No Selfishness – Rhapsody Of Realities TeeVo Devotional November 8th

(Whatever You Do For The Lord, Do It 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 the story of Elijah’s epic showdown with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18? Some people might think Elijah was just trying to show off and get attention, but that’s not the case.

Elijah had challenged King Ahab to bring all of Israel and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, plus four hundred prophets of Asherah, to Mount Carmel for a face-off.

The plan was to prepare a sacrifice and call on their gods to send down fire. The prophet whose God answered with fire would be the one with the true God.

So, both sides prepped their sacrifices. The prophets of Baal called on their god, screamed, and even cut themselves from sunup to sundown, but nothing happened!

Then it was Elijah’s turn. He didn’t just ask for fire, he soaked the whole altar with water first. Then, he called on God, and boom! Fire came down from heaven and consumed everything—sacrifice, water, altar and all! Hallelujah!

Check out what Elijah said 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.”

Elijah wasn’t doing it for fame or to be seen; he was following God’s lead. That whole event wasn’t about him; it was about showing that the God of Israel was the one true God. And because of it, a lot of Israelites ditched their false gods and turned back to the real God.

Elijah’s actions were all about glorifying God, and that’s how it should be for us too. Whatever you do for the Lord should be for His glory and never for your self-ambition. 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
Hebrews 8, Jeremiah 13-14
TWO YEAR
John 10:33-42, 1 Chronicles 8

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