1 Timothy 4:15
"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."
Progress is one of the most important essentials to success in the Christian life, business and your personal life.
Progress shows that there is growth. Progress shows that you are getting closer to your main goals. You will never achieve your goals or success without progress.
Timothy was probably the best protégé of the Apostle Paul. Timothy would be Paul's trophy preacher boy. Timothy had such an impact on Paul's life that two books were written to make sure he succeeded in the ministry. In the verse above, Paul showed Timothy how his "profiting may appear to all." In other words, Paul wanted everyone to see Timothy's progress as a young preacher. He showed him several essentials to progressing as a preacher. Paul understood that you can never stop growing, and that progress must be an essential part of the Christian's life if they are going to serve God to the end of their life. These essentials that Paul gave Timothy are essential for you if you want to see progress in every area of your life. Let me show you these essentials to progress.
First, reading is an essential to progress. Paul said in verse 13, "...give attendance to reading,..." Reading has a way of cultivating the thinking process of the mind. You need to read so that you continue to learn. Those who never read will find themselves in the rut of monotony. Reading allows you to gain wisdom and ideas from others that you can implement in your life. You must make reading a regular part of your life if you want to see progress.
Second, building others is an essential to progress. Paul told Timothy to "...give attendance...to exhortation,..." When you exhort others, you are building others. When you start building others, it will build you. You must actively live your life to build others if you want to see progress in your own life. Selfish actions lead to digression, but the unselfish action of building others will lead to progress.
Third, knowing what you believe is an essential to progress. Doctrine is a belief. If you don't know what you believe, then you will not progress. Many people spin their wheels in life because they never settle what they believe. You must constantly remind yourself of your principles if you want to see progress.
Fourth, don't neglect your personal gifts. Everyone has a gift, and you must constantly refine your gift if you want to see progress. Being gifted in a certain area is dangerous because we tend to neglect trying to improve it. It is crucial that you continue to improve your gift. Don't neglect it just because you are good in that area.
Fifth, take time to meditate. Meditation is thinking. You will never see progress if you don't take time to think about new ideas. This must purposely be done if you want to progress. I believe it is wise to take a few minutes every day to have a time when you think about ways to improve what you're doing. Turn off the television and get alone to think.
Friend, God wants you to progress in every area of your life. These five essentials are important to progress. I encourage you to make these essentials a part of your daily life. Whether it is your personal life, business life or spiritual life, you need to implement these five essentials if you are going to see progress on a regular basis.