Setting Goals (Part 5)

This post will suggest some goals, that you may want to consider adopting for yourself, that will help you grow intellectually (or help you maintain good mental health).

Before reflecting on these suggested goals you may want to review the four preview posts related to setting goals: Setting Your Personal Goals for 2015, Without Goals You Have Nothing to Shoot For, Getting Started writing Your Goals,   and Choosing Your Social Goals.

As in previous posts, we will use Scripture as the resource for suggested goals. There are many references in Scripture that we could use.  I selected thirteen scripture passages for your consideration.

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Sanctify them in the truth; your word (God’s word) is truth. (John 17:17 ESV)

• Know that God’s word is truth.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 ESV)

• Know that human understanding (humanism) is flawed.

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs 2:6 ESV)

• Know that God gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5 ESV)

• Be quick to ask God for wisdom

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105 ESV)

• Make the Bible your primary resource for intellectual growth.

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11 ESV)

• Know that it is important to spend time in the Word every day.

 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. (Psalm 119:16 ESV)

• Enjoy reading your Bible.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8 ESV)

• Spend time throughout the day contemplating the truths you are learning.
• Apply the truths you are learning to your life.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, (2 Timothy 2:15-16 ESV)

• Take your intellectual growth (mental health) seriously.
• Don’t waste time with foolish discussions about hypothetical situations.

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. (Psalm 119:15 ESV)

• Stay focused in your studies.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13 ESV)

• Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:9 ESV)
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:23 ESV)

• Be a good listener.

 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 ESV)

• Allow other people to help you grow intellectually.

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Suggested goals to promote intellectual growth (good mental health) in 2015:

• I will look to God’s Word for truth.
• I will remind myself that human understanding is flawed.
• I will remember that God gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
• I will be quick to ask God for wisdom.
• I will make the Bible my primary resource for intellectual growth.
• I will attempt to spend time in the Word every day.
• I will enjoy reading my Bible.
• I will spend time throughout the day contemplating the truths I am learning.
• I will attempt to apply the truths I am learning to my life.
• I will take my intellectual growth (mental health) seriously.
• I will try not to waste time with foolish discussions about hypothetical situations.
• I will try to stay focused when I am studying.
• I will look to the Holy Spirit for guidance.
• I will work at being a good listener.
• I will see other people as a valuable resource for stimulating intellectual growth.

Without goals you have nothing to shoot for.

 Check out www.seekinghiskingdomministries.com for additional posts.