04- 06- 11 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Proverbs 27:1- 2)
“YA HAVE TO DO WHAT YA GOTTA DOOO…”
1- “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 2- Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
“Ya have to do what ya gotta dooo, Ely…” An African- American friend of mine said that to me with a southern accent. It was when we were talking about doing what is right for God and men. You heard people talking about their PHD and master degree and what they have accomplished for themselves, for their organization, in their ministry or church. But the truth is, people would not care actually until they see you really care, someone said. Someone gave me a business card with all the accomplishments he had and all the degrees he got and all the high position he has in the ministry and other secular job he is involved with. You have heard of the great people in our history and the great accomplishments and discoveries and inventions of these great men and women. But some people don’t really care about them and about what they have done in our country and the whole world.
One of the sad things that we see in our churches and in politics were the same issues; they take the power, seat in a high position in the government, organization or church and please themselves or please the people. While I was getting some exercise, I was thinking of the verse in the Book of (I Corinthians 15:31) “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” Although in the previous verses, Paul was talking about Christ’s death, burial and resurrection as well as His ascension, he was also talking about himself. We must remember that we were buried with Him by the Blood of the Lamb. We died with Him, and my point is; whatever we have done for Christ and for others and in our church; those things were all done and we were able to do it by the grace of God, in the Name of Jesus and for His honor and glory. It means that we buried the big “I” on the grave with Jesus and we lift Him up. As God’s children, we must not lift up our own chair and we must not write down our own name in our own banner. King Solomon in the Book of (Proverbs 27:2) said; “2- Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” Again, “Ya have to do what ya gotta dooo…,” and it would be for Jesus and for His name’s sake. We may do things for self- gratification, selfish reasons, for politics or to please men. And we may also be proud and boastful of any accomplishment or educational attainment that we have had, but we must be careful not to be out of focus or get distracted by such attainment in life. Always give it back to Him and offer it in His feet who is worthy of our praise.
I love these verses, take note of these and meditate on it. (Colossians 3:17; 23- 24) 17- And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 23- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24- Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
