MY PLANS, HIS PURPOSE We have just past the traditional season of rewards, bonus, extra pecks, gifts, sales,

special offers, etc. This has also been the time people go the extra mile to meet targets and realize dreams they visualized at the beginning of year. As is the case every year, this period is usually accompanied by a lot of rush, some anxiety, increased expectations, a few regrets and of course, more prayers. At such times, people begin to wonder if they would have gotten different results if they had acted or reacted differently sometime during the year. People wonder if they made the right start at the beginning of the year or if they made the right decisions during the course of the year. It s a new year and once again we are drawing up plans for the year, setting out strategies to succeed in certain areas and making resolutions. We should not fail to include our walk with God and service for Him in our plans for the year. We should look towards seeing an improvement in our spiritual lives commensurate to other aspects of our lives. We should ensure that the change in attitude we desire takes place. We should take that giant leap of faith we have always contemplated. Throughout the year, let us regularly check God s evaluation list to see that we are fulfilling all He set out for us to do this year. While we work to meet those business targets and complete those projects, we should make spirited efforts by the help of His Spirit to fulfill the assignments He has given us. I believe that if we pay some more attention to this aspect of our lives, we would have easier victories. And really, if we paid more attention to the things that matter most to God's heart, we would have a much easier life (Matt 6:33). What if God s own evaluation of our performance during the year were His yardstick for our promotion the following year? He would like to say, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things next year (Matthew 25:23). While we are still fresh in the New Year, we can adopt a new approach to our day to day affairs. We can make God s agenda ours and seek to run His errands. What would You have me do for You today? What am I to put off and/or put on? Who am I to reach out to today or connect with? Each day is a gift to be lived out for Him. Our greatest show of appreciation for the life He has given us is to spend our time to the glory of God. True success is accomplishing what God has given us to do according to His own plan. This is regardless of whether the world recognizes us for what we have done or not, or whether our efforts are measurable by man s standards or not. Real satisfaction is experienced when we are in the centre of God s will.

As a child of God, there is an investment of grace that should not be in vain. He has given you all that pertains to life and godliness so that you are fully equipped to fulfill His purpose for your life. We should be able to say at the end of the year like Paul said in I Corinthians 15:10 his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain. The sweetest thing about all this is that as we find ourselves surrendering to fulfill God s purpose through us this year, things begin to fall perfectly in place in all spheres of our lives. Our struggles would be less and our visions and desires fulfilled. I believe the best of the year ahead belongs to the sons and daughters of God, those who would be available to Him. If you would make His business your business, He would bring you into the place of prominence and affluence. He would have your back covered and take care of all your concerns. Please sign up for God today.

2011 AND FOUR THINGS I love success and I believe you do too. I also believe that succeeding this year would require paying some more attention to the major and minor details of our daily living because they all add up. Having the right focus for the year and starting the right way would go a long way in determining how the year eventually turns out. We may like to try out new things, kick a habit or learn a new skill. There are so many things we could focus on this year but I ll mention four things worth considering, which I believe would be highly beneficial to everyone. Firstly, this year endeavor to strengthen and nurture your relationships, particularly family relationships. At the end of the year you should be able to look back and see that you have built stronger relationships. This would involve developing and respecting principles that would protect your relationships this year, especially marital relationships. Set goals concerning your expectations about your relationships at the end of the year and work at it. You might want to see an improvement in trust and commitment or crisis management or even romance in marriage. Yes, I agree that sometimes the most difficult things to accomplish are those things money cannot buy but focus, determination and discipline are very important here. The state of your most valued relationships would always impact your daily affairs. This means your major and minor decisions would be affected, and ultimately your

results at the end of the year would have the colour of those decisions. Don t be too proud to recommit yourself to that bruised relationship which God led you into and make it work again. But if you are in a relationship that does not have the blessing of God, please get out. Another thing to focus on this year is evangelism. The World Christian database put the growth rate of Christianity as at 2007 at 1.38%. My research shows that there are religions with faster growth rates. This could mean more are entering the kingdom of darkness than are coming out. Evidently, there is work to be done. You only need to look around you and realize that several folks need the good news you have heard. Please don t keep it from them this year. Rescued a soul from hell , won a soul for Christ , led someone to Christ , snatched someone from the kingdom of darkness however you say it, make sure it is part of your story at the end of the year. If everyone who professed Christianity today led somebody to the Lord in the year, we should have the whole world saved in 3 years or less. Selah. The third thing is that this year we should show more love and truly live a giving life. Be a channel of blessing rather than a tank that just keeps everything it gets. Everybody has got something to give. Never miss an opportunity to be an extension of God s kindness to others. The world s mentality is to think of itself first and only itself but this is contrary to the mindset of the spirit-transformed life. Seek out opportunities to reach out in love. Support a worthy cause that is in line with God s word. This might require you stepping out of your comfort zone. You never know, your comfort zone might just be limiting your potentials. In actual fact, your comfort zone limits your potentials. Take advantage of the grace He has given you to abound unto every good work. Your giving might stretch you, really, it will stretch you if you really want to give of your resources, time or energy but God s blessing is in it. Lastly, one of the pillars of a strong Christian faith is a sound Word base. Pay attention to more study of God s Word this year. It is not enough hear great sermons on Sunday and use daily devotionals. Study the bible yourself. I encourage you to take up the noble assignment of reading the Bible from cover to cover. You don t have to wait for January 1st before you begin. Start now by reading a few chapters every day. You may not finish it this year but if you are committed to it, you would finish reading the Bible from cover to cover earlier than you thought. Memorize some verses as you read. Note that your Word content would give you an edge in life this year. Read more of the Bible, study more of the Bible and meditate more on the Word of God this year.

Working on these things would do us more good than we can imagine. It is bound to produce a domino effect on other areas of our lives. We would feel fulfilled at the end of the year knowing we began well and are finishing strong.