Read Reigning In Life As A King Online
Authors: John Osteen
Tags: #authority, #John Osteen, #righteousness, #Faith, #dominion
Miriam and Aaron's attitude cut off their usefulness, until they repented. When God begins to use you in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, when He begins to bless you and give you revelations, let it humble you more and more. It is not you, it is God.
Let's examine the life of King Saul in the Old Testament. Saul was a fine-looking man. The Bible says that he was head and shoulders above all the rest of the men. (I Samuel 9:2) He was the first king over Israel, and God used him mightily. However, Saul disobeyed God and fell from favor with Him. The Prophet Samuel interceded on Saul's behalf, but God rejected Saul as king. God spoke through Samuel and made a statement about Saul's attitude that we should always remember.
And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?
1 Samuel 15:17
"When thou wast little in thine own sight..." That is the secret. When we are little in our own eyes, God is pleased with us because we know that we can do nothing without Him. If we will have a low estimation of our own importance, God will use us.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Proverbs 18:12
Let your confession be what you have in Christ, and not what you can do in your own power and ability.
Many great men of God have spent years doing the insignificant tasks that God asked them to do. The Bible encourages us not to despise the day of small beginnings. (Zechariah 4:10)
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luke 16:10
When you prove faithful to God in the little things, then He will trust you with much.
In the Book of Acts, the number of disciples increased and there arose a problem with serving tables and distributing clothing and food. The twelve disciples felt that they should give themselves continually to prayer and the preaching of the Word of God, therefore, they appointed seven men to handle the food and clothing.
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Acts 6:2-3
These seven men were not just ordinary men. The Bible says they were full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. They were powerful men, and yet they were chosen to serve tables and distribute clothing.
These men could have said, "I am not called to serve tables. God called me to preach." They could have had an exaggerated opinion of their importance, but they were faithful to do what needed to be done.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
I Peter 5:6
God will bless people who are willing to take a lower position in the eyes of men. He will exalt the humble.
It was not long until Stephen began to shine. He was one of those who was faithful to serve tables. Stephen became a powerful preacher. He did great wonders and miracles among the people. The Bible says that no one was able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. (Acts 6:8-10) Soon Stephen was arrested and taken to the council, but everyone who looked at him saw that his face was shining like the face of an angel.
The power of God in Stephen's life provoked the anger of his enemies, and they dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. The heavens were opened and Stephen saw the glory of God.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Acts 7:55-56
Stephen said, "I see Jesus STANDING on the right hand of God." Jesus is SEATED at the right hand of the Father. I believe that Jesus thought, "In honor to Stephen, I will stand to receive his spirit. I will stand for a man who was faithful to serve tables. I will stand for a man who will give his life for the sake of the Gospel."
God honors men and women who will do humble tasks for Him.
Philip was another disciple who waited on tables. He began to preach in Samaria and the whole city was stirred by miracles, signs, and. wonders. (Acts 8:6-8)
An angel of God appeared to Philip and sent him to the desert to lead an Ethiopian man to the Lord. After baptizing this man, Philip was supernaturally translated to the city of Azotus, where he began preaching.
That is what happens to the person who will walk humbly before the Lord. The man who lives a life of humility is the man who will walk in the supernatural power of God.
Let there be no fighting over the high positions. Give unqualified courtesy and respect to every person. Serve one another in love. Walk humbly before God, and you will be blessed with riches, honor, and life.
WE REIGN IN LIFE AS KINGS THROUGH
THE POWER OF HUMILITY.
WE REIGN IN LIFE AS KINGS
BY ONE, CHRIST JESUS.