“Beloved, I wish above all things that you would prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers”
(3 John:2)
We have called for a 21 day fast at Olive Tree Connections. We started Sunday January 8, 2023 and will continue through January 29, 2023.
During this time, how ever the Lord shows each one of you to fast, I pray that the information I am giving in this newsletter will become a part of us and that we experience an undeniable breakthrough with large successes because of the fast.
May we keep this in our hearts: The Lord has revealed by His Spirit that “He is making ALL things new” (Rev. 21:5). “All things” means, ALL THINGS.
DO WE HAVE A GOAL?
Do we have a God mandated goal? “We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purposes prevail” (Prov. 19:21). “Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get” (Prov. 20:18). Are we willing to take the steps necessary to accomplish that goal? I believe the LORD wants to re-charge us right now with fresh hope and vision. He doesn’t want us to perish because of sickness or lack in any area of our lives. There are many facets of our lives that need constant scrutiny.
A partial list includes:
- spiritual health
- mental health
- physical health
- financial health
- emotional health
- relational health
- vocational health
One of the Bible’s greatest examples of setting a goal and striving to accomplish it is seen in the life of the Apostle Paul. He said he didn’t count himself as already possessing his goal, but he was determined to forget the past and reach forward (Phil. 3:13). From his writings we know that he did indeed press forward toward his God-given goal; and all the while he was expecting his (God-designed) reward (Phil. 3:14).
We need to set our own goals as directed by God. If we don’t, someone else may well set them for us. To achieve our goals, we must first focus on the tasks at hand and how God is directing us through their execution. We hear this over and over, but still, too often we ignore the need to focus despite the many warnings.
To begin, we must do what Paul did. We have to forget the past, successes and failures. Memories of past failures can become strongholds in our minds that paralyze us. Have you ever tried something that failed? Failure is part of our educational process. Despite temporary setbacks, we must continue until we succeed. The inventor, Thomas Edison, when questioned about his unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb, is reported to have said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Failure to focus and persist, can and often does result in various disasters with immediate or future consequences. As a child in science class, I learned that if you place a magnifying glass between the sun and a combustible material, then tightly focus the sunbeam on that material, the focused light will generate enough heat to cause combustion. Concentrated sunlight (energy) generates enough heat to start fires. Diffused sunlight (lukewarm energy) may warm, but it will not create fire. A definition of “diffuse” is: to spread out over a wide area in many directions. When working to achieve our goals, we must stop diffusing.
Likewise, depending on a formula from previous successes can lead us to a state of depending on plans that may no longer bear fruit. Changing situations may nullify the effectiveness of previously successful plans. Listening to God’s voice will ALWAYS give us the best plans for NOW!
The Apostle Paul says, “but this ONE THING I do” (Phil. 3:13). Focus is the secret to reaching our goals. We are the only ones who can take responsibility for our focus. Wisdom tells us to guard our heart, for out of it are the issues of life (Prov. 4:23). We must take the guarding of our gates (hearts) most seriously. We all know that wrong thoughts and relationships can cause major distractions.
HOW DO WE GET STARTED?
Begin with these two things:
- We cannot accomplish any goals without the direction and the power of the Spirit of God. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts” (Zec. 4:6).
- We continually need the Word of God before us to guide us. “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for THEN you shall make your way prosperous, and THEN you shall have good success” (Josh. 1:8).
Our goals must be God’s goals! The Lord MUST be the author of what we endeavor. “Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). If the Lord does not initiate your new goals, they will “fizzle” out with no successful completion.
Let this upcoming new year be the greatest year we have ever experienced. Look over the list in the beginning of this message. Pick one area. Master that area, then proceed to the next while all along and continuously asking God for the power to accomplish the goal. STAY FOCUSED.
Love,
P/Karen
