By the time most people are in their mid-thirties, they've stopped acquiring any new skill or new attitudes. Does that shock you? Stop and think; how long has it been since you acquired a new skill? How many new attitudes have you adopted lately – in your home? On your job? In your spiritual walk?

Solomon says, "Above all and before all, do this – get wisdom!" (Pro. 4:7). Remember Caleb? At 85 he was still growing, and grabbing the future (Jos. 14:12). When he should have been in comfortable retirement, he was out fighting giants and claiming mountains. While his friends were yawning – he was yearning. Every time the sun came up, it was a new adventure for him.

A man's son wanted to get in shape for the upcoming cross-country season, and the man himself wanted to keep from accumulating middle-age flab. So they started running each evening. Initially, they were both full of energy, but as they made their way through the designated route, they got a bit weary. They decided they needed an incentive to keep going. So each night, they thought of some kind of prize at the end – something to keep their minds off their bodies and on a reward.

One night it was pizza. Whenever the son wanted to stop, the father would say "Pizza!" And that kept them going. They taught of their plans to watch basketball on TV. So the key word was basketball. Each night a new prize spurred them on.

As we reach each milestone in House of Praise, we need to spur one another up to keep going higher. Paul used an incentive for motivation when he said, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14).

Our greatest incentive as Christians awaits us at the finish line – seeing Christ face-to-face and sharing His eternal glory! Keep that prize in mind, and you'll keep going higher! God says, "Enlarge the place of your tent ... don't hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes" (Isa. 54:2). That's you He's talking to!

Congratulations on your new publication – May the Lord use it as a tool of encouragement to take the people of God to the Next Level. He who has started a good work in us will surely bring us to an expected end in Jesus name!


Pastor James Fadele,
Chairman, RCCG, NA Board of coordinators.