```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday March 31, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* We should strive towards Financial Freedomhaving enough (passive) income to pay one's living expenses for the rest of one's life and help others. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

*Note/prayers:* Father, give me the wisdom to take steps towards financial freedom, since it is Your will for my life. Help me to walk in the consciousness that I should be a blessing to humanity.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday March 30, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt. 6:21). Your heart & your money are bound together, it is crucial to your life to study what God says about money.

*Note/prayers:* Father, help me to see money just the way You see it. Help me to see money as a means not an end in itself. Help me to realize that money is a tool to be used for Your purposes and my 10Year Plan.

Brunicekid:
NICE ONE!!!

Thank you Sir. We appreciate your kind words. We sincerely hope you're been inspired.

Episode 12 –Financial Freedom Strategy for Your 10-Year Plan

- As we conclude the Decadal Blueprint for Global Impact, our 10 Year Plan series, it is very important we examine the financial dimensions of our 10Year Plan and also develop a financial strategy in that dimension.

- We need to still remind ourselves that our 10year plan is not limited to what you want in the next 10years…it is a series of interconnected events, occurrences, goals, etc that culminate into the big picture in the next 10years.

- Let’s reflect on God’s instruction with respect to developing our capacity…applying this to our financial capacity
“Enlarge the place of thy financial capacity (tent), & let them stretch forth the financial curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy financial cords, and strengthen thy financial stakes;” Isaiah 54:2

- Do you know that the Bible has a lot to say about money?
Of the 38 recorded parables of Jesus, 16 deal with money or possessions.
In the Gospels, one out of ten verses (288 in all) deal directly with the subject of money. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, less than 500 on faith, but more than 2,000 verses on money and possessions.

Why would Jesus put a lot of emphasis on money?
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). Since your heart and your money are so inextricably bound together, it is crucial to your spiritual life to study what Scripture teaches about money and also apply it to your 10Year Plan.

Our ultimate financial goal with respect to our 10Year plan should be directed towards getting to a state of Financial Freedom/Independence.

What is Financial Freedom/Independence?
- having enough income to pay one's living expenses for the rest of one's life without having to be employed or dependent on others. Income earned without having to work a job (passive income). “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

- taking ownership of your finances. You have a dependable cashflow that allows you to live the life you want. You aren’t worrying about how you’ll pay your bills or sudden expenses. And you aren’t burdened with a pile of debt.

- having enough savings, investments, and cash on hand to afford the lifestyle we want for ourselves and our families—and a growing passive income that will allow us to retire or pursue the career we want without being driven by earning a certain amount each year.

Financial freedom is about much more than just having money. It’s the freedom to be who you really are and do what you really want in life. It’s about following your passion, making choices that aren’t influenced by your bank account, and living life on your terms. (richdad.com)

What Does Financial Freedom Mean to You?
You have to customize Financial Freedom terms in the light of the above. Dream big and get specific about your goal.

To you, Financial Freedom may look like this:
· Freedom to choose a career you love without worrying about money
· Freedom to take an international trip every year without it straining on your budget
· Freedom to pay cash for a new item
· Freedom to respond to the needs of others with outrageous generosity
· Freedom to retire a whole decade early

When you are financially free, you have options. You don’t have to wonder if your bank account can handle buying groceries for a single mom who just lost her job.

A summary of your Financial Freedom Strategy:
- Change your perspective about money. See money from God’s perspective. Money is a tool to be used for God’s purposes. (Luke 16:9a). The primary purpose of money is to multiply it and not to spend it, Remember the parable of the talent in Matthew 25.
- Evaluate your current financial state
a. Evaluate your current assets and liabilities
b. Evaluate your potential assets and liabilities
Examples of assets: investments, real estate, skills, certificates, Network (social circle), Knowledge, Job, Business, Time, etc
Examples of liabilities: subscriptions, rent, relationships, debt, etc
- Ensure your passive income outgrows your active income
- Be intentional and make annual plans to ensure you increase your assets and reduce your liability.
- Take advantage of emerging technologies towards your financial freedom.

