Thanksgiving

"Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done."

1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV

Positive outcome of surgery.

Turnaround in dismal financial outlook.

Relief of physical pain and suffering.

Hope of heaven and eternity with Jesus.

Protection during long road trip.

It's easy to praise God for such things and it's good to give Him the glory for such feats.  When I think of praising Him and thanking Him for all He has done, though, it's usually about something that relates to me.  In other words, I mostly give thanks when things go well for me.

There is so much more for which to give thanks to God besides acknowledging Him when things go right.  When David and the people of Israel had successfully delivered the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, King David appointed the people to give thanks to the Lord.  In his instructions to the people of God, he modeled for us a way to give thanks to God for who He is, in a way that is both meaningful to us and treasured by Him.   It's easy to thank God for what He's given, but there is more to this attitude of thanksgiving.

Glory.  "What's in a name?  That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  Juliet made the point to the object of her affections, Romeo, that it mattered not that he came from a family who was at war with hers.  Instead, she insisted, it is the person behind the name that really matters.  While this sentiment is true to a point, there is much meaning found in God's holy name.

Therefore, I can spend some time basking in the greatness of the name of the Lord.  In comparison to any other name ever given, God's rises far above (Psalm 8:1).  His name is a strong tower that protects me in times of trouble.  (Proverbs 18:10)  There is power found in the name of Jesus, sending demons to trembling and adding clout to my prayers (Philippians 2:10-11, John 14:13-14).  Simply put, His name deserves my attention and there is no greater reason to rejoice than in His name (Psalm 29:2).

While I tend to give thanks to God for what He has done, I can step out of myself and glory in His name.

Seek.  Moses begged Him.  Even though it went way beyond what anyone had ever asked from Him, the Lord partially granted his request, allowing Moses to see the backside of His glory.  (Exodus 33:18)

Moses knew that God's presence was what set the people of Israel apart from every other nation.  He also realized that if God didn't go with them, as He had threatened, they wouldn't make it far.  (Exodus 33:3, 12-13)  Moses realized his absolute dependence upon the Lord.

But there was more.  Moses desired to see God above all else.  He craved God's glory, yearning to see His face and revel in His presence.  Moses longed after God in the same way a living creature pants for water (Psalm 42:1).

While I tend to give thanks to God for what He has done for me, I can step outside of myself and seek His presence as most my precious possession.

Remember.  The list is long.  If I pay attention as I live my life, it grows longer each day.  While I read His Word, I add even more to it's length.  There is no end to His marvelous deeds, miraculous wonders and judgments uttered (1 Chronicles 16:12).

There is no doubt that God is great!  As I live my life, getting caught up in difficult circumstances and the stress of day-to-day living, however, it's easy to lose sight of His power and magnitude.  This is why it is so important to earnestly remember God's greatness.  

He spoke all things into existence, calmed the storm with a word, and proclaimed the sin of mankind wiped away (Genesis 1, Mark 4:39, John 19:30).  Such power is found in His Word, but how much more is found in His deeds!  He defends those who put their trust in Him, heals those who believe He is able, and transforms grief into gladness (Psalm 91:14, Mark 10:51-52, Isaiah 61:2-3).

Knowing who God is and what He is capable of doing by remembering what He has already done gives encouragement to my disheartened soul but also pleases Him.

It is important to give thanks to God for all He has provided in my life.  There is more, however, for which I can praise Him.  I can glory in His name, seek His presence as vital to my welfare, and remember all He has accomplished.  In these ways, I honor God for who He is, not just how He has benefited me.  In this way I can exhibit an attitude of thanksgiving.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can think beyond myself, praising god for who He is.

When do I focus only on me, and how God benefits my life?

How can I help myself make the effort to admire God for His great character?

Justice is the Lord's

"It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong

done to me,

and that the LORD will repay me

with good for his cursing today."

