Time With Christ: Wednesday, June 25, daily devotion – Divine Specifications for Good Success

Topic: DIVINE SPECIFICATIONS FOR GOOD SUCCESS (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)

Memorise:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

Read:

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.


Message:

Virtually everything on earth is guided by principles, rules and regulations. There are divine specifications (Biblical principles and rules) for whoever wishes to be successful in any area of life. It has been rightly pointed out by those who claim to be experts that one in every three marriages, businesses and ministries fail. However, there are important biblical principles which will help you to succeed where others have failed. To succeed where others have failed, learn to do these two things. First, observe why others failed. This principle is illustrated by this old African fable. An old lion requested a visit in his den from other animals because he was sick and at the point of death. Many animals except the tortoise heeded the invitation; they never returned again. After a long while, the tortoise visited the lion. However, instead of entering the lion’s den, he stayed outside. He observed that there were many footsteps entering the lion’s den, but none coming out. So from outside, the tortoise greeted the lion and quickly fled his den. The tortoise succeeded where other animals failed because it was patient enough to observe and discover why others failed. The second secret is to know where to start. Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10 knew where to start.

“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”

Are you into a business venture, full time ministry or marriage that is in crisis? To succeed where others failed, discover why they failed. There are reasons why many ventures fail. These include poor business plans, lack of vision and commitment, poor market assessment, wrong financial considerations, weak monitoring and prayerlessness. After discovering why others failed, know where to start. To succeed in marriage, career, academics, business life and ministry, you should have a vision. Run your life, business and ministry professionally. Plan ahead, be organised and be committed to excellence. You should also be diligent and hardworking. Be persistent and let God be your Number One priority. Jabez was more honourable than his brethren because he called on the El-Shaddai and was specific in his request. He requested for divine prosperity and protection and received both from God. You can do the same today.

Key Point:
To succeed where others failed, let God be your Number One.

Bible in a Year:
Numbers 5-6; Psalm 139:1-16