Where You are Now is not Enough

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday July 6, 2017

Topic: Where You are Now is not Enough

Text: Philippians 3:8 – 14

Being complacent because you have attained a level of success is dangerous. The day I wrote today’s devotion, I bought a book titled WHERE YOU ARE IS NOT ENOUGH written by Freshmann J. N. Esq. At the back cover is the story of how Google approached the CEO of Yahoo in 1997 to buy Google at the cost of One Million dollars because they were not making profit. He refused, stating that it would be a bad investment. To him what he was making in Yahoo was okay. Six years later (2002), Yahoo tried to buy it again at three billion dollars but the founder of Google refused to sell. As at 2004, Google is worth Three hundred and ninety five billion dollars. What would have happened if Yahoo had bought Google then? There were not foresighted. They thought they were okay and today, they are regretting. They were satisfied with what they dad achieved.

Paul told the Philippians in our scriptural reading for the day that where he was then was not enough for him. He saw himself as someone who is not yet perfect despite all the miracles and things God had used him to do. He didn’t believe that he had accomplished anything. He was very hungry to do more and achieve more. There was the burning desire in him to do more for God. His achievement did not enter his head. He was still humble despite all his exploits for God.

As church militants, we are not yet perfect and cannot be perfect until our race is done. We are still vulnerable to sin and can fall off the faith (1 Corinthians 10:12). That you can pray and speak in tongues should not make you complacent. Let your accomplishment humble you and make you desire to do more for God. This should be so in your business and chosen career. Aspire for more height because there is still more room for that.

Food for Thought: Never give up! Keep your thoughts and your mind always on the goal – Tom Bradley

Memory verse: Philippians 3:12

Prayer: God, help me never to be carried away by my achievement so that I will not lose focus on heavenly goal in Jesus name.

A MANIFESTO NIGHT: Devotion for Wednesday September 7, 2016

A MANIFESTO NIGHT: Devotion for Wednesday September 7, 2016

Text: Luke 4:18 and 19       Memory verse: Luke 4:18

In the higher institutions, there is a night called Manifesto Night. It is the night when candidates intending to contest election into Student Union Government offices present their manifesto to fellow students. I can still remember how I did it when I was in ordination training. My speech was borrowed by my successor because of the content. It was indeed thrilling. Many students look forward to such nights and it affords them the opportunity to make public speeches and presentations. It is usually a learning ground for those who aspire to hold public offices in future.

Our text is termed Jesus’ public presentation of His manifesto. A comprehensive look at the text, will make us to appreciate the magnitude of God’s love for us (Ephesians 3:17–19). Everything in this manifesto as presented by Jesus Christ had the interest of man at the centre. He did not come to be crowned a king. Even when people wanted to do it by force, He withdrew.  His agenda was not to acquire empire, wealth or material things of this world. Rather His manifesto was based on liberation and freedom of man.

During campaigns into some offices like spiritual, traditional or political, people make so many promises. The present manifestoes that can move people easily to accept them. On the other hand, many aspire for positions just for selfish reasons. It is pertinent to ask this question to those aspiring to be in different office. What is your agenda/manifesto for contesting to be a bishop, a Local Government Chairman, Governor, President or whatever position you are aspiring for? Are you aspiring for the good of the people or for selfish interest?  

Jesus quoted this text from Isaiah 61:1 & 2a. Have you ever imagined why Jesus stopped at Isaiah 61:2a? His first coming wasn’t for vengeance but for redemption. Vengeance will be later. This is the era of God’s favour; the era of grace, mercies and call to repentance. Jesus came to give us the Good News that our sins have been forgiven, to heal us, deliver us from oppressions, etc. Have you benefited of these? If not repent now because the day of vengeance is coming (Isaiah 61:2b).

Food for Thought: Are you a beneficiary of what Jesus has offered mankind?   

Prayer: Grant me the heart to appreciate your love, O Lord so that I will benefit from all that you have offered mankind.