2 Samuel 16:12 ESV

This is not the way a king should be treated.  David's men were ready to defend their friend and God-appointed ruler of Israel against this man who taunted him.  Wasn't it bad enough that his son Absolom was attempting to steal the throne away from him?  Now this man named Shimei was bold enough to curse the name of the rightful king as they fled Jerusalem, not even letting them escape in peace.  Instead, this bitter, angry man kept pace with them, throwing dirt in the air, hurling stones and giving David a piece of his mind.  Obviously, as a supporter of the former king Saul, Shimei would not let David forget his past. (2 Samuel 16:5-14)  Interestingly, instead of rising up in arms against Shimei, David lets it go, allowing the man to vent as they traveled. David decided to let God be the judge.  

Today, we live in a world driven by personal rights.  People will die fighting to defend their liberties and do whatever it take to protect their good name.  God, however, is the one true Judge.  Only He knows what is fair.  Therefore, I can have the same attitude as David did instead of being so easily offended, letting God decide who deserves what.

Heart

It seemed good enough to me.  I had never been to a powerlifting meet before entering my first competition, but I thought my squats were up to par.  Imagine my surprise, then, when the head judge scratched me from the competition, concluding that my lifts were not performed to standard.

It's easy for me to be my own judge and jury, using my own sense of right and wrong to form an opinion about my actions.  Only God knows the true state of my heart, separating the selfish ambition from the humble obedience, the decisions made out of fear from the acts of faith, the anxious spirit from the mind at rest.  If I rely on my own judgement, I'll give a poor assessment.

Therefore, I am wise to simply trust God instead of depending on my own faulty line of reasoning, submitting myself to Him in all areas of my life.  When I do so, the path He has marked out for me to travel will become clear.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

It is also important that I seek God's opinion of my motives and impulses, inviting Him to explore my heart thoroughly.  As I let Him examine my inner-most thoughts and desires, He will determine what is driven by fleshly desires, where I am self-centered and anxious or how I am offending Him.  Only then will I know the true state of my heart.  (Psalm 139:23-24)

Once I have a more godly perspective of myself, I can seek God's restoration.  Only He can redirect my desires, making them line up more closely to His.  Only He can generate a passion within me for pleasing Him instead of myself.  Only He can change my drive, replacing my craving for self-satisfaction with a longing to do His will. (Psalm 51:10)

While it may be easy for me to give myself a pass, only God can determine the true state of my heart.

Fairness

"It's not fair!"  If I've heard it once, I've heard this cry of so-called injustice a thousand times.  Children and youth have a way of seeing the world from a purely selfish point-of-view.  Unfortunately, the years have not necessarily made me any wiser than they when it comes to judging the world objectively.

Only God knows what His children truly need at any given time.  While I might think circumstances are too harsh, His wise perspective reveals the need for a sober wake-up call.  When I judge a period of one crisis after another to be too much, He determines it is exactly what I need to learn to depend upon Him for my strength.  Even if I think I can't wait another minute for relief, God's perfect sense of timing tells a different story.

Therefore, I can rely on my Father to give me exactly what I need just when I need it.  Keeping this truth in mind helps when I'm facing the harsh that seems so undeserved, or the difficult that I judge as too much, or the hurting that I've determined is beyond what is reasonable.  If I am to walk by faith, believing that God has my best interest at heart, I must trust Him enough to accept what He allows into my life, knowing that He will use it to transform me into the image of His Son.  (Romans 8:28-29)

This life, then, is not so much about getting what I think I deserve.  Instead, it is about receiving what I need.  In place of focusing on my own comfort and rights, I must realize God is constantly in the process of molding and purifying me.  While it is easy to get caught up with the worldly practice of defending my reputation, I can replace that pursuit with a quest for God's name to made well-known through the circumstances of my life. 

Living in a world that encourages me to defend my rights warps a godly perspective that let's God decide what is necessary.

Glory

"I can't tell God how to get His glory."  These words were all the more astounding considering out of whose mouth they were coming.  My friend had lost her daughter in a cruel and violent way.  In the midst of her suffering as she searched for answers, she came to the aforementioned conclusion:  God knows how to best get His glory.

