Daily Devotionals

Ten people working on the same vision and mission would express it in ten distinct ways. Each person brings their unique skills and knowledge to the table. This diversity shapes the mission in distinct ways, leading to varied outcomes. Your mission is spiritual, and it comes from a place that is beyond time and space. Flesh and blood did not set you on that mission. But the manifestation of your mission will always be constrained by your level of knowledge, exposure, and skill set. We are all working together here on earth to establish the kingdom of God within our own circle of influence.

In the book of Judges, we encounter various leaders, each tasked with the same mission: delivering Israel from oppression. Despite the shared goal, their approaches and outcomes differ significantly. For instance, Gideon, initially hesitant and lacking confidence, required divine reassurance before embarking on his mission. Gideon then went on to raise an army. In contrast, Samson was strong and mighty from day one. He never thought he needed an army. Also consider Deborah, who demonstrated strong leadership and strategic prowess from the start. She didn’t raise an army directly, delegating that duty to someone else. These stories underscore how individual knowledge, skills, and circumstances shape mission outcomes.

Your current results or lack of, reflect your present understanding. They reflect your upbringing and circumstances. If you desire greater results, look to others pursuing similar missions. Learn from their approaches, strategies, and experiences. Their insights can expand your understanding and skill set, empowering you to make a more significant impact in your own endeavors. Collaboration and learning from others are key to unlocking new possibilities and achieving success in your mission. By studying the approaches and experiences of others, we gain insights into navigating challenges and leveraging strengths to achieve our own missions effectively.

The Renaissance encompasses a period of history known for its advancements in art, literature, science, and philosophy, as well as a renewed interest in classical learning and human potential. The most significant shift in thinking that enabled the Renaissance was the recognition that mankind’s sole purpose was not to die and go to heaven. There is so much we could do on this side. The word “Renaissance” means rebirth. The Renaissance person is not just born again in a spiritual sense. They are creative, productive, and understand how to create value.

In modern terms, being a “Renaissance person” entails embodying the qualities of creativity, productivity, and value creation in all aspects of life. You understand that the purpose of your creativity and spiritual gifts is to make a real difference in your community. The fruit of the spirit and the gifts of the spirit combine to create an intelligence within you. This creative intelligence can have an impact on culture, business, the economy, and governance. This is what Pharaoh, King of Egypt, saw in Joseph, and he gave Joseph the keys to his kingdom (Genesis 41:38-41).

It is time for you to start striving for excellence in a variety of fields. Maximize your talents and skills to make a significant difference. Whether through art, innovation, or entrepreneurship in the fields of family, religion, education, media, arts and entertainment, business, and government. Strive to leave a lasting legacy that will benefit the world around you. This approach necessitates a comprehensive mindset that transcends traditional boundaries and values diversity. The Renaissance person is not limited to one narrow path, but rather seeks multiple avenues for self-expression and growth. Understand that true fulfillment comes from embracing your passions and using your unique abilities to positively impact society.

We tend to do our best work when we have someone looking over our shoulder. Having someone oversee our efforts helps us stay focused and motivated to complete tasks. While some people are self-motivated, others require external encouragement and guidance to take action. This external support serves as a catalyst, motivating us to overcome procrastination and inertia, propelling us forward towards our objectives. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This verse highlights the importance of interpersonal relationships in fostering growth and improvement.

Your productivity is closely tied to the feedback and accountability you receive. Surrounding yourself with people who prioritize productivity fosters a culture of excellence. Just as iron sharpens iron, seek out companions who challenge and inspire you to enhance your efficiency and effectiveness. When you engage with like-minded individuals who are purpose-driven and trying to achieve something tangible with their lives, you too will get to elevate your own standards and push yourself to achieve more. Productivity must be a core value you share with anyone you consider to be a friend, teacher or mentor.

Don’t set up your life so that you have to keep your plans to yourself. That’s a waste of potential and opportunities. You should not be the only one working towards your goals. Discuss your purpose, plans, and pursuits with someone or a small group of people. So they can hold you accountable, provide feedback, and offer alternative perspectives. You want people you trust to understand your goals so well that they can receive inspired ideas on your behalf. Seeing the things you are blinded to. These things will help you improve the quality and quantity of your output.

