Thought for today June 14, 2018: Topic - Who or What Do You Worship
Who or What Do You Worship
Acts 10:23b-26
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."
Thoughts for Today:
Verse 25 tells us, "As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence." But Peter with great humility tells him to "Stand up... I am only a man myself." I think this is really important -- he didn't consider himself to be worthy of worship -- instead Peter knew who he was -- a man just like Cornelius, no better no worse. That is so refreshingly humble! How many of us given a similar circumstance wouldn't have let a little ego creep in? It can be tricky ground when people want to give us the glory for simply doing God's will.
But what if (as so often happens) the person to whom we come in reverence -- does not ask us to get up? What if instead they want more? In our society, we worship accomplishment -- it doesn't matter if it is on the sports field or court, the court room or the board room, the author of a novel or the latest diet craze -- we hold celebrities in near god-like esteem. The problem comes in when we worship the vessel rather than the creator of the vessel. Romans 9:20-21 speaks to this issue, "But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" My point is rather than worship the person we need to see God in the talent -- and if God chooses to give an incredible ability to someone who is a non-Christian, then even though we may not understand why -- it is still God's sovereign choice.
Cornelius made a mistake -- he fell in reverence at the feet of Peter. Rather than being awed by God who brought Peter to him, instead he was awed by Peter, the man (a subtle but very important distinction).
Questions to Ponder:
Sometimes I don't appreciate the vessel God chose as much as I appreciate what that vessel can do -- the beautiful work or a painter, the artistry of a jump shot or 90 mph curve ball. Is there someone whose talent or ability that you admire greatly? Are you guilty of placing too much emphasis on the person and not on honoring God, the author of the talent? What can you do today to place a great emphasis on honoring God to for the talents He has given others, and not honoring them? What could you do in your own life to give God more recognition for your talents?
Who or What Do You Worship
Acts 10:23b-26
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."
Thoughts for Today:
Verse 25 tells us, "As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence." But Peter with great humility tells him to "Stand up... I am only a man myself." I think this is really important -- he didn't consider himself to be worthy of worship -- instead Peter knew who he was -- a man just like Cornelius, no better no worse. That is so refreshingly humble! How many of us given a similar circumstance wouldn't have let a little ego creep in? It can be tricky ground when people want to give us the glory for simply doing God's will.
But what if (as so often happens) the person to whom we come in reverence -- does not ask us to get up? What if instead they want more? In our society, we worship accomplishment -- it doesn't matter if it is on the sports field or court, the court room or the board room, the author of a novel or the latest diet craze -- we hold celebrities in near god-like esteem. The problem comes in when we worship the vessel rather than the creator of the vessel. Romans 9:20-21 speaks to this issue, "But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" My point is rather than worship the person we need to see God in the talent -- and if God chooses to give an incredible ability to someone who is a non-Christian, then even though we may not understand why -- it is still God's sovereign choice.
Cornelius made a mistake -- he fell in reverence at the feet of Peter. Rather than being awed by God who brought Peter to him, instead he was awed by Peter, the man (a subtle but very important distinction).
Questions to Ponder:
Sometimes I don't appreciate the vessel God chose as much as I appreciate what that vessel can do -- the beautiful work or a painter, the artistry of a jump shot or 90 mph curve ball. Is there someone whose talent or ability that you admire greatly? Are you guilty of placing too much emphasis on the person and not on honoring God, the author of the talent? What can you do today to place a great emphasis on honoring God to for the talents He has given others, and not honoring them? What could you do in your own life to give God more recognition for your talents?
Thought for today June 14, 2018: Topic - Who or What Do You Worship
Reviewed by Muyiwa Abodunrin (Muyilight)
on
June 14, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by Muyiwa Abodunrin (Muyilight)
on
June 14, 2018
Rating:
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