A YEAR OF BREAKTHROUGH

I really sense in my heart that God wants to give us a greater breakthrough in 2012. God desires to give us breakthroughs in all areas of our lives, such as in our family, marriage, relationship, career, business and ministry. I believe God want us to go beyond where we are currently stationed and what we have accomplished so far. The more breakthroughs we receive from God, the more blessings we can be to our family, our community and the world. I want to share some principles about how we can see breakthrough in our lives.

1. Breakthrough comes with a vision

Do you want to see change take place in your life and the situations around you? The vision for change must be greater than the feeling of stalemate, infertility, and barrenness. If we are happy or content with our current situation, then there is no desire for a change or breakthrough. On the contrary, when we have a strong conviction that change is necessary for ourselves, family and the people around us, then we will desire to do something about it.

A shepherd boy named David was not content to sit by and watch the army of God paralyzed and gripped with fear because of a single giant Goliath, the Philistine. The battle between Israel and Philistine was at a standstill because no one was willing to be Goliath’s challenger. David wanted the God of Israel to be glorified and not be defamed by a single Philistine. Goliath’s size, his curses, weapons, or the Philistine army did not intimidate David. David believed that his God is greater than the gods of the Philistines. He uttered these famous words as he approached Goliath:
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, how you have defied” 1 Samuel 17:45

God gave David and the Israelite army a great victory over the Philistines on that day when David slung a stone that hit and killed Goliath. What shifted the battle between the Israelite and Philistine? A young shepherd boy who believed God was greater than any opposition from the Philistines. David’s vision of God was greater than the vision of his brother and the army of Israelites. (Read 1 Samuel 17)

When I was a new believer, I was amazed to read all the miracles that took place in the Bible in both the Old Testament and New Testament. I loved to read about the miracles performed by the prophets of God like Moses, Elijah and Elisha. I was amazed by the miracles performed by Jesus, the apostles and the early church. However, I did not have a vision that miracles could happen in my life and in the present time. I lacked the vision to see the supernatural life become a reality in me. Therefore, I was just happy to read about miracles and continue to live my normal, everyday life without the supernatural power of God living in and through me.

Over the years, I read books about people used by God to perform great signs and wonders such as John G Lake, Smith Wiggleworth, Oral Roberts, Kathryn Kuhlman, Charles & Frances Hunters and John Wimber. God began to impart into me a supernatural vision to live a supernatural life. I began to believe the miracles written in the Bible were not just for a historical record but written to inspire us to follow their footsteps and do even greater things. Jesus stated very clearly that after He ascended to heaven to be with the Father, His disciples would do far greater and outstanding miracles than Him.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:12-13

After the initial stage of believing in miracles, I moved the next stage of envisioning myself doing the miracles of God. Then, I moved to the final stage: overcoming my fear and start doing what Jesus’ command every believer to do – pray for the sick.

A vision from God will cause us to believe, envision and doing whatever needed for change and breakthrough. Let us not settle with where we are but pursue God for a vision for greater breakthrough in our lives.
2. Breakthrough comes with a price

For any breakthrough to become a reality, we need to have passion and determination to make it happen. Breakthrough and changes does not come easily. There must be investment of directed and intentional effort and energy to fulfill the dream. A farmer knows that he must plow the ground, fertilize and water the soil in order for the seed to bear fruit. He cannot sit back and hope that his seed will grow without doing anything. He works hard in the heat of the day to make sure that the seed becomes a young plant and then into a fruit bearing tree. He must remove any obstacles that are hindering the plant from growing such as weeds, pests, and birds. Likewise, we need to pay the price for seeing the result and breakthrough we desire.
The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:6

We live in a society that does not like the word “commitment”. We want things to fall into our lap without much effort. We are afraid of making any commitment because it will cost us something. However, the reality is that our rewards are always greater than the commitment that we have invested. The growing pains we experience in life will produce a greater reward that awaits us in the near future. There is no short cut or easy way in achieving great things in life. We need to make an investment in prayer, resources, time, planning and sacrifice in order to make progress. God will empower us to accomplish His plans in our lives. We are not alone, we have a Partner who will help to us to get achieve great breakthrough. God wants us to rely in Him to produce more fruits in our lives.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

We do not have to struggle alone because there is a greater strength, greater wisdom and greater anointing living within us through the Holy Spirit.

3. Breakthrough comes with momentum

It is so vital to keep pursuing the vision and dreams of a breakthrough. We need to Believe God for the breakthrough, Work toward achieving the breakthrough and Persevere until the breakthrough is accomplished. There will always be hurdles, obstacles, discouragements or disappointments along the way of achieving a great breakthrough. In such times, we need to stay focused and continue to persevere until we cross over the mountain or survive the storm. I always remind myself that my greatest breakthrough is just around the corner when I face some trials or setbacks. I discovered this principle to be always true. God does not give us vision and dream so we can fail miserably. Rather, God gives us the perseverance to overcome the trials so we can move to the next level of victory and blessings.

We need to be consistently doing what God has called us to do. If we are being faithful everyday, we will see a tremendous breakthrough in our lives. God promised that what He began in our lives, He will complete it. We need to hang in there when the times are tough and pressing forward is hard going.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:4-6

When I was a child, I loved reading the story of the “Rabbit and the Turtle”. The rabbit raced off to a brilliant start, he sprinted at rapid speed while the turtle slowly toddled along. The rabbit ended up getting distracted and sleeping while the turtle walked at his own pace. Over a period of time, the turtle ends up passing the rabbit and crossing the finish line first. This is a childhood story but it has some powerful principles. It is not how well we start that matter, but how well we finish the race.

At end of Apostle Paul’s life, he wrote these powerful words about his service unto the Lord;
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing”. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

He completed everything that the Lord had given for him to achieve in this life and he was ready to receive his reward in the heaven. Let us follow Apostle Paul’s example of ending well in life. Let us run the race to the finish line and receive the reward that awaits us at the end. Keep going and do not give up until it is completed.

Together, I look forward to experiencing many exciting breakthroughs in the Lord in 2012. We have a good God who desires to give us many breakthroughs. I love to hear your breakthrough stories in 2012.

May the God of breakthrough bless you and your family richly in 2012.