What are the dominant ideas influencing your world, community, and home? Where did the ideas come from? And who are the most vocal supporters of these ideas today? Ideas do not spread just because they are better. The ideas that spread have the most resources behind them, including time, human energy, and financial resources. Whether its “school is scam”, LGBTQ+ or feminism, please understand that these ideas have gone round the world not necessarily because they’re better, but because much resources have been committed to them by those that believe in them.

The first Christians worked in an environment that was hostile to the gospel. The only reason Christianity is the religious establishment today is the disciples’ unwavering faith in the gospel. You have to admire the effort that went into spreading the gospel. The Apostles did not simply pray and sit in their homes, hoping that things would change. We find that they worked harder than anyone else, and the Lord blessed them by increasing their number on a daily basis. If you believe your values will make the world a better place, you should devote your time, energy, and resources to advancing them.

It is time to make the distinction between activity and productivity. You must consider how much effort is required to move the needle and change the situation around you. First, identify the change you want to see in your surroundings. Then consider which companies or organizations are already working on such a mission. That way, you can join them and make a bigger impact. If you commit, you can make a difference in your community in a variety of ways. If the enemy is working overtime to derail your world, you must go above and beyond to correct the situation.

The first step is to become purpose-driven. Something more important than food, clothing, and self-preservation should motivate your daily activities. With that in place, you should work towards becoming more productive. Become productive on a scale that is suitable for your world. There is no point in becoming very good at what you do if you deny your world the goodness that God has bestowed upon you. We should never lose sight of the fact that our innate gifting is meant to serve the greater good. Many good people in our world today are relatively productive, but their productivity is insufficient to make a significant impact.

You’ve heard that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” One could argue that good people aren’t producing enough results to positively influence the world. This stems from a lack of understanding of what it means to be fruitful (productive). Fruitfulness is not measured in terms of money or material possessions. Jesus warned that our lives do not consist of an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). The goal is not to accumulate material wealth. The goal is to be highly productive.

This question, “am I producing enough fruits in line with my talents and gifting?” should keep you awake at night. It is interesting that musical artists who lack values tend to outwork, outproduce, and outperform musical artists who produce value-driven works. The future does not belong to those who dream and discuss it. It belongs to the person who works hardest to make it happen. The Japanese believe that working hard without a vision leads to a nightmare. We could argue that your world is a nightmare because the hardest workers lack a divine mandate. You can repent today and resolve to become more productive.

2 Corinthians 9:6 states, “he who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” What we get out is determined by how much effort we put in. Just like planting seeds, if you plant a few, you’ll get a small crop; if you plant a lot, you’ll get a large crop. Some Christians do not believe in hard work. They justify their laziness with scriptures such as Ecclesiastes 9:11. Of course, “time and chance” have their place; however, the observed pattern suggests that the harder you work, the better your chances of success.

Your current business results mirror your current efforts. If you desire significant growth, you must be willing to put in the necessary work. The grace of God is available, but grace requires that we put in the work (1 Corinthians 15:10). Building a million-dollar business demands more than a minimum-wage work ethic. Look at the successful entrepreneurs you admire—they’ve invested countless hours and relentless effort to achieve their goals. It’s time to reassess your approach and commit to working harder to attain the results you aspire to in your business endeavors.

So let us press on, keeping our eyes on the prize and trusting in God’s guidance every step of the way. You may need to seek feedback from trusted sources to determine whether you are working hard enough to achieve the desired results. For example, you might fantasize about attracting 1,000 customers within your company. A client-driven approach would necessitate strategies, tactics, and a strong desire to complete tasks. You cannot simply pray and wait for clients to arrive. To achieve the desired results, you must demonstrate a strong work ethic, discipline, and accountability.

In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul emphasizes the importance of pressing forward towards the goal set before us. As mission-driven individuals, we must adopt this mindset in our daily lives. It’s not enough to merely have a mission; we must actively pursue it with determination and focus. Just as Paul did not dwell on past achievements or setbacks, you too should let go of distractions and keep your eyes fixed on the prize. Every day presents an opportunity to take steps towards fulfilling your mission. You need to be intentional about it. Daily small actions eventually add up into significant milestones.

Having a mission means you have a plan for your world. The Bible is clear in its description of the thief’s agenda. The thief is motivated by a desire to steal and destroy. It makes no difference how decent, pleasant, or noble it appears on the outside; the ultimate goal is evil. That is why, if you are willing to lead as the salt and light of your community, you must be mindful of your agenda. Do not shy away from it. God gave you an agenda for a reason. The divine agenda you establish and enforce will consume every demonic agenda out there.

