RSS

Tag Archives: glory of god

Even at work

26 Feb

This morning I have spent time in the gospels of John and Luke, and Matthew Henry’s commentaries and just lost track of time. I could write so much more on the scriptures surrounding these passages. God can use you where you find yourself today. You are where He wants you for today. It all can bring glory and honor to Him in how you handle the every day. Spend daily time with Him, and you will overflow what He presses into you as a result.

 

Even at work

John 21:6     And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

In Luke chapter 5, Christ had called His first disciples while they were at work. He had approached them at their business, and used their vocation to deliver a sermon from the pulpit in the boat to the crowd of people on the shore. Their is also a great prophecy being fulfilled regarding Abraham and the sand on the seashore in the study of these scriptures. After His sermon in Luke 4 he says, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  We have heard how the disciples were called “fishers of men.” Christ called them while they were at work, and used their work for the glory of God. Are you aware, and prepared to glorify God in your vocation? Are you glorifying God now in your workplace?

After His death and resurrection, He began to appear to the disciples. In John 21 Peter had probably sulked and decided “well at least I can return to what I know how to do” and went fishing to earn a living, and get his mind off what had transpired. They had no luck, and were headed back to shore when in  John 21:6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.” Christ had returned to them at work, where He found them to begin with. Christ can use where you spend your every day to glorify Himself. It does not have to be from the pulpit to honor Him, it can be how you handle every day with the integrity He instills in you. Do not miss the opportunity he places before you in the workplace today, for much of the workplace is far from God, abusing every ideal for the benefit of only themselves, or the bottom line. Let it be known that you serve the highest line, held to the highest standard to glorify Christ.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 26, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

A Speck

02 Feb

This morning I was still thinking about last nights lesson in Luke by Ed Gravely, and the reflections of how we all could fall into those traps of religion. I know that the term religion and the relationship are confusing to so many of us. I grew up thinking being “religious” was a good thing. But now I have come to understand that resting on what I would call “earthly wisdom” is not from God, but a tool of Satan that self glorifies, and does not preach humility and grace. We must understand that “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.  (Ephesians 2:8)

James 3:16-17   For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

James has been leading up to these verses by telling us of the power of our speech, and the hypocrisy that can come as a result of it. Do we tend to seek glory for ourselves in our desires and how we speak of heavenly things? Do we become puffed up as those that Pharisees in Christ day whom even missed the glory of God standing before them? But what if we all feel as though in some way we are resting on our wisdom? We feel that we know just enough, do just enough good works, for others to think we are a good person? That ‘just enough’ is self seeking as described above. That is earthly wisdom that forms around religion, and not reverent fear and relationship with Christ.

With Godly wisdom comes meekness. We begin to realize that we can do nothing alone, but it all  flows through Christ. We realize that He reveals to us a great mystery that is heavenly wisdom that comes with time. A humble reverence and awe develop and dwell in our soul that seeks revelation from God. When we receive these specks of wisdom, when He opens our eyes through our hearts, we should only glorify Him as the result. There is only one Way to gain this knowledge, and it is not through envy or self seeking.

 
2 Comments

Posted by on February 2, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

What do you live for? 01/26/12

26 Jan

Good morning everybody. I was praying earlier this morning and felt God speaking to me about this verse. I could have wrote a book expounding on this verse I think. With all Paul had suffered, he understood it was all for Christ glory, He was tired and in prison, and he knew that heaven was not far away and longed for it. But he also knew God was using him while he remained here. He edified the Philippian church, and kept his eyes on Christ. He never wavered, he never lost the focus of his life – to share the love and Christ and bring Him glory. I pray the next trial you endure, your faith is strengthened as Paul, and not weakened as your enemy thinks it will. Press on, for the glory of God.

What do you live for?

Philippians 1:21    For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

A one sentence summary of the apostle Paul. Nothing else in his life mattered but Christ. He describes his life as ‘is Christ’, abiding in Christ, centering on Christ; all other matters simply did not matter. He had come from a leader of religion, in the persecution and death of Christians, to a  death to himself and slave to Christ’s Glory. He was persecuted all his remaining days, but never wavered on his focus or faith. Can you say the same thing about your faith when the going gets rough?

If anyone told you that being a Christian would be easy, they lied. Christ told the apostles in Matthew 10:22 “You will be hated by all for My names sake.” When Christ and that eternal security dwell inside you, people notice that something makes you different. Some are drawn towards you, others rebel against you. Tough times will come as a result of following Christ. But percever in your faith, look for those you can reach as a result of what you are facing. For God has allowed what you are facing to strengthen you, and encourage others. Don’t let the world drag you down, for what you have will be lifted up.

 
2 Comments

Posted by on January 26, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,