The Time Is Now - Developing A Lifestyle Of Prayer

A man once called inviting me to consider leaving Jefferson Baptist Church to take another ministry position. Without hesitation, I thanked him for the honor, but I declined. He asked, "Aren't you going to pray about it?" I answered, "I already have-not about this specific invitation, but about staying here inJefferson. In fact, I've determined that it's God's will that I die here." He was stunned. "How can you know what God wants you to do five years down the road?" he asked. I responded then, and still say, "Why can't I? Where is it writ­ ten that God only reveals His will five minutes ahead of time?" In fact, Scripture makes it abundantly clear that God does not act impulsively, and He doesn't expect us to either. God has planned all of history, and He has revealed much of His will centuries in advance. He follows much the same pattern in personal and ministry guid­ ance. One reason we may avoid seeking God's will far in advance is that it requires diligent prayer. If we discover His will for the next five years, pursuing it requires steadfast persistence. It isn't easy.

B. Goal setting is premeditated decision making, just as when you make a budget or establish standards for your kids to live by.

3. In Luke 14:28-32, Jesus teaches planning aheadas common sense. List three areas in which you couldnotJunction without planning.

Objection #2: Goal setting is fleshly and quenches the Holy Spirit's leading and guiding in our lives (James 4:13-16). Response: Actually, those who seek the Holy Spirit's guidance, before the pressure of the decision deadline, are much more apt to be within God's will than those who wait and often decide impulsively. James is not saying that planning is wrong, but that leaving God out of the plans is wrong. 4. Many people take Proverbs 16·9 to imply that planning is wrong. Read this verse as though thefirst part andthe secondpart are parallel, speaking oftwo things that happen at the same time. How wouldyou now summarize this verse in your own words?

C. Goal setting is attempting to steward well the authority God has entrusted to us, in order to advance His kingdom. The key word is "steward." We