“…By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3 NLT
Welcome to the fourth devotional recap of the year. This week’s articles provided practical wisdom for relationships, health, and excellence. We also learned to prioritise the word and personal devotion.
We began on Monday with a reminder to prioritise Jesus and His Word above all else, despite the seeming importance of other things (Luke 10:38-42). Though God is more than capable of meeting your needs (Philippians 4:19), your focus should be on seeking Him for the Bread that He is rather than the bread He gives (John 6:26-35). Decide that you will give Jesus your undivided attention at the expense of the busyness of life.
On Tuesday, we looked at Joseph as an example of excellence. He had a consistent and unwavering work ethic, whether in the palace or prison, earning a reputation for diligence and commitment to excellence (Genesis 39: 22-23). To excel like Joseph, we must establish patterns of diligence and work ethics and be determined to make a positive impact everywhere we go. We have the responsibility to reveal God to our world.
Wednesday’s article taught us that God is as interested in our physical health as He is in our spiritual health (3 John 1:2). Our bodies belong to God. Thus, we must be good stewards by following the principles of staying healthy: eating right, exercising, regular health checks and sleeping. Your body houses your spirit, and you need it healthy if you will effectively do all that God will have you do on the earth.
On Thursday, we emphasised the importance of relationships. It has always been God’s idea that man-kind thrives in community and needs companionship (Genesis 2:18). Be mindful of the association you keep, as the right relationships are essential ingredients in the fulfilment of your purpose (Proverbs 27:17).
To build solid relationships, you ought to be a good communicator, develop a heart of service, believe in people, and learn to forgive. Dear Believer, pray about your relationships and open your heart to the people God is bringing your way.
We ended the week by emphasising the importance of consistency and fervency in devotion, which is God’s desire for all His children. Some practical steps to build consistency include creating a plan, designating a specific time and place for your daily devotion (Acts 3:1, Luke 22:39), and implementing systems to prevent distractions.
In addition to all these things, leverage godly friendships and your church family for building accountability. In all you do, rest in God’s ability to sustain you– you are not alone (Jude 1:24, Philippians 2:13).
This year, be consistent in devotion, focus on Jesus and His word, and recognise and embrace God’s wisdom for everyday life, knowing that you have everything you need for life and godliness.
Have a great weekend!
Bible Reading Plan Catchup