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Strategy for Success

Posted on 04 Jan 2021, Pastor: Tolu Makinde

Title: Strategy for Success

Text: Hab. 2:1-3, 2 Tim. 4:7-8

[Hab 2:1] I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

[Hab 2:2] And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

[Hab 2:3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

[2Ti 4:7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

[2Ti 4:8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Introduction

A New Chapter

A new chapter has begun in your life
You get to determine the story in the chapter and how it ends
What do you write? You should write from the perspective of a successful chapter
What does success mean to you in 2021?
Not someone else’s vision of success, your vision of success.
There is a vision for your life that guides your mission
Apostle Paul’s success story is
- Fight the good fight
- Finish the course
- Keep the faith
- So that he can receive the crown of righteousness

Success Story

What is your success story?
What is it that gets you excited when you think about it concerning your life?
The Lord said, “write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it”
95% of adults do not have a vision for their life
They just go with the flow and whatever happens, happens.
Only 5% of adults have a vision for their life
If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.
Imagine going to a train or bus station and asking for a ticket. The attendant will ask, what is your destination? What will be the response? Anywhere?
Unfortunately, that is how most adults live their lives.
What is your destination for 2021? Where do you want to be at the end of 2021? Do you want to remain where you are today?
Fulfilling your vision in life requires that you have a vision for your life first, and then put goals in place to achieve that vision.
Vision is the visual representation of your destination

Goals

Goals are the necessary steps to get you to your destination
Goals represent expectations, hopes and dreams, and to the extent our goals are achieved, we are successful, and fulfilled.
- By setting and achieving worthwhile goals, you can give your life greater meaning and purpose. You will also find your life more exciting and fulfilling.
- Goals must be written, otherwise, they are only a dream, and will be forgotten
- Desire or intentions are not goals. They can become a goal if one activates an action for achieving it.
- The difference between the people who are achievers in life and the ones that are not is “goal setting”.
- You should have set goals, at the minimum, for your faith, family, finances, and health.
- Setting a goal is like having a destination before takeoff – so you know exactly where you are going.
- Without a destination, any tiny challenge can knock you off course.
- With a set destination in mind and sight, it allows one to focus on the goal.
- With a set goal in each area of our lives we give ourselves a target, something to aim for.
- Goals give us something to measure our progress against. If we are moving closer to our target, we continue with the course, if not, changes need to be made.
- Don’t worry about failure – so what if you fail. You would fail if you never tried. A goal never attempted is a goal that will never be achieved. If you don’t attempt it, you are guaranteed to fail at it. If you attempt it, there is a possibility to achieve the goal. Take a bold step.
- Apostle Paul –
  - Apostle Paul – [Php 3:14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
  - His focus was on the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus – that prize was to make heaven.
  - [2Ti 4:7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
  - Apostle Paul achieved his goal and he knew it even before he passed on to be with the Lord.
By this teaching, I pray that the Lord will put a stop to purposeless lifestyles.

Main Topic

What is your destination for 2021?

Where do you see yourself in December 2021 and beyond?

There are at least 4 types of goals that must be set.

1. Faith

[1Co 3:11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the Solid Foundation for your life. Without this solid foundation, anything you build is built on a sand.
- [Psa 127:1] Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
- [Mat 7:24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: [Mat 7:25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [Mat 7:26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: [Mat 7:27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
- Be the wise man who built his house on the rock, so when the storms and flood came, the house will stand.
Without the spiritual goal, all the other ones are being built on the sand and it will be easy for them to fall.
What is your spiritual goal for 2021?
- Do you plan to grow in faith? Draw closer to God?
- Do you plan to know the Word more?
- Do you plan to pray more?
- Do you plan to read the entire Bible in one year?
- None of these things will happen on their own. You must purpose in your heart to make them happen.
- Write the goals down

2. Family

After your faith, the most important thing in your life is your family.
[Gen 2:18] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
[Pro 18:22] Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
What kind of spouse do you want? Or just anybody will do?
- Do you want a spouse that is God fearing? Write it down.
What is your vision for your family? For your spouse, for your children?
How much time are you spending with your spouse?
How much time are you spending with your children?
Do you plan to take yearly vacations?
Write the vision down

3. Finances

[Deu 8:18] But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
What are your financial goals? or do you just work and spend?
How much did you invest in God’s kingdom last year?
- Our contribution statements will be provided before the end of January, you will see it in black and white
How much did you invest in your retirement last year?
How much did you save last year?
How much debt did you carry?
How do you plan to get yourself out of debt?
Where do you see yourself financially at the end of this year?
- Debt free?
- A certain amount of savings?
Write the vision down.
If you are not a tithe paying child of God, your financial goals are just yours.
- [Mal 3:10] Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
- [Mal 3:11] And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
- Pay your tithe religiously
If you want to get to the next level, honor God with your first fruits
- [Pro 3:9] Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
- [Pro 3:10] So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
- What comes into your hand first in the year is your firstfruit. Honor the Lord with it.
- The Lord blesses with a new job or business, your first income is also your first fruit. Honor the Lord with it.
- When you honor God with the first, He will take care of the rest

4. Health and Lifestyle

[3Jn 1:2] Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Body
- [1Co 6:19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
- [1Co 6:20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, therefore you must take good care of it
- You must live healthy, eat right, exercise, etc.
- You must not abuse your body by doing things that can damage your body
  - Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.
  - Junk food
- What are the goals for your body this year?
- Write the vision down.
Career and Education
- What are your career and educational goals for this year?
- Do you plan to change jobs/career?
- Do you plan to go to college to get a particular degree
- Write the vision down.
Lifestyle
- What are the habits you are trying to get rid of?
- What are the habits you are trying to achieve?
- Would you like to take a vacation once a year?
- Are there places you would like to visit?
- Would you like to read several books in a year?
- Write the vision down.

