ANNUAL LEADERSHIP

RETREAT

2016

Facilitator – Pst. Kayode Kolawole13th Feb-2016

Pressing Towards the Mark – the high calling of GodBrethren, I count not myself to have

apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Philipians 3:13,14 KJV

Introduction• We all want to be better whether life is going well for

you or in the reverse• But even if you are living your best life now, it is

important that you do not become stagnant• God always wants to increase us, to do more in and

through us• He always wants to take us deeper into self-discovery

and then wants to raise us to a higher level of living• HE DID NOT CREATE YOU TO BE AVERAGE• He does not want us to settle for “good enough”• HE WANTS YOU TO KEEP STRETCHING – To keep

pressing forward into the next level• HE WANTS US TO KEEP PRESSING TOWARDS THE

MARK FOR THE PRIZE

Meaning of Concept “Press”The Oxford Dictionary defines the

concept “press” as:1.To move in the direction mentioned

by pushing2.To make strong efforts to persuade

or force somebody to do something3.To express or repeat something in a

forceful way.

The Position of ‘Good’ vs “Best”• Too many people settle for mediocrity in their

thoughts, attitudes or actions• It is time to put off those negative mind-sets

and rise higher• Remember, God has put in you everything you

need to live a victorious life – now, it is up to you to draw it out

• Don’t let wrong mind-sets, a negative past, or other people’s opinion discourage us or cause us to give up and quit pressing forward

• People who want to live at their full potential have discovered that the ‘good (second best)’ can often be the enemy of the “best.”

What Does it Mean to Keep Pressing Toward the Mark First, you need to understand that God

wants you to become all that He created you to be

You must realize that God will do His part, but YOU must do your part as well

‘Keep pressing towards the mark’ is all about continuous improvement, constant self-development, progressive attempts

Principles of Pressing towards the Mark for the Prize1. Keep pressing forward2. Be positive toward yourself – Stop condemning

or disqualifying yourself3. Develop better relationships – if you want your

relationships to thrive, you must invest in them by being a giver rather than a taker

4. Form better habits – feeding peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, humility and self-control or other positive traits will only make them stronger

5. Embrace the place where you are – Learn to relax and accept the place where you are while you keep pressing for the next level of change

6. Develop your inner life – Develop a tender conscience

7. Stay passionate about life – Avoid planning for defeat and keep singing your song

Steps for Pressing towards the Mark for the PrizeKeep Pressing i. Stretching to the Next Levelii.Give your dream a new beginningiii.The power of your bloodlineiv.Breaking free from the strongholds of your pastv.The generational blessingvi.Discovering your Destiny

Be positive toward yourself i. Stop listening to accusing voicesii.Learning to like yourselfiii.Making your words work for youiv.Have confidence in yourselfv.Stop condemning or disqualifying yourself

Principles (contd.) Develop better relationshipsi. Bringing the best out of peopleii. Keep the strife out of your lifeiii.Taking a stand for you familyiv.Invest in your relationshipsv. Being good to people Form better habitsi. Feed your good habitsii. Develop a habit of happinessiii.Handling criticismiv.Keep yourself happy Embrace the place where you arei. Embrace the place where you areii. It is well with your souliii.Stay in peaceiv.Remember the goodv. God is in control

Principles (contd.) Develop your inner lifei. Rising higherii. Develop a tender conscienceiii. Dealing with the root issues

Stay passionate about lifei. Plan for blessingii. Keep singing your songiii. From believing to expectingiv. Stay passionate about life

Mysteries of Pressing Forward • God was thinking about you before you were

ever even born – Believe in yourself and believe that you have something to offer this world that nobody else has

• What happened in your past is not nearly as important as what is in your future – God wants to give you a new beginning, but you have to let go of the old before you will ever see the new (take courage from Old Testament character Caleb & Joshua)

ConclusionDon’t ever let “good enough” be good enough.You were not made to be average; you were made

to excelDon’t settle for anything less than God’s best You were made to leave your mark on this

generationAt the start of each day, remind yourself: “I am talented. I am creative. I am greatly favoured

by God. I am equipped. I am well able. I will see my dreams come to pass”

Declare those statements by faith and before long, you will begin to see them in reality as you move closer to the prize