DCLM Higher Everyday 20 February 2023 — What is your occupation?-3
DCLM Higher Everyday 20 February 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — What is your occupation?-3
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TOPIC: WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION?-3
TEXT: Jonah 1: 1-10
1Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
4But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
5Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
6So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
7And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
8Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
9And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
10Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.
Memory Verse: Thén said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou” (Jonah 1:8)?
MESSAGE:
The believer’s primary occupation is the preaching of the gospel. So, everything he does revolves around it. Be you a student, farmer, lawyer, doctor or an engineer, you are still in the preaching occupation. Remember Christ’s command to all His followers, “occupy till I come.” The question in our passage put Jonah, the run-away preacher, on the spot.
As a Christian youth, the same question comes to you, today. What is your occupation?” It matters what Occupies your time. Our Lord Jesus gave you and all believers the Great Commission (the great occupation)-“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.”
How faithful are you to this commission among your family members, peers, classmates and neighbours? Friend, if you are not born again, do it now and become involved in this occupation. Jonah learned to obey the command of God in a hard way. May we not be disobedient like him and be cast out of the Ark of salvation. The turbulence and uncertainties of the present age do not guarantee you a future without Christ.
Qoute: what occupies your time matters.
Challenge: Many are perishing.
Prayer: O God, help me not to be a run-away preacher, 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)