Action Point: In the next 24hrs, carry out a sincere self-evaluation about your current financial state and come up with monthly/year projections and actions that will lead you into financial freedom.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday March 28, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Expand your horizons, be imaginative, read a book, train your brain, consistently learn and be physically active. This will contribute to developing your mental capacity. Romans 12:2

*Note/Prayers:* This week, what steps have you taken to start developing your physical, social and mental capacities. Pray that God will help you to be consistent and not get discouraged along the way.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for friday March 27, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* The limitation in your life is an expression of the limitations in your mind. Genesis 11:16 (KJV).


*Note/prayers:* Dear Father, help me that I will not be limited by my mind. Help me to expand my imagination. Help me to work in the consciousness that you are able to do what I think.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday March 26, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Think of how "socially skilled" a person would be if they were as the Bible teaches kind, forgiving, generous, gracious, thoughtful of others, hospitable, cheerful, etc

*Note/prayers:* Dear Father, help me to Network proactively & strategically and create a diverse network. Just like Jesus, help me to develop capacity to be able to relate with people with a different background.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday March 24, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Will your physical body be able to sustain you to deliver a global impact and all that comes with it? 1 Cor 6:20

*Note/prayers:* Father, give me the wisdom to take care of this body You have given me to eat right and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday March 23, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* I don't own my body, God does. He created my body, and He expects me to use it the way He intended for it to be used. 1 Cor 6:20

*Note/prayers:* Father, help me to see my body the way you see it. Help me to be a good steward of the body You have given to me. I receive perfect health in my body in Jesus name.

Episode 11 – Developing Physical, Social and Mental Capacities for Your 10-Year Plan

Last week we started examining the need to develop our capacities so we can begin to walk into the reality of our 10 year plan. We were reminded that our 10year plan is not limited to what you want in the next 10years…it is series of interconnected events, occurrences, goals, etc that culminate into the big picture in the next 10years.

Today we are going to consider developing our physical, social and mental
capacities in the line of your Decadal Blueprint for Global Impact.

In Isaiah 54:2, God instruct us to develop our
capacity. “Enlarge the place of thy tent, & let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;”

- Developing Physical Capacity:
With respect to your projected engagement for your 10 year plan, will your physical body be able to sustain you to deliver a global impact and all that comes with it?

Messages about our physical body are relatively ignored. This is why most people still have no theology of health. Probably due to our culture’s
obsession with physical beauty and sexy bodies, many believers ignore their bodies as if they don’t matter. But they do. God has a lot to say about the importance of the body He gave you.
“…Do you not know that your
bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1Corinthians 6:20

1. My body belongs to God. It is His property, not mine. I don’t own it, God does. He created my body, and He expects me to use it the way He intended for it to be used.

2. Jesus paid for my body when He died for me on the cross.

3. God’s Spirit lives in my body.

4. God expects me to take care of my body.

To develop our physical capacity, we must keep our body in the best state of health, function and fitness and this includes: Eat & Drink as close to nature as possible, get proper rest, get appropriate exercise to stay fit, observe personal hygiene and do periodic medical exam to
ascertain your state of health and discover any aspect needing attention.

- Developing Social Capacity:
We are commanded to do good and we have to accomplish this through social interaction. Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well no
more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work. Eph. 4:28(MSG)

Jesus socially interacted with people throughout his ministry, which started at a wedding in Cana. Later he fed thousands of people on two
occasions, and dined with disciples and sinners alike while teaching the gospel.

Clearly, instructions about developing social capacity are not the discovery of psychologist or sociologist. This is why they do research and not
discovery.The Bible is the "social skills training manual." Think of how "socially skilled" a person would be if they were as the Bible teaches--kind,
forgiving, generous, gracious, thoughtful of others, hospitable, cheerful, humble, loving, honest, hard-working, and trustworthy!

To develop our social capacity, we have to:
Network proactively & strategically, Create a diverse network, Pay it forward, nature and leverage relationships, Keep in touch with former
colleagues &alumni, Be intentional with your social media interactions.

