2017: Year of Increase

Another New Year has rolled into our lives and most of us are excited about it. How we set our sails in our attitude and expectations determine what we will experience this year. I believe and declare that 2017 will be a year of increase!

No matter how much or how little we have, there must always be a hunger in us to grow bigger, better, and brighter. When we have the desire to be a better person, have more to help more, then we’ll see increase and growth in a measure we’ve not known before.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6 NIV).

Nothing great in life happens by default. In order to achieve success and significance, we must live by design. Every thought, word, and action justifies or cancels how we intend to live. In order to have great influence, we have to put action behind our intent. Let me share a few thoughts that are vital to making this a blockbuster year.

1. Have a positive mindset. What goes into our mind determines how we live. Eight out of the ten spies of Israel saw themselves as grasshoppers in their own mind (Numbers 13:33 NAS). As a result they never entered the Promised Land. How you see yourself is how everybody sees you. I challenge you to look in the mirror as God does. He has some out-of-this-world plan for your life. Will you agree with God? You’re a Child of the Most High. You’re intelligent, purposeful, disciplined, favored, focused, victorious, the head and not the tail. You’re above and not beneath. You have God’s can do power to propel you into your next level of success.

2. Speak what you want. Most of us are accustomed to saying what we see or have experienced in the past. Faith is to say it before you can see it. It’s not enough to have a vision of victory. You have to relentlessly call it in. Jesus taught this vital principle in Mark 11:23 – You shall have whatsoever you say. Don’t just use words to describe your situations; speak words to change your circumstances. Scripture says, let the weak say, “I am strong.” Let the poor say, “I am rich.” I know many people who are satisfied with what they need but they don’t feel confident to ask God for what they want. This is a terrible way to live. God has no problem giving you any good thing. “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). I encourage you to believe God for the impossible. Our extra-ordinary God loves to fulfil our extra-ordinary expectation!

3. Enlarge your sphere of influence. We’re product of our environment. A mighty oak tree is limited within the confinement of a small pot. In the same way, you too have been endowed with great gifts and talents but for them to come to fruition, you must surround yourself with people who are bigger, better, and brighter than yourself. Enroll yourself to further your education. Attend conferences and seminars to enhance your knowledge. Meet new people. Be in places of inspiration. Who speaks into you loudest will determine how high you will rise in life.

Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

Friend, as you stand in the threshold of this New Year, set your mind on high and lofty goals and ambitions. You’re God’s dream personified on earth. God can do anything but often He is limited to our own belief, words, and actions. May I challenge you to start this year with great expectations from God? Write down your goals, dreams, and aspirations. Be liberal in your thinking of what God and you can do. Make your goals public with a specific completion date. Speak and share your vision with like-minded people who believe in you. Most of all put your trust in God. He thinks so much of you! His dream for you is greater than your own. Pay attention to the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit throughout the day. Read God’s Word daily. Most of our problems will dissolve if we do what the Bible says. Friend, I believe and declare that 2017 will be a Year of Increase. More joy. More influence. Better relationships. More finances. Better health and a life of peace, pleasure, and prosperity. I love you and I’m praying for you and your success.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (I Corinthians 2:9 NKJV).

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