```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday February 28, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Always remember God's plans for the marriage union so that we can honor them and fulfill God's purposes. Gen 1:26-27

*Note/Prayers:* Dear Father, help me to live my life (marital and social network) according to Your plan.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday February 26, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Which aspect of your 10Year plan will be impacted by the type of person you get married to/social network?
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*Note/prayers:* Dear Father, I commit my marital future and social network into Your hands, let it fulfill Your purpose.
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```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday February 25, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* God is the author of marriage. You need to depend on Him and follow His plan as you plan your marital future. Genesis 2:18

*Note/prayers:* Lord, help me as I plan for my marital future to follow Your template. Let Your will be done oh Lord!

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday February 24, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* You can be in a crowd/company and still be lonely. Put efforts into building a resourceful social network. Genesis 2:18

*Note/prayers:* Father, help me not to fall into the temptation of doing life alone. Help me connect right people.

Episode 7: Your 10Year Plan: Relationship and Social Network Dimensions - Part 2


Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. Eccl 4:9

“not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25

Last week we started looking at the template that we will use to work out our 10Year Plan with respect to our Relationship and social network:

- Think about where you are now, visualize where you want to be in the next 10years and major milestones in between them. Pay attention to your purpose in life as you take this step.

- Marriage/Social Network is not meant to complicate your life, it is meant to make your life easier, make you a happier person and expand your global impact (remember the various dimensions of global impact). This should be factored into the choice of the person and the kind of marriage you build.

- If you knew that you could not fail at creating the marriage and social network you really want, what will it be like?

Ø I desire a marriage where all members of the family interact as friends and support each other to live a fulfilling life
Ø I desire a marriage that will serve as inspiration to others and no matter the challenges, we are always committed to working it out.

Most people plan for their engagement and their wedding day, but all too often that is where it stops. What about after that? Not thinking about and planning for your future together beyond the wedding day can cause problems in a marriage.

You need to realize that marriage is one of the areas you can’t absolutely determine what you want, without getting input from your intended spouse. Examples include Fixing dates, city you will settle in, kids or no kids/number of kids, etc

*Dialogue with self

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father…” Luke 15:17-21

It is important to dialogue with yourself over your future marital and social network plans. Areas to focus on include purpose in life, which aspect of your 10Year plan will be impacted by the type of person you get married to/social network, What do I value most in a partner (shared interest, career, homebody, etc), What preparation can I make to become the best husband/wife for my future spouse, What preparation am I making to becoming the best Dad/Mum to my kids.

*Dialogue with prospective spouse
Like with anything in a relationship, it is important to dialogue with your spouse over your future plans together. Take some quality time together to really think through what you both want out of your future as a couple and as individuals. Give each other space to share thoughts, feelings, and aspirations.
Ask questions of one another . Share your future goals and aspirations with each other, What would you like to accomplish together and individually? What are your views about various domestic chores and who handles what? What are your stress indicators and how can I help? Do you want children, how many, is the gender of our kid(s) an important factor? What are your biggest fears? What is your love language? What are your sexual fantasies? How can we implement God’s model for marriage in our own marriage (Genesis 1:27-28, Ephesians 5:21-33 and 1 Corinthians 7:3-10)? Is there any challenge you have faced, you are facing or you envisage that is difficult for you to talk about?

Flexibility - A word of caution about planning: plans are great, but you have to be flexible with them. God could step in and turn our plans “upside” down several times.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them . Genesis 1:26-27

Let us always remember God’s plans for the marriage union so that we can honor them and fulfill God’s purposes.
1. God’s plan for marriage is to reflect his image.
2. God’s plan for marriage is to raise godly children.
3. God’s plan for marriage is to establish and build his kingdom.
4. God’s plan for marriage is companionship.
5. God’s plan for marriage is for married couples to make a new family unit.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday February 22, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Pay attention to your purpose in life as you take the step of your 10year plan for your marital and social network.

*Note/Prayers:* Lord help me to always realize how Your purpose for my life is reflected in my marriage and social interaction.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday February 21, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* If you knew that you could not fail at creating the marriage and social network you really want, what will it be like? Mat 7:7

*Note/prayers:* Dear Father, help me to see and walk into the future You desire for me maritally and socially.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday February 20, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* With respect to your relationship and social interaction, where will you be in the next 10 years? IICor 13:5

*Note/Prayers:* Dear Father, grant me the understanding to discover Your plan for me maritally & other social interactions.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday February 19, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* With respect to your relationship and social interaction, where are you now? IICor 13:5.

*Note/Prayer:* Father, help me to do a sincere self evaluation of my relationship and social network.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday February 17, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? Matthew 5:13

*Note/prayer:* Father, help me to make long term (10years) plan towards deploying my salt to my world.

