DCLM Higher Everyday 25 July 2023 — Conditions For Excellence
DCLM Higher Everyday 25 July 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Conditions For Excellence
Topic: Conditions For Excellence.
Text: Joshua 1:8-11
9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
11Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
Key Verse: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success’’ (Joshua 1:8).
Message
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines excellence as, “the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.” Everyone desires excellence, but it is only those who seek it by paying the price that find it. Pat Rilly declares that, “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” Indeed, excellence in education involves performing outstandingly in tests, exams and extra-curricular activities. Youths in vocational training centres can also display excellence.
The would-be excellent youth must separate himself from peers who are addicted to television programmes, electronic games, social media, etc. which could be time wasters. Youths should go the extra mile by regular study before tests and exams dates are announced. Above all, there is a God-factor to excellence as genuine excellence or good success only comes from God.
In our text, Joshua excelled through dependence on God and commitment to His Word. Therefore, a youth who seeks excellence must be connected to God through genuine repentance from sin by accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour. He should read and meditate on the Word of God and maintain a consistent walk with Him.
Quote: There is a God-factor to excellence
Challenge: Be diligent and focused, excellence will come.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to excel in all I do, 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)