- Developing Mental Capacity:
We are yet to absolutely unveil the power of the human mind. “And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language…and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” Genesis 11:16 (KJV).

Even spiritual warfare has a mental component (II Corinthians 10:4-5).
God instruct us to renew our mind (Romans 12:2)
To develop our mental capacity, we have to:
Expand your horizons, Be imaginative, Pleasure reading, Train your brain – take advantage of the brain neuroplasticity, Consistently learn and Physical activity.

Action Point: This week, start taking practical steps towards developing your physical, social and mental capacities…“grow large, to go beyond, to make more room, to increase capacity, to break out; to breakthrough; to expand, go further, occupy new territories, no limits, no boundaries,
thinking big.”

Practicing and taking steps in corresponding areas of life will help you develop your capacities.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday March 20, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* To increase our capacity we must learn to take God at His Word and to think beyond our imagination.
Ephesians 3:20

*Note/prayers:* Dear Father, help me that I will not be limited by my mind, help me to expand my imagination.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday March 19, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* It is God's desire to bless us by enlarging our borders but we can limit our capacity to receive. Ephesians 3:20

*Note/prayers:* Dear Father, help me to develop my capacity in the areas that pertain to my 10 Year plan.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday March 18, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* God has the ability to help us accomplish all we project into our 10Year plan above all that we could ever think or ask. Ephesians 3:20

*Note/prayers:* Father, help me to trust Your ability and put my faith in You in all circumstances and in all I look forward to in my 10Year plan.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday March 17, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Capacity development is much more than a motivational concept, it is a godly and scriptural concept. Isaiah 54:2

*Note/prayers:* Father, help me to further understand the spiritual dimension behind developing my capacity towards fulfilling my 10Year Plan.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday March 16, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Most of the limitation of what we get in life comes from us and not God, not even the devil. Isaiah 54:2

*Note/Prayers:* Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that You help me to see various areas I am limiting myself in life. Let Your light shine on my heart.

Episode 10 – Developing Capacities for Your
10-Year Plan

“After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work.” Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (MSG)

Thank God for bringing us this far in this series. The question now is what steps have you taken with respect to your 10Year Plan?

As we gradually come to the end of this series, we need to examine some capacities we need to develop so we can begin to walk into the reality of our 10 year plan. Please note that your 10year plan is not limited to what you want in the next 10years…it is series of interconnected events, occurrences, goals, etc that culminate into the big picture in the next 10years.

Sometimes we think what we get in life is absolutely determined by God without any input from us. But most of the limitation of what we get in life comes from us and not God …not even the devil.

Once of such areas is when we don’t develop our capacities.
Capacity development is much more than a motivational concept, it is a godly and scriptural concept.

“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine
habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.”
Isaiah 54:2
According to Strong’s Concordance and the Hebrew dictionary the word
enlarge means to:
“grow large, to go beyond, to make more room, to increase capacity,
to break out; to breakthrough; to expand, go further, occupy new territories, no limits, no boundaries, thinking big.”
Enlarging our tent. . our reach. . .our capacity to be able to walk into our 10Year plan is not optional or a suggestion... it is a scriptural command.

Scripturally speaking, God has the ability, the willingness, the desire and the capacity to help us accomplish all we project into our 10Year plan above all that we could ever think or ask...However, if we do agree. . .there
is a question that needs an answer…If it is God’s desire to bless us by enlarging our borders then why is it that we are not receiving the blessing
flow that God desires for each of us? We limit our capacity to receive.
In the story of the widow woman in 2 Kings 4 as soon as her capacity of jars were used up. . .the oil ceased to flow.

2 Kings 4:6 in the Amplified Bible says:
“When the vessels were all full, she said to her son, Bring me another vessel.
And he said to her, There is not a one left. Then the oil stopped multiplying.”

The oil stopped multiplying when she no longer had the capacity to capture it in the jars.

2 Kings 4:7 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Then she came and told the man of God. He said, Go, sell the oil and pay your
debt, and you and your sons live on the rest.”
The woman was able to pay all her debts and save her sons from being taken by her creditors. Not only that, but she got her retirement and that
of her sons fully funded in one day.
