Pause, Prepare, Proceed

As we reach the end of another year-2013 and look forward to 2014, we cannot help but think about ‘TIME’

Time – what a great gift from God!

Time is a precious resource given to us from God.
All other resources pale in comparison to ‘time’ because without ‘time’ all the other resources would be useless.

Time – We cannot go back, cannot rewind, cannot reset but we can only go forward.

So, we are exhorted in the bible to ‘walk circumspectly’, ‘redeeming the time’

Ephesians 5:15-17
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
 
Therefore, before we enter into 2014, let us Pause, Prepare and Proceed into all that God has for us.

PAUSE

Mark 6:31
31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

We all lead busy lives, living from event to event, project to project and deadline to deadline. In the midst of all the good things that we are doing, the Lord invites us as He invited the apostles whom He sent out to minister, to pause and rest.

1. Pause… to Know God!

Psalm 46:10
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Let us pause to get a fresh revelation of His love, His power, His grace, His mercy.
A fresh perspective of God gives us a fresh outlook on life!

2. Pause… to count your blessings!

Psalm 103:2
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Take time to count the many blessings.. make it a fun, family exercise before the year ends.

3. Pause… to get right with God and with people

Are you angry with God? Are you walking in wilful sin/disobedience?
Take this time to get right with God

Are you angry with people? Is there unforgiveness?
Take this time to get right with people

4. Pause… to make course corrections

Take time to make course corrections with regard to career, lifestyle, finances, diet.

5. Pause… to rest and be refreshed in your spirit, soul and body.

Isaiah 40:31
31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Psalm 4:8
8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

PREPARE

Proverbs 16:1
16 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

1. Pray  & Plan

One of the ways to prepare ourselves is to pray and plan – Do both, not one without the other.

Proverbs 16:3
3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. 9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 19:21
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

Since the Lore’s counsel is what will stand – endure, let’s pray for the revelation of His counsel while planning and carry that out

2. Position (posture)

<This section is adapted from the message ‘Ready to receive’ preached by Ps. Ashish in Sep 2012>

The following should be our position/posture(attitude) which prepares us to receive from Him.

PROCEED

As we enter into the coming new year, it might be a new season for some of us.

We need to understand that we need to step out in order to step in.

So, we move out of a season to move into another one.

Let us do so knowing that our God goes with us.

Joshua 1:5-9