I want you to know that there is no short cut to miracles or progress and maturity. It takes years for us to grow to adulthood, and it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true of the fruit of the Spirit. The development of Christlike character cannot be rushed. Spiritual Growth, like physical growth takes time. So, becoming a man is not a day’s job.

Today, we are obsessed with speed but God is more interested in strength and stability than swiftness. We want the quick fix, the short cut, the on-the-spot solution, we want a sermon, a seminar or an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptations and release us from all growing pains. But real maturity or progress is never is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving it is. Growth and progress are gradual (II Cor. 3:18).

Although God can instantly transform us, He has chosen to develop us slowly. Why does it take so long to change and grow up?

1.) We are slow learners – We often have to relearn a lesson several times before we really get it. The history of Israelites illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behaviour. So, we need repeated exposure.
2.) We are afraid to humbly face the truth about ourselves – the fear of what we might discover if we honestly face our character defects keeps us living in the prison of denial. Only when we allow God to shine the light of His truth on our faults or failures can we begin to work on them. That’s why you cannot grow or progress without a humble, teachable attitude.
3.) Habits take time to develop – your character is the sum total of your habits. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind; you show kindness without even thinking about it, you can’t claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest. There is only one way to develop the habit of Christlike character – it is by practicing them and that takes time. (I Tim. 4:15)
4.) Believe God is working in your life even when you don’t feel it – The workings of God in your life is progressive and gradual. Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. It’s very good to pray for a miracle but don’t be disappointed if the answer comes through a gradual change.
5.) Don’t get discouraged – A delay is not a denial from God. When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn’t think God was acting quickly enough God had this to say, ‘These things I planned wouldn’t happen right away. Slowly Steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient with God and with yourself (Hab. 2:2-3)

However, one of life’s frustrations is that God’s timetable is rarely the same as ours. We are often in a hurry when God is not. You may feel frustrated with the seemingly slow progress you are making in life, remember that God is never in a hurry, but He is always on time. He will use your entire lifetime to prepare you for your role in life and eternity. Please be patient, God is not finished with you, so keep on moving forward in praying, trusting, preserving and depending on Him. Your miracle is around you.

Your life is a pentathlon of five purposes, which you must keep in balance. These purposes were practiced by the first Christians in Acts chapter 2, explained by Paul in Ephesians chapter 4 and modeled by Jesus in John 17 but they are summarized in the great commandment and the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A great commitment to the Great commandment and the great commission will make you a great Christian. If you are serious about staying on track, you will need to develop these habits.

Giving yourself a regular spiritual check up. The best way to balance your life is to evaluate yourself periodically. God places a high value on the habit of self-evaluation. To maintain your physical health, you need regular check-ups with a doctor who will access vital conditions like blood pressure, temperature, weight and so on. So, for your spiritual health, you need to regularly check the five vital ingredients: worship, relationship or fellowship, growth in character, ministry and mission (Lamentations 3:40)

Writing down your progress in a journal – Another way to reinforce your progress in fulfilling God’s purposes for your life is to keep a spiritual journal. This is not a diary of events, but a record of life lessons you don’t want to forget. Your life is a journey and a journey deserves a journal. You owe it to future generations to preserve the testimony of how God helped you fulfill his purposes in your life. Moses obeyed God’s command to record Israel’s spiritual journey. If he had been lazy, we would be robbed of powerful life lessons of the Exodus (Num 33:2; Heb 2:1; Ps 102: 18)

Passing on what you know to others – if you want to keep growing the best way to learn more is to pass on what you have already learned. The more you know, the more God expects you to use that knowledge to help others. Knowledge increases responsibility. (I Tim. 4:6) Jesus told His father I John 17 6 – 26 what he had been doing for the last three years: preparing his disciples to live for God’s purposes; helping them to know and love God (worship); taught them to love one another (fellowship); gave them to maturity (discipleship); showed them how to serve (ministry); and sent them out to tell others (mission).

