Daily Christian devotionals:gifts of the spirit, spirtual gifts

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Daily Christian devotionals:gifts of the spirit, spirtual gifts


Posted on February 19, 2009 Updated on February 19, 2009

Memorise: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Prov 29:18)

Read: 1 Cor 12:27-31  

Pastor E. ADEBOYE

In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul says……”covet earnestly the best gifts……” The word ‘covet’ in that verse comes from a Greek word ‘zelos’ which means, having a strong passion for something. You can desire great spiritual heights. Just ensure you adopt God’s method for arriving at that goal. If you go the way of ambition, you may employ several carnal methods that will defeat your purpose. But if you go by the way of vision, you will achieve that spiritual desire.

The two sons of Zebedee, James and John, were chosen by the Lord. They were among the twelve. After following Him for a period, they were convinced that all Jesus told them, both of the present and the after-life were true. At a point, considering that Jesus had twelve of them, they began to think of how they could become more prominent so as to occupy the most important positions beside the throne of Jesus in Heaven. They wanted nothing short of that. That was a good desire.

Suddenly, it dawned on them that they could achieve their aim through lobbying. They convinced their mother to go with them, believing Jesus will be compelled by her plea. When they requested for the heavenly positions, Jesus told them the method they were adopting would not fetch them their desire. He told them that getting to that position required a very costly price. They said they were prepared to pay it. (Matthew 20:20-28). Are you prepared to pay the price to get to your goal?

The other disciples heard and were moved with anger but Jesus pacified them and told them how to be great in Heaven. James and John were unperturbed. They paid extra attention to Christ’s teachings and ensured they made Him happy. Before long, they caught the vision of humility, that will earn them their desire.

They became so close to Jesus that He hardly went anywhere without them. Together with Peter they became a part of His inner circle. They did not stop there. John went steps further and became number one. In Acts 12:1-2, James eventually crowned his efforts at becoming great in Heaven by becoming the first Apostle to the martyred.

 John continued and was later thrown into hot oil. When he would not die, his persecutors eventually banished him to a most dangerous island, Patmos, full of wild animals. He too paid the price! Today, they occupy great positions in Heaven. You too can follow God’s way to fulfilling your ambition.

Ambition is man’s way into his destiny while vision is God’s path into His destiny for man. Man’s ambition can never lead you to God’s destination. Grab a vision today!

This entry was posted in Christianity and tagged Bible study, church, Devotionals, pastor adeboye’s sermons, Prayers, save the world blog.


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