Discipleship Devotional
"The plans of the diligent lead to profit," Proverbs 21:5
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps". Proverbs 16:9
Day 3 of our Discipleship Devotional entitled "What Stays What Goes" was posted on Friday, October 3, 2025. I asked you to prayerfully ask and answer two questions and complete one action step as follows:
What goals have I accomplished this year?
Which goals do I need to remove from my list?
The action step I gave you was to determine what stays and what goes. Today, I ask, how did you do? If you are keeping pace with each devotional, you should now have before you a clear list of unmet goals that you did not achieve this year, but are confident will remain in place and be part of the goals you develop for the coming new year. Remember, before you start adding new goals, decide what to do about your unmet goals from this year. Once you've done that, you are ready to take additional steps in the Prayer and Preparation Period.
Today, I would like you to explore the goals you want to achieve next year prayerfully. Always begin each Prayer and Preparation Period with prayer. After you've prayed, start developing your goals. The best way to establish goals is by ensuring each goal is SMART. SMART is an acronym we regularly use in mental health that means:
S - Specific: Know what you will achieve (Specific).
M - Measurable: Track your progress (Measurable).
A - Attainable: See and understand your goal as realistic and not just a pipe dream (Attainable).
R - Relevant: Connects to your personal mission statement (Relevant).
T - Time-bound: Set a target date that's both realistic and obtainable (Time-bound).
I mentioned during Day 1 of the Prayer and Preparation Period that I personally developed a mission statement that clearly defines my identity. My personal mission statement is my brand. My brand tells me who I am, where I stand, and to whom I belong. If you have not created your own personal mission statement, I encourage you first to define yourself before developing new goals. What does it mean to develop a personal mission statement? The answer is simple. Your personal mission statement is your personal declaration that shapes the reason you exist.
As a Certified Christian Counselor, author, and senior pastor, I specialize in Performance and Spiritual Coaching. Following the completion of Day 7 of the Prayer and Preparation Period, I will offer the remaining sessions as your Performance and Spiritual Coach.
How would you like to achieve the following before the holiday season kicks off:
1. Develop your Personal Mission Statement
2. Establish Realistic and Attainable Goals
3. Craft a Clear Vision for Your Future
As you prepare for what life has in store for you today, consider ways in which you can benefit by having the right kind of coaching in your life. I would love to serve you in that capacity.
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