5. Feel free to add other types of goals that are relevant to you.

How to Achieve your goals?

1. Set the goal

The goals must be SMART – test each goal against the following:
- Specific – not vague or ambiguous
- Measurable – you must have a tangible measuring stick to measure your goals. Stating that “I will do better than last year” gives you no standard to measure your progress.
- Attainable – realistic, not some fairy tail – You must have the mental and physical capacity to reach the goal
- Relevant – it must be relevant to who or what you want to be in life
- Time-Bound – a realistic deadline to achieve the goal must be set. Otherwise, time will pass by and nothing would have happened.
  - A year has 12 months
  - A year has 4 quarters of 3 months each
  - If the set time of your goal is too long, you need to break up the goal to a time-frame that is manageable
In addition –
- Your goal must be conceivable – You must be able to imagine, conceptualize, and understand the goal or the desired result.
- Your goal must be believable – you must be able to believe in your goal. If you do not believe in your goal, you will not take steps to achieve them and nobody else will believe them.
- Your goal must be controllable – you must be able to achieve the goal yourself or gain the willingness of others to reach the goal.
- Your goal must be desirable – a goal that you really want will make you strive harder to achieve that goal.
Write the goals down where you can see them regularly
- Post them on your mirror, post them on your refrigerator
- A written goal represents a real commitment. Without a commitment, a goal is only a dream.
- A dream is something we would like to have happen, but are unwilling to pay the price to make it happen.
You cannot hit a target that is not set – so this step is very important.
Start writing your goals today.
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. IT WILL NEVER GET DONE.
As a matter of fact, right now, write 3 major things you would like to achieve this year.

2. Focus on the present, not the past

[Php 3:13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Forget the past – either they were failures or successes, you can’t change them. Focus on the future.

3. Imagine the result – visualize yourself achieving the goal

4. Perform a Gap and G.A.P. analysis

Gap Analysis
- The gap analysis is the accurate comparison of where you are today and where you want to be, i.e., in December or the earliest time to achieve the goal.
- Whatever you identified as a gap is what stands between you and your goal.
- You must overcome each identified gap to achieve your goal.
G.A.P. Analysis
- G.A.P. => God Answers Prayers
- [Eze 22:30] And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
- You must stand in the gap with prayers for yourself.
- Present your goals before God in prayers that He will
  - Help you and send help to you
  - Strengthen you
  - Favor you
  - Give you wisdom and understanding
  - Give you the right connection
  - Make you realize the goal, and that you will give Him all the glory
- So, your goals become your prayer request before the Lord

5. Take a step of faith

If you pray and believe, but don’t move, nothing will happen.
[Jas 2:17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
You must pray and take a step of faith towards achieving your goals.
When you take the step of faith, God will back you up to achieve that goal.
Take small steps –
- It gives you the opportunity to correct small mistakes.
- Small mistakes are easier to correct than big mistakes.
- Allows you to build on the previous success.

6. Be patient – achieving a desirable goal will take time. It will not happen overnight.

7. Get rid of excuses – excuses gives you a way to not achieve your goals, if you allow them, you will not reach your target.

8. 3P’s – Plan, Plan, & Plan – if one fails to plan, one is planning to fail.

9. Identify an AP – Accountability Partner

Someone you can trust
Someone with your best interest at heart
Someone who can tell you the truth no matter how bitter
Share your goals with that individual – so they can help you achieve them
Story of my friend who became a doctor.
- I have a friend who wanted to be a physician
- After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, he got married, had a baby, and then relaxed because he was making good money
- One day, I reminded him about his goal. Then, he started making preparation to take the MCAT exam
- Today, by God’s grace, he is a qualified physician.
Some of us need people that will push us into our destiny, so find that person

10. Be determined to achieve the goal

I guarantee that there will be challenges and obstacles
Without determination, quitting will be the easiest way out
You must be determined to achieve your goal, no matter what, you must press forward.
You must press toward that goal to achieve it.

11. Perform a checkpoint every 2-3 months.

You must determine how far you are from achieving that goal with the time you have left.
- For example, if by June, you are only 10-20% into achieving the goal
To determine if you are on the right track and on track to achieve the goal
To determine if adjustments must be made
After you set your goals, mark on your calendar the dates of your checkpoint (put a reminder on your Smartphones)

Conclusion

When you define your goals:

It shows that you know where you are going
It will help you identify the things that can derail your goals (eventually, your destiny) and avoid them
It gives you a joyful self-satisfaction when you achieve your goals
Life will have a meaning, because it is more than sleeping and waking up.
The achievement of your goals determines your success and purpose in life
When you achieve your goals, you will know you are successful

Sermon

Strategy for Success