Episode 6: Your 10-Year Plan: Relationship and Social Network Dimensions.
In the last 5 weeks we have examined some features of our 10Year Plan, which should have given us an idea of what our Decadal Blueprint for Global Impact should begin to look like.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it
be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown
out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built
on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under
a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the
house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may
see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Mat 5:13-16(NIV)

In the next few weeks, we will be looking at various dimensions that should be included in our 10-Year Plan. We are starting with the Relationship and Social Network Dimensions.

A template that we will use to work out the various dimensions of our 10-Year Plan will include (but not limited to):
- Think about where you are now, visualize where you want to be in the next 10years and major milestones in between them. Pay attention to your purpose in life as you take this step. You will
examine different aspect depending on who you are (your purpose), what you want out of life, what will make your life easier, what will make
you a happier person and how this will expand your global impact (remember the various dimensions of global impact). Be as honest as
possible. Don't think about what you feel is expected of you — instead, think about what truly makes you happy and fulfilled.

- From the point where you start to visualize where you want to be in the next 10years and the major milestones, you need to ask yourself, if you
knew that you could not fail at creating the life you really want, what will it be like? You will need to be specific as we were told two weeks
ago. “Being rich” is not a goal, it’s too vague. My net worth should not be less than $10million is better and more specific.

- Fix specific dates and time frame for those goals and milestones… on the 14th February 2029, my net worth will not be less than $10million. My milestones could be something like Monthly goals/activities, yearly goals… e.g save a 6-month emergency fund.

The end result of any goal often looks lofty but reaching any goal is accomplished by breaking it down into smaller steps.

Let us start applying this to the Relationship and Social Network Dimensions of our Decadal Blueprint for Global Impact.

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper
who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. Eccl 4:9
“not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25

Let us look at Relationship as Marriage and everything related and also consider Social Network as other forms of relationship we have.

¶Where are you now with respect to marriage and everything related:
Single with no date, single with a date not so serious, single with a serious date, single but with somebody in mind, in a relationship not sure will lead to marriage, in a “sure” relationship, married but seek a better relationship with spouse, etc

¶Where are you now with respect to your social network:
I don’t have any close friend, I have too many friends that drain me out, my current social network does not have a picture of where I want to be in my 10-year plan, etc

The primary aim of this step is self-assessment - the process of looking at oneself in order to assess your current state…this will serve as a baseline data to help you assess the level of progress you are making towards your 10-year plan. You will have to include facts and figures and be very specific.

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! 2 Cor 13:5

If you don’t realize where you are now with respect to your relationship and social network, you may not be able to draw out any decadal blueprint in that direction.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday February 15, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* All things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

*Note/Prayer:* Lord, teach me to accept the fact that all things (the good, the bad and the ugly are working for my good.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday February 14, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Sometimes, we might need to develop our capacity in specific areas so to handle some challenges. James 2:14-26

*Note/Prayer:* Dear Father, give me the courage to move forward into the full life You have planned for me.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday February 13, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* For your 10-Year plan, you will come across some challenges in which you can do nothing about. Just trust God. Prov.3:5-6

*Note/prayer:* Dear Father, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Help me to trust You.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday February 12, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Challenges are not absolute indicators to see if you are doing or living right or wrong. Matthew 7:2427

*Note/Prayer:* Father, help me to look at things from Your perspectives, help me to see what You see.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday February 11, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (TLB)

*Note/Prayer:* Lord, help me to see and receive every victory You bring my way in the face of challenges.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday February 10, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* God did not promise us a Challenge free life, but He promised us His presence as the constant K. Isaiah 43:2a (TLB)

*Note/prayer:* Father, help me to always realize Your presence is with me no matter what I am faced with.

Episode 5: Your 10-Year Plan: Two Categories of Challenges You Will Face

Is your Decadal Blueprint For Global Impact becoming visible? How much have you written down?
One of the most common variables that we will keeping dealing with right from when we are drawing our 10-Year plan to when we are working out the plan is called CHALLENGES! What are other names for Challenges?

Challenges will come in various shape, size, format, intensity, etc

Before we consider the 2 categories of challenges and what to do about them, let us briefly examine some biblical perspectives to challenges:

- God did not promise us a Challenge free life, but he promise us his presence as the constant ‘K’ for every of life’s occurrences and experiences. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2a (TLB)

- Facing challenges should not be a surprise to us…infact you should always be prepared in all ramification for it. I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Living Bible (TLB)

- Challenges are not absolute indicators to see if you are doing things or living right or wrong. The Parable of the Wise and the Foolish Builders Matthew 7:24–27 shows that both the house of the wise and foolish faced the storm.

