LEARN FROM YOUR SUPERIORS
MEMORISE: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9
READ: 2 Kings 3:11 -12
11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
MESSAGE
There is something l have come to discover about some of our youths these days: it is that they despise people who have gone ahead of them just because those people are not educated as they are or do not understand modern technology like they do. You see, you may know all the theories that were taught in school, but you don't have as much practical experience as the elders who have gone ahead of you. You may understand modern technology more than they, but they have ancient wisdom that cannot be bought with money. When you see someone who has gone ahead of you in any field, make sure you give him or her the deserved respect.
One of the major secrets of my success is that l learn from everyone who l know has been in ministry before me. There is always something to learn from someone who has already walked through the path that you are seeking to take. James 5:10 says:
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
Of a truth, the younger can become more successful than the older, but the younger must not, because of his or her success, despise the older. If God makes you more successful than those who have been in that field longer than you, you are only enjoying mercy and grace. Be careful not to despise them because God can withdraw the grace from you; rather, learn from their wealth of experience. God may have stopped speaking to Eli, but Samuel still needed the older prophet to,teach him how to,hear from God. Thou God told Samuel that he had rejected Eli and chosen him in his place, Samuel never despised Eli. This contributed immensely to,the success of his ministry.
There is a lot that these elders know which can be of great benefit to you on your journey through life. I remember when Pa S. G. Elton was alive and l was just beginning in ministry. I made it a point of duty to visit him every 2 weeks and spend quality time with him, just soaking up his wealth of experience. Now he is gone, with all the knowledge. Don't let the knowledge of the elders around you go to waste; honor them, learn all you can from them while they are still with you.
KEY POINT
Always be on the lookout for what you can learn from those who have gone ahead of you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 61- 64
HYMN 1: ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER
1 All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Thee I freely give
I will ever love and trust
You In Your presence daily live
Chorus:
I surrender all,
I surrender all
All to Thee,
My blessed Savior
I surrender all
2. All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow;
Worldly pleasures all forsaken.
Take me, Jesus, take me now. [Chorus]
3. All to Jesus I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me. [Chorus]
4. All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame
O the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His namel [Chorus]
