Today’s Devotion
Topic: Are You From Nazareth?
Text: John 1: 45- 46
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. Amen!
Anybody here from Nazareth? A background so low that, it attracts a negative proverb. Anyone else from Nazareth? That background full of poverty, shame, disappointments, ‘promise and fail’ etc. Well, cheer up and do not worry at all. The story will not remain this way forever. Your future is determined by God, not your background.
It is true that some of the disadvantages of our backgrounds often interfere, and become obstacles to the breakthroughs we desire. Nonetheless, experience has taught us that even those situations make us wiser, better and stronger for our journey to the top.
Our Lord Jesus Christ rose from being a “Nazarene” to becoming the KING OF KINGS. He chose Nazareth for a background just to encourage you to believe that greatness is He who lives in the inside of you, and not where you come from.
HERE ARE SOME TRUTHS FOR ALL “NAZARENES” WHO SEEK TO BE EXCEPTIONS:
* Like Jabez, refuse to let your background or circumstance limit you. Cry out to God and say, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” (1 Chron. 4: 10)
* Also, refuse to think along the same defeatist lines as all the other inhabitants of Nazareth do. Rather, meditate on all the possibilities you see in the Bible (Ps 1: 1-3). Believe God for greatness knowing that all things are possible to them that believe.
* In addition to the above, be sure to work hard at every good thing your hands find to do (Col 3: 23). Refuse to be dishonest in your dealings, and be grateful for what you have.
* Finally, have the humility to serve under great men/ women just to learn the act of greatness (James 4: 6). Be ready to make sacrifices and invest today to secure your tomorrow. In sacrificing, be sure to bless others too.
Apply the above principles and see the wonderful change that God brings your way. You will cease to answer to the proverb that questions if anything good could come out of Nazareth. Rather, you will become the epitome of the expression “COME AND SEE WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!”
Begin to pray now. You are coming out of Nazareth if you can forget about the past, and press towards the goal for a victorious crown. The Lord remains your strength, rock and shield. He is faithful in all His ways. He won’t lift you up, to let you down.
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