Topic: DON’T CANCEL YOURSELF OUT – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 12 JANUARY 2023 The Redeemed Evangelical Mission

Topic: DON’T CANCEL YOURSELF OUT – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 12 JANUARY 2023 The Redeemed Evangelical Mission

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DON’T CANCEL YOURSELF OUT

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed” Luke 17: 14 (KJV)

This story is very interesting, and I believe God allowed it to be a part of the Bible to encourage someone today – no matter what you are going through, don’t cancel yourself out. Firstly, note that these lepers were not supposed to come where people were because of the disease. Lepers are put in isolation, away from other people. So, they were not supposed to come close until they were pronounced healed. Yet, somehow, these lepers not only found their way to where Jesus was, but they also cried out for help: “…. lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” (Luke 17:13 KJV)

In essence, they were saying don’t give us as we deserve. If you were to give to us according to what we deserve, we would die as lepers. We must understand this as God’s people. There is nothing we deserve from God. Don’t ever come to Him with an entitlement mentality. “I am entitled to it.” No! Though He provides and makes promises, that does not make you entitled.

When Jesus saw them, He said to them, “Go show yourselves unto the priests.” What is so beautiful about Jesus Christ is that when you come to Him, He does not turn you back. No one comes to Jesus or encounters Him and leaves the same way. Therefore, you must never cancel yourself out because time appears to be running out on you. Never cancel yourself out because the circumstances around you do not look good. Challenges are all there but don’t rule yourself out. In Christ, there is no hopeless case. Jesus is the game-changer!

Another thing to note is that these lepers were quick to obey. When Jesus said, “Go show yourself to the Priest”, they could have refused to know that they are not permitted to come into the city, but they obeyed and as they went, they were healed. I challenge you to obey God today, don’t count yourself out, God will come through for you in Jesus’ name.