Today, God is calling each of us to live a balanced life. We are to add virtue to our faith, then knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and finally love. When we have gone through this sequence of character development, we will be able to help others do the same, bringing them into his fellowship, help them grow to maturity and discover their place of service and then send them out to be a blessing to others. Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone.

What demand does being a pilgrim make on our lives? First, we are to travel light. It means we are to carry nothing along except what is necessary and useful for the journey. We are on a journey but the people of the world are not on a journey and that is why they give all their time and energy to running after money and to acquiring material possessions at the expense of their souls. Our knowledge helps us to take only the necessary, compulsory things with us on our journey.

Secondly, somebody on a journey does not stop by to rest until he reaches home. This is why we must not settle down anywhere on the way. We should keep marching on, eagerly looking forward to the time of rest which we know will surely come.

Thirdly, somebody on a journey, if he is sure o his destination from his point of take off does not have the intention to turn back mid way. This is why we should not be thinking about going back to the world.

Fourthly, we do not stop by to gaze at the vanities on display by the road-side. We must not stop by to attend the theatres, cinemas, night clubs, public houses, social parties and political rallies of the world. Rather, we should keep marching on and we should not allow these things to tie us down by the road-side.

Fifth, we are to be careful not to allow another traveler who has missed his way to discourage us or to distract our attention or make us miss the way. We want to get home as quickly as possible. That means you must beware of friends and mixed multitude on your Christian journey.

Sixth, we keep constantly before our eyes our future which is our final destination even when others decide to drop by the way. We have to keep marching on until we reach our destination. I want you to know that we are ambassadors of the king of our own heavenly country. We are not part of the people here because we belong over there! We are only here for this moment as ambassadors of our King. As Christian strangers and pilgrims our citizenship is in heaven. The patriarchs believed in the promises of God to the point of death and counted themselves strangers and pilgrims on earth. If you believe in the Lord, you must realize that we are strangers on this earth!

You should make up your mind not to build again the things you have once destroyed. Beware of people who regret that they ever got saved. Stay outside of the company of those who bemoan their knowledge of the way of holiness. Fix your eyes on the goal, keep on following the Lord to the very end of your life. May the Lord grant you journey mercies to His city (Heaven) Amen.

Perhaps a brief analysis of this statement is necessary, to throw more light on its meaning. A human being has ten fingers. Ten, by any standard is a small figure. This means some people see their blessings as being too few. On the other hand, we, in most cases resort to using adding machine for calculations involving many figures. Counting one’s miseries on adding machines means looking at same being too many. Whereas there are many blessings of God in our lives that we turned our eyes away from and brood over the few miseries which we can overcome by fervent prayers.

“What of the air we breathe in which comes our way free?” is it the good health or protection we want to talk about? Talk of being His child with all the associated grace. Why should we be thinking of money, car, landed properties and so on every time?”

The scripture says, ‘enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him, bless His name’ (Ps 100:4) there is no gain saying the fact that the importance of praising God cannot be over emphasized. It is not only when you feel things are going on well with you that you praise Him. Brethren, please try and learn to count your blessings.

“No part of the scripture says you will not face tribulations in your Christian journey; the assurance is that you will overcome in the end if you trust Him.”

Learn how to rejoice always (I Thess 5:16), no matter what you see as your miseries. Play down on them (miseries) and celebrate your blessings by counting them and giving praise to God.

Please understand that everyone has a past, either good or bad. As a matter o fact, only a few people march straight to success without going through the period of temporary setback, disappointment, failure, discouragement, inability or poverty. Many people are not progressing because they have made themselves prisoners of the past. Instead of leaving their past in the past by closing doors against it they still allow the past to stop them from moving forward.

Let it be known to you that there is no future in the past and no past in the future. If you hold too tightly to the past you will have no hand to welcome the future. Moreover, you cannot constantly look back and get forward and if you don’t leave your past in the past you are likely to pass away with it.

