Presumably, you would study a map, identify the best route, and plan for potential challenges. You would probably plan for food, clothes, fuel for your vehicle and even carry sufficient money knowing that there may be unforeseen circumstances that would arise.

If you would do this for a journey, then you should expend even more energy and time in curating preparatory plans for a year.

Yesterday, we discussed the advantages of seeing with God and today, we will focus on preparation for the new year by planning.

Tomorrow, we begin the journey of 2025 and while it is indeed a new year, it does not necessarily mean “a new you” if you have not done anything to make it so. Most occurrences in life do not happen by chance, they happen by proper and meticulous planning, even when it comes to spiritual things.

Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬ ‭
New King James V‬‬ersion
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

The Bible teaches that planning diligently leads to success and hasty actions to failure. This text isn’t just talking about financial success, as it is most often used to explain. But it is a foundation in everything— even spiritual growth.

So, what are your plans for spiritual growth in 2025?

What are your targets?

What is your purpose?

What exactly is your part to play this year to ensure that those prophecies spoken over your life come to pass?

Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭
New King James Version
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

The Apostle Paul says he has a decision to make; either to stay with the saints in Philippi or to die and he goes on to say that staying with them is more needful. This shows us that there is a mindset for the growth of believers.

In verse 25, he communicates an assurance that his abiding and continuing with them would cause progress and joy in the faith. This means that the outcome of every believer under a set man of God is meant to be progress in the faith. Stagnancy is not consistent with Christianity; you must always be growing in the faith. No one can get to any point in their walk with God where they wouldn’t need to grow.

You must have a burning passion for growth in 2025! You must awaken a zeal for spiritual growth like never before. Don’t be too comfortable where you are. Have a growth mentality!

This is why you can’t continue into 2025 without planning because how would you measure your growth in the faith?

One cannot know if they are progressing if they can’t measure their growth. One should look back after strictly and wholeheartedly following structures in your local church and see that they have grown.

How would you be able to tell that you are growing?

1. Joy in the faith: Firstly, the text above tells us that joy accompanies growth in the faith; you would delight in doing the things of God.

2. Better study of the word: You would be studying, understanding and gaining more knowledge from the Bible.

3. Growth in prayer: You should be able to look back and notice an increase in the quality, concentration and even timing of your prayers.

4. More in evangelism: You would be able to effectively communicate the gospel’s message to others.

If you are not experiencing any of these, chances are either that you aren’t in the right place, or you aren’t applying yourself correctly.

So, do you have a detailed plan for your spiritual growth in 2025? If you haven’t created one, do so today.

Your plan and target must answer the following questions;

What books of the Bible do you want to finish in 2025?

How many hours do you want to pray each day?

What structures in your local church would you be committed to this year?

How many people would you evangelise to?

How many people would you disciple?

There is most likely already a curriculum in your local church so plan to align with it and keep to structures set for you as this is what would cause you growth; continuing and abiding with a ministry gift.

Planning, preparing and executing will set you up for success and spiritual growth in the year 2025.

So, today, plan, prepare and go into the year ready to keep to your planned structures.

Prayer Point
This year, more than ever before, I set targets and I experienced growth in my walk with God. I prepare, curate plans and execute my plans to facilitate growth in God.