Wisdom For The Day Devotional 16 September 2022 By Bishop Mike Okonkwo – The End Of Self Is The Beginning Of God
TOPIC: The End Of Self Is The Beginning Of God (TREM Devotional 16 September 2022)
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 (KJV)
MESSAGE:
God wants self to end. He wants self-exaltation, self-achievement, and self-aggrandizement to be dead. Every one that exalts himself shall be abased and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
That is the way it works in God’s Kingdom.
The end of self is the beginning of God. The “What I have done” mindset is why more unbelievers get healed than believers when in the public crusade. Because unbelievers come and they just believe the simplicity of the gospel, and they get healed and delivered. But the believer comes and says: ‘You know, I’m entitled to it. I’ve been saved since 1920 and I’ve been very faithful. I’ve been committed to the church. I’ve never taken a drug. I’ve never taken liquor. I’ve never taken cocaine. I’ve never taken coffee. I’ve not even looked at a woman. And so, I’m qualified! That is the reason why some believers are not blessed.
“Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:12-13 NKJV). Notice that all of them came to Jesus on the platform of mercy. Then He said unto them: go show yourselves to the priest.
On their way, they were all healed. And one of them, a Samaritan came back to glorify God. The other nine never came back. Why didn’t the nine come back? They were full of self. “I’m qualified! After all, I’m a Jew” That is the reason why some of us find it difficult to give an offering to God. Because we feel, why should I give Him offering, after all, He is a good God. He should not expect me to give an offering even more especially at this time. If anything, He ought to give to me. This is one of the reasons why many believers are garaged from their testimonies. Avoid it!
Further Reading:
Luke 17:12-19
Daily Bible Reading:
Morning – Proverbs 25-26
Evening – 2 Corinthians 9
Wisdom For The Day Devotional was Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.