There’s a pattern in the church that we need to be aware of and it’s not a new one, in fact, it happened over and over again throughout the Bible.
We have a habit of turning God’s provision into idols and loving the gift more than the giver. You see, everyone of us will enter a time of desperation and need for God, whether big or small. It may be because of our own actions or the results of life’s wicked turns.
Either way, this desperation drives us closer to God as we call on His name and earnestly seek Him. Time goes by and God answers our prayers, usually in a way we didn’t expect. Our mourning is turned to dancing and we are caught up in the goodness of God.
We devote ourselves to care for our newfound treasure whether success, family, money, friends … etc. As time goes by, sometimes this care turns to obsession. We begin to worship the gift instead of the giver. What was once a blessing from God, to remind us of His faithfulness, has been turned into an idol.
“While traveling to Jerusalem, He passed between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, men with serious skin diseases met Him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When He saw them, He told them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And while they were going, they were healed.
“But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, ‘Were not 10 cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ And He told him, ‘Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well'” (Luke 17:11-19, HCSB).
Out of the ten lepers whom Jesus healed, only one returned. The others continued on, glorying in their gift from God. The one who returned did so to give worship to the Healer, not to the healing. Because of this, he found wholeness that the others did not receive. Don’t limit God by walking away with a blessing and forgetting who gave it. Devote yourself in thanksgiving to the One who has provided for you and you will see more than you thought possible!
Bailey Riza is a young, passionate, up-and-coming voice in the music industry. A worship leader, songwriter and recording artist, she has a wealth of experience and a dynamic approach to teaching and leading. She is a member of the Faith Alive Band and travels throughout North America performing and ministering in many different arenas. Her songs have been featured on the Faith Alive Show as well as on Daystar Television Network. Her latest EP, “Coming Alive,” topped the iTunes charts in Canada! She was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada, and attends Faith Alive Family Church, where her parents are senior pastors. She loves her family, church and country and has a zeal to see this generation experience a powerful outpouring of God’s presence.
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