Today on MoneyLife with Chuck Bentley
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Successful Resolutions
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Surveys show financial resolutions are popular this year. People want to get out of debt, save, and focus on financial health more than physical health. Many people make the same resolutions each year because they were unsuccessful in keeping them the previous year. I want to focus today on helping you set goals for this year and achieving them this year. We can grow in the areas of physical health, mental capacity, social relationships, and spiritual development. I want to talk about how to succeed in those areas today. So many people write and express frustration over not achieving their goals. I want you to be successful. First, decide to do something that’s important to you, that you’re motivated to do. Jesus grew is his knowledge which is his mental capacity. He grew in stature which refers to his physical condition. Jesus grew in favor with God which is spiritual. He also grew in favor with men which is a social improvement. Your goals should fit into one or all of those categories. If you’ve struggled to be faithful to your resolutions in the past, narrow what you want to do this year down to goals that are very specific and realistic. Don’t try to do too much at once, simplify your goal. Set a goal you really want to accomplish. If you can be successful doing something for three days, you can keep going. The first three days are the hardest. Focus on making progress every three days. I've spent some time at the end of the year discussing individual and family resolutions. I'm sharing them because I want to be held accountable and because I want to give you examples of how to set resolutions. My physical goal is to lose weight and get fit to improve his health and performance. I didn’t do a good job of that in 2009. I want to focus on eating right and exercising and I have some specific measures I'm trying to achieve. I intend to achieve this by living it out three days at a time. My spiritual goals are both internal and external. My internal goal is to read through the Bible as I've done in past years. I will be reading about three chapters each morning along with exercising. My external goal is to do more to fulfill the Great Commission this year than ever before and it involves how I spend my time at work. My mental goal is to write a second book. I write during my free time in the evenings, weekends, and holidays, applying the principle of steady plodding. My social goals are to be a better husband and father. I'm committed to these goals and have written them down. I keep them in my Bible along with my family’s toals to pray over. My family theme for 2010 is “Our Utmost for His Glory.” God does His part, and we must do our part, that is, what we’ve committed to do. I don't have a specific financial goal this year. I'm doing well in that area. However, all of the goals I've set relate to finances. If my health is better, I'll spend less on medical care. The closer I am to God, the less interested I'll be in things of the world that cost money. If I'm investing in the eternal, my soul will prosper. Many of you need to make getting your finances in order your top goal this year. You need a specific financial goal. Improving your finances this year is the top goal of 30-60% of us. Here’s how to set a good new tear resolution about your finances:
My children wrote their resolutions on index cards and I put them in my Bible. Please send me your financial goals or resolutions, ChuckBentley@Crown.org. It could be saving $1,000, or three months living expenses, investing for retirement, saving for a major purchase, paying off credit cards, car, your mortgage, or increasing your giving by a specific amount. Once you’ve set a goal for this year and written it down, develop a plan for achieving it. Break it down into small steps. For example, if the goal is to save $1,000, then you need to save $90 a month. I recommend setting up an automatic savings deduction from your paycheck. I have a savings plan like that. You may have to make adjustments and sacrifices in other parts of your life in order to be successful. If this is the year you need to change, draw a line and don’t turn back. Commit to doing it now, because you may not have the same liberty to do it in the future. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. Crown will help you be successful. Don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t be afraid to set goals. Don’t let Satan steal your seed by discouraging you. God says you can do it. He will fulfill His purposes for you. He loves you and wants you to be successful. Escape financial bondage this year. I want to rejoice with you at the end of the year. So many of you who have written me feel like a failure and are afraid to start something new. Satan is attacking you to keep you discouraged. My heart goes out to you. I understand it’s tough, but don’t try to be self-reliant. Apart from God, we can do nothing. Make this the year that when you talk to Lord about your finances, and tell Him you want out of financial bondage. Then look to Him everyday to see that goal accomplished. Focus on making progress every three days. This is the year you can be successful! |
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Steps to Making a BudgetIn making a budget, there are several steps, each requiring individual effort. |
Need for a Spending PlanWithout a spending plan, it is impossible to know where your money goes each month and whether you will have available funds for the things you need. |
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Budget BustersBudget busters are areas that can result in financial disaster if not accounted for properly. |
Finding Financial FreedomThe Lord owns everything and we are merely stewards of what is His. He has clear ideas on how He wants His people to function as His stewards. |
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Other Resources: |
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We're well into 2010 and probably some of you who made resolutions for the new year have already broken them.
