“BECAUSE HE GAVE NOT GOD THE GLORY”

MEMORY VERSE: And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. Acts 12:23

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 125-127 

There are certain things God dislikes and one of them is ungratefulness. Ten lepers, in Luke 17:11-19, saw Jesus and began to shout from far, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us”. Jesus heard and told them to go and present themselves to the ‘priests’. The bible records that as they went they were healed. NOTE: the 'priests' in the olden days are the equivalent of the health department today. If you are suffering from any disease that needs to be controlled with medication such as epilepsy, diabetes, heart trouble, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, etc, don’t discontinue such medication until you have gone to show yourself to the priests i.e. doctors, and your cure verified. After they were healed, one of them ( a Samaritan man) returned to give thanks to God. Luke 17:17 says, “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” Jesus was disappointed and unhappy because the other nine were ungrateful. Many of us behave exactly like the nine lepers. Even those of us who think we are grateful don’t thank Him enough for the things He has done. “Thank you Jesus” have you said that today? The nine lepers got healed but the grateful Samaritan was made whole.  

To be ungrateful to both God and man is bad; to share His glory with Him is worse. Isaiah 42:8 says, “I, the LORD, am the one, and I won't give my name and glory to another, nor my praise to idols.” When you share your testimony, do you emphasize on how much you prayed and fasted before God answered? Do you testify about your praying and fasting life or His goodness? Remember, despite all your praying and fasting, He could have decided not to answer and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Worse still is to take His glory and give it another. Jesus healed a man  by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Pharisees attributed the healing to Satan (Matthew 12:22-37). In what ways have you been attributing God’s glory to man? Have you attributed the miraculous provision of your tuition fees whilst you were in high school (God’s kindness) to your uncle? Don’t forget that it is God who gave him the money and also touched his heart, without that he wouldn’t have been able to render the help. Even worse still is to personally take His glory. God prospered Nebuchadnezzar and instead of returning the glory to God, he took it. Daniel 4:30 says, “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” He attributed all he had achieved to his might and power; God turned him into an animal for seven years to teach him a lesson. Don’t give His glory to another man. Don’t take His glory. Also, don’t accept His glory when it is being given to you. If you don’t want problems return His glory to Him immediately it is being given to you. The people, in Acts 12:21-23, gave Herod honour that belonged to God and he accepted it. Acts 12:23 says, “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” How do you respond when people talk about how powerful you preach? When they talk about how good you can sing, how do you respond? When they talk about your success and achievement, whether in ministry or secular world, what response do you usually give? Don’t accept praises that belong to God. You couldn’t have done that thing without His help. 

NOTE: As God begins to use you to solve problems, meet needs in the church and in your society, bring souls to Christ, people will bring His glory to you. If you want Him to continue to use you, return His glory to Him. 

PRAYER POINT: Father, I promise to always return all glory to you. Please use me to solve the problems in my family and society.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world