However, if she had more jars. . .a greater capacity to receive. . .she could gotten other people out of debt as well.
Our capacity determines how much we are able to walk into the reality of our 10Year plan.

A closer look at Isaiah 54:2 reveals five special instructions about how to
develop our capacity.
“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains
of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy
stakes;”
Enlarge. . .stretch. . .do not hold back. . .lengthen and strengthen.
In other words, God is telling us to increase our capacity to receive His ever numerous blessings.
To increase our capacity we must learn to take God at His Word and to think beyond our imagination.

But first, we must increase our capacity beyond our current capacity of
understanding.
Next week, we shall be examining various aspect and practical steps to take to obey God’s word to increase our capacities.

Action Point: This week, constantly reflect about various capacities you need to develop…“grow large, to go beyond, to make more room, to increase capacity, to break out; to breakthrough; to expand, go further, occupy new territories, no limits, no boundaries, thinking big.”

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday March 14, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* As people who are called by God, we have specific roles that God expects us to perform. A major summary of this role is bringing God's will to bear on earth. We should never forget this, and we must be committed to it. The whole creation that makes up the earth is counting on us!

*Note/prayers:* Dear Father, fulfill Your expectation of growth. Help me to follow You till the manifestation of Your presence in me to the world. May Your light in me shine brighter and brighter at all times.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday March 13, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Being sober: being in touch with reality, not becoming hyper excited in a negative way, and truly connecting with other people around us, is an important aspect of spiritual growth. 1Pet5:8

*Note/Prayers:* Dear Father, help me to be sober. Help me that no matter how noisy my environment is, I should always hear Your voice and leading within.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday March 12, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Bearing the right fruit is a sign of growth. We must look out for the fruit of the spirit in our lives. Galatians 5: 22-23


*Note/prayers:* Dear Father, help me to live a fruitful life. Help me so that my fruits will be lasting ones.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday March 11, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* We have been equipped with the needed grace and victory to make right decisions. Just trust Jesus. Prov. 3: 5-6

*Note/Prayers:* Father, help me to follow Your leading as you guide me into right decisions and spiritual growth.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday March 10, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Our CORE is spiritual. We must not make the mistake of wanting to satisfy spiritual needs with physical items
Job 32: 8

*Note/prayers:* Father, help me to further understand the spiritual dimension of my make-up. Help me to know how to tap from Your resources in my spirit.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday March 9, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:*
God has called us sons and daughters to Himself, Light and salt of the earth, chosen, royal, priestly and peculiar.
1 Peter 2:9-10
*Note/Prayers:* Father I ask in the name of Jesus that You help me to see myself in Your image! Help me to see others too as You see them.

Episode 9 – YOUR 10-YEAR PLAN: SPIRITUAL GROWTH DIMENSION II

MARCH 8 ·

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1Peter 2:2-5)

We are welcome to yet another edition of the Life Discovery Gathering. The present series has been preparing us for the next decade and we have discussed different aspects of life that we must pay attention to in the next decade.
In the next decade, our journey of spiritual growth begins with (re)discovery. Understanding who we are, sets us on the journey of growth (Luke 15:11-20). Who do you say that you are? Who defined you to you? (Matthew 5: 13-16; 1 Peter 2: 9-10).
God has called us Sons and Daughters to Himself, Light and Salt to the earth, and, in all, we are chosen, royal, priestly, and peculiar. Outside of this definition, there is nothing that is considered special about us. This is the identity we lost, for which Jesus came, suffered, died and resurrected.
So then, what is Spiritual Growth? Spiritual Growth is growing to become like Christ. Ephesians 4:8-16. That is a stature or status that is beyond reproach of any kind. It is the state of rest. A point where our desires and that of God is united, where His will become our will. (John 10:30)
How then, can this be?
After accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, and surrendering our lives to God, here are some steps to take to help us grow spiritually:
· Desiring the sincere milk of God’s word (1Peter 2:2)
· Pray without ceasing (1Thess 5: 17)
· Keep the right company (Hebrews 12: 22-24)
· Faith (Hebrews 11:6)
· Obeying the spirit of God (John 8:14)
These are not new, but why is it that we often do not grow and do the things that we know we are supposed to do?
