THINK LONG TERM PART 2

MEMORIZE: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 1-4 

Hebrew 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” We look up to people we aspire to be like. We look up to our role models. We look up to people who have already achieved what we are trying to achieve. We look up to people who are better than us. We look up to people we know have a proven track record of success. We look up to people who know something we do not know. We look up to people who we know in our heart of hearts can help us and want to help us. We look up to people who have not stained their garments. We look up to honest and intelligent teachers. We look up to people who have raised leaders and are still raising leaders. The only One who is all of the above is Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:9 says, “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”  John 1:16 says this: “And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.” 

We look unto Jesus to learn from Him. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29a: “take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” We look unto Him to observe and do what He did while He was on earth, deal with issues as He dealt with issues, walk as He walked and to also imbibe His mentality. As i mentioned yesterday, Jesus thought long term not short term.  People who think short term only look at their current situation or circumstances but people who think long term look at what God has to say about their future. People who think short term only put their present situation into perspective when taking decisions but those who think long term put their future into perspective when taking decisions. The short term thinking is full of many disadvantages with little or no advantages. For example, people who think short term i.e. always looking at their present circumstances, become easily frustrated. The reason is that they are always seeing facts and evidences that encourage them to give up or quit on themselves or whatever good they have started. A man or woman who is always looking at his current circumstances will always see reasons to give up. Such fellow will always see reasons why he or she cannot succeed. They see reasons why it is impossible to achieve a thing. Whilst people with short term thinking rarely have the energy to carry on, and many a times they end up giving up on life, people with long term thinking are always having their strength renewed. The reason is that they are always seeing their future not their present circumstances. Whilst a medical student with short term thinking sees all the exams he has to sit for, before qualifying as a medical doctor and becomes depressed, another student with long term thinking sees limitless opportunities awaiting him after graduation and his strength is renewed. It is this type of students that pass in colours. They see what lies behind the mountains and are encouraged not the mountain. People with short term thinking don’t make plans because they cannot see beyond their nose but with long term thinking make plans so as not to miss their glorious future. 

WISDOM NUGGETS: People with short term thinking, especially the youths – married and unmarried, only focus on their outward appearance but people with long term thinking focus on their inward appearance. They spend time developing their spirit man through regular study of the word and praying in tongues. They also devote time to reading. 

PRAYER POINT: Father, please help me to realize my potential this year. 

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.