DCLM Higher Everyday 8 August 2024 — The Prize of Pride
DCLM Higher Everyday 8 August 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Prize of Pride
Topic: The Prize of Pride
Text: Acts 12:20-25
20And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
22And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
23And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
24But the word of God grew and multiplied.
25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Key Verse: “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost” (Acts 12:23).
Message
Herod had dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon. On the day of the resolution of the conflict, Herod the king spoke and the people were moved and exalted him to the position of a god and he accepted it and because of this he died untimely. Pride is deadly. Pride is over exaggerated self image, taking the glory of God to oneself; it is belittling others. Pride starts from the heart and manifest in our look, speech, dressing, and treatment of others. Pride brings: shame, destruction, humiliation, rejection, demotion, ridicule and eternal damnation. Pride made Uzziah to become a leper, Nebuchadnezzar an animal for seven years, and Herod suffered untimely death and perdition. To be free from pride, you must acknowledge the pride in your life, and pray for the salvation of your soul through Christ. Then acknowledge that whatever you have is given to you by God and be humble. Appreciate the goodness of God in others. Have the mind of Christ. Always humble yourself before God and He will lift you up.
Quote: Have the mind of Christ
Challenge: Many have paid dearly for pride.
Prayer for today: Lord, give me grace to always humble myself.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
