TUESDAY – 15TH OCTOBER, 2024
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO
THOSE WHO HAVE MASTERED THE PITFALL - Humbled At Heart Series 003
Acts 3:12, KJV
"And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?"
God wants us to beware of misinterpreting His work and will. When God healed this lame from birth, one could have expected that Peter and John would leverage on that to blow their own trumpets or place an offering basket before the bewildered and impressed people to take a special offering of them. However, they didn't seize the moment! They rather did the contrary. Ministers should beware of calling for offerings when God has just specially moved in a congregation because they believe the people would be more disposed to give and vulnerable to whatsoever they command at such time even when God hasn't called for any. That would be extortion and impersonating God!
This is why ministry or God's work has been reduced to, "what do you bring for what I would give?" First, you have nothing to give or do! It is God who uses anyone. You can't use yourself. If you try it, it'll be faking it and that would be outside God. If God should prove your not being sufficient to you by disciplining you for one day by leaving you alone, you'll agree you can do nothing without Him. So, shut up and stop acting God to people.
God is still addressing us on what our behaviour should be after we might have been used and it seems men are becoming desirous of us instead of Christ. The example of these two apostles tells us what their priority was - that they weren't seeking to turn the stage light on themselves but have Christ glorified. When the man who is healed clings to them and by reason of that, crowd was pulled, they rebuked that mob from fastening their eyes on them in high esteem as if it was by their own power or personal holiness they had made the man to walk. These apostles know that their righteousness is as filthy rag at best. They know how frail or weak they are. I attempted healing a lame for the first time in 2016 after much compassion and stirring of the heart. That was in Birchi, Kurfi Local Government of Kastina State during my service year. The boy didn't get healed anyway but I took him by the hand to stand up. He only kept saying, "never, never." Having been this close to what Peter does, I'll say I can relate to the worship of miracle workers and any God uses. Miracle is not usual. That's why men with signs and wonders could even mislead people on doctrinal or righteousness matter and still be believed. The average mind believes, "if he could do the impossible, what else can he not do and do correctly with it?" Pitfall!
Peter and John knew that they had healed Him through the name of Jesus and off course, the willingness of God and not because they're so big or holy. Though apostles of the Lamb Himself, yet they're aware of their being vessels of clay in whom God has only deposited His treasure.
They rather pointed the crowd to He who the glory, praise, esteem and accolades should be directed to. Read their acknowledgement of God as the doer of such wondrous act.
Acts 3:13, KJV
"The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go."
Minister, until you pass this test, you may not have more room, chances or privileges to do another. God will just encircle, enclose or close you up. He'll just shut ministry door against you. You'll be hedged and curtailed. Instead of flowing out like a stream to bless and touch lives, God would just clip you. You'd bring regret on yourself. So, let's all be this humble or else, we'll fall from the height of glory, success and great moves. Whenever God has just finished using us and gazes and ovation are attending to us, sincerely let people know God does by singing, "To God Be The Glory; Great Things He Hath Done..." Redirect their gazes. You're not the object of attention. It's Christ!
PRAYER: I'm a vessel and I remain so that I might carry the weight of Your glory, Lord.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
I Thessalonians 5:1-28 & Isaiah 61-63
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