When the Lord delivered His people out of the hands of harsh, Egyptian slave masters, He could have done it swiftly and surely, supernaturally providing a way out for the nation of Israel.  Instead, He chose to send Moses to appeal to the Pharaoh, performing signs and enacting plagues.  By the time the whole ordeal was over, all the people of the earth knew the might and sovereign power of the God of Israel.  (Romans 9:17)

In the same way, God chooses to work in ways mysterious to me in order to make much of His name.  I don't always appreciate His greatness when things go smoothly and cleanly.  When I'm at the end of my rope, however, out of options and at a loss as to how to proceed, I often discover the might of His hand as He delivers me through the storm.

If I were completely equipped and able to accomplish the impossible task set before me, how would God get the credit for my success?  Therefore, He often gives me much more than I can handle so I must rely on Him, setting Him up for gaining the credit for all He has done.   When people observe the outcome, they will be quite sure that such a feat could not be accomplished by mere human hands.

What if I enjoyed good health all the days of my life?  Most people would assume I took good care of my body and tired hard to avoid harmful substances.  Consequently, God might find it necessary to allow disease or chronic pain into my body, giving me a chance to rely on His strength.  When people observe the peace of my heart in the midst of the storm, they will know such serenity is not human-generated but can only come from the Lord. (Matthew 5:14-16)

People will know the Lord is my God and realize His greatness when they witness the fruit of His presence in my life.

I naturally am compelled to seek out my own best interest, especially when the going gets tough.  If I take a lesson from David, however, and give God the job of sitting as judge, I am acknowledging that only He knows my honest intentions, understands what is truly fair, and knows how best to get the credit for the good He generates.  Therefore, I would be wise to live my life as if true justice belongs to the Lord.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop trying to defend myself and instead let God choose what is right for my situation.

How do I spend so much time defending myself that I fail to see God's hand at work all around me?

When do I steal God's glory by trying to avoid suffering?

He Reigns

"Then as I looked, 

I saw a door standing open in heaven,

and the same voice I had heard before

spoke to me like a trumpet blast.

The voice said,

'Come up here,

and I will show you what must happen after this.'

And instantly I was in the Spirit,

and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.

The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones--

like jasper and carnelian.

And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.

Twenty-four thrones surrounded him,

and twenty-four elders sat on them.

They were all clothed in white

and had gold crowns on their heads."

Revelation 4:1-3 NLT

"Plane crashes killing two and injuring dozens."

"40 dead, 322 wounded in latest Cairo clash."

"At least 9 dead in Chicago after weekend shootings."

"Brazil soccer referee's head displayed midfield after murderous match."

"Lady Gaga defiles national anthem by replacing 'home of the brave' with 'home of the gays.'"

These are some of the headlines from today's news.  Clearly, the world is in chaos, sin runs rampant and it seems that evil rules.  Hearts have grown cold and I can easily feel there is no hope.  If I could take a peek through an open door and catch a glimpse of heaven, however, what would I see that would fill me with optimistic expectations?

Throne

The moment I or one of my family members leaves the room, the whining begins.  It starts as a whimper that turns into a belly-growl.  Before you know it, our family dog is barking incessantly.  Coal, our 10-year-old lab mix does not like to be alone;  simply being in the presence of his family brings him comfort.  

As a result, when he and his brother are sequestered in a room each day in order to keep them out of the way during Bible study groups, visits from friends or other various activities, he often protests.  There is something about human company that brings him comfort.

In the same way, I can derive a certain amount of assurance from the fact that the throne in heaven does not sit empty.  Instead, the Lord my God, Maker of heaven and earth fills this symbol of power, authority and sovereignty.  God is in control.

Therefore, when I see the evil all around me and I'm tempted to lose hope, I can remember the presence of my Father whose company I can never escape.  His eye doesn't miss a thing and He hems me in with His loving kindness; the Lord is the consummate Shepherd, guiding me through all the trials of life. (Psalm 139)

In a world seemingly out-of-control, I can take comfort from the fact that the Lord sits on the throne.

