RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY, 9TH JUNE.

THEME: GO BEYOND THE LIMITS.

OPENING SCRIPTURE: And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain (Matthew 5:41).

There’re those who are always legalistic in their views and approaches to life and spiritual instructions. They believe in, and demand a strict literal adherence to spiritual instructions. If you were given an instruction to invite a soul to church, for example, learn to stretch yourself beyond the limits; go the extra mile by inviting and witnessing to much more than the number you’ve been assigned.

If you were involved in a project, perhaps, in the house of God, and you were to give a thousand dollars, don’t make your contribution legalistic. Don’t see it as a donation, but as an oblation to God. Once you’ve given that amount, don’t say, “I’ve given my part, and now I’m free,” no! Rather, let the burden, responsibility and commitment for the completion of that project spur you to further action. It’s the right thing to do. It’s only when you do something totally different and incongruous with the instructions you’ve been given that there’s a problem.

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus taught us to go the extra mile in whatever we’re asked to do. He said, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain” (Matthew 5:38-41). This is the life we’ve been called to live. Legalism is no gain, but there’s gain in going the extra mile.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the opportunities you’ve placed before me to manifest your glory and display your greatness in an ever increasing measure. I’m compelled by your love, now and always, to go the extra mile, in soul winning, giving, and in stirring faith in the hearts of others. I manifest your divine nature of love in blessing others today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Luke 11:5-8 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Acts 1, 2 Chronicles 1-4
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 16:1-11, Deuteronomy 7