Morning Devotion

The Word for Today
How to Graduate with Highest Honours (1)

'There is in store for me the crown...' 2 Timothy 4:8 NIV
Do you remember the feeling you had when your name was called to receive your college diploma or university degree and you heard the words, 'Congratulations on your graduation.' You did it! All your effort paid off. Your accomplishment had finally been acknowledged. Now, multiply that feeling a thousand times over! Picture yourself entering the presence of the One who will award you the crown of righteousness while the saints of all the ages look on. Paul anticipated graduating with highest honors: 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown...' (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV) For the next few days, let's talk about how you can graduate this life with highest honors.

By living an unselfish life. There's no greater obstacle to the life that God designed you to live, than selfishness. Ego and self-promotion pollute our souls and destroy our relationships. Paul understood the need to dethrone ego. 'I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.' (Galatians 2:20 NIV) This reflected: (a) A change of values. Paul once lived to persecute Christians; now he says, 'For to me to live is Christ...' (Philippians 1:21 NIV) (b) A change of ambition. The old Paul, whose goal was to be a recognized champion of religion, says, 'But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.' (Philippians 3:7 NIV) (c) A change of mind. The brilliant philosopher, Pharisee and lawyer renounces his self-seeking ways and writes, 'Think the same way that Christ Jesus thought.' (Philippians 2:5 CEV)

SoulFood: Ezra 1-2, Luke 9:57-62, Ps 46, Pr 19:18-20