SEVEN (7) KEY THINGS YOU MUST PRIORITIZE IN 2023

” You crown the year with your goodness; your footsteps drop prosperity behind them” (Psalm 65:11)

Life is about setting priorities. Everytime you launch into a new day, week, month, and year, it gives you the opportunity to evalute and reset your priorities.

2023 is just a few hours away and you have the privilege of putting together a new plan to have a fresh start. The Bible says: “May he give you what your heart desires, and may he fulfill all your plans ” (Psalm 20:4). It’s your responsibility to draw a plan and it’s God’s prerogative to bring your plan to fruition.

What are your plans for 2023? Or better still, what are your priorities; what are the things you want to give utmost attention? I know you must have penned down several things. However, I will like to put these seven issues forward to you to consider them as you set your plans for 2023 if you desire is to maximize the year.

1. Reaffirm your purpose for living.
   Without a clear understanding of why you’re here on earth, life will remain an experiment and you will live daily in frustration. The Bible says: ” Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jer. 1:4) You must constantly live in view of this eternal purpose of God for your life.
2. Rekindle your passion for God.
   Passion is the fuel that keeps you going on the daily basis. It supplies you with daily inspiration and helps you to surmount every obstacles on your path of destiny. You must keep this passion fresh on the daily basis in 2023, especially your passion to follow hard after God. The Bible says: ” As an antelope pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When may I come and appear in God’s presence? (Psalm 42:1-2)
3. Refresh your prayer Altar.
   Your prayer altar is the place where you transact spiritual business with God. This transaction must be daily. It’s a place of fellowship with divinity where you secure daily instructions for living. It’s also a place where you get your spiritual energy renewed. Don’t play with it in 2023; give it a pivotal place in your schedule. Learn from Jesus in Mark 1:35: ” In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went to a deserted place and prayed there”
4. Romance with quality friends .
   This is called your social capital. You must consciously select people that will form your circle of influence in 2023. The truth is we are incurably relational but you must learn to keep friendship with quality people. Associate with people who can rob great virtues on you. Walk with people with eagle’s perspective; don’t associate with mediocres. Mediocrity will silence your lofty dreams. The Bible says: ” Whoever keeps company with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm” (Prov. 13:20). Take a cue from Daniel and his three other friends (Daniel 1:1-10)
5. Raise your level of Personal development .
   Personal development is the process of giving yourself to continuous education. You must grow in your knowledge level; your bank of new ideas must increase because ideas rule the world. One surest way of doing this is by reading great books especially in your area of passion. Books are conveyors of great ideas. You must study to make yourself approved as a tested and trusted personality. Make a list of 12 great books you must read in 2023. Join a readers club so you could be accountable.
   Learn from Paul and his addiction to books in 2 Tim. 4:13: ” The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments”
6. Respond to Kingdom Investment Opportunities.
   Kingdom Investment is the process of contributing your quota to the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth in cash and kind. In this context, I want to particularly encourage you to increase the rate of your financial sowing into Kingdom project in 2023.
   Give your tithe regularly and appropriately; identify people in need around you and consciously sow into their lives. You can adopt a missionary and mission field; you may consider a retired pastor, you can also include widows and orphans. Don’t also forget the pastor over you and other spiritual fathers who nurture you.
   When you do this genuinely, you will be surprised how you will experience financial surplus. The Bible says: ” While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Gen. 8:22)
7. Rest well to Reinvigorate your health.
   Rest is good. It is designed by God so your body could be reinvigorated, rejuvenated and revived for optimum productivity. Don’t damage your body system by stretching it beyond limits. Learn to set aside time for rest.
   Again, be careful what you feed your body with. Don’t eat junks. Eat more of fruits and vegetables. Drink a lot of water. Exercise regularly. Stay in a well ventilated environment; avoid polluted environment. Keep yourself fit. Your body is designed for the purpose of helping you to fulfill your divine assignment on earth; don’t reck it with poor eating habit. Learn from God himself: ” And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made” (Gen. 2:2)

I believe if you prioritize these seven vital keys, you will maximize the year 2023. I see you LEAPING into GREATNESS on the wings of GRACE in 2023.

I love you massively ❤

Gideon Akanbi, PhD.