The right mindset to achieve your goals

Since we are starting this new year, people always make their resolutions for things they want to achieve and many times we always go to the drawing board, as it were, and start drawing plans for things we want to achieve. It may be that there are some plans for the year 2010 that we still have and we have to continue working on them for this coming year. As there may also be new things that we are reaching, goals that lie ahead.

And something that the Lord put in my heart was the fact that for us to be able to reach those goals everything depends on the way in which we think. We can set ourselves the most insane goals that one can imagine, but if we don't have the right mentality to do it, we will never do it. And obviously I was meditating on that passage from Romans, Chapter 12, verse 2 that says that we have to change our way of thinking so that we can change our way of living.

"...Transform yourselves, then, by the renewal of our understanding so that we may be transformed in our way of life..."

And every time we face a new year we think of resolutions and I was talking about 4 primary areas. I was speaking on a personal level and that has a lot to do with our health, many people say, well this year I am going to lose 30, 40, 50 pounds or there are some like me who perhaps say that I would like to gain even 5 or 10 lbs. I always try but I can't. Some tell me, oh, Omar, give me that gift that you have. But here we go.

Another area has to do with our family, perhaps one wants to be a better husband, a better wife, a better father, a better son, a better daughter, and we set our goals at that level as well, at the level of professional vocation. You want to be either a better employer or a better employee and you look for ways to function in these different areas, and of course, that dimension of our relationship with God, how we can always grow, improve in our relationship with God.

And that is why I was telling you this, my brothers, that we dare to believe God. Say again to the person next to you, 'dare to believe'. And why I say, dare to believe? That sounds like we don't already believe, but you know what, my brothers? There are times when I go well with this, obviously I always speak to you from my heart so today I am opening my heart to you too. But I dare to say that many times the different life circumstances through which one passes, sort of break that sense of us being able to believe, of being able to trust, that God can do something. And we have the tendency to take control of things ourselves because as we see that God is taking time to do something, to work in some way, well, we want to intervene in our own way. And many times that type of attitude can also disrupt God's plans.

Many times that can break that way of how God wants to work in the midst of our lives. And look, I am directing you to a passage that is key to me. It's in John, Chapter 14, if you can go with me. John, Chapter 14 from verse 12 onwards, says:

“…. Truly I tell you, whoever believes in me the works that I do, he will do them also. And he will do even greater things because I am going to the Father and whatever you ask the Father in my name, I will do so that the Father may be glorified in the Son… ─ Verse 14 says: ─…If you ask anything in my name I will do it…”

How nice, right? They are key words for our Christian faith, for our certainty, our trust in the Lord. Because obviously they are words that do not come from any man, they are words that come from Jesus, it is a promise that comes from Jesus and we place all our faith in those words.

And of course, my brothers, throughout my life I have seen moments in which I have been able to see those words in action. And I am sure that all of us, in some way or another, have seen these words and have seen them come true in the midst of our lives. That we have asked God for something in the name of Jesus and God in his way, in his way, has done it. As I can also testify that I have had moments in my life where these words have disappeared, because I have asked, I have asked, and I have asked and nothing, nothing happens. And I do not believe that it is not because God does not want it, I believe that there are many other circumstances in the world that prevent these things from taking place.

It may be that even I myself am asking in a way that is not correct, and that is why God does not allow it. But what I want to emphasize today, my brothers, is the matter that we can never stop believing in God. We can never stop believing in God. Believe God. That he is going to take care of doing what he has to do in the midst of our lives.

I look here throughout the room and I imagine the series of novels that are taking place in the midst of their lives. And I'm not talking about the Univisión soap operas, mind you. I'm talking about your novels, about how you fight day after day in all the things you do, how you deal with your joys, with your joys, with your victories, and how you also deal with your dilemmas, with your frustrations. , and how I imagine, that God is in action in the midst of each of those things. Situations that suddenly arise that one is left like, wow, wait, and where did this come from? I didn't expect this. And you have to face that and get your hands on it.

Or there are times that when you go out you get so scared that then you back down and say, no, I'm not going to stick my hands in there. But be that as it may, my brothers, we are talking about circumstances, situations that are there in the pot with us and sooner or later we are going to have to deal with it. They are situations that either strengthen our faith or weaken our faith. And it is in us that one or the other is given.

Of course, if I look at those words that we are reading, it is because we are certain that our faith can be strengthened in the Lord and that we have to believe what he wants to do in our midst and how he wants and when he wants. . If I get carried away a lot by that aspect of my faith weakening, then it is because I am taking my eyes off that promise that the Lord has given us, that everything we ask in his name he will do.

