goals – La Vista Church of Christ

A Father’s Helpful Words to His Son

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:57:08 +0000

by Gregory Roark

"Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 'I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, "If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul," He said, "you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel"’" (I Kings 2:1-4).

Some ways in which David’s words helped his son:

David expected his son to be a good and responsible man. Often, if expectations are not communicated to a young person, not much effort is made. He may not be striving towards a clear goal because there are no expectations given to him. David told his son, “Prove yourself a man" and to keep the charge of the Lord (I Kings 2:2). Solomon could understand from his father that he needed to be a responsible man.
David made clear the principles that his son should follow. Sometimes, children may have many goals, but what is most important is not emphasized. David instructed Solomon to “walk in the Lord’s ways and to keep His statutes“ (I Kings 2:3). Solomon could understand from his father that it was important to learn and keep all the laws of God.
David gave his son encouragement. He told him to “be strong” (I Kings 2:2). Also, David said to him that he would prosper and that the Lord would keep His word (I Kings 2:4). Solomon, in this way, not only knew what was expected but also that there would be a good outcome if he served the Lord. Solomon was assured by his father that he could trust the Lord in the future because He was faithful. If Solomon and his successors were faithful, the Lord would continue to allow the descendants of David to be on the throne of Israel (I Kings 2:4).

I am thankful for the good things fathers do and have done for their sons and daughters.

Jamaica Patois Wisdom – Help

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 19:13:01 +0000

by Jefferson David Tant

The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come to appreciate some things about their culture.

Patois: Yuh had nuh fus aid kit

English: Have you got any first aid kit?

Meaning: I need some help.

Have you ever heard a cry for help? If you have lived very long, it’s quite likely that you have both heard a cry for help, and you have uttered that phrase yourself. Thankfully, we don’t live alone on planet earth, and situations arise where we need some assistance, and that happens in various aspects of life.

A student needs help with homework. A father needs help in doing some yard work. A mother needs help to unclog the kitchen sink drain. A paralyzed man needs help getting in his wheelchair. A mechanic needs help in figuring out what’s wrong with a car’s engine. And we could go on for pages.

Then there is the ultimate need for help that surpasses all others, and that is the need for help in life. I know the purpose of my hammer, the kitchen stove, my car, and the many things that surround me, but what is the purpose for me? Why am I here? What is my purpose? What is my goal?

The truth is, we were created for a purpose. That purpose is to serve our Great God and prepare ourselves for an eternal life in heaven. Now, God has given us the choice of whether to serve Him or serve the god of this world, Satan.

We all have goals in life. The goal of the student is to graduate. The goal of the young wedded couple may be to have a baby to add to the family. The goal of the business founder is to make a profit. The goal of a nurse is to provide care. In all such matters, there are aids to help us reach our goals.

So, what is your purpose or goal in life? Sadly, many have no ultimate goal or purpose. They just live day to day, hoping tomorrow may be a good day or that they can retire someday and rest from their labors. But the truth is, we were all created for a purpose. There is a future awaiting us, and that great future is eternity, which consists of two realms — the rest of heaven or the fires of hell.

Whenever we go on a journey in our car, we have a map to direct us safely to our destination. That keeps us on the right track and thus is a great help. God has also given us a good map to lead us on our journey to a great destination — heaven. And what is that map? It’s called the Bible. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalms 119:105)

Sadly, many do not study the map. They have no interest in it or just take what someone tells them it says. But the world has many false prophets, as Satan has his deceiving ministers. If we are serious about taking the correct route on our journey, we must do as the Bereans did, whom Paul commended. “Now these were more nobleminded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

We can find our greatest help by following Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

“Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God” (II Timothy 1:15, KJV).

Congregational and Individual Goals

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 17:29:55 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Congregational-and-Individual-Goals.mp3

by Raymond Warfel

Resolved!

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 15 Oct 2004 02:28:00 +0000

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Philippians 3:7-14

I. The old year is behind us and a whole new year lies before us

A. What does this year hold for you?

1. What would you like to do?

2. What will you actually do?

B. Each day is unique

1. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life”

2. Today is an opportunity to leave behind your mistakes of the past

3. Today is a chance to start with a clean slate, a fresh page

4. Philippians 3:13-14 - It is the future that matters, not the past

C. The time you have, this year we are embarking on, is God’s gift to you

1. Psalm 31:15 - Our time is in God’s hand

2. Psalm 90:12 - Teach us to number our days

3. We need to use what we were given wisely - Ephesians 5:15-17

II. But without a plan, things slip through our fingers

A. We cannot stop time. We cannot roll it backwards to try again.

1. “A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder”

2. We need to act with knowledge - Proverbs 13:16

3. Plans are common sense - Luke 14:28-30

B. “If you aim at nothing, you usually will hit it.”

1. Life cannot go according to plan if you have none.

2. A generous man gains his reputation by his plans - Isaiah 32:8

3. God does all things for a reason - Ezekiel 14:23

C. Yet, without a firm resolve, plans will not be carried out

1. T. T. Munger: “There is no road to success but through a clear strong purpose. Nothing can take its place. A purpose underlies character, culture, position, attainment of every sort.”