To be able to take advantage of the challenges of life and ride on these challenges into great heights and fulfillment of our life’s purpose, let us consider 2 broad categories of challenges we will face.

1. The Challenges you can do almost nothing about – as you draw and implement your 10Year plan, you will come across some challenges in which you can do nothing about. Generally there are some things you can’t do anything about - You can't please everyone, You'll never catch up to the Joneses, you can't control what someone else thinks, Yesterday is over. You can't get it back, Where you came from, Nothing is ever really private anymore, etc. In the various areas of our 10-Year plan, we will be faced with challenges we can almost do nothing about like when a friend, spouse or child decides to walk away, when someone dear take their life (suicide), bad/ugly occurrences in our “yesterday”, when the exchange rate crashes, natural occurrences, etc

2. The Challenges you have the capacity, or you can develop the capacity to do something about. Sometimes, we might need to develop our capacity in specific areas so to handle some challenges. Sometimes, when face with challenges we become perplexed and don’t act in the right direction. Once you evaluate a challenge and you see you can do something about it, get to work immediately instead of sulking and crying over spilled milk.

One practical and biblical approach towards the above two categories of Challenges is called the SERENITY PRAYER approach. This was Written by Reinhold Neibuhr (1892-1971),

Shortened Version - God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

3 Biblical Truths We Can Apply to the Serenity Prayer
1. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change."
When life feels out of control, it’s easy to try to work harder at controlling everything and everyone around us! Some of us do the opposite and just throw our hands up and give up on the situation or person. Whichever extreme you go to, peace and serenity continues to move further from your life. God promises a supernatural peace when we bring our worries and concerns to Him in prayer. Let go of the past. Learn coping skills. Set new goals.

2. "the courage to change the things I can,"
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have received the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is able to supply you with the courage to follow and act upon God’s plan for your life. Instead of fearfully ignoring hard decisions or running from what seems too difficult, we can call upon the power of God for courage to move forward into the full life He has planned for us.

3. "and, the wisdom to know the difference."
You can grow in wisdom each day and make better decisions as you spend time reading the Bible and communicating with God through prayer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” -
James 1:5

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday February 8, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Your mistakes, misdeeds and bad habits do not necessarily disqualify you from getting what you want as long as you can retrace your steps.


*Note/prayer:* Lord, teach me to accept Your forgiveness, get over my past mistakes and learn from them.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday February 6, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* One of the laws of the spirit is specificity. The reason you don't have what you want is because you are not specific about it.


*Note/prayer:* Lord, teach me to become more specific about my goals so they can be realised and achieved with ease.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday February 5, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* prov 14:12 everything has a cost, it matters what you decide NOT to do. It is important to note that not all opportunities are for you no matter how attractive.


*Note/prayer:* Dear father, help me Identify opportunities you have sent my way so I don't keep chasing clouds.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday February 4, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Habakuk 2:2. Have a clear mental picture of the life you want. Anyone who is double minded should not expect anything from God. So be as clear and detailed as you can be.


*Note/prayer:* Lord, help me receive a clear picture of the future so I may pinpoint my goals to always run in the right direction.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday February 3, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* 1Cor 14:2. It is important to engage the Holy Spirit for directions in your 10-year plan. As planning without direction is planning to fail.

*Note/prayer:* Father, enable me to be sensitive to your promptings and position me to be receptive of the ideas you drop in my mind per time.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday February 1, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* What are your past experiences that you can use as a positive vibe for your 10-year plan?
2 Cor. 1:3-4

*Note/Prayer:* Father, help me to always realise that you can use every of my experiences towards building the life you want me to live.

Happy New Month people. Enjoy more of God's wisdom and favour. Cheers

Please do well to follow us here or any of our social media handles to get more updates on our operations, interventions and programs.

Thanks[quote][/quote]

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday January 31, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* In your 10-year plan, don't try to be another person. Why do you act the way you do? 1 Cor. 12:6 (Ph)


*Note/prayer:* Father, help me to factor my personality creatively into my decadal blueprint for global impact.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday January 30, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Work your 10-year plans in the line of your abilities. Don't be distracted by the success/abilities of others. Romans 12:6a (NLT).

*Note/prayer:* Lord Jesus, help me to always realise you made me with my own unique abilities. Help me not to get carried away by the abilities of others.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday January 29, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Your dreams, passion & interests is a way of God telling you what your life focus should be -let it be the drive of your 10-year plan. Pro. 27:19

*Note/prayer:* Father as I draw out my decadal blueprint for global impact, help me to strategically pursue my dreams, passion & interest to the glory of your name.
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```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday January 28, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* In developing our decadal blueprint, we need to explore more in the areas of our spiritual gifts. 1 Peter 4:10 (GW).

