Association

It was Charlie Tremendous Jones who said, “You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read.” In other words, the books we read and the company we keep determine our end in the journey to our destinies. Therefore, our relationships and what we read either make or break us; but they never leave us the same way.

The Bible says: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20; see also Amos 3:3; 1 Corinthians 15:33).

Therefore, every relationship should be based on agreement because only agreeable people can relate profitably with one another. For instance, Abraham’s vision was stagnated as long as Lot was with him. In that account, the Bible says: 

“And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.” Genesis 13:14-18

From here, we understand that as long as Lot was with Abraham, Abraham could not access the next phase of God’s plan and purpose for his life. In the same vein, there are certain individuals in our lives who will not allow us to fulfil God’s plan, except we separate ourselves from them.

Therefore, we must mind the association we keep because it determines our destiny and speed in the pursuit of God’s plans for our lives.

Appreciation

“Appreciation” here is the acknowledgement of God’s hand upon us as we pursue His vision for our lives. It is being grateful to God for where we are, in order to secure our arrival where He has ordained us to be.

“Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.” Psalm 67:3-7

That means, thanksgiving is what causes our vision to blossom because it compels God to always back us up. Moreover, praise and gratitude are covenant yeasts that boost our visions, dreams and pursuits in life.

But, when we take God for granted, our vision gets grounded.

Several years ago, my driver parked by a roadside beggar on the way to my house and gave him five naira. On receiving the money, the beggar looked at it with disgust and said, “Me, five naira?” Immediately, I told my driver never to give anything to that beggar again. That is what ingratitude does; it shuts us out of divine supplies.

Thus, it is important for us to always remember that our greatness is rooted in our gratefulness. When we stop appreciating God, we start depreciating in life.

In addition, the Bible says: But thou art holy, o thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3).

This further shows that when we are grateful to God, He dwells with us and our glorious destinies are guaranteed. This is because we cannot have the Great God by our side and not be great. For instance, if we are in a car with the president of a nation, every honour that goes with the presidential office rubs off on us naturally. Likewise, gratitude grants us the abiding presence of the Great God. That is enough to win any battle in life and guarantee a glorious accomplishment of destiny!

Testimonies

In the account of David’s battle with Goliath, he said: “God Who enabled me to kill the lion and the bear will strengthen me to kill this uncircumcised Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:32-51 paraphrased).

Then, he ran towards Goliath, brought him down and cut off his head. David was simply energised and empowered by those testimonies; hence, he had victory over Goliath.

From that story, the Bible reveals that David remembered the acts of God in the past and that became the source of his triumph in the battle against Goliath. This explains why those who do not mind testimonies keep struggling with trials.

Again, testimonies are faith boosters and our faith is all it takes to keep our visions running. The Bible confirms this when Habakkuk said:

“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:1-4

Therefore, faith is a principal booster of vision, and testimonies are boosters of faith. That makes it simple for us to appreciate that whatever can boost faith can also boost our visions.

Divine Help

We cannot fulfil our destinies without God’s help, because divine help is what delivers us in times of trouble. As it is written: 

“Give us help from trouble:for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies” (Psalm 60:11-12).

God’s help is always available but we must accept the responsibility of calling on Him in order to access it. Thus, divine help is not wished for; it is called for. This is because when it comes to God, it is only what we call for that is made available to us. God does not waste resources. But how do we call for God’s help?

One major way through which we call for God’s help is prayers.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Again, the Bible says: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matthew 7:8).

In conclusion, the Bible says: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain (Psalm 127:1).

Therefore, if we have anything to show for our labour, we must never forget God or take for granted that He is behind it, because every result in our pursuit of vision is rooted in God…

This text is an extract from the book “THE BREAKTHROUGH POWER OF VISION” written by David O. Oyedepo. 
We invite you to read the following article “Discipline and Diligence“.

VISION BOOSTERS. VISION BOOSTERS. VISION BOOSTERS. VISION BOOSTERS. VISION BOOSTERS.