2. Asa was encouraged to be strong - II Chronicles 15:7

3. The praise of the Thessalonians - I Thessalonians 1:2-4

D. Many wonder why they never seem to make progress in their spiritual lives.

1. They have no plan to progress

2. They lack a purpose to reach for something greater than themselves

3. Thus there is no progress and no attainment

E. Without resolve, there will not be anything to carry us through adversity - Proverbs 24:10

1. Barnabas encouraged Christians to cleave to the Lord - Acts 11:23

2. Daniel was resolved not to defile himself - Daniel 1:8

III. How to be successful in your resolutions

A. Access where you are

1. Before you can change, you need know what you have done right and what you have done wrong.

a. Else you will change things that ought not to be changed and leave things that need changing

2. Examine yourself - II Corinthians 13:5

3. Examine your own work - Galatians 6:4

B. Make specific, reachable goals

1. Write them down, so you won’t forget

2. More fail by making unreasonable, unreachable goals

a. “I’ll never sin again!”

b. They become discouraged by their failure

3. Goals need to be down-to-earth

4. If you know where you are, and where you would like to be, pick a goal that is a step in the right direction, even if it doesn’t put you fully where you would like to be.

C. Do it!

1. The hardest part is being determined to do it.

2. Tyron Edwards: “He that resolves upon a great and good end, has, by that very resolution, scaled the chief barrier to it. He will find such resolution removing difficulties, searching out for making means, giving courage for despondency, and strength for weakness”

3. Do it heartily - Colossians 3:23

4. Sir P. Sidney, “ I will find a way, or I will make one.”

D. Note your accomplishments

1. When you reach your goal, write it down

2. There is satisfaction and encouragement when a worthy goal is reached.

3. It breeds eagerness to press further.

a. Another reason to make resolutions in small steps instead of gigantic leaps.

4. God takes note, and so should you - Hebrews 6:10-12

IV. Specifics

A. Attending Services

1. Access

a. How was your attendance?

b. Were you pleased? More important was God pleased?

c. When you missed, what were your reasons. Where they reasonable or simply excuses to make you feel better about yourself.

2. Your goal

a. Early disciples continually devoted themselves - Acts 2:42

b. Without a goal to attend every service, you will never attend as you should.

c. Many here have set a goal to be present at every service and their growth and strength is obvious to all.

3. Do it!

a. No second thoughts, no hesitations, no excuses

b. On Christian said he would wait until time for services to decide whether to go or not.

(1) Is it a wonder he didn’t always go?

(2) You only need to make one decision: Decide you will attend faithfully.

(3) When time for services come, there is no decision to be made, you already decided to go and you will be there.

4. Record

a. Write down on a calendar when you made it.

(1) Were you present for the Bible studies and services?

(2) What about the gospel meetings?

b. If you were late or missed, write down why

(1) Was it a lame excuse or a good reason?

(2) If you were a teacher, would you accept your excuse from a student?

(3) If you were a boss, would you accept your excuse from an employee?

c. Figure out what you can change to remove one excuse at a time.

B. Daily Prayer

1. Assessment

a. How much time have your spent in prayer this past year?

b. Have your prayers been deep and heartfelt or shallow and rushed?

c. Have your prayers been cut short by distractions or because you fell asleep?

2. Reachable goal

a. Plan daily time to pray

b. Choose a time you will be fresh, undisturbed, and undistracted

c. Choose a place to pray

d. Choose what you will pray

3. Do it!

a. The example of Daniel - Daniel 6:10-11

4. Record

a. Record when you did pray

b. Record what kept you from praying as you should

c. Record when a prayer is answered to see that it does accomplish a purpose

C. Giving

1. Assessment

a. Was it your firstfruits or your leftovers?

b. Was it purposed or incidental?

c. Was it regular or haphazard?

d. Was it cheerfully given or a grudging necessity?

2. Reachable goal

a. As purposed in your heart - II Corinthians 9:7

b. Giving to the Lord should be at the top of your budget

3. Do it!

a. If it is in your budget, it is easier to do

b. If you determined what you will give in advance, there is no last minute second guessing.

4. Record

a. Make sure you keep your promise to the Lord

D. Study

1. Assessment

a. What did you learn last year?

b. Did you grow? - II Peter 3:18

c. Did you show yourself approved of God - II Timothy 2:15

2. Reachable Goal

a. Ezra’s goal - Ezra 7:10

b. Decide you are going to learn more

(1) That means attending

(2) Preparing lessons in advance

(3) Participating in class

3. Do it!

4. Record

a. Take notes of what you learned

b. Notes help you focus and provides a record of what you learned.

E. Tell others the gospel

1. Assessment

a. How many were converted to Christ last year because of you?

b. Most would say “none,” but why?

c. How many have you taught?

d. If you said none again, there is the reason!

2. Reachable Goal

a. Keep a list of prospects. It can be just three or four.

(1) One man keeps a list of 100.

(2) When one is taught and baptized, he removes him from his list and adds another in his place.

(3) The list keeps the focus

b. A determination to teach - I Corinthians 2:2

c. We cannot convert everyone, but we can teach all we come in contact with.

d. Just think, if you told the gospel to three people this year, you will be that much closer to seeing someone come to Christ

3. Do it!

a. Those who accept the gospel bear fruit - Mark 4:20

b. Luke mentions that it is done with perseverance - Luke 8:15

c. We lose if we don’t bear fruit - John 15:2

4. Record

a. Your list is your record.

b. Write down when you talked with someone and who you talked to.

V. Be resolved

A. J. Hawes: “You may be whatever you resolve to be. Determine to be something in the world, and you will be something. ‘I cannot’ never accomplished anything; ‘I will try’ has wrought wonders.”

B. Hold firm - Hebrews 3:14