Topic: SACRIFICIAL BUT PROFITABLE LIVING – Saturday January 20th2018
Memorise: Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Ephesians 3:13
Read: Luke 5:8-11(KJV)
5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
5:9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
When Peter left the object of his first breaking through in life – the big catch of fishes – to follow after a nomadic teacher, it was a sacrificial decision. However, that singular decision brought purpose and meaning to his life. I often credit Peter as one of the most popular men who ever lived, because in every continent of the world you will find at least one edifice or another named after him. How did he achieve this? He chose to live a life that was profitable to His Maker, even though it required a lot of sacrifice in the beginning. In like manner, it took a lot of sacrifice for Apostle Paul to abandon his doctorial title in law for the sake of evangelism the Way which he once opposed so vehemently.
A life that is profitable to God beings with the second birth. A fellow who gives his or her life to Christ is saying, “The marvellous grace of God, which Jesus Christ paid such a high price for, will not go to waste over me.” If you haven’t given your life to Christ, you need to start a profitable life today by surrounding your life to Him. Peter did this at the Lake of Gennesareth, in Luke 5:8 “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ Knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
Paul also did the same thing on the road to Damascus (Act 9:3-6). Beloved, God is also calling out to you. These are His words to you today: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19
However, if you are born again, you need to know that a life of sacrifice is what is expected of a disciple of Jesus Christ. The Lord expects you to be ready to give your all, and if required, lay down your life for the sake of the sake of the gospel. Here is His promise to those who do this:
“…. Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30
May the Lord help your decisions in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point: Father, please help me to live a sacrificial and profitable life for You through the help of Your Holy Spirit in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye, The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.
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