THE AWESOME POWER OF FOCUS - Ps RICK WARREN

God’s Prescription for Your Life- Part 7 

GENESIS 24:1-57 Eliazar’s search for a wife for Isaac illustrates the ten steps of purpose driven goal setting. 

1. DETERMINE YOUR POSITION

“Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the Lord had blessed him in every way.” 

Gen. 24:1 

Ask: 

• Where am I now?

Spiritually

Physically

Relationship 

Financial...

• What am I need to change?

 

2. DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE

“... go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.” 

Gen. 24:2-4 

Target should be clear and specific 

Ask: 

• What do I want to be?

• What do I want to do?

• What do I want to have?

We will be afraid when we make it more specific

Make decision first only solve the problem 

 

3. DISCOVER A PROMISE

“The Lord ... spoke to me and promised me saying, ‘To your o spring I will give this land’...” 

Gen. 24:7 

Claim your promises 

Ask: 

• What promise can I claim?

Let the size of God determine the size of your goal.

 

4. DESCRIBE THE PROFIT

“... so that you can get a wife for my son there.” 

Gen. 24:7b 

Ask: 

• What is the reward? • Why do I want it? • How will I feel when finish/complete?

Imagine it after it. God create imagination. That's good.

Two reason to know why you doing:

 

1. If you figure out why, God will show you how. 
2. If don't know why, you will easily give up.

Motivation better than accomplishment. 

 

5. DESIRE IN PRAYER

“Then he prayed, ‘O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today’...” 

Gen. 24:12 

 

Pray for your goal

Pray for your desire

1. Reveal your desire (God's delay test your desire)
2. Depend on God 

 

Ask: 

• Am I praying for my goals?

6. DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM

(Finding the right girl, gaining consent from her parents, and convincing the girl to go home with him.) 

Gen. 24:21,49,58 

Ask: •Why don’t I have this all ready?

• What are the barriers?

Emotion barriers - fear of success and failure 

Take them (problem) one day at a time.

 

7. DESIGN A PLAN TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM 

His plan: set up a test, show the girl the wealth, get invited home, share his purpose, and pop the question. 

Gen. 24:1-15 

Ask: 

• How do I intend to get there?

• How long would it take?

Make a plan for anything should have 

1. Steps 
2. Deadline (a date) 
3. Schedule 

The way you spend your time and your money reveal your priority 

 

8. DISCIPLINE YOUR PERSONALITY

Gen. 24: 21,33,49,56 

Mean the growth 

Ask: 

• Where do I need to grow?

What kind the person should I be?

Areas: 

Decision  (vs. 21) 

“The servant watched her in silence, wondering whether or not the LORD had given him success in his mission.”

Genesis 24:21 NLT

Appetite (vs. 33)

“Then food was served. But Abraham’s servant said, “I don’t want to eat until I have told you why I have come.” “All right,” Laban said, “tell us.””

Genesis 24:33 NLT  

Words (vs. 49) 

“So tell me—will you or won’t you show unfailing love and faithfulness to my master? Please tell me yes or no, and then I’ll know what to do next.”

Genesis 24:49 NLT

Time (vs. 56) 

“But he said, “Don’t delay me. The LORD has made my mission successful; now send me back so I can return to my master.””

Genesis 24:56 NLT

 

9. DEPEND ON PEOPLE

“So tell me—will you or won’t you show unfailing love and faithfulness to my master? Please tell me yes or no, and then I’ll know what to do next.” Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “The LORD has obviously brought you here, so there is nothing we can say. Here is Rebekah; take her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has directed.””

Gen. 24:49-51 NLT

Ask: 

•Who else can I involve?

Who else can hold you accountable? Support? Input? Advice? 

Involve other in the process. 

 

10. DEPOSIT THE PRICE

“The servant brought out gold and silver and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and her mother.” Gen. 24:53 

There is always a price tag in reaching some goals. 

May cost you some time, some money... 

Chosen to focus my life for effectiveness.

Willingly to sacrifice or letting go for the benefit of God want me to do. 

 

Do your planning in pencil. Steps...

1. Define your purpose (family, job, hobbies, ministry...)

2. Describe the presence (where am I now, ideas,...)

3. Decide the priority (coz you don't have time do everything)

4. What's the deadline...

5. Determine the price

6. What's you want to involve?

Ask: 

• What will it cost me?

• What am I willing to give in order to reach this goal?

• Is it worth it?

Whatever you do, make sure your goals matter.