The prodigal son knew how to leave his past in the past, he could have allowed his past to ruin his future but he, instead said, “I will arise” and he arose. So, every circumstance of your life, every joy, every setback, disappointment, problem you encountered in the year has an effect in shaping you into what you should be. You must know how to handle your past so that it wouldn’t hinder your future.

How do you close the door on your past
These are the ways that will help you to leave your past in the past and move forward.
1. Be positive – it takes optimism to leave one’s past in the past. People who achieve greatness in life don’t work or the past that nothing could be done with. There is a difference between failure at an event and failure as a person. For the fact that you failed, doesn’t make you a failure.
2. Commit your way unto the Lord (Ps 37:5, Heb13:8). – Trust in God and pray always to Him He will help you take care of your past.
3. Take time to think – No reasoning, no rising. If you cannot think, you stink. Sit down to plan, sit down to map out strategies to brighten your future, set goals that will move you forward.
4. Take responsibility for your life – Stop blaming people for your failure and do away with excuses. Be in charge of your life. You are the chief architect of your life. Your life can be whatever you want it to be.
5. Determine to rise – Determination is very crucial to progress, you must determine to make something great out of your experiences in life. A lazy man will keep looking at the past until he passes away with it. Your future is in your hand; when your hands are closed your destiny is closed.

Beloved, the year has come and gone with all its happenings which might have affected you in one way or the other. Yes, but let it be known that it has become a past. If oyu wish to hold on to it, and trapped by it, it will hinder the incoming bright future that is in stock for you and your family. Therefore, close your doors to it and be expecting the good tidings the new year has for you. Your condition does not matter, Your conclusion is what matters. Better days are still ahead, keep on moving. Problems are all part of life.

The second level is the ‘say it’ level, and that is what I call faith’s word. To see it, is the opportunity for faith, to say it is the word of faith. That is where we begin to verbally commit ourselves to what has gripped our vision. The Bible is full of say-it faith. The word of God teaches us ‘if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord … you shall be saved (Rom 10:9-10).

The third level is the ‘seize-it’ level of living. This is the level at which faith becomes action. It’s more than verbiage and it’s more than vision. It is a vital action within our hearts and lives. Since everyone starts on level one, the see it level, we all have the opportunity to grab hold of faith’s opportunity.

As you climb the steps, however, fewer people climb with you, when you get to the seize it stage, the action stage, you will find yourself in an elite group. Most people never climb this high because they have missed faith’s opportunity and life’s action.

There is an example in the Bible of a person who reached the seize it level. His name is Caleb. When we pick up Caleb’s story, it was 45 years after he spied out the land of Cannan, that the action yielded a good result. Then the Israelites were in the process of taking the land for their use. In Joshua chapter 14, Caleb talks to the elders, ‘I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to spy out the Land’ (Vs 7). That’s the see it stage. He had seen the land and Caleb goes on ‘I brought word back to him as it was in my heart’ that’s the say-it stage.

The vision began to seize him. It not only got into his head through his eyes, but it got into his heart. He began to feel what he had seen. Joshua, having seen Caleb’s commitment to the vision 45 years earlier, gave Caleb the land. Caleb seized what he said and saw. Caleb’s vision helped him to accomplish the following.

First it helped him to develop conviction – He says Joshua 14:7 that when he saw the land, he told Moses that his heart seized it. His vision gave him conviction. He was able to stand up against the other spies, to follow through on his vision.

Secondly, His vision helped him obey God – other’s hearts began to melt with fear, but Caleb said, “I followed the Lord my God fully” (Josh 14:8). Why? Because he had a vision.

Fourth, his vision helped him secure the land – He eventually possessed it because he first of all saw it. A big vision will help you overcome any problem, but a small vision or no vision at all will cause the smallest of problems to trip you up and keep you from becoming what you should be.

What do you see God challenging you to do or be in this New Year? How will you approach this goal and make it become a reality? Take time to answer these questions and fashion out actions you are going to take to seize that dream. Pray about it daily until it is actualized.

