Latest / Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel / [E92] Setting New Year’s Goals Together - Part 2: Heartfelt Vision, Turning to Marriage Purpose

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[E92] Setting New Year’s Goals Together - Part 2: Heartfelt Vision, Turning to Marriage Purpose · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

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  Are you struggling to bring the workplace strategies of goal-setting into your personal life?
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  Welcome to Part 2 of this week's series, Setting New Year Goals Together.
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  Today, we'll dive into how the condition of our hearts influences our approach
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  to setting goals as couples.
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  Join Ray and Annie as they share their insights on transitioning from a corporate
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  mindset to intentional goal-setting in marriage.
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  Together, we'll explore the profound wisdom found in Habakkuk 2, verses 2-3.
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  Guiding us to align our visions with god's purpose whether you're new to this
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  concept or looking to deepen your understanding this discussion is for you here's part two.
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  Setting goals commonly originates in a work or corporate environment if you're
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  part of a larger company with funds you might even schedule certain days for
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  team building and discussions about goals regardless of how they are presented
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  the main point is to achieve a clear understanding and set expectations.
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  However, this approach to goal-setting doesn't necessarily translate to our personal lives.
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  Despite hearing stories from those who are intentional about this and have demonstrated
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  changes in their lives, many still struggle to do it correctly.
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  Furthermore, many married couples find it difficult to engage in this process with their spouses.
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  The condition of our hearts plays a significant role in this important task.
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  Since goal-setting is widely used at work, we often overlook the importance
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  of extending this practice into our households.
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  We weren't intentional about this before.
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  If it came up and required our attention, it was typically because our former
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  military lifestyle drove us to create short-term goals simply to survive.
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  When we finally left the military system and transitioned to civilian life,
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  we felt as if our anchor had been taken away, leaving us to sail on our own.
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  We didn't realize how much time we had wasted and how unprepared we were regarding
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  our stewardship, from time management
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  to other resources, when we accepted Christ and got to know Him.
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  Our ignorance and disregard for His words truly caught us by surprise when we
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  discovered that God encourages us to make plans and set goals.
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  Then the Lord answered me and said, Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets,
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  so that the one who reads it may run. for the vision is yet for the appointed time.
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  It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.
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  Though it tarries, wait for it, for it will certainly come. It will not delay.
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  From Habakkuk 2 verses 2 to 3. Below are our learnings from these verses in the book of Habakkuk.
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  We encourage you to reflect on these verses as they may lead to deeper insights
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  related to your current season of life.
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  The Lord said, we recognize that the author has a relationship with God and
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  acknowledges His voice and instructions.
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  The same holds true in our lives today. We often fail to hear His voice because
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  we are disconnected from God, even after restoring our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
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  It requires further learning and experience to consistently hear His voice and
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  fully accept His instructions.
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  Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets. We are instructed to write down our vision.
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  Which should occur with every divine communication.
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  If writing is not a norm for you, this may indeed be a struggle.
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  However, many experts who cultivate their relationship with God do not just
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  write down goals in God's instructions.
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  They also go further into journaling. As David Mathis noted in his book Habits of Grace,
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  journaling is a way of slowing life down for just a few moments and trying to
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  process at least a sliver of it for the glory of God, our own growth and development,
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  and our enjoyment of the details.
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  Journaling has the appeal of mingling the motions of our lives with the mind
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  of God, that the one who reads it may run.
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  The written vision should be in legible characters, easily read and understood.
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  Practically speaking, it should be clear and encourage action,
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  helping to overcome any difficulties or challenges associated with it.
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  For the vision is yet for the appointed time.
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  It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.
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  This acknowledges the truth that the fulfillment of this vision or goal occurs
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  in God's appointed time.
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  When that time comes, its accomplishment will not disappoint.
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  Such outcomes may not always manifest as we expect.
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  But our relationship with God provides a profound understanding of His will
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  and purpose within all circumstances.
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  The sense of disappointment will not arise because there will be contentment
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  in our hearts that God has provided.
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  Though it tarries, wait for it, for it will certainly come.
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  It will not delay, although it may be deferred and require significant time
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  before its accomplishment.
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  We should remain confident in our specific expectations. Such expectations are
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  not grounded in circumstances, but rather in the attributes and promises of
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  our gracious, merciful, and loving God, the true provider.
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  This is a powerful way to wrap up God's instructions on encouragement.
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  The encouragement we receive is not centered on our capabilities or skills in
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  achieving such visions or goals, but is firmly anchored in God.
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  Let's not forget that it begins with hearing God's voice and His instructions.
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  You may find your reflections on this verse or your encounter with God through
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  these words from Habakkuk leading you to deeper thoughts about your life and
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  current situation in marriage.
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  Don't hesitate to jot down those insights.
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  Sometimes, the journey to understanding begins with reassessing ourselves and our spouses.
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  By taking this route, we'll realize how much we need a Savior,
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  which helps cultivate a humble heart that recognizes God's authority and instructions.
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  Before we close, we want to invite you to engage with us and support the Couples
• 5:55
  Journey blog series podcast.
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  By following this channel, leaving comments, and sharing episodes with your family and,
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  You're helping us in our mission to transform marriages today.
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  Your support encourages more couples to seek God's guidance and grow stronger together.
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  Learn more about this movement on the website www.couplesjourney.org.
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  Thank you for being part of this journey, together, we can make a difference.
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  Here's the final part of today's episode.
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  Thank you for tuning in to part 2 of our series, Setting New Year Goals Together.
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  As Ray and Annie highlighted today, the fulfillment of our goals relies on our
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  connection with God and the clarity of our vision.
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  Remember, listening to His voice is the first step toward a transformed heart.
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  Stay tuned tomorrow for part three of the series, where we'll continue exploring
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  meaningful ways to set and achieve our goals as couples.
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  Until then, may your hearts be filled with purpose and anticipation.
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  Did you know that the first book authored by Ray and Annie, titled Couples'
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  Journey, Restore, Relearn, Rejoice, has evolved into an inspiring three-book series?
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  From book one which they shared, the inspiring narrative reveals God's continuous
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  transforming work, showing how even the most broken paths can be made new and
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  deeply connected through His grace.
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  Book two is a comprehensive workbook that serves as a practical guide for understanding
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  and living out God's biblical blueprint for marriage.
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  Filled with engaging exercises, thought-provoking discussions,
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  and personal reflection tools,
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  it empowers you and your spouse to actively engage with divine design,
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  transforming insights into actionable steps for every aspect of your relationship.
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  Book 3 is a 52-week devotional, your essential resource for cultivating a consistent
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  spiritual habit centered around biblical conversation, both as a couple and
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  within your small group.
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  Each week, through thoughtfully crafted reflections and the unique Drash method,
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  you'll be equipped to deepen your connection with Christ and each other,
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  turning your marital relationship into a lifelong journey of discipleship.
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  Are you ready to truly live out God's design for your marriage?
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  The Couples Journey series offers the wisdom tools and encouragement you need
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  to embark on this incredible path of restoration, relearning, and rejoicing.
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  You can get your book copies through Amazon or visit the website www.couplesjourney.org.