Reflect and Refocus

It is a common practice for people to have new year resolutions. In most instances the resolutions are set but only a few or none are accomplished.

Before we close the year 2013 and usher in 2014, the Lord would want us to do things differently this one time. We have a responsibility to accomplish 2 major actions before 31^st December, starting now.

Until you know you have a purpose, you will never reflect on where you are coming from, and you will never refocus.

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me:“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. 10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.”

Prophet Jeremiah’s calling portrays the all-knowing God. before you, me or Jeremiah, God was there.

Before you, me or Jeremiah existed, God was there. That’s why before you knew yourself, God knew you. Before your father and mother knew you, God knew you. Many people think that it’s their parents who brought them to the world, forgetting the fact that their parents were just instruments that God used to bring them in to the world. The initial and real designer and planner of our lives is God. Biology has human explanation for man’s existence, but God is the real planner and designer of our lives. He for-knew us, ordained us and sanctified us for a purpose, which is the design of God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

In the lives we live, man gets to a point of looking at the obstacles and excuses in front of him and fails to focus on the Designer, God. We quickly look to the limitations, which are scales that hinder us from seeing far, seeing what God has called us for. Excuses limit us from accomplishing that which God called us for. God will always assign you a task that you cannot do by your ability, wisdom or strength. It is not your task, but His work. You are only but an instrument.

No one was brought into this world to be subject to limitations.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Many tend to limit God’s plans by their mindset, which calls for a renewal of the mind.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

It’s not about what you have or don’t have, because God works with what we have. Never let yourself fall prey to limitations that result

What God allows us to do in His plan and purpose is beyond our ability. If we can do it on our own, then we will not need God. Make plans that are higher than what you can achieve, so that God can be glorified. With this, we will trust God’s power.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...

Luke 1:33-35

 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

The message that Jesus would be born and his birth in itself was beyond Mary. As we make plans for the year 2014, we should make sure that they align God’s purpose and are not what we can achieve, but rather that God may receive the glory when He does it for us.

Time has come for us to represent Christ effectively.

Reflect

To reflect is to assess/ look back at where we have come from, with the intent of changing in the future. Reflection helps us to remain free as we embrace the new year.

To refocus is to adjust, to bring it clear. When we do honest reflection, we’ll be a people who will fit in God’s plans (Jer 29:11).

How do I reflect in a godly way? 

• Reflect with thankfulness: Look back at the year and give thanks for healing, safety, sleep, provision, protection, forgiveness etc. This is the most important factor in reflection.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Give thanks for all, the good and the bad, which you came out well. Pause and do reflect, to

get the thrust to move forward. Pick out the important lessons, through reflection.

• Recount the goodness of God, even as you reflect.

Psalm 124:1-3

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” let Israel now say— 2 “If it had not been

the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, 3 Then they would have

swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; 

Psalm 18:1-19 (Read)

• See the hand of God in all things.

In every situation, you have an option whether to God's hand, or to see your problems, and

concentrate on them. Choose to see things God's way.

Deuteronomy 4:20

But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His

people, an inheritance, as you are this day. 

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not

overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you. 

• Appreciate the promises of God, as they stand forever more. Know that God is faithful, in His promises.

• Rejoice that we belong to a God of another chance.

What does it mean to refocus our lives?

•  Commit your ways to the Lord.

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. 

Commit your ways to the Lord, and He will make those plans to succeed. Involve God in your plans, and as we said do not make plans that you can achieve on your own. Dream big, and commit them the living God.

Psalm 37:5-6

Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. 6 And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday.

Even if you are going to school, before you commit your plans to your parents, commit them to God, and believe in Him. You may not know how it will come to pass, but it surely will.

• Align your plans to the plans of God. God will not be involved in that which is not of Himself.

•  Set these plans according to the grace given to us by God

Ephesians 4:7

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Do not set your plans while comparing yourself with others. Ensure that your plans are aligned to the grace that God has given to you.

• Renew your mind.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that

you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Do not be limited by your past limitations.

• Write down your plan, your vision.

Habakkuk 2:2

Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he

may run who reads it.

After seeing the vision, write it down. When you write it down, it will be easier to remember 

it

• Be determined to start step by step.

Zechariah 4:10

For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in

the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, which scan to and fro throughout the

whole earth.” 

Do not despise humble beginnings, start where you are. God will keep fixing those plans, lifting you up. The big nations and things all started small. Time has come that we stop limiting God, seeing as if we cannot make it.

• Let the Lord lead the way (Psalm 23). Let Jesus be your Shepherd.

• Refocus your life back to God. God is calling you back to His love, if you stepped out of His way and will. God’s will is for us to be realigned to Him, being called His sons. The first and most important step even before we refocus our purpose and plans is to refocus our lives, surrendering all to Jesus. Start the year with Christ, and by the end of the year you will be surprised at where you will be.

Malachi 3:18

Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves

God and one who does not serve Him. 

A time has come that we abide in Him, and His words abide in you, for Him to cause us to be a distinction.


Amen.


-- Pastor Mary Mugo. 

29/12/13 Sunday service sermon, Teaching Transformation Ministry, Joska..


Pastor Mary Mugo is the Senior Pastor at Teaching Transformation Ministry. We are located along the Thika-Ruai Flyover Junction (at the Thika Rd./ Bypass intersection), Next to Eastgate Restaurant.