Your birth was not a mistake or a mishap, and your life is not fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, He expected it. Long before you were conceived by your parents, you were conceived in the mind of God. He thought of you first and it is neither fate nor chance. It is neither luck nor coincidence that you are breathing at this moment. You are alive because God wanted to create you (Ps. 138:8)

Be aware that God prescribed every single detail of your body. He deliberately chose your race, the colour of your skin, your hair and every other feature. He customized your body just the way he wanted it. He also determined the natural ability you would possess and the uniqueness of your personality (Psalm 139: 15-16).

God also planned where you would be born and where you would live for His purpose. Your race and nationality are no accident. He left no detail to chance, He planned it all for the purpose. The Bible says, “From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps each out for Him and find Him though He is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:26-27). Nothing in your life is arbitrary, it’s all for a purpose.

While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children. God’s purpose took into account human error and even sin. He never does anything accidentally and He never makes mistake about you. Every plant and animal was planned by God, and every person was designed with a purpose in mind. He designed this planet’s environment so we could live in it. So, you are the focus of his love and most valuable of all His creation. The Bible says, “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all He created” (James 1:18)

Why did God do all these? Why did he bother to go through all the trouble of creating a universe for us? It is because He is a God of love! You were created as a special object of God’s love. God made you so He could love you (Isa. 45:18, 64:3-4). This is a truth to build your life on. If there is no God, we would all be “accidents,” there would be no right or wrong, and no hope beyond your brief years here on earth.

Beloved readers, you are not an accident to your generation or parents, or community full stop thinking otherwise about yourself or try to recreate yourself. You are who you are for a reason, you are just what He wanted to make. The parents you had were the ones he chose, and no matter how you feel, they were custom-designed with God’s plan in mind and they bear the master’s seal. So, you are unique, special, recognized in God’s master plan.

God had a perfect plan for this world that He created and for the people in it. His original plan failed. Adam sinned and perfection was gone. Is God a failure? Certainly not! He had another plan, when His perfect plan failed, He put His other plan into action. In effect God told Satan, “you may have interfered with my plan but you will not stop me.i have another way! God did not let man’s failure stop him! He loved man and showed him how he could get up from his failure and go on (Gen. 3:14-15)

Failure is sometimes necessary for success. That you and I have both failed does not make us failures. All of us fell down the first time we tried to walk, likewise the first time we tried to swim, many of us almost drowned. The point is don’t worry about failing but focus on the chances you are given when you try again.

Here are five keys t help you get up from failure:
1) Focus on your purpose and plan, not your mistake – if you allowed yourself to be controlled by embarrassment, shame or self-blame, your mistake will make you a failure and you wouldn’t succeed in doing what God has called you to do. Instead, focus on getting up. With Jesus you can do it. (Phil. 3:13 -14; 4:13)
2) Choose to like yourself – perhaps you have failed a test at school, failed to achieve a goal, failed in a relationship, or failed at a job or whatever your situation, God does not see you as a failure and neither should you. You are still his child and He loves you just as much. Real success is not based on performance, it’s based on your faith in Him. (Ps. 139:17; II Cor. 5:21)
3) Be determined not to let your past determine your future – take charge of your life, seek God’s plan for you and then move forward. Don’t focus on the past, focus on now! Don’t focus on giving up, focus on getting up.
4) Don’t compare yourself with others – your success should not be gauged by your achievements compared with someone else’s. Your success should be measured by how your accomplishments compare with God’s plan for your life. God gave you the talents and abilities to do what he has called you to do. You are special to Him. Just be the person God has called you to be.
5) Repentance – perhaps the failure in your life involves sin, repent quickly and make restitution. God has given us clear instruction on what we need to do when we fall. Don’t put it off and don’t let pride stop you. You will never be all God want you to be until you are willing to make things right. (I John 1:9; Romans 6:1)

Are you going to give up or get up? When God’s plan for mankind failed He didn’t stop for a moment. He already another plan in progress. He didn’t dwell on what didn’t work. He set in motion a plan that would work. We need to do the same. God is bigger than any situation you are facing so don’t look at your problem but look at Jesus. Now is the time to rise up from your failure and put your trust in God (Micah 7:7 – 8; Heb 13: 5-6)

