Strive on- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ps 109-113
STRIVE ON Tuesday, November 09, 2010
MEMORIZE: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14) READ: Acts 20:20-24 Reward could act as a great motivator in accomplishing Kingdom assignments. When Laban asked Jacob what he wanted as wages and the latter replied that he wanted his pretty daughter, a time was fixed.  In that meeting, a specific period - seven years was mutually agreed on. This talks about goal-setting. Anyone who aims at nothing will get nothing. Today’s hard work is not necessarily for the moment but for tomorrow. Today’s prayer and fasting is not for now but for your future needs.  That is why you cannot over-pray or over-give: whatever you do not need for now is moved to take care of future exigencies. To remain relevant, you must be ever green.  As long as you remain green, growth is guaranteed. But the moment you are ripe, rottenness takes a toll on the fellow. The day you stop growing, decay sets in.  After goal-setting, you need vision to arrive there. (N.B I will appreciate your support for this vision to eradicate illiteracy, visit www.10millionexercisebooks.com for more details.) In Philippians 3:13-14, we see someone who knew how to set goals and achieve them. Until he got to his goal, he never thought he had done anything spectacular. His accomplishments, trials and imprisonments did not stop him: He saw himself as just starting and continued to press on. He knew when he finished the race and he also made it known to the church. This is why I say I have not even started my race to Heavenly greatness. Have you started? For some of us, past achievements have become stumbling blocks to greater heights. After seven years, Jacob ended up with the wrong woman. He was undeterred. He decided to serve another seven years just to get to his goal. Do you easily give up on your goal? Some people never stay on a particular target.  If they say they want the nine gifts of the Spirit and are given two, they will forget the rest.  Do not allow any hindrance to change your goal. Have you dumped your high goals for very low goals? Reclaim your original goal, remain there and continue to press forward until you get there. Even when you have been disappointed before, do not lose hope. As long as you refuse to dump your goal, your goal will not dump you. You will reach the greatest heights! ACTION POINT: If you let past disappointments, losses or difficulties to stop you from making fresh efforts, you will be listed among those who failed God.