Setting the agenda and driving it forward requires discipline and perseverance. It means prioritizing tasks that align with your mission every single day. That’s how you work towards its realization. Like Paul, who tirelessly spread the gospel despite facing numerous obstacles, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to our mission. This might involve sacrificing personal comfort or convenience, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. When you stay dedicated to your mission and striving towards its fulfillment each day, you position yourself to experience the fullness of God’s calling in your life.

The Apostles described and commended Paul as a man who hazarded his life for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15:26). Someone who has risked their life for the sake of the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:25–27, Paul describes how he lived a life filled with threats and danger. Natural disasters, robbers and bandits, false teachers, and poverty are all threats he faced while advancing his mission. Paul’s passion and commitment to his work unconsciously led him to write a large portion of the Bible’s books. Today, we reflect on Paul’s ministry and recognise the difficulties, but we also believe it was worthwhile.

Your mission may be real, but you’re playing it too safe. This is not an endorsement of recklessness; in all cases, wisdom is profitable to direct. However, deep down, you know you should be doing much more than you are now. Nothing is happening because you are unable to understand what it means to risk your life for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your assignment to watch over your world and steer it in the direction God desires, requires sacrifice on your part. You must be willing to forego food, sleep, comforts, relationships, and material possessions for the sake of your mission.

Whether your mission is to eradicate illiteracy in your community, promote healthy living, or mentor and disciple the next generation, you must be prepared to make sacrifices. If your mission is important to you, you will sacrifice in order to see it succeed. Let’s reflect on what it means to lay down one’s life for their friends. Giving up personal ambitions and self-interest in order to further your God-given mission. At the end of the day, your God-given mission will provide you with more fulfilment and rewards than anything else you could have spent your time on. But it requires going the extra mile.

It’s easy to believe that the sole purpose of the Christian life is to die and go to heaven. However, this is not correct. If Christians’ only goal is to go to heaven, we would optimize that by finding “creative” ways to accelerate the call to heaven. What you actually find in the Bible is the goal of fruitfulness. God blessed mankind in the book of Genesis to be fruitful. There is more to life than seeking bliss and glory that can only be found in the afterlife. Your sole purpose in life is not to die and go to heaven; there are many things you can accomplish here.

A Christian is well positioned to make a difference in the world around them. A good Christian is driven by a set of values that optimizes them for a productive life. The mindset, discipline and experiential knowledge required for a life of exploits is deeply ingrained in the Christian DNA. As a result, let us learn not to simply be born again in a vague, undefined sense. Rather, let there be the conviction that being born again and becoming a part of God’s kingdom on earth enables us to get things done.

The apostle Paul declared, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Nowadays, it appears that the more “churchy” and religious a person is, the less creative and productive they are. They make that Bible text read as “I can do nothing, nothing at all, because I’m too busy putting on an appearance of holiness.” You are forgetting that your mental state influences your productivity. And the Christian faith helps us cultivate a wonderful state of mind. A love-driven state of mind that has a positive impact on the world.

You are good. However, you will be better from learning to trust others. Trusting others is essential for personal growth and success. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 highlights the importance of companionship, emphasizing that two are better than one. Trusted relationships offer support in times of need, providing warmth and strength. However, building such relationships can be challenging, especially when faced with human imperfections. The Bible states in John 2:24-25 that Jesus did not entrust himself to the people because he knew what was in man. So, how can we trust the untrustworthy? How do you build strong relationships that transcend time and space?

It all begins with a step of faith, and becoming the change you want to see in the world around you. Building trust requires vulnerability, honesty, and empathy. By demonstrating these qualities, we set the foundation for meaningful connections. Start by extending trust in a small measure to others. And as they prove themselves, you scale up the trust. As you nurture these relationships, you’ll find that trust grows stronger over time. It’s a journey of mutual respect and understanding, where each party contributes to the bond of trust. Trusted circles can be built and cultivated by anyone willing to do so.

Despite what is written in John 2:24-25, we know Jesus built circles of trust with his disciples. He even referred to them as not just friends, but as “his mother, brothers and sisters” (Matthew 12:49 -50). This passage from Matthew also reveals the conditions for fostering trust; shared beliefs and values. Your trust in someone has to be built around eternal values, not fleeting emotions. The safety in the relationship is based on the principles that bind both parties together. You need to accept the fact that you might be good, but two is better than one.