ENTHRONEMENT ASSEMBLY DAILY DEVOTIONALS.
Monday October 28th, 2024.
Topic :Following The Footsteps Of Men Of Old.
Memory Verse : 2 Timothy 2:7. Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will enable you to understand it all.
Bible Reading :2 Timothy 2:4-6 GNB. Key Verse: v4.
A soldier on active service wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules. The farmer who has done the hard work should have the first share of the harvest.
Apostle Paul in his usual manner was watching over Timothy his son in the faith of from prison. Whatever he told Timothy from prison, he is telling ourselves today. He wanted to make sure that Timothy including ourselves maximised or take best advantage of grace as was revealed to us by the appearance of Jesus who died for our redemption. He didn’t want us to be intimidated by challenges we encounter in the course of serving the Lord as to become afraid or feeble minded. At that point in time, the fact that Apostle Paul was being persecuted and imprisoned was enough reason to weaken the resolve of Timothy or some other people who may be afraid of suffering same fate just for being involved with Jesus and the gospel in the first place. “For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; nor be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ’s sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength to do it.” 2 Timothy 1:6-8.
In chapter 2, he began to give us understanding that if we must succeed on divine assignment, each and every one of us need to see ourselves as men recruited into the glorious army of the Lord in our lifetime. As soldiers, we don’t live ordinary lives and we can’t afford to be careless while on duty to avoid negative consequences. We are to follow the teachings and lifestyles of great men of old who were ahead of us and who obtained good testimonies that stand the test of time. “I want you to pattern your lives after me, just as I pattern mine after Christ. And I give you full credit for always keeping me in mind as you follow carefully the substance of my instructions that I’ve taught you.” 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 TPT.
Today we need to understand our lives as men maintaining the territories Jesus won unto himself and asked us occupy till he returns. As soldiers we must live battle ready anytime anyday. As athletes, we have to make sure that we are always in competition mode, so that we can give account of ourselves when duty calls. As farmers we have to labour in the field of divine assignment relentlessly and patiently too. From the time of planting to the time of harvest, the farmer labours in hope, makeing sure that his crops receives the best of attention for a bountiful harvest. In all these painted scenarios (soldier, athlete and farmer), one fact remains visible, which is sacrifices or self denial of certain pleasures of life as to deliver expected good results. That is what Apostle Paul is referring to when he kept emphasising about endurance of suffering or hardship, self denial or sacrifices of time and valuable resources within our reach in order to obtain a good report from our master and captain, just like our fathers like Apostle Paul himself.
Prayer :Thank you Father God for redemption that gave me access to your grace. Today help me to understand my life a soldier and colabourer with you. Help me to make every sacrifices that will help me obtain a good report at the end of my journey in Jesus mighty name…. Amen 🙏🏿.
Yearly Bible Reading : Acts 13:1-12.
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