goals

Aim Up

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.   Isaiah 51:6

Whenever there is a tough decision to make, what are some guidelines you use?

Like most of us, do you look at cost, time-restraints, and sacrificial requirements? Or are you willing to accept those only as part of the package and focus on the eternal outcome?

Over the years, you will be confronted with difficult decisions. Some of these moments you may not take the godlier route. Sometimes the cost will be more than you can endure. Other times the convenience of having it now will win out. Most times, you will not want to give up anything in exchange. Looking back, you will realize the faith living in you was expressing itself through your choices.

Yet over the years, God’s grace is constantly pored upon us. We learn that aiming up rather than down may hurt in the short term, but the long-term benefits far out weight them. It took a while for me to understand this. But focusing on the eternal aspects under God’s Kingdom has proven to be the better outcome.

Now when in doubt, I trust more. When I am being taken advantage of, I learn to bless more. When someone asks a little from me, I give them more. When someone needs a shoulder to cry on, I give them that and more. When God’s peace is being stolen from me, I give more away.

My aim is to please Jesus more than myself and others. When I get distracted, iniquity seems to show up. Thus, I want to know what Jesus is doing wherever I go. Sometimes HE lets me know. Most of the time, I don’t see or hear HIM. But other times, I see the impact the Spirit is having with someone and ask for discernment to join them. Other times, HE doesn’t let me know, but HE may get others involve. Life is not solely about me. But what the Triune God is doing in preparing eternity for his children. HE knows what is best. My aim is to trust HIM, follow HIM, and support HIM wherever I go.

So, aim up. Keep your focus on Jesus. Make your decisions knowing HE is always with you. Let HIM lead you around the dance floor of life.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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I Can Change, If I Want To

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained in Galilee.  But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.   John 7:8-9

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And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.  Matt. 21:29

There was a Canadian television comedy show back in the 90’s that I would occasionally catch. The show would end with men gathered together at a lodge reciting what they called the Man’s Prayer. It would go something like this: “I’m a man, I can change, if I have to, I guess.” Then the lights would go out and the show was over.

It would make me chuckle. For there lied the challenge we all face. We all have the potential to change. Yet whether we do or not is dependent on our internal motivation and desire. Yes, you could make me do something against my natural disposition. But the end result is going to be minimal compliance. Compare that with the internal desire and commitment coming from your soul. We have all seen an idea in the heart and mind when planted grow into a passionate force. Of the two, which action is going to produce the greatest impact?

The other day I witness a couple of my associates battling over a similar situation. They both gave their word to fulfill a promise. They grew up where their word was their bond and they would do all in their power to live it out. Yet circumstances surrounding what they agreed to had change. Rather than renegotiate new terms, they felt obliged to honor their original agreement. In some sense, they wanted to act like God.

God can bring about whatever results HE desires. It does not matter what circumstances or events have changed. Whereas us mere mortals, don’t have the power to make events workout the way we want all the time. Thus, us humans must work through the circumstances as they are.

We have a situation in John’s gospel where Jesus changes HIS mind. His brothers asked him whether HE planned to attend the Feast in Jerusalem. At that time, Jesus said he was not going. But, afterwards Jesus changed his mind. He went. We don’t know what changed, but Jesus reversed HIS original statement and went.

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gave a parable of two sons. The father asks the first one to help him in the vineyard. He answered that he will not go. But afterwards went. Dad also asked the second son for his help. The son said yes. But afterwards did not go. Jesus then asks the question, which one did the father’s will?

They both changed their mind. But what changed? What was the outcome?

At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. Also circumstances change. You may have agreed to something in the beginning under specific conditions. But later discovered more information that wasn’t understood at the time. Or the goal or support changed from your original premise. In other words, the original agreement was built on certain parameters. If those parameters changed, you don’t have to play God. Let God be God, and us humans be human. God doesn’t change because HE is already perfect. Us humans though are still a work in process. We can all change our mind and plans. If we want to. If we have to. If God’s will is what we truly seek.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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The Goal

Dr. Mike Life Tools , , ,

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Without goals, we will generally end up someplace. The question is where?

With goals, we have a target and focus for a planned, worthwhile outcome.

So, what are your goals?

Some people have goals for every area of their life. There are physical goals and spiritual goals. There are mental goals and social goals. There are health goals and financial goals. There are career goals and family goals. There are recreational goals and educational goals. There are goals for anything and everything that your passion will easily thrust you toward.

Yet without goals, you will end up someplace. But will it be your paradise on earth?

Studies show until a goal is clearly written it is only a wish. Real goals help you picture the future and gather the resources for your journey. The joy is found with the relationships you make and the people you meet toward your target. In hindsight, after you accomplish your goal, there is always a slight letdown as you prepare yourself for the next one.

Paul is his letter to the Philippians highlighted his primary goal of pursuing his relationship with Jesus Christ and to experience life with Him. To know Him and experience His power of the resurrection and suffering in his life now. He didn’t cry over the past, but kept his focus on the future. He didn’t stop thinking he has already arrived to his destination, but continually pressed himself forward until that day when he would be resurrected with a new body.

If you are young, and haven’t started your bucket list yet, start today. Take out a sheet of paper and dream the impossible dreams. List everything, no matter how unrealistic at the moment that you want to accomplish and how you want your life to look when it’s all done on earth.

I attended a seminar years ago where the speaker then in his 70s shared his list of 100 goals he wrote as a young man. He showed how 99 of his goals have been attained. The only one not achieved was a trip to the moon. My bucket list was written at the age of 25. Today 80% has been accomplished, some will never be because of change in values, and there are a few more than we have scheduled in the future if time and circumstances allow.

Life’s journey is more enjoyable when you see how God directs your steps toward those events and people who bring out the best in you and you bring out the best in them through the process of accomplishing your goals.

The most important goal though is your relationship with Jesus Christ. When He is the center of everything you do, think, and plan, you will find life more enjoyable, adventurous, and life-giving then you would ever imagine. Yes, there will be much trials, tribulations, and painful suffering in the process, but knowing like Paul, God is for you, with you, and will strengthen you as you press onward toward the goal to win the prize which HE has called you in Christ Jesus – definitely gives life more meaning and purpose than without.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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