2014
Finishing Strong
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness… (2 Timothy 4: 7)
The above scripture was part of Apostle Paul’s valedictory speech. He was about to depart this world for heaven. Having planted churches, wrote epistles, mentored leaders, lived a godly life, Apostle Paul felt accomplished and assured in his last moments. John Maxwell, in summarizing this scripture, said Paul saw life as a race to be won, a battle to be fought, and a trust to be kept. Paul gave life his best shot, and finished strong as a result. As this year is gradually terminating, we can still finish this year with a sense of accomplishment like Apostle Paul. Below are some things that can help us to finish 2014 strong:
1) Stay In Faith: The Message Bible defines faith as our handle on what we can’t see (Hebrews 11:1). It is simply holding on to God’s promises for our situations till they are delivered. Because the delivery date depends on God, often times than not, patience, endurance and perseverance are needed to obtain the promise (Hebrews 6:12). Delay with God is no denial. The Bible says God crowns the year with His goodness (Psalm 65:11), and the end of a thing is better than the beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:8). These two scriptures are sufficient reasons to still believe God that He will come through for us before 2014 ends.
2) Thanksgiving: Regardless of whether you feel God has been fair or unfair to you, everyone reading this still owes God tons of gratitude. Many of God’s best gifts are free with no price tag, and it is easy to take such things for granted. The reason why things are not worse than they are presently is because of the grace of God. Thanksgiving entails thanking God for the past, present and future. The will of God is that we be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Thanksgiving is the receiving end of faith. Thanksgiving keeps us in that state of expectancy, hope, and rejoicing which moves God to act (Psalm 46:10).
3) Plan Prayerfully: A great part of finishing 2014 strongly is to start thinking ahead about 2015. Prayerful Preparations Prevents Poor Performance. A collaboration of the divine and humanity is necessary to have our dreams realized. It is in solitude and biblical meditation that we draw from God. We are also able to draw from our inner recesses and chart a course for 2015 as we take time in prayers, quietness and reflections (Proverbs 20:5). Someone said God is usually heard in the holy of holies and not in the noisy outer court. It is wisdom to take time out this month, have a date with yourself and reflect on the future.
4) Realize Your Location: The prodigal son, who went away from his father and squandered his inheritance through riotous living, was said to have come to his senses when he became hard pressed and seriously in need. He made a detour and went back home to his father (Luke 15:17). One crucial essence for chronological time is for us to be able to evaluate where we are in the journey of life (Psalm 90:12). As the year begins to end, make time to evaluate yourself vis-à-vis the goals you set for yourself at the start of the year. Did you attain all your goals? If not, how severely did you fall short? What are you going to do differently in 2015?
Conclusion: It is true that God reserves the best till the last. God can compound the elusive blessings in 2014 and deliver them in December 2014 as you join hands by cooperating with Him. Give the remaining part of this year your best shot.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
www.rccgpittsburgh.org
2014
The Power of Planning
Any enterprise is built by WISE PLANNING, becomes strong through COMMON SENSE and profits wonderfully by KEEPING ABREAST OF THE FACTS (Proverbs 24:3-4, TLB)
The dictionary defines planning as a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something. Another definition says planning entails mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation as in a building plan.
While vision is having foresight about the future, planning is having forethought about the future. Planning involves thinking through a given task, it is brain work. Someone said if you aren’t committed to mental work, you will end up doing menial work. Planning is trying to solve tomorrow’s problems before tomorrow comes, it enables the planner secure the future (Proverbs 21:5). Planning helps to prevent wastes and dissipate resources; Jesus before miraculously feeding the 5000 men instructed them to be seated in groups of 50 and thereafter gathered up 12 baskets of leftovers (Luke 9:10-17). Planning also helps to conserve energy and to relieve tensions. Planning helps the planner chart the course which is necessary for the next level of accomplishment.
Nehemiah laid out a detailed and strategic plan before venturing to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and he was able to accomplish the daunting task in just 52 days.
To plan successfully, the following is expedient:
Pray: The first thing Nehemiah did on hearing about the ruins of the walls of Jerusalem was to go before God and pray. He confessed sins, purged himself through fasting, pleaded for mercy and reminded God of His covenant and promises to Israel (Nehemiah 1:4-11). This kind of sincere prayers will birth genuine vision, burden and a blueprint (plan) in the heart (James 1:5-6).
Look Inwards: A big part of planning is to evaluate one’s resources or what is within one’s disposal. What do I have to create my desire? Nehemiah, by the favor of God was able to get the maximum support of King Artaxerxes who wrote letters of consent on his behalf to the governors in the region. The king also detailed some of his security officials to him. Nehemiah knew what he needed for the job to be accomplished and he secured a major part of this from the king. Jesus said, “For which of you intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” (Luke 14:28). Planning involves an objective evaluation of one’s resources.
Apply yourself mentally: Spirituality does not preclude strategic thinking (Ephesians 3:20). Planning, common sense and keeping abreast of the facts as stated in our main text (Proverbs 24:3-4) are all products of mental exertion. Thinking through a challenge could be a tough call; this is why it is prudent to always pray for wisdom and a blueprint.
Navigate through challenges: No matter how comprehensive one’s plan is, it will not reveal all the potential setbacks one may meet in the journey. Nehemiah never anticipated the fierce opposition he faced in Sanballat and Tobiah. However, he navigated through the opposition by creating a strategy and battle plan with which he overcame them hands down. He focused on the building of the wall and didn’t allow work to stop in spite of the opposition. Stick with your plan and vision till the end.
Conclusion: What are your plans towards eternity? Have you accepted Jesus? Are you navigating through the trials and temptations the enemy and cohorts are bringing your way? This is the time to start planning for 2015.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
www.rccgpittsburgh.org