgiveness

 

The Who, What, Why, and How of Forgiveness

Key Verse: Ephesians 4:26

“Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” (NKJV)

Forgiveness is one of the most important things we can learn as Christians, but it’s not always easy. It’s about more than just saying, “I forgive you.” Forgiveness is about letting go of anger, healing relationships, and reflecting God’s love.

To understand forgiveness better, let’s break it down into the who, what, why, and how—and learn how to forgive in a way that pleases God.

The Who of Forgiveness

When it comes to forgiveness, there are three people involved:

1. Yourself:

Forgiveness starts with you. Sometimes, we hold onto guilt or blame ourselves for mistakes. To forgive others, you first need to forgive yourself and accept that God forgives you too.

2. God:

We all make mistakes, and we need to ask God for forgiveness when we do. The Bible promises in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

3. The Person Who Hurt You:

This could be a family member, a friend, or even a stranger. When someone wrongs you, forgiving them is not just about letting them off the hook—it’s about obeying God and freeing yourself from anger. Jesus taught in Matthew 6:14-15, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

The What of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about pretending the wrong didn’t happen or excusing bad behavior. Forgiveness means:

• Letting Go: It’s deciding to stop holding onto anger or seeking revenge.

• Releasing the Hurt: Forgiveness means giving the pain to God and letting Him heal you.

• Choosing Grace: Just like God shows us grace, we are called to forgive others, even if they don’t deserve it.

Forgiveness is not a feeling—it’s a choice to trust God and let Him take care of the rest.

The Why of Forgiveness

Why is forgiveness so important?

1. To Avoid Sin:

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:26-27, “Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Holding onto anger can give the enemy a chance to cause more harm in your life.

2. To Reflect God’s Love:

Forgiving others shows the world that we follow Jesus. He forgave us first, so we can forgive others.

3. To Free Your Heart:

When you forgive, you let go of heavy feelings like bitterness and hurt. Forgiveness brings peace.

4. To Heal Relationships:

Forgiveness makes it possible to fix broken relationships and bring people closer together.

Forgiveness isn’t just about the past—it’s about finding freedom and peace for your future.

The How of Forgiveness

Forgiveness can be hard, especially if someone hurt you deeply. Here’s a simple way to practice forgiveness:

1. Start with Yourself:

Forgive yourself for mistakes you’ve made. Let go of guilt and trust that God forgives you too.

2. Pray for Help:

Ask God to give you the strength, ability, and desire to forgive the person who hurt you.

3. Forgive in Your Heart:

You don’t have to talk to the person face-to-face to forgive them. Forgiveness happens in your heart, between you and God.

4. Seek Reconciliation if Possible:

Once you’ve forgiven the person in your heart, try to make peace with them if you can.

This step takes love and compassion, which Jesus always modeled for us. Love means wanting the best for someone, even if they’ve hurt you. Compassion means trying to understand what they might be going through.

In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul says: “Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another… But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”

Reconciliation doesn’t mean everything will go back to the way it was. It might look different, but the act of forgiving and trying to restore peace honors God. As Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Resolving Conflict God’s Way

Forgiveness is not just about the other person—it’s about freeing your heart and trusting God. Ephesians 4:26 teaches us to let go of anger quickly so it doesn’t grow into something worse.

To truly forgive, start by forgiving yourself. Ask God to forgive you, and pray for the strength to forgive others. You don’t have to confront the person who hurt you to forgive them—just release the hurt to God. If the opportunity comes to make peace with them, take it, but it’s not essential to the act of forgiveness.

Forgiveness heals wounds, brings peace, and reflects God’s love. When we forgive, we show the world what it means to follow Jesus and live in His grace. Remember, forgiveness isn’t just about the past—it’s about stepping into a brighter, freer future.

Forgive, and watch how God sets you free.