The
bible tells us that the unbelievers i.e. those who have not received Jesus
Christ into their lives are wiser than believer in that they know and apply the
principles of the world better than many believers apply the kingdom
principles.(Luke 16:8b) But i make bold to say some even apply the kingdom
principles better than many that are believers.
There is no successful business or motivational principle in the world
today that cannot be traced back to the bible. As we know the devil is the
ruler of this world and all the techniques and strategies he knows he copied
from God.
I
have repeatedly mentioned the fact that while attending business seminars
during my postgraduate studies in Malaysia there was a recurring philosophy
with regards to wealth creation and that was giving. They claimed if you give
the universe would reward you. This is just a variation of Luke 6:38 which say
give and it would be given unto you in good measure, pressed down, shaken
together and running over. Have you ever wondered why some of the richest
people in the world and the biggest philanthropists support the most charities?
Many might argue that it is because they have that is why they give but i beg
to differ. It is because they give that is why they have and the more the more
they give the more they would have. It
is that simple and this is not because of their wisdom but it is because
systems have been put into place by the Lord and whosoever applies them would
benefit from it. It is a shame though that it seems the people actually benefiting from it are not the people it is meant for.
Another
good example is the mantra of almost all motivational speakers ranging from Jim
Rohn to Zig Ziglar to the more recent Les Brown to Anthony Robbins which is “you become what you think about
most of the time or what you think, you are”. This again is not new as the
bible had told us this Proverbs 23:7 – For as he thinketh in his heart, so is
he.
An extremely successful business principle that has been seen as the sole determining
factor as to whether that business or business man succeeds or not is goal
setting which is not just the act of choosing or setting a goal but encompasses
a lot more. For us as believers we know
this has having expectations. As with goal setting, determining the expectation
is just the one step and not even the first.
As we go on we would look at a practical approach to making use of this
tool to ensure all our expectations come to pass.
Each
of us should have a personal mission and vision which should complement that of
The Super Church. The reason why many believers do not function as optimally as
they ought to is the fact that 90% of them are not even clear about where they
are going, what their mission is and what their vision is. We are told in Proverbs 29:18 that where there
is no vision, the people perish another translation says without a vision the
people run naked. Vision is extremely important in giving our lives direction
and not just any vision but that according the Lord’s plan for us. This can be likened to blind folding yourself
and using a bow and arrow to shoot out arrows with expectation of meeting your
target. First you have no idea where the target is or if there is a target, if there is one you have no idea if you are
hitting it or not or if you need to adjust or re-evaluate your strategy and aim
and finally even if you finally hit the target you do not know. |In this case
all your energy is useless. Without an expectation or your goal you may fast
continuously, pray without ceasing etc. but all these would just be an effort in
futility as you would be moved to and fro by every suggestion you hear.
We
would therefore discuss the importance of expectations and how to make the best
use of them in 5 simple steps.
Determine your goals or expectations
2.
Write them down
3.
Create an action plan
4.
Implement the action plan
5.
Constantly monitor and evaluate your plan
DETERMINE YOUR EXPECTATIONS
The
mission and vision many times being abstract to an extent (i.e. not being able
to be measured directly) makes it important for goals to be set. Goals are
described as observable and measurable end results having one or more
objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed time frame. This is the
only way to determine objectively if you are living up to your mission and
moving towards your vision.
We
have to note that God needs our expectations. We see in Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think
towards you saith the lord. Thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an
expected end. So you must have an expectation for your life. You have got to
expect something of God. You have got to have concrete expectations.
Our expectations have everything to do with the
manifestation we see in our lives. Because the word says an expected end, an
anticipated ends. Let’s also look at Proverbs 23:18 -For surely there is an
end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. What this leads me to believe
is that the fact that there is an end is not up for discussion. You cannot expect forever there must be an
end. And at that end the expectation shall not be cut off. In reality at the
end people may not see what they want but that is because honestly they were
not expecting to see it and since their expectation was not to see it. That is
what manifested in their lives.
There is a difference between saying you are expecting
with your mouth and not feeling it in your heart. The end would come but what
you see is what you were actually expecting in your heart. This can also be
seen in the case of Job where he was giving sacrifices and all. On the outside
it may have seemed that his expectations were righteous and in line with what
God wanted for him but at the end of the day the true expectations were
revealed when he uttered the words what I greatly feared has come upon me. Your ceiling in life is not dependent on God
but your ability to collect which is determined by your expectation.