Glory

The sheer intensity of the lighted blinded the man.  He fell to the ground in terror tinged with awe.  "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"  The voice clearly condemned his life's work, adding to the fear and trepidation building in the chosen one's heart.  In the blink of an eye, Saul suddenly knew the Truth:  All this time, he had been living according to the wrong set of standards.  Coming into contact with the Namesake of those he bullied changed his life forever. (Acts 9:1-9)

No one can imagine the perfection, holiness, and pure power present in the glory of God.  Moses caught a glimpse of the backside of the Lord and came away with a face that glowed with God's awesome brilliance; so much so that he had to cover his face with a veil to keep from freaking out the people with whom he spoke. (Exodus 34:29-35) There is nothing like a hint of God's awe-inspiring nature to put things into perspective.

Knowing how much higher God is from all created things can give me a sense of peace in a world gone mad. (Isaiah 55:8-9)  When I see children being abused and used in ways that my mind cannot fathom, I can remember the One whom all will one day confess as Lord. (Romans 14:11-12)  

I can also take heart as I see the sexual immorality tarnishing every facet of our society, knowing that a Holy God does not overlook this kind of abomination.  And when that sin stains my own heart, I can go on without shame as the blood of Jesus covers over my transgressions, making me white as snow. (1 John 1:7)

In a world marked by sin, I can take comfort from the fact that my Father is a righteous God.

His Faithfulness

His people carried an ancestry of His Name.  Those who came from the bloodline of Abraham were named as God's very own.  Simply being born into the right family made them special in the eyes of God. (Genesis 12:1-3, Exodus 6:7)  The nation of Israel were considered by God to be His very own.

Under the new covenant of grace, I no longer need be born into the right family tree.  Now, I can enter into His favor through faith in Jesus Christ who took the punishment for my sins, setting me right with God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)  I am now included as one of His very own, the people of promise, and therefore part of His plan. (Romans 9:8)

God is a just God who cannot overlook sin.  When He chose His people, He expected them to stay separate from the rest of the world, keeping themselves holy.  God enacted many rules to help His people keep sanctified for His service.  Unfortunately, sin proved all too powerful and many succumbed to it's lure, highlighting their need for a Savior.

Despite the desperate nature of my depravity, God is faithful to include me, a sinner tarnished and born into the wrong bloodline as one of His own.  The power of the blood of Jesus cleanses me from all unrighteousness, leaving me as one of His very own.  There is nothing that can now condemn me so secure is my place in His family.  Living for Him as one of His children sets my feet on solid ground. (Romans 8:1)

In a world where I am used to earning my keep, I can take comfort from the fact that my salvation is secure in Christ.

It is easy to lose hope in such a dark place.  Simply reading the headlines can cause me to sink into despair.  Thankfully, though, I have much good to anticipate due to the fact that the Lord is on the throne, His ways are higher than mine, and He is faithful to include me as one of His own.    This day I choose to praise my God because He reigns!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember that my God reigns.

How do I sink into despair, forgetting Who is in control?

When do I depend on my own understanding instead of letting God in His sovereignty rule over my life?

God's to Give

"They replied,'Let one of us sit

at your right and the other at your left in your glory.'

'You don't know what you are asking,' Jesus said.

'Can you drink the cup I drink

or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?'

'We can,' they answered.

Jesus said to them,'You will drink the cup I drink

and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,

but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant.

These places belong to those

for whom they have

been prepared.'"

Mark 10:37-40

There has been much talk lately that we are living in the age of entitlement.  The younger generation seems to think they deserve things their parents had to work years to earn.  Things like a car, a house, a good paying job with benefits and a diversified investment portfolio.

For reasons that have been analyzed to death, many young adults think these are things to be expected instead of understanding that there are sacrifices to be made and years of effort to be put forth before one gets to the point of securing a new car, a nice home or a position that provides medical and dental benefits.  Instead, many think these luxuries are things that are deserved.

In some way, James and John carried this same attitude.  They had grown close to Jesus and felt that, as the Messiah and rightful King, Jesus would need trusted advisers and confidantes.  They could think of no better people than themselves to fill these positions, so they went ahead and made their pitch, as it were.  How 'bout it Jesus?  Can we sit beside you when you take the throne?

The problem was, these two over-eager disciples didn't know what they were asking.  They knew very little about Jesus' true identity and even less about His mission.  They were about to find out, but for now, they didn't have a clue.  

Still, they asked.  

