The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, August 24, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 (St. Bartholomew's Day)
TOPIC: IT IS NOT BY YOUR POWER
TEXT: Acts 5:12-16
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, August 24, 2022
INTRODUCTORY TEXT
The Apostles did many miracles, and the church of God under their watch increased. This was definitely the fulfilment of the promise Jesus made to them in John 14:12: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. " They preached and taught every day from the Solomon's porch of the temple where they regularly met for evangelistic outreach (Acts 3:11). The temple was a location for evangelism because religious people continually came there for prayer and sacrifices. Those who believed the witness of the Apostles were added to the body of Christ (the church) by God upon obedience to the gospel. God allowed greater miraculous testimony to accompany their ministry.
He allowed unique healing to take place by their hands in order to reaffirm that they were special witnesses of Jesus and His resurrection. In their missionary journey, Bartholomew was not left out (Acts 1:13-14); he played a pivotal role among the Apostles and became one of the recognised voices. The most important and interesting part of the ministry of the disciples was the fact that with all that God made them to achieve, they did not ascribe the glory to themselves rather, they returned it to God (Acts 3:12).
This should be a lesson to us as men of God or ministers not to take (he glory that belongs to God. We should not see ourselves as solution providers to people's problem and not God who has called us into the ordained ministry. God can perform His miracle through anybody, so if He has decided to use us, we must endeavour to give all the glory to Him and not ourselves. Regardless of your status, influence and personality, it is important we know that God has placed us where we are for a purpose and that purpose is for us to be light in the midst of darkness; not to take the glory that belongs to God.
Thought: It is not by power nor by might but by my spirit says the Lord.