Rev. Dr. Patrick Paul

2016 Presents Many Opportunities & Many Possibilities

This January brings a new season; this new season brings with it opportunities and possibilities.

1.    There will be Opportunity To Start Over

2.    There will be the Possibility To Begin Again

3.    There will be Opportunity To Say I Am Sorry

4.    There will be Opportunity To Be Positive

5.    There will be Possibility To Be More Faithful

6.    There will be Possibility To Be More Hopeful

7.    There will be Opportunity To Follow your Dreams

8.    There will be Opportunity To Learn Some New Things

9.      There will be Possibility To Become A Better Person

10.    There will be Opportunity For Many To Accept The Lord

11.    There will be Opportunity To Forgive Those That Hurt Us

12.    There will be Opportunity To Better Understand God’s Power

13.    There will be Possibility Of New Paths For Healthy Relationships

14.    There will be Possibility To Make A Difference In our Community

15.    There will be the Opportunity To Do What You Have Always Wanted To Do

16.    And There will be the Possibility To Put The Past In The Past

Capacity is key with respect to the opportunities and the possibilities.

We must all seek to increase our Capacity—that is, how much you and I can handle and how much you and I can produce. There are five C’s that I was taught to increase my Capacity. I wish to share them with you. We should build our Confidence, we should Expand our Connections; we must Improve our Competence, we must Strengthen our Character, and we must Increase our Commitment.

These qualities will better prepare us to increase our capacity and strengthen our  commitment. Thereby our passion will increase and so will our capacity. In this regard, commitment will absolutely not just prepare us but will also provide a distinction; to know the difference between  just wanting something and having the ability to endure to accomplish it.

Remember people are not our ultimate problem. They may appear to be the problem, they may look like the problem, they may act like the problem, but they are basically not the supreme problem. In fact, sometimes it is very difficult to see the real problem. In principle, spiritually we are taught that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).

Here we see that people are influenced by principalities and powers. Therein lies the problem.  Unfortunately, when people allow themselves to be influenced by these unseen forces, of principalities and powers, they become responsible for the circumstances and situations in which they find themselves, and in some cases even their families. On the other hand, this can even affect the wider group of which they are a part and indeed can also account for many of the challenges faced by the nation at large. For the most part, people are also influenced by leaders and the decisions made by leaders.

Leaders operate, function and live out of their personal philosophy. Philosophy is a person’s worldview. It is how they see and internalize the world. It is how leaders see their surroundings, interpret their environment, and view the socioeconomic disposition of their people. It is how leaders respond to their culture, among other things. This is what really determines the opportunities and the possibilities that may exist.

Consequently, it is very good leaders who seek to not just produce followers—but seek to produce other leaders; and to inspire them to do things that present leaders are unable to do. These are leaders who recognize that time and gifts are opportunities. These  leaders create a healthy atmosphere to empower people. They are not focused on themselves but rather, are focused on national discipleship and national empowerment. Leaders that inspire people to see their gift as a God-given resource; to add value to national development. Leaders that inspire the human ability to say, “Yes” to opportunities and possibilities; by regulating the environment and levelling the playing field, for opportunities and possibilities to flourish. Leaders who reach deep within the communities and organizations, recognizing that both natural and human resources represent the sole wealth of a county and indeed are the citizen’s patrimony. As the people of a nation prosper, the nation becomes an example to other nations and makes its mark in history.

As the earth spins on its axis, every three months it creates a new season, and four seasons create a year. This January brings a new season; this new season brings with it opportunities and possibilities.  Rest assured, 2016 will provide many Opportunities and many Possibilities. More importantly, it is our responsibility to prepare our hearts and minds to recognize the occasion for the opportunity and be willing to explore the possibilities.

Possibilities oftentimes are disguised as risks and problems. As we face many problems and challenges in our country, so it is that we also have many opportunities and possibilities. Subsequently, the promises of God provide belief, for the human will to transform the heart and to conform the mind. This generates and creates faith that makes the possibilities greater than the risks; it is at this point that we can seize the opportunities!

Remember, any influence that will not encourage feedback is not open to transparency: it is dishonest in its affairs, discriminates in providing opportunity for people, minimizes people’s ability, magnifies other’s inability and divides people groups. This negative influence provides better opportunity for foreigners and is influenced by principalities and powers, better known as demons.

Good leaders will see the opportunities as bigger than the risk and the problem. They will use the opportunity to inspire their people to seize the possibilities. Inspirational leaders always empower their own people to explore their potential and maximize the opportunities by bringing the best out of them. Stimulating ideas that reconcile families, encourage associations, strengthen the group, and sustain national development and build character.

So let’s Build our Confidence, Expand our Connections, Improve our Competence, Strengthen our Character, and Increase our Commitment. Bahamas - all the best for 2016!

Rev. Dr. Patrick Paul
General Superintendent
Assemblies of God in The Bahamas
Including the Turks & Caicos Islands

Rev. Dr. Patrick Paul