Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Tuesday December 5, 2023 TOPIC: THE SEDUCTION OF AMBITION

BIBLE READING:

MARK 10:35-45

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.  

KEY VERSE:

“But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister.”  Mark 10:43  

MEDITATION:

It is normal for people to compete with each other to achieve power, in the kingdoms of the world, but in the kingdom of God, true greatness comes from humble and willing service. This was what the Zebedee boys didn't understand. They came to Jesus requesting for top positions in the Kingdom. They were seized by ambition.   

The seduction of ambition is that which we easily interpret as a holy desire to build the kingdom of God or the pursuit of God's 'purpose' for our personal benefits. In doing this, we attempt to add significance to our lives, even at the expense of others. We begin to define who we are by our accomplishments. We find ourselves not just in pursuit of our destiny, but in pursuit of the accolades of men. We crave fame and fanfare. We lust after the crowd. It is blinding ambition that rationalizes an "end justifies the means" approach to life.  

What we fail to realize is that beneath that craving, is deep-seated insecurity that makes us feel a desperate need for the recognition of others. When we reckon that we are not sufficient in ourselves (2 Corinthians 3:5), we won't dare make any personal claims to what God is doing through us in the Kingdom. We would regard ourselves as servants to the assignment, and only vessels through whom God is showing forth His glory.  

Do you see yourself as nothing but captive in Christ's triumphal procession, being used to spread the aroma of His knowledge everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14)?  

PRAYER:

O Lord, deliver me from blind ambition.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

EZEKIEL 47-48, 1 JOHN 1