02-09-2019, 05:26 PM
CAC LIVING WATER
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Saturday, February 9, 2019
TOPIC: NO RISK, NO GAIN
Read: Ecclesiastes 11:3-6
MEMORISE: He that observe the wind shall not sow; and he that regards the clouds shall not reap (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
EXPOSITION
It is Mark Zuckerberg, the inventor of Facebook, now the world young millionaire who says, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks”. To take a new step is what people fear the most in life, because of the fear of failure. Risk implies the chance that things might not work out the way we expect. The unknown is scary. We think to ourselves “What if the worst happens to me?”
This kind of thinking is easy, but it gives too much weight to the probability of something very bad happening to us. Little wonder, Helen Killer says, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing”.
In our memory scripture for this study, the writer criticizes those who are overly cautious, using analogy of farmer with the weather condition. He remarks that the farmer who waits for the most opportune moment to plant, when there is no wind to blow away the seed, and to reap, when there is no rain to ruin a ripe harvest, will never happen. The work you do today might be ruined and you might have to do it over again tomorrow. In other way round, today’s work might succeed as well as tomorrow’s and if so, you will be able to reap the rewards for both (see Ecclesiastes 11:6).
By courageously taking risks, you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be time when you fail, and both are equally important. If you win when you take risks, you will be wise. Everything you decide to do have a margin of risk. The reason is that no outcome is ever 100 percent certain and, therefore, any attempt at anything has a chance of implicit success or failure. We risk everything, everyday of our lives without knowing it. What they call risk in the secular world is what we call faith in the spiritual realm. True faith is risky in nature. The truth that cannot be denied is that you can’t get where in life without taking risks. Don’t play it safe; take risks.
PRAYER POINTS
1. I release myself from the bondage of fear that debars my progress, in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord, add more to my faith to take necessary steps that will add more value to my life and ministry.
3. Lord, we ask for the spirit of courage for all our spiritual leaders to lay good examples for their followers, in Jesus’ name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Exodus 33:23 – 35:28; Matthew 24:46 – 25:16
Do have a glorious day ahead. God bless you.
Accept Jesus today as your Lord and Savior.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Saturday, February 9, 2019
TOPIC: NO RISK, NO GAIN
Read: Ecclesiastes 11:3-6
MEMORISE: He that observe the wind shall not sow; and he that regards the clouds shall not reap (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
EXPOSITION
It is Mark Zuckerberg, the inventor of Facebook, now the world young millionaire who says, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks”. To take a new step is what people fear the most in life, because of the fear of failure. Risk implies the chance that things might not work out the way we expect. The unknown is scary. We think to ourselves “What if the worst happens to me?”
This kind of thinking is easy, but it gives too much weight to the probability of something very bad happening to us. Little wonder, Helen Killer says, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing”.
In our memory scripture for this study, the writer criticizes those who are overly cautious, using analogy of farmer with the weather condition. He remarks that the farmer who waits for the most opportune moment to plant, when there is no wind to blow away the seed, and to reap, when there is no rain to ruin a ripe harvest, will never happen. The work you do today might be ruined and you might have to do it over again tomorrow. In other way round, today’s work might succeed as well as tomorrow’s and if so, you will be able to reap the rewards for both (see Ecclesiastes 11:6).
By courageously taking risks, you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be time when you fail, and both are equally important. If you win when you take risks, you will be wise. Everything you decide to do have a margin of risk. The reason is that no outcome is ever 100 percent certain and, therefore, any attempt at anything has a chance of implicit success or failure. We risk everything, everyday of our lives without knowing it. What they call risk in the secular world is what we call faith in the spiritual realm. True faith is risky in nature. The truth that cannot be denied is that you can’t get where in life without taking risks. Don’t play it safe; take risks.
PRAYER POINTS
1. I release myself from the bondage of fear that debars my progress, in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord, add more to my faith to take necessary steps that will add more value to my life and ministry.
3. Lord, we ask for the spirit of courage for all our spiritual leaders to lay good examples for their followers, in Jesus’ name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Exodus 33:23 – 35:28; Matthew 24:46 – 25:16
Do have a glorious day ahead. God bless you.
Accept Jesus today as your Lord and Savior.