· The devil works to make sure that we do not through:
o Distractions (Our Environments, the temptation of living by sight)
o Sins and the attendant blackmail (Heb 12: 1)
o Ensuring that we forget who we are and the kind of power that we possess by the virtue of new birth (Rom 8:11).
· Measuring our Growth by the wrong parameters (Giftings, Miracles, Signs, Wealth, Power, Influence, Success, Lack, Suffering, etc) (Rev 13:11-15).
· Resting Prematurely. (Thinking that we have arrived)
· Malnutrition (Not receiving balanced word of God)

The main aim of the enemy for us that have known God and are born again is to ensure that our growth is slowed down for as long as possible. He knows that spiritual growth is continuous, and we come into greater victory as we grow.

A central fact to our growth is discerning what God says apart from what the enemy says. While this is a complex reality, the simplest way is to know God’s word by being familiar with the bible.

The bible made us know that everything the devil says is a lie. These are facts that we must never forget.
What then is the implication of spiritual growth in the next decade?
· We will bear the right fruit (Gal 5: 22-23)
· We will know God (1John 1: 1-3)
· We will achieve great things (Daniel 11:32b)
· We will interpret God’s will with our lives (John 5:30)

When Adam and Eve fell, all creations also fell with them, and there has been the call for the manifestations of people who are led by God’s spirit. (John 1:12; 8:14; Romans 8:18-23) This is a call to us to grow and become worthy LifePorts through which God’s will is done on earth.

The beauty and essence of our lives is premised on how much growth we have spiritually. Thus, to be who God designed and waits for us to be is the doorway to true rest and glory.

Obeying the spirit of God in all instances is a major sign of growth spiritually.
In the next decade, we should see to it that the decisions that we make in all areas of our life are chiefly informed and energized by our relationship with God and spiritual growth.

Action Point: This week, constantly remind yourself why you should grow spiritually and avoid traps that sell lies to you .

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday March 7, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:*
Who do you think, or say that you are? How do you see yourself in the world today? What defines you and your lifes goals? What is it that means fulfilment to you? How did you decide on these things? Who defined you to you? Matt 5:14; 1Pet 2:9
*Note/Prayers:* Dear Father, help me to see myself the way You see me. Open my understanding to Your definition of me. Help me to shun other voices that tell me otherwise.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday March 6, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Being sober: being in touch with reality, not becoming hyper excited in a negative way, and truly connecting with other people around us, is an important aspect of spiritual growth.
1Pet. 5:8
*Note/Prayers:* Dear Father, help me to be sober. Help me, that no matter how noisy my environment is, I should always hear Your voice and leading within.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday March 5, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Growth is a sign of life, and fruit bearing is the confirmation. We must guard against stagnancy, and let God lead us into fruitful living.
Hebrews 6: 7
*Note/prayers:* Dear Father, help me to live a fruitful life. Help me so that my fruits will be lasting ones.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday March 4, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:*
Our CORE is spiritual. We must not make the mistake of wanting to satisfy spiritual needs with physical items.
Job 32: 8.
*Note/Prayers:* Father, help me to further understand the spiritual dimension of my make-up. Help me to know how to tap from Your resources in my spirit.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday March 3, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:*We have been equipped with the needed grace and victory to make right decisions. Just trust Jesus. Prov. 3: 5-6.

*Note/Prayers:* Father, help me to follow Your leading as You guide me into right decisions and spiritual growth.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday March 2, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* God made all of us in His image and after His likeness. We must not forget this at all times. Gen 1:26-28.

*Note/prayers:* Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that You help me to see myself in Your image! Help me to see others too as Your own creation.

Episode 8 – YOUR 10-YEAR PLAN: SPIRITUAL
GROWTH DIMENSION I

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1: 8

We are welcome to yet another edition of the Life Discovery Gathering. The present series has been preparing us for the next decade and we have discussed different aspects of life that we must pay attention to in the next decade. This we believe will make the next 10 years great and largely productive.