1.) Real servants make themselves available to serve – Servants don’t fill up their time with other pursuits that could limit their availability. They want to be ready to jump into service when called upon. Like a soldier, a servant must always be standing by for duty (11 Tim 2:4). If you only serve when its convenient for you, you are not a real servant. Real servants do what’s needed even when it is inconvenient.
2.) Real servants pay attention to needs – Servants are always on the look out for ways to help others. When they see a need, they seize the moment to meet it just the Bible commanded is in Galatians 6:10. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.” When God puts someone in need right in front of you, he is giving you the opportunity to grow in servant hood. Never tell your neighbour to wait until tomorrow if you can help him now.
3.) Real servants do their best with what they have – Servants don’t make excuses, procrastinate or wait for better circumstances. They just do what is to be done. The Bible says, “If you wait for perfect condition you will never get anything done (Eccl 11:4). God expects you to do what you can with what you have where you are.
4.) Real servants do every task with equal dedication – Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things. Don’t look for great task before you do something for God. Just do the not-so-great stuff and God will assign you whatever he wants you to do. Before attempting the extraordinary you need to try serving in ordinary ways.
5.) Real servants are faithful to their ministry – Faithfulness has always been a rare quality. Most people don’t know the meaning of commitment, they make commitments casually, then break them for the slightest reason without any hesitation, remorse or regret. Faithful servants never retire. They serve faithfully as long as they are alive. You can retire from your career but you will never retire from serving God.

Furthermore, real servants don’t promote or call attention to themselves. Instead of acting to impress and dressing for success they put on the apron of humility to serve one another. If recognized for their service, they humbly accept it but don’t allow notoriety to distract them from their work.

You may be serving in obscurity in some small place feeling unknown and unappreciated. God put you where you are for a purpose. He has every hair on your head numbered and he knows you address. You had better stay put until he chooses to move you. He will let you know if he wants you somewhere else. Your life matters to the kingdom of God.

Can you be counted on by others? Are there promises you need to keep, vows you need to fulfill or commitments you need to honour? This is a test! God is testing your faithfulness and if you pass the test you will be in the good company of people like Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Daniel and Paul. Be rest assured of your great reward at eternity.

Each of us was uniquely designed by God with talents, gifts, skills and abilities. The way you are wired is not an accident. God didn’t give you your abilities for selfish purposes. They were given to benefit others, just as others were given abilities for your benefit.

God doesn’t want his love and purposes kept a secret. Once we know the truth, He expects us to share it with others. This is a great privilege – introducing others to Jesus and helping them discover their purposes or preparing them for their eternal destiny. Even Jesus struggled with this: knowing he was about to be crucified, he cried out “now my heart is troubled and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. No, it was for this very reason. I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (Jhn 12:27-28) he stood at the cross road.

Would He fulfill His purpose and bring glory to God, or would he shrink back and live a comfortable, self-centred life? You face the same choice. Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure or will you live the rest of your life for God’s glory, knowing that he has promised eternal rewards? The bible says “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (Jhn 12:25)

Look, it is time for you to settle this issue. Who are you going to live for, yourself or God? How many people have benefited from your life? What will people remember you for? How many lives have you been able to raise up? Do you want people to remember you for wickedness, bitterness, laziness, inordinate ambition, destruction and rebellion? These are the questions you need to work on in order to have a legacy left behind in your generation.

Right now, God is calling you to live for his glory by fulfilling the purposes He made for you. It’s the only way to a meaningful life. Real life begins by committing yourself completely to the services of God and humanity. The little time you have now must be used for the betterment of others and for the glory of God. That’s why God is still preserving you till this moment and has endowed you with abilities, gifts, blessings and also put you in the exalted position you currently occupy. Make sure you live for what you will be remembered for after you have departed the earth. May God help you (Amen).