Acts 12:20-25 Give Glory To God

Acts 12:20-25 NIV
I am pretty sure that Herod was quite pleased that his enemies from Tyre and Sidon had to humble themselves and go to him so that they might be able to eat and live. They were running out of food; so they did what they could to get it. They pretended to honor Herod; they feigned peace for food. When they got it, they lifted up Herod as though he were some kind of god.

Herod did not correct them. He did not stop them. Being of the lineage of Esau, Herod should have known a little better than that. But, his ego allowed the people to praise him as a god and he was struck down immediately by an angel of the Lord.

It is really not a good idea for God's people to take credit for what God has accomplished through us. May God help us to always give glory to God. After all; He does always have the final word.

Pr. J

John 4:43-54 Signs and Wonders/Healing and Wholenss

John 4:43-54 NIV
"Unless you people see signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." (vs 48)

How many signs and wonders have we seen and yet our faith is less than a mustard seed. It kind of amazes me that our services for healing at Zion are the least attended of all. Does no on want to be healed? Does no one believe that God will answer our prayers for health and wholeness?

Actually, I believe that maybe many of us are afraid to see the signs and wonders of God. That might mean our lives will change forever and we kind of like living in our sickness. We sort of like sin. We don't want to be made whole because if we're made whole we might stand up, walk, and follow Jesus.

In reality, we have all seen signs and wonders. We just fail to acknowledge them. We have seen the lame walk; the cancer victim live years after doctors predicted they would live. As we got to know Jesus more intimately, we have already seen radical changes in our lives and our lifestyles. But, does God the Father, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit get any credit or glory for this new life; for the healing of our spirits? In some case, yes. In other cases, I am afraid that our egos step in and claim credit for our own goodness.

Miracles abound. They are all around us. Healing and wholeness occur. May the Holy Spirit open our ears and our eyes and our hearts to a greater understanding of all that God has done for us. He has granted us wholeness in Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J