There are times when I expect things I have no business anticipating.  I try to put myself in charge of how God will bless me or how He'll use me.  My desire to control my own destiny gets in the way of God's plan for my life.  If only I knew what I was really asking. . .

Honor

There is an entire industry devoted to building a desirable name for those in the public spotlight.  The more likable someone is, the more product that person can sell and the money they can make.  Interestingly, basketball player and coach John Wooden said, "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."  It's not surprising, than, that many stars and popular icons have a hard time dealing with life.  They can't separate the image of themselves from the reality.  

I naturally desire a good name for myself.  I am not a celebrity who is out to make a profit from my name, but I do want good feelings associated with my name.  When people think of me, I want them to smile or be challenged, not to grimace or smirk.  I am concerned with my own sense of honor.

If I do carry a good reputation, I want it all to reflect well upon my Lord Jesus Christ.  If people think I'm pretty good in my own strength, then I'm stealing from His good name.  Instead, I want all the honor to go to God.

When I expect honor and a good reputation in my own right, I'm not paying attention to the consequences: I'm taking credit away from Jesus who deserves it all.

Position

Many children say they would like to be the President of the United States when they grow up without understanding all the responsibilities and sacrifices that come with that job.  Mostly, they just want the title and power that comes with the office.  

It may be that I hold this same attitude with positions in God's kingdom.  Maybe I like the idea of the job better than the job itself.  Leaderships positions may seem glamorous and powerful, but there is a lot of humbling and sacrifice that comes before a believer is ready to lead other Christians.

Bible teachers encourage and challenge others with their teaching, but there is a lot of preparation and wrestling over the Word that comes as they prepare the lesson God gives them each week.

It would seem meaningful to be able to help others sort through their problems, but only those who know how to point people to the Healer can truly be effective in a counseling ministry.  

I may fantasize about a particular position in ministry, but until God has called me, He won't equip me.  Just as James and John wanted the position of being at Jesus' side but had no idea what Jesus was about to go through and that soon they would abandon their Savior to carry out His Father's plan all alone, I am prone to desire a certain place for the wrong reasons.  I could want prestige, to further God's Kingdom, or simply to add some meaning to my life.  Whatever the reason, if I don't accept a position out of direct obedience to God's calling in my life, I am taking the job for the wrong reason.      

When I expect a position without understanding the sacrifices to be made, I am just plain foolish.

Glory

We've all seen it: the two-year-old throwing a temper tantrum in the grocery store aisle.   Most of the time, a tantrum occurs when the child grows frustrated with not getting what she wants.  As she screams and carries on, her hope is to manipulate her parent or caretaker into caving into her desires.  

As embarrassing as the tantrum is for the mother, it is not only used as a tool of manipulation.  Sometimes, a fit is a cry for help.  If a child does not receive adequate love and time from his parent, he may resort to desperate means to garner that attention: even if it's negative attention.

There are times when I, too, work hard to receive accolades from those I respect, to build prestige for myself, or to crave the spotlight.  It feels good for others to recognize my hard work, commitment and love for Christ.  The problem is, when I seek glory for myself, I am stealing it from God.

My life is not my own as a follower of Christ.  As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:20, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (KJV)  If my whole being belongs to Jesus, bought with His blood spilled on the cross, then I have no rights to myself.  As His chosen child, all the recognition for anything good in my life goes to God.

When I expect praise for all the things God is doing, I am forgetting that the glory is all God's to receive.

Even though I'm living in the age of entitlement, I don't want to carry this same attitude when it comes to God.  Instead, I want to guard against demanding notoriety when I don't know the consequences connected to that honor, expecting to hold a certain position when I haven't a clue to the sacrifices or responsibilities required, and thinking I should get at least some credit when God deserves it all.  Every good thing is God's alone to give.  My only job is to be humble enough to receive when the time is right.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will not expect things about which I have no clue.

When do I think I'm ready for a certain role instead of letting God lead me to it?

How do I desire attention that belongs to God alone?

Knowing God

“Jesus answered,

‘Don’t you know me, Philip,

even after I have been among you

such a long time?’”

John 14:9

“Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?