Today, we will be talking about the spiritual growth dimension of our decadal blueprint. This topic will be discussed over two episodes. First, we will be looking into the reason we should pay attention to spiritual growth at all.

Why Spiritual Growth?
 Spirituality is our core. (Gen 1:26; Job 32:8; John 1:9; 4: 23-24).
We are essentially spiritual beings. The make-up of all humans includes the Spirit, the soul, and the body. What determines the trajectory of our lives is the position of our spirit. The fall of Adam and Eve was basically because their spirit lost touch and contact with God. That cutting off, as a result of disobedience is the major reason for the fall. Every other happening in the physical only followed through.

 It is the evidence of our redemption from death. (Gen 3: 1-7; Eph 4:
8 -15; Matt 3: 8-10; 7:19; Luke 13: 6-9)
Our growth spiritually is evidence that we are truly being redeemed from death. Growth is generally an evidence of life; stagnancy is on the other hand, an evidence of death. The plan of the enemy is to make sure that we do not grow. Growing up spiritually places us at that vantage position over sin and death.

 The devil does not want it. (Eph 6: 11-18; 1Peter 5:8; John 8:44)
The devil’s main aim is to make sure that we do not grow spiritually.
Instead, he will do all he can to sell lies, and things that do not last to us,
just like he did with Adam and Eve.

What spiritual growth is not:
 Being asocial (John 2:1; Mark 2:13-17; Matt 9: 9-10)
Being spiritual does not mean that you should not attend social functions.
Except in cases that you know that it is a very rough and ungodlygathering, or you have a strong feeling within not to attend; you should
carefully mingle and be social.

 Being sad-faced, and not dressing well. (Gal 5: 22; Romans 14:17;
John 19:23-24)
Spiritual growth is not being very sad at all times. If growth makes you sad at all times, why should you grow? Or why should others follow you? Om
the contrary, the desire for constant sadness inus is usually our own senses seeking justification, and it is ungodly. Be joyful for it is an evidence
that you are growing, and dress neatly, beautifully and decently. Against these there is no law.

 Fasting everyday (Col 2: 16 -23; 2Tim 3: 1-7)
There is no need to go on hunger strike. Righteousness in itself is a gift, and
we will not attain it by fasting everyday. Also, spiritual gifts are ‘gifts’, why should I fast everyday to access the gifts given to me? It is good to engage in intermittent fasting. Have specific days, and have a reason for fasting.
Better still, let God lead you to fast. In Jesus’ time, He was led by the spirit into the wilderness, and he did not set out to fast for 40 days. It just
happened that it was how long it took before the angels came to minister to him.

 Seeing scary visions everyday (Col. 2:18)
Many people think that once someone starts seeing scary visions everydayit is a sign of growth and seeing spiritual things. God will not sit somewhere and be concocting images to scare you. If you know anyone like that, they might need psychiatric evaluation and care. Scary visions everyday is not a sign of growth! It could just be a product of the type of
movies or stories that you watch or listen to.

 Losing touch with reality(1Peter 5:
This can go either ways. Spiritual growth is not losing touch with reality and only ‘dwelling’ in the spirit realm. On the other hand, it is not a hyper-
excitement spree where there is no sense of soberness and calm. The two extremes are ungodly. It is important for us to balance this. God has created us here, and wants us to interact with other humans the right way.

In the next decade, our journey of spiritual growth begins with (re)discovery. Understanding who we are, sets us on the journey of growth
(Luke 15:11-20). Who do you say that you are? Who defined you to you?
(Matthew 5: 13-16; 1 Peter 2: 9-10).

Action Point: This week, constantly remind yourself why you should grow spiritually and avoid traps that sell lies to you.

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.
Proverbs 16:9 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.16.9.MSG

HAPPY NEW MONTH PEOPLE. MARCH INTO GREATER GLORY.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday February 27, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* What preparation can I make to become the best husband/wife for my future spouse, and best dad/mum for my kids?

*Note/Prayers:* Dear Father, prepare me for the roles I will play in the future for my spouse and kid(s).