(Ecc 3:1 KJV) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
It’s almost January and soon believers all over the world, myself included, will be in prayer, seeking God for vision and direction for 2016. The calendar year provides us a measuring tool for time. Most people use this time ‘measuring stick’ to attempt to measure their progress. God has called each and every one of us to a specific purpose. His purpose is our divine assignment and God planned it before the world began. God knows where He ultimately wants us to end up in life. I call this our divine destination.
While we are all attempting to arrive at our divine destination, we must live out lives out times and seasons along the way. This is where the calendar year comes into play. At the beginning of a new calendar year we would like to believe that we can receive fresh vision from God for the season we are about to enter. But many believers fail to properly close out the previous season. In short, my message is, “Don’t allow the excitement of what you expect from God 2016 to cause you to miss your final opportunities in 2015.”
Allow me to frame the discussion about purpose and vision:
- Once you discover your purpose it will give birth to divine vision.
- Divine vision is incremental and progressive.
- Incremental, because God will NOT give you ALL the answers. He will tell you what you need to know in order to maximize the seasons you are in.
- Progressive, because the longer you walk with God, the more He is able to reveal you.
- Divine vision enables you to see aim-points to strive towards in order to maximize the season you are in.
- Once you know where you are going, you can receive supernatural motivation to get there. This motivation will empower you to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles along the way.
- If you make the most of every season, you will eventually arrive at God’s overall expected end for your life. You will die empty, having fulfilled your purpose. This is the goal of the believer!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- God has an overall vision for your life, but you live that vision out in times and seasons.
- God wants you to make the most of the season you are in before you shift your focus to the next.
- You can miss something God wants to do in your life in 2015 if you completely shift your focus to 2016.
- If you properly close out one season and enter the next with an internal sense of accomplishment, the Holy Spirit will generate Godly momentum and you will find yourself striving towards God’s best.
*** Seek God for the clarity and direction needed to close out 2015 strong. This way you enter 2016 with your heart open to receive WHAT’S NEXT!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. I believe 2015 has been a year of GREAT GRACE! You have poured out Your grace upon me like never before. Not because You changed, but because I did. I am now more cognizant of Your grace. I am more open to receive. I no longer tie Your blessing to my performance. When You say You want to do something IN, WITH or THROUGH me, I am quick to receive. I say, “Yes”, without question, and without considering whether or not I am worthy. I have gotten over the fact that I am not worthy. You have empowered me to prosper and this year has been the best of my life. Before I focus on 2016, we still have a few days left in 2015. My heart is open to whatever You want to do. I want to make the most of the season I am in before I cross over into the next. This will not come with more trying. It will come with more dying. I die, so You can live through me! Father, let’s close out 2015 strong! Together we are going to change the world! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