Who is like you—

Majestic in holiness,

Awesome in glory,

Working wonders?”

Exodus 15:11

I have been married to my husband for over 24 years and I am still learning new things about him.   For as much time as I’ve spent with him, you’d think I would have known that he always wanted to be a cowboy.  This Christmas, one of our daughters gave him a cowboy hat.  After he tried it on and checked himself out in the mirror, he jokingly told us that now he was one step closer to living his dream!  I knew that he loved riding horses and enjoyed rodeos, but I didn’t know about this fantasy of his.

In order for me to get to know my husband better, I must spend time with him.  I can’t just read about him, or study him as he goes through his life.  That helps me to get to know about him, but to know him, I need a relationship with him.

It is no different with God.  I can know everything there is to know about God by studying the Bible daily, attending Bible studies, going to church, and listening to Biblical scholars teach, but if I don’t have a relationship with Him, I will never really know Him.

I need to live my life alongside God so I can witness how He responds to my prayers and how He provides for my needs.  But I also need to be close to Him so that He can reveal things about Himself to me, open my eyes to His holiness, to unveil a bit of His glory, and show me His wonders.

Holiness

One of my favorite hymns as a child was, “Holy, Holy, Holy.”  I’m not sure why I loved it so much, but every time I hear that hymn today it brings tears to my eyes.  I have a greater understanding of God’s perfection and how much higher He is compared to His creation.   He revealed through the prophet Isaiah that, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

As a holy God, He deserves my greatest respect.  I must be careful not to minimize His position in the way that I refer to Him, in how I talk about Him, or in my attitude toward Him.  It’s so easy to fall into the pattern of calling Him, “The big guy upstairs,” or casually joking about how He might strike me down if I do a certain thing, or even if I think I know why He works a particular way or that I can predict how He will work in a person’s life.  He is God, and I should revere Him, honor Him, and stand in awe of Him.

Glory

Moses was pretty close to God.  He knew God intimately, yet he wanted to know more.  In Exodus 33 is a record of the exchange that took place between Moses and the Lord where the man talked about how he had been leading God’s people,  but he wanted to know more about the Lord.  He even went so far as to ask to see God’s glory.  And this is when God agreed to let Moses see the backside of Him as His glory passed by.  To protect Moses from the intensity, God told Moses He would, “put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.  Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” (Exodus 33:22)

When the shepherds encountered the glory of the Lord that shone around the angels who delivered the news of Jesus’ birth, they were terrified.   Likewise, when Saul encountered the light from heaven on the road to Damascus, his natural response was to fall to the ground.  When he arose, he had temporarily lost his sight.   Jesus also showed His glory when He was transfigured on the mountain in the presence of Peter, James and John.  God enveloped His glorified figure in a cloud and His voice proclaimed, “This is my Son whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to Him!”  The disciples fell to the ground in terror.

God’s splendor is beyond compare and an encounter with His perfection brings about a response of both terror in the face of such glory and reverence for the One who created all things.

Wonders

God  spent a lot of time working wonders to showcase His position of The Lord our God.  Many times, people were looking for signs and wonders from Jesus as well as an indication that He is, indeed, the Messiah.  But His wonders are all around us.  His creation speaks to His majesty.

Paul explained this in Romans 1:20.  “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

As I look around at all He has made, I can either take it for granted, or marvel at the intricate detail, marvelous forethought, and amazing wonders found in His creation.  It is easy to rush through my day, going from task to task, completely ignoring God’s amazing handiwork all around me.

As I get to know God more intimately, He will open my eyes to His holiness, His glory and His wonders.  It is up to me to pay attention.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will try to grow closer to God, giving Him a chance to show me more of Himself.

Where do I close myself off from God?

How do I take Him for granted?

Glory in Excelsis Deo

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men."

Luke 2:14

The sound of the bell floats across the air as I make my way to the supercenter to buy groceries for the week.  The smiling women greet me with a cheerful, "Happy Holidays," as the red bucket swings on the frame between them.  The Salvation Army has been using the infamous Red Kettle since 1891 to collect donations during Christmas time for their ministries throughout the year.  This most recognizable scene of the season is a symbol for a ministry that has been working to bring the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute for nearly 160 years.  This got me to thinking about how I can best glorify God during this Christmas season.