WRITE
DOWN THE EXPECTATIONS
We have discussed the importance of expectations and
the fact that they have to be observable and measurable end
results having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less
fixed time frame. Having these expectations is not enough we have to make sure
we write them down. It is
extremely important we write these things down. Many of us might say we have it
in our head. NO SIR. We must learn to write it. Writing has a way of clarifying
our needs.
For instance in business it has been shown that
businesses that have a clearly written business plan succeed up to ten times
more than those that venture into business with no plan at all. Out of these
those that actually continually look at the plan do much better than those than
just write and never look at it again. This shows that just writing it down
once and having a clearer picture, even if you never look at it again you are
still far better than those that didn’t write it at all but still those that
write it down and constantly look at it are even much more successful.
The bible also tells us this in Habakkuk to write the
vision down and make it plain that he that readeth it might run with it. So take out a sheet of paper and write down:
my expectations for 2014 (or whatever the case may be) – Then you settle down
and crystallize your thought.
Is it important? is it necessary ? YES. Because God doesn’t work without them if
there are no expectations there is nothing God can do. And even if something
happens you won’t know if it’s God that did it or you. So where is God in the picture?
He wants us to expect not just things
but big things. Our man of God Reverend Walter told us a saying: He says if
it’s too good to be true and too big to be me it’s got to be God. And God has
shown himself time and time again that he is able and willing to exceed our
expectations but we first have to have expectations.
CREATE AN ACTION PLAN AND IMPLEMENT
IT
Many
of us are side-tracked by the word expectation which our man of God describes
as looking out for with an outstretched neck and fail to understand that though
we have these expectations and understand that the way it would happen should
not concern, there are still things we have to do to ensure they come to pass.
For instance we believe for finances, where the finances would come from and
how it would come is not our business but our role is to apply the kingdom
principles with regards to prosperity i.e. first fruit, tithing, offering and
giving to ensure this expectation of finance comes to pass. The lord has put
systems in place, laws that cannot be broken for us to use and he would not
bypass these laws for anybody. If our
expectation are an improved spiritual life and increased intimacy with God then
we owe it to him to do what the bible tells us to do. We are told in Jude 20 to
build up our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Ghost. We have been told
what to do and not just believe that because we have expectations it should
come to pass.
As
we put in place our goal/expectations for 2014 and decide on the corresponding
action we need to take. We should go about creating an action plan according to
the word of God corresponding with our various expectations. As we have read
and have been taught there are various confessions and actions required at
different times. As such we need to ensure we are doing the right things at the
right time for the right reasons. Once this has been done we need to ensure we
actually do these things.
Many
times the years go by and people keep on wondering why their expectations have
not been met. They took the first two steps i.e. they had expectations and
wrote them down but they had no action plan and even those that had plans did
not implement them. They were expecting wealth but they never tithe or tithe
occasionally, they do not give and they sow no seeds and are still expecting
their expectations of wealth to come to pass. The bible tells us God cannot be
mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that and that only shall he reap.
As
noted setting goals or having expectations are not enough but the actions must
be tied to these goals and must be broken down and concrete activities. These activities are to be broken down into
daily, weekly, monthly and annual plans that can be evaluated and success
monitored.
CONSTANT MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Finally
you need to constantly look back on your activities at designated periods and
determine if your expectations have been met, if you have been keeping to your
action plan and determine if in the course of time you have received new revelation
or activities that could be added to your actions plan to make it more
effective. For instance a few years ago Reverend introduced the Isaac offering
in camp meeting. In such a case at the beginning of the year probably that was
not in your plan but then you go back re-evaluate your plan and at that to it.
This
is a very important activity at the end of the year to help you review the preceding
year to look back at the activities your took where you succeeded your improve
upon and where you fell short of the target you look out for possible reasons
why it was so an rectify it to prevent a repeat of what happens. There is a
saying that goings doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different
result is the definition of insanity.
CONCLUSION
Setting
goals or having expectations are extremely extremely important and should not
be over looked in any way because it would make all the difference between a
successful spirit filled year and a year devoid of in this case NEW REALMS OF
GLORY.
Please
ensure you listen to the C.D by Reverend Walter on how to end your year and
make sure you sit back and review the year 2013 and pen down your expectations
for 2014. The Lord is with you as you do so as i join my faith to yours to
ensure every single thing on your list becomes a reality in the year 2014.
Glory
be to God.
