Rhapsody Of Realities TeeVo Devotional September 14th – Glorify God

(Whatever You Do For The Lord, Do Without Selfish Ambition)

TO THE BIBLE: Philippians 2:3 NIV
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

LET’S TALK
Have you ever read about Elijah’s face-off with the false prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18? Some, after reading the chapter, must have thought, ”Elijah’s just projecting himself for others to applaud him!” but that’s not the accurate picture.

He’d challenged King Ahab to gather all Israel and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of Asherah at Mount Carmel. A sacrifice was to be prepared and they were to call down fire from heaven to consume it: the prophet who succeeded would be regarded as the one with the true God.

Each group prepared a bull on an altar and called on their god to send fire from heaven. The prophets of Baal called on their god, shrieked, and cut themselves, but there was no response! When it was Elijah’s turn, he drenched the sacrifice with water, and then he called to God, who sent fire from heaven. The fire completely engulfed the sacrifice.

Read Elijah’s words in 1 Kings 18:36 NASB: “…O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word.” He was following the guidance of God’s Spirit.

That confrontation wasn’t a show of his selfishness or self-importance; it was solely based on the Lord’s guidance. This display resulted in many Israelites dumping their false gods and following the true God of Elijah.

What Elijah did glorified the Lord God of Israel before the people. In the same way, whatever you do for the Lord should be for his glory and never for your self-ambition. Whatever you do for the Lord shouldn’t be out of selfish ambition or conceit. It should be for and to His glory.

You must learn to follow the Spirit in the Word, by the Word, and through the Word just like Elijah did. As you do, your works and ways will glorify the Lord.

Go Deeper
1 Kings 18:30-39

Pray
Dear Father, your Word is the light that guides my thoughts, plans, decisions and helps me navigate through life in glory. Through your words, I receive light and direction for my life forever, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
2 Corinthians 13:1-14, Ecclesiastes 6-8
TWO YEAR
1 Timothy 1:15-20, Jeremiah 32

Act
Read through 1 Kings 18 and note how Prophet Elijah glorified God in his words.