Do you know why I say this, my brothers? I reference this other passage from Hebrews, Chapter 12, which was another passage that I used last night as well. Hebrews Chapter 12, many of us are familiar with it, but for the benefit of those who may not be very familiar with this passage, it is the one that says:

“…therefore we too, having around us a great cloud of witnesses, let us shed all the weight and the sin that plagues us and run with patience the race that lies ahead of us... ─ how do you say later? ─… fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, but I would say of our faith…”

I imagine that each one of you in the different resolutions, goals, that you are drawing for this new year, or those that you are carrying from the year 2010, the situations with which you can face because put the stamp that Good circumstances are going to come up that will promote what you can achieve these things, as well as difficult circumstances that are going to make you perplexed and you will not know how to proceed. But in the midst of all these things, my brothers, if there is something that I can tell you, it is that you keep your eyes on the Lord. Keep your eyes on those promises that God has given to each one of us, promises that according to our lives, the Lord is responsible for fulfilling them in due time, in due form, in the way that he best understands for us. you.

Look, it may be that perhaps this gentleman in the back, the Lord decides to do something with him in a different way than he does with this young man in the front, too. It may be that the way God works with me is a different way than what he is going to do with this girl here as well.

My brothers, but in the midst of all these things, the most important thing to know is that if God has given a promise, he will fulfill his part of the deal, the deal, as they say. He will take care of fulfilling that. It is up to us then that we dare to believe the Lord.

Look, you will remember this proverb, book of Proverbs, Chapter 3, I am only going to refer to some of these passages. Proverbs, Chapter 3, verse 5, look how it says:

“…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. Do not think yourself wise in your own opinion, fear the Lord and stay away from evil, because it will be medicine for your body and refreshment for your bones…”

This proverb, when I read it, is key to me. As I face a new year, for me this is key. I can make a lot of plans and easily leave God out of those plans. But what these words are telling me is that I have to make that intentional action of acknowledging God in everything I do.

And you know what? I can say this, ok, I'm going to write all my plans in this notebook and then I'm going to say, ok, Lord, what do you think of everything I wrote? Versus, first say, Lord, what should I do in this new year and then come to the notebook and start writing in that inspiration.

And I'm not saying that one is better than the other, mind you. I don't want to say that because I believe that God also honors that aspect of being proactive and drawing up your plans and asking for God's favor in that. But many times we have to learn to go that other way too, learn to seek from God, believe, look how I am going to say it, believe, believe that God has the ability to give us revelation of what he wants to do in the midst of our lives.

And that we not only believe when God begins to show us those things, but with that belief comes the sensitivity of being able to respond in an affirmative way to what God worries us to do. May we get out of our comfort zone a bit and be able to accept the challenges that God brings into our lives and achieve what he is calling us to.

And I am honest with you, my brothers, many times we want to pull God into our plans and say, no Lord, this is what I want. And again, it's okay to say, Lord, look, I want this, but even if we have that attitude, may we also be sensitive enough that if God says to us, you want that, but how about we consider this? They follow me where I'm going

Do you want to identify yourself as a true son, a true daughter of God? We can be one of two kinds of kids: the ones who want to mold Dad into our plans, or we can be the kind of kids that if Dad pulls us over and says, let's do this first, let's do it. Not grudgingly, but with a sensitive, humble, willing, obedient heart.

I don't know, my brothers, but I dare to say, what's more, I'm going to say it to myself, if I dare to believe God that when he wants to do that in my life things will go well, I'm I'm sure I'm going to see great things.

In the same way I dare to say that if you dare to believe God when he starts doing that with you, you too will see great things. What I am saying may sound simple, my brothers, but I know that it is not. Nobody likes to be moved around. Nobody likes it, but if we understand that God is our Father, and perhaps some of us come from a background where the father image is somewhat cloudy, that authority figure we kind of resist sometimes. But if that is the situation, with even more intention God wants to grab us, move us, mold us, discipline us so that we can then see what he wants to do in us.

So, my brothers, I know that only I am a little more humorous, but today is not the time to be humorous. Because what I am saying has a weight, what I am saying I am saying with fear and trembling. Because I know that what I am saying is not easy to do. Much less in the kind of society in which we live, where we are encouraged and motivated and instructed to take control of our lives. What I am saying is that we release that control to God's treatment.

And that is where this aspect of daring to believe that whatever he wants to do in us comes in, it is much better than what we can do, much better than what we can decide or think. Great, make your plans, plan your life, be proactive, take action, please do it. Don't sit there then waiting for God to do something. No, no, no, take action, do the things you are doing or plan to do, acknowledge God in all your path, and he will take care of straightening your paths.

That is what what I am saying refers to. You recognize God in your way, and when he straightens… imagine that action of straightening something. You have something that is all twisted, crooked, how painful would that process of putting everything in its place be.

