DCLM Higher Everyday 2 May 2024 — Labour for your laurels
Topic: Labour for your laurels
Text: 2 Timothy 4:5-8
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Key Verse: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…” (2 Timothy 4:7,8).
Message
“Faced with a challenging new project at work, I sought our manager’s advice on how to proceed. After we had gone over his suggestions, I asked him to tell me his formula for success. ‘What I do, I do very well,’ he answered with a smile. ‘what I don’t do well, I don’t do at all!’” Said Sally Baucus Boydstun. That is a great message. In a keenly contested Junior Category, African Spelling-Bee Champion competition, held recently in Malawi, a 13-year-old Deeper Life High School student won because of her decision, determination and hard work. Like Sally Baucus, what she did, she did well by God’s grace.
God created man in His likeness with the potential to excel; therefore, there should be no excuse for failure. You, too, can succeed like others if you are willing to pay the price. Apostle Paul’s excellent spirit and ruggedness gave him an edge over his contemporaries and assured him an eternal reward. He kept the faith and finished his God-given assignment. Laurels are for hard-working goal-getters. Wouldn’t you be one? Have faith in God and press on!
Quote: You too can succeed
Challenge: Laurels are for hard-working goal-getters.
Prayer for today: Holy Father, make me diligent in my work, in Jesus name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
