To advance is to move forward in a purposeful way. Advancement refers to a forward movement. To advance is to proceed, press on, push on, push forward, make progress. It is to make headway or gain ground.
Certain Truths about Advancement or Progress
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)
There are typically three forms of positions in life. An individual can be in a stationary, stagnant state, be going backward, or moving forward, advancing. It’s the desire of God for each one of His children to advance, make progress and get ahead. In Jeremiah 30:19, God says He will multiply His children and they shall not diminish; He will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
God says He will multiply His children and they shall not diminish; He will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
Both Advancement and Backwardness are Possibilities
Just as advancement or going forward is a possibility in the journey of life, going backward or staying stagnant is also a possibility.
In Jeremiah 7:24, God says when His people would not listen to Him, because they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts, instead of going forward, they went backward!
God Is Never Excited about Your Stagnancy or Backwardness
God is never excited, pleased or happy about His children going backward or remaining stagnant or staying complacent.
In Zephaniah 1:12, God says He would search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency. In Amos 6:1, God placed a curse upon those who were at ease in Zion. In Zephaniah 1:6, God says, “I will destroy those who used to worship me but no longer do. They no longer ask for The Lord’s guidance or seek His blessings.”
God’s Plan Is for a Better Future for You
God’s plan for us is to be better today than yesterday. He wants us to be better this year than last year; He wants our future to be better than our past. In Jeremiah 29:11, God said His plan towards us is of good and not of evil, to give us a future and hope. In Psalm 84:7, the Bible says they grow from strength to strength, everyone of God’s children appearing before God in Zion.
God’s plan for us is to be better today than yesterday. He wants us to be better this year than last year; He wants our future to be better than our past.
You Have the Potential for a Better Future
You have the potential for your present to be brighter than your past, your today better than your yesterday, and your future to be more glorious than your past years. In Proverbs 4:18, the Bible says the path of the just is like a shining light that shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, the Bible says we can all move from one level of glory to a greater dimension of God’s glory.
You have the potential for your present to be brighter than your past, your today better than your yesterday, and your future to be more glorious than your past years.
God Is Excited in Your Advancement
God is excited when His children are prospering and making progress in life, ministry, marriage, career, business, etc. In Psalm 35:27, the Bible says “let them shout for joy and be glad who favor my righteous cause, yea, let them say continually, let the Lord be magnified, who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His children.”
God Is Committed to Helping Those Who Make Efforts
God is committed to helping those taking positive steps, advancing and making progress on their vision, instructions, and directions.
God is committed to helping those taking positive steps, advancing and making progress on their vision, instructions, and directions.
In Genesis 24:27, Eliazar, the servant of Abraham, embarking on obeying divine instruction said, “I being on the way, the Lord led me…” So, God is committed to leading those who are on the way and making efforts at advancement in life.
You Have the Potential for Greater Levels of Accomplishment
Regardless of our level of past and present accomplishments, we all have the potential for greater accomplishments, advancement and glory through our God. Psalm 102:16 says when the Lord would have built up Zion, He will appear in his glory. That means the present state of Zion is not the destination of Zion. You can still demonstrate greater faith according to Romans 1:17, experience greater strength according to Psalm 84:7, and enjoy greater glory according to 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Righteous Lifestyle and Constant Fellowship, A Condition for Advancement
Every advancement in life is based on the state of our fellowship and spiritual health in God: Job 17:9, greater strength is meant for the righteous and those with clean hands, Psalm 84:7, constant fellowship with God is condition for enjoying advancement in all ramifications, and Proverbs 4:18 reserves brighter future for the righteous and the just. For these reasons, as we start the journey of the New Year and our new season of advancement, let us pay attention to righteousness and constant fellowship as a lifestyle, and we are on to the best season of advancement and progress in our lifetime, in Jesus name.
Let us pay attention to righteousness and constant fellowship as a lifestyle, and we are on to the best season of advancement and progress in our lifetime, in Jesus name.
To Get More in Life, You Must Be Ready to Do More
To advance and make progress beyond past and present accomplishments, you must be ready to do new things outside what you have always done or do what you have always done in a better way. Take an inventory of what your progress has been in critical areas of life, and where you are not satisfied, make a conscious effort and deliberate determination to forget the past and press forward according to Philippians 3:13.
Do not gloat on the achievements of yesterday or gripe over the disappointments of past years. The future has no place for those who think back, look back or act back!
Do not gloat on the achievements of yesterday or gripe over the disappointments of past years. The future has no place for those who think back, look back or act back! Brace up to do more this year. Be more diligent in your career, your work, your business, your academics. Sow more quality time into your relationship; improve on the level of your commitment and faithfulness to God and spiritual exercise. Compel yourself to pray more; fast more; fellowship more; love and honor God more with your life and your substance. Be more diligent.
Where there is a will to please God, God will always make a way. May God make a way for you to get ahead this year, in Jesus name. This season marks the beginning of quantum leap of advancement, soaring in accomplishments and unimaginable heights of glory. May you experience a season of unhindered progress in Jesus name.