Look, there are times, I don't know if you have noticed, but there are times when I hunch over and my back goes to the front and I know that this can be a danger for me. If I myself, when I try to straighten myself, feel the pain in my vertebrae when they adjust again, how much more painful would it be for someone else to do it for me, with the strength they need to be able to straighten me.

That proverb sounds very nice, "in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." That point of God is painful. But look, through that pain comes something new, something good, because then you feel more upright, firmer to be able to face whatever comes your way.

So, my brothers and sisters, I want to leave you with this word tonight. Whatever the goal, the plans that you have, whatever the challenges, the difficulties that may come to your life in this year 2011, look, dare to believe. Dare to believe as the Lord Jesus says, that whatever you ask the Father in his name, he will do it. It may not do it on time, but it will.

And acknowledge him in all his ways, and when you feel the pain of being pulled in a direction you didn't think, let go and let the Lord straighten you out.

We are going to stand up and we are going to pray. Father, I thank you, Lord Jesus, on this beautiful night, Lord Jesus. Every time we have the opportunity to expose ourselves to your word, every time we have the opportunity to listen, Lord, what you have for us is a privilege, God. I consider it as a privilege. And Father, likewise, I have to admit that what you ask of us is not easy at all, many times, you do want to give us an abundant life, a blessed life, but it also has its painful processes.

So, Lord, I want to ask you for each one of my brothers and sisters, as they continue entering this new year of 2011, Lord, I do declare your coverage, I declare your protection over their lives, Lord, may you Free them from all evil, Father, deliver them from all evil. May you take care of their coming in and going out, their going to bed and their getting up, Lord, but even after having said this, Lord, if those hard and difficult moments come in the way that they can manifest themselves, we do know that we cannot avoid difficulties. , Lord, we can control everything that happens around us, we can try to take care of our health, but that does not prevent us from getting sick at some point.

We can try to guide with caution but deliver us, your Lord, an accident can happen at any time. We can fight to have solid and stable families, but that does not prevent moments of friction, anger, and discomfort. But I don't want to focus on those negative things either, Lord, I also want to highlight all the blessings that we are going to encounter. I also want to highlight those moments where we are going to see your hand moving with power, Lord, where we are going to see requests that are granted, Lord. Where we're going to see doors swinging open, Lord, that we have no choice but to say, wow, Lord, this is definitely you moving in here! it is you who has given me the strength to make this wealth, or to write all these things. It was not the strength of my own hand, but it was you, Lord, who did it.

So, my God, I beg you, Father, that throughout the beginning of this year 2011, Lord, I ask you to foster in each one of my brothers and sisters, that sense of faith that we all need. , Lord, to dare to believe in you that you will take care of providing things.

Lord, look, I dare to say that there are going to be people here who are going to have to make risky decisions, they are going to have to make decisions where if they let themselves be carried away by what might happen, they will never do it. But Lord, they're going to have to make those decisions however they want. Some are going to have to change jobs, some are going to have to change locations, some are going to have to change their ways of thinking and conceiving that idea is very difficult, but, Lord, even in the midst of these risks, I declare, Lord, that you will be there, that you will answer the prayers of your sons and daughters, Lord, and that you will not let them fall to shame, Lord Jesus.

Father, whatever the case, Lord, from dealing with a difficult person in the workplace, to dealing with a spouse or a new person that we are going to meet, Lord, I ask you, for grace, for discernment, Lord, our words, dare to believe you, Lord, that you can instill in our minds that grace to know how to speak, so that we are not so quick to judge others, Lord, but rather that we know how to see people as you see them first, sir.

Oh, God, look, help us to emphasize this teaching that you give us. That before removing the straw that another person may have in their eye, that we can always first remove the beams that we have in our eyes to be able to see better, Lord.

Father, I bless your sons and daughters, Lord, tonight. I bless them, Father, I declare about them, about their families, about everything they do, about everything they own, Lord, I declare your blessing, I cancel any work of the enemy, Lord, who tries to destroy what what you are doing in their lives, Lord, I cancel it in your name, and I declare that all things will work for good, Lord, for all those who love you, Lord, and I know that here is a very large group of people who love you, Lord.

Whatever way you want to use to call our attention, to straighten our paths, help us to have that sensitivity of spirit and heart to be able to obey you and respond in the way you want us to respond. To you we give all the glory and all the honor, Lord, take us safely to our homes, bless us, Lord, give us a peaceful, restful sleep, my God, for the energies of our body and that tomorrow if you allow it, Lord, we can lend a hand to one more day and be able to achieve the things that are within our reach and if you give us the opportunity to do something more for another person, Lord, look, that our arm does not narrow, does not shorten, but that we may reach out and serve those around us.

We bless your name tonight, Lord, in Jesus' name. Amen.