1. Pleasing the Lord with Your Goals
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  (NIV)

As you make your resolutions, make them with the Lord in mind.  Think about what areas of your character you know God would be pleased for you to change.  Ask God, "What do You what me to do with my life this year?"

2. Be Realistic
Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. (NIV)

Don't set yourself up for failure by picking goals that are impracticable.  You'll become discouraged and give up before you see any results.  Instead, select a few goals that are most important.  Make sure that the goals stretch you a little beyond your comfort zone but are still attainable.  Rome wasn't built in a day and your goals shouldn't try to revamp your whole life in one year.

3. Define Specific Steps for Each Goal
Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (NIV)

Jesus had a plan for everything he did.  There was never a time when he "winged" it.  Don't expect to be successful without a plan.  Each goal needs to be defined in terms of the steps that are needed to see the goal to fruition.  Be specific and write down exactly how you will accomplish each goal.

4. Set a Completion Date for Each Goal
Proverbs 20:4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. (NIV)

You also need to set a time frame for achieving each goal, otherwise the temptation to put off or forget about your resolutions will bring you to the end of the year without any victories.  Don't be like the sluggard who looks for a harvest but finds nothing.  Plow in season so that you will have something to reap at harvest time.

5. Praying Daily About Your Goals
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (NIV) When we put God in charge of our goals we will succeed.  It is His promise!

Jesus had a plan for everything he did.  There was never a time when he "winged" it.  Don't expect to be successful without a plan.

6. Monitor Your Progress
2 Chronicles 24:13a The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them. (NIV)

Set a time every month to review your goals and check your progress.  If you are diligent you will see progress.  You might even want to develop a chart so that you can chronicle your progress.  As you achieve each goal you can reward yourself with a predetermined prize such as going to your favorite restaurant or a new outfit.

7. Don't Give Up
James 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (NIV)

Don't give up when you blow it.  When you miss the mark, get back up and keep trying.  You only fail when you quit.

Goal Categories
Below are some categories from which you can select your resolutions.  Try to choose one goal from each category and remember not to go overboard.

1. Spiritual
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

Spiritual goals can be anything that will help you to grow in your relationship with God: committing to reading the Bible and praying daily, praying about and working on changing an area of your character that is not in line with God's will (ask your spouse or a friend for input).

2. Family
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel : The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (NIV)

Make goals to help your children grow spiritually.  God has given you the charge of teaching them about Him.  What you do now will have a profound effect on their desire to know God as they get older, especially in their teen years.  Make goals for weekly family times that include short Bible studies and discipling.  Make a plan to teach them how to put what they learn each week into practice through practical applications.  Teach them to pray by praying with them daily.  The best way to teach your children is through your personal example.  Children will rebel against anything your try to teach them about God if you live a "do as I say not as I do" lifestyle.  This may be something to think about when you make your own spiritual goals.

3. Home
Titus 2:5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (NIV)

Goals for home improvement come under this heading: painting, decorating, landscaping, etc.  These are things that will make your home more inviting, functional and organized.

4. Physical
1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)

These goals are related to your body: getting to the doctor for an annual check up, loosing weight, getting in shape, quitting a bad habit, updating your hair style, etc.

5. Social
Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (NIV)

This goal is for building friendships and serving others.  Have a couple over for dinner, meet neighbors you don't know, volunteer with a non-profit organization, or become a secret buddy to a needy family.

This goal should be something to help you grow mentally.  Make a resolution to go back to school, learn a new skill, or take up a hobby.

6. Work
Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (NIV)

If you work out side the home or have your own home-based business, this is where you make your goals for your job.  If you are a stay at home mom, this is where you make goals for your volunteer work.

7. Financial
Proverbs 3: 9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (NIV)

Yes, it is alright for Christians to have financial goal.  In fact it is wise to have such goals.  By putting biblical financial principals into action you honor God with your finances.  God promises His blessings when we do things His way.

8. Wisdom
Proverbs 24:3-4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (NIV)

This goal should be something to help you grow mentally.  Make a resolution to go back to school, learn a new skill, or take up a hobby.

9. Recreation
Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. (NIV)

The Lord wants us to enjoy life.  Plan a family vacation, take up a hobby (or work on one you haven't done in a while), spend time with your friends; plan special times with your spouse.

This New Year can be a victorious one with your priorities in line with His will.  He wants you to be successful.  Make the most of every opportunity by making your goals spiritually focused.  God's way is the best way.

About the author:
Martha Matthews is a wife, mother, home manager and the Executive Director of Christian-Homemaking.com, a web site with resources dedicated to helping Christian homemakers succeed. She also has a popular free monthly newsletter for Christian wives called The Wives of Excellence Newsletter. To subscribe visit
www.christian-homemaking.com/newsletter.html