2Timothy was written in 68 AD when Paul was in chains. Paul endured right up to the end convinced of God’s plan and purpose for His life.

In our busyness, we tend to lose sight of the fact that God has a plan and purpose which is unique and special for each one of us. We need to take a personal retreat and take stock of our lives at the close of a year.

This message is timely at the beginning of 2012, to remind ourselves of God’s personal plan for us.

REFRESH OUR STAND AND OUR ROLE

When we understand who we are and what we are supposed to do, it is much easier to focus our lives. Have we forgotten who we are as a Christian, as a church like Cinderella? How do we see ourselves? Like a cat or a lion?

(1) God adopted us. (Eph. 1:5)

We are sons of God, adopted into His kingdom through Jesus.  We are in God’s family, sons and daughters of the living God.  We are a little lower than the angels, make in the image of God. So don’t live a life beneath this status.

(2) God has a holy calling for us. (2Tim. 1:9)

We are called to holiness and not to unrighteousness and meant to live a life very close to what His very own nature is.

(3) We are called to holiness and to do good works. (Eph. 2:10, Titus 3:8)

We do good works as an act of gratitude and obedience to our Father.

(4) God gave us gifts which we are to stir it up for the service of others to build up the body of Christ. (Eph 4:7)

Gifts are meant to be used and exercised. If you are not sure of your gifts, ask for prayer and discover your gifts and start stirring up the gifts this New Year.

(5) God has given us the Great Commission to go win the lost. (Matt 28:19-20)

The Great commission is the main focus of what we do. We need to ask, what is the evangelism return in any activity that is being carried out as Christians

As soldiers we obey and focus on carrying out missions. We also work together with other soldiers and we do not work alone.

As farmers, we sow and plant in expectation of a harvest to come.

As athletes / boxers, we see the goal / prize and train for it. Endurance, sacrifice and goal setting are needed to win the prize.

As fisher of men, when we do it according to God’s instruction, we will haul until we cannot take it in. Have we not tried on our own and caught nothing?

(6) We are called to be ambassadors of Christ.

We represent the heavenly kingdom to the earth.

TO BE A WORKER APPROVED BY GOD (2 Tim. 2:15)

 

This is one of the hardest thing to do – to do God’s will, be in tune with God. Winning God’s approval involves:

1) An understanding of what is God’s will for us. (Eph. 5:17)

Each one of us has a different part to play. (Micah 6:8) There are three things God requires of us; do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before Him.

2) Have a mind that is renewed. (Rom. 12:2)

3) Fruitfulness. (John 15:8) (Col.1:9-10)

God will prune the parts of us that is unfruitful so that we can be more fruitful.

What shall we focus our life on?

To stay true to the plan and purposes of God what are we to do?

1) Priorities

• What are the things that are critically important?
•  Release the useless baggage. (Heb 12:1-2)

The sin that so easily ensnares us, what is it? Is it a habit, an addiction, an obsession or a dark past that haunts us.

• We need to cancel the guilt and the grudge. (Isaiah 1:16-19) Our mind can be trained to let go.

2) Planning

Where have all the hours gone? If something is very important, schedule them in your calendar for the year. Then you can fit in the rest of the things. Consult on the year plan.

Agree on the broad items.

3) Procrastinate not.

As we enter into 2012, what are the things we want to pray about?

1.    Letting go – ‘travelling light’.

2.    Passion to win God’s smile in the way we live, in the way we love mercy and walk humbly.

3.    A brand new year also means a brand new me ( ‘slimmer’ and ‘lighter’ me )

4.    Watchfulness over focus / purpose. (Titus 2:12)

Parents need to be watchful over children, to be a spiritual covering for them so that we preserved the generation we are suppose to bring up. (Neh 4:17)

Everyone, while one hand bearing the load that help to build the kingdom of God, the other hand also watchful, holding the weapon. We must be ready to build and ready to fight, both at the same time, watching over everything. (Neh. 4:19 . .  There were enemies inside as well as outside the wall)