Honor Him  Glorifying God means honoring Him with my life. It means living in such a way that people think of God when they see me and are inspired to draw closer to Him. This calls for intentional living, making a conscience effort to do things that reflect well upon my Savior.  Paul advised to have the attitude that, ". . . whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  (I Corinthians 10:31)  In the Chinese culture, it is very important to do your best in everything in order to bring honor to your family.  This drives people to achieve greatness in order to give their family a good name.  If I adopt this attitude toward God, I would choose to do things that would give God a good name in our society.

Fruit  The Apostle Paul held this prayer for the church at Philippi:  "that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:9-11)  The only way to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit, is to choose to let God have his way in my life instead of insisting on doing things my way.  When I let my fleshly desires rule my life, I produce fruit of the flesh.(anger, dissension, sexual immorality, selfish ambition, jealousy, etc)  But if I walk in God's spirit, His fruit will be evident. (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control.  Galatians 5) This does not come from effort, but as a natural extension of God's work in my life.  If I let God have His way in my life, His fruit will reveal His awesomeness.

Unity  We don't naturally get along with each other.  Spend a little time in a family and this becomes painfully evident.  But cutting each other a break by not expecting more from others than I expect from myself is another way to bring glory to God.  Paul teaches in Romans 15 that we should be concerned with building up those around us, whether it be neighbors, family members, other believers or friends.  "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Romans 15:7)  If I accept those around me just the way they are, I can lift up the name of God to those I come in contact with.

During this busy Christmas season, I can glorify God by intentional living, choosing His way instead of mine and getting along with others. 

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can remember that bringing glory to God is the purpose for my existence.

How am I seeking to improve my reputation instead of lifting up God's?

When I think of all the people in my life, who am I the hardest on?

Self Reliance. . .or God Reliance?

A powerful leader recently said that trusting God is not putting people back to work and that, "I trust in God, but God wants to see us help ourselves by putting people back to work."  Although this is a popular saying, it's source is not the Bible, but Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac.

Good ol' American Self Reliance    I once heard a pastor say that American believers don't give God a chance to provide for their needs, because we are too quick to do it ourselves.  The attitude of self reliance illustrated by our leader's comment on jobs is a hallmark of American beliefs and traditions, but it runs counter to the teachings of the Bible.

Hall of Fame of Faith  Hebrews 11 records the feats of those who were commended for their faith and who now serve as cheerleaders for us as we negotiate this rocky road of life.  These believers, who are to be looked up to and emulated, were not known for "helping themselves", but for trusting God in the face of great difficulty.  Noah was warned to build an ark in a place that had never received rain and was miles from the nearest body of water.  Abraham was called to leave his home without knowing where he would end up.  The Israelites marched around the city of Jericho in order to conquer it for themselves. . . .and the walls came tumbling down.  These acts were all the result of obedience to God and complete reliance on him. 

Taking Matters into His Own Hands  There is the instance where Abram and Sarai tired of waiting for the child God had promised, and "helped themselves" instead. Sarai gave her Egyptian slave, Hagar, to Abram and she bore him a son named Ishmael. He was not the promised one, but Isaac, who would not be born until about 20 years after the promise was first made to Abram in Genesis 12, would be the heir to a promised nation.  Twenty years is a long time to wait for God to move, but God values obedience!

Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice  Another instance of "doing it my way" instead of God's, was Israel's first king, Saul.  He wasn't known for his faith, and showed it right at the beginning of his reign.  When on the cusp of a battle, he disobeyed God by making sacrifice to God himself instead of waiting for Samuel, the priest, to do so, as God had ordered.   His excuse?  I had to do something. . . I couldn't just sit around and wait for Samuel to show up!  There was a crisis and action was necessary!   The result?  God took the crown away from him!

God Gets the Glory!  God does not want us to rely on ourselves, but on Him.  Consider the following:
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”  I Corinthians 1:27-31

What other passages can you think of to support the premise of God-reliance over self-reliance?

What other popular, yet unbiblical, sayings have crept into your common usage?