Showing posts with label long. Show all posts
Showing posts with label long. Show all posts

Saturday 28 February 2015

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. 

twitter@BroOluwatoki 

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus. 

Thursday 26 February 2015

THINK LONG TERM


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: Romans 1-2

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.” Why is Apostle Paul, author of the book of Hebrews, encouraging us to look unto Jesus? Only a free man can set others free. If a twelve years old boy promises you a brand new car, you know the young man is only prophesying. Where on earth will he get a brand new car from? Jesus is the author of all meaningful achievements. This Apostle is encouraging us to look unto Jesus because only Jesus can give a man meaningful achievements. He, Apostle Paul, is encouraging us to look unto Jesus because He alone knows the way. Only the fellow who knows the ‘way’ can point you to the ‘way’. Jesus said, “....And if the blind lead the blind, both shall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). Not only does He know the way, He is the way (John 14:6).

When we look unto Jesus, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see some of the secrets behind His meaningful achievements. For instance, Jesus tarried in the place of prayers. He would wake up very early in the morning and talk with His Father in heaven (Mark 1:35). Asides His prayer life, Jesus thought in long terms. You see, there are short term thinking or myopic thinking and long term thinking. A fellow with short term thinking only considers his present circumstances. He is motivated by events currently happening. The ‘present’ is what informs his decision. But, a fellow with long term thinking considers the future. Although he is aware of the present, the ‘future’ informs his decisions. He is motivated majorly by events that are going to take place in the future. A fellow with short term thinking sees only his problems, disappointments, how people around are behaving towards him, and so on. But, a man with long term thinking sees the future. He sees the end result of his efforts. He sees the finish line. He sees the rest that comes after labour. He sees the rewards of not giving up. This is exactly how Jesus thought – in long terms. Hebrew 12:2 says, “................................ Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.......” Jesus set His heart on the joy that was set before Him i.e. the future glory. He was able to endure the present pains i.e. cross of Calvary, because His mind was set on the joy that awaited Him. Had it been He set His mind on the cross i.e. the present not the future, He probably would have been discouraged. It is very tasking to work full time and prepare for professional exams. Where i get my strength to read and prepare from, after i must have prayed, is that i set my heart on the opportunities that will open up to me when i pass the exam and strength automatically comes. Thinking long terms also help build relationships. Jesus was able to accommodate the weaknesses of His disciples – Thomas’ doubts, Peter’s denial, John and James’ violence and many others, because He thought in long terms. At that time, the spiritual lives of His disciples were nothing to write home about but Jesus did not look at that. Instead, He focused on their future – Peter’s sermon leading to 3000 souls saved, John and James book on love, Thomas’ ministry in India, and so on. This was why after Peter denied Him thrice He still forgave him. The reason why God is giving many second chances is because of the future He has for them. However, His ‘second chances’ are not to be abused.

 WISDOM NUGGETS: Those who think short term always want quick fixes while those who think long term goes after spiritual development.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me the strength needed to finish the race set before me.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.