*Note/prayer:* Father help me to discover more of my spiritual gift and help me to realise areas you will want me to deploy them in my 10-year plan.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday January 27, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Growing spiritually is to help us connect better with God that we might be like Him & be better witnesses of Him on earth. Acts 1:8

*Note/prayer:* Lord, help me to understand better the purpose for which You would want me to grow spiritually that You may fill me with Your fullness.

Episode 3: PURPOSE DISCOVERY - A MAJOR STEP IN CREATING A DECADAL BLUEPRINT AND PLAN

Last week, we discussed understanding the global impact of your decadal blueprint at four levels , starting with ourselves using Acts 1:8.

Discovery of purpose is very paramount in creating the decadal blueprint. It is crucial because it will guide the creation of goals to achieve the plans for a global impact.
In creating blueprint, ones purpose must be before them to enable them create an impactful blueprint which you will enjoy working on despite the obstacles that may arise.

Discovery of purpose is synonymous with answering the ‘why’ question. In research, all questions are important – what, when, who, how but the ‘why’ question if answered thoughtfully first will make answering other questions a
‘walk in the pack’ . Answering the ‘why’ question is the fulcrum on which other question stand, which will make completing the research more meaningful and achievable. In discovering purpose especially with respect to creating the 10-year plan, we answer the ‘why’ question in every area of life …

Over the years, we have gone through some ways of identifying purpose using an acronym from the ‘Purpose Driven Life’ written by Rick warren, the Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church, U.S.A. The acronym is S.H.A.P.E. meaning:

Spiritual Gifts – What are your spiritual gifts? Why do you have those gifts ? “But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.” 1 Cor. 12:11. (CEV) “Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others.” 1 Peter 4:10 (GW).

Heart – What are your dreams, passion & interests? Why does your heart ‘beat’ for those things?“ As a face is reflected in water, so a person is reflected by his heart” . Pro. 27:19 (GW)

Ability – Why do you have those abilities? “God has given us each of us the ability to do certain things well.” Romans 12:6:6a (NLT). “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” 1 Cor. 10:33

Personality – Why do you act the way you do? “God works through different people in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purpose through them all.” 1 Cor. 12:6 (Ph)

Experiences – Why did/do I have to go through those/these experiences? What should I do with my varied experiences?
He would comfort you so you can comfort others . 2 Cor. 1:3-4. “My friends, I want you to know what a hard time we had in Asia. Our sufferings were so horrible and so unbearable that death seemed certain. In fact, we felt sure that we were going to die. But this made us stop trusting in ourselves and start trusting God, who raises the dead to life. God saved us from the threat of death, and we are sure that he will do it again and again.” 2 Cor. 1: 8-10 (CEV). Aldous Huxley said, "Experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you."
Taking time to ruminate on these will really help in discovering purpose.

Now in the creation of the decadal blueprint, we were encouraged to set our plans using broad categories …Also, under every category will be questions I hope will help us think deeply on the purpose for which we include any goal (10-year plan)

SPIRITUAL – For every Christian, a plan is not complete if the spiritual aspect is not included. Why do I want to grow spiritually? Why do I want a closer relationship with God? What benefit will my spiritual growth bring? What factors will determine my spiritual development? How do I intend to achieve spiritual growth? Who will work with me to achieve spiritual growth? Who will I encourage to grow spiritually? How will I encourage anyone to grow spiritually?

CAREER/ACADEMIC/BUSINESS - Why do I want to be top in my class? Why do I want that job? Why do I have my current job? What benefit will my advancement in these areas bring? What factors will determine my improvement in these areas? How will I work towards the advancement of these areas? Who will be instrumental for me in the achievement of these? Who will I be instrumental for in achieving these?

FINANCIAL – Why do I want an improvement in my financial status? What benefit will an improvement in my financial status have? What factors will determine the improvement of my financial status? How will I increase my financial status? Who will be instrumental in the improvement of my financial status? Who will I be instrumental for in this area?

FAMILY/RELATIONSHIP– Why would I want a closer familial relationship? Why would I want to go into that relationship? Why do I want to get married? Why am I married?
OTHERS – Fill in other areas and ask specific questions in that area, asking and answering the ‘why’ question first.

ACTION POINT: TAKE TIME TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, THINKING DEEPLY BEFORE ANSWERING. MAKE SURE THE WHY QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED FIRST. AS WE PAY ATTENTION TO THESE, MAY THE EYES OF OUR UNDERSTANDING BE ENLIGHTENED.

```Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday January 23, 2020```

*Focus/Reflection:* Y"ou are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, in the same way let your light shine before others..."
Matthew 5:14-16

*Note/prayer:* Dear Father, help me to take up the personal responsibility of shining the light You have put into me for my world to see. I will not be hidden; I am set on the hill.