Tag: Glory

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Achieve Your Purpose in Life

“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”—1 Corinthians 10:31

Consider Paul’s exhortation for a moment: “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Most of us would confess that seeking God’s glory is not the default setting of our earthly motivations. It is aspirational, perhaps for some, yet even seemingly spiritual ideals can be rooted in the thorny soil of self. The great reformer, Martin Luther, observed that our sin nature is so deeply curved in on itself that it bends even the best gifts of God towards itself and it seeks all things, even God, for its own sake. This is not God’s design for us; in fact, it is antithetical to our purpose in His creation as spoken through His prophet, Isaiah: “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”1 Then today, let us contemplate our noble purpose, glorifying God . . .

In our forgiveness. “For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.” (Psalm 25:11)

In our faith. “In this you rejoice . . . so that the tested genuineness of your faith . . . may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)

In our outreach. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:6)

In our spiritual gifts. “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:11)

In our salvation. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

In our unity in Christ. “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)

In our gratitude. “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.” (Psalm 50:23)

And through all of these, our fruitfulness. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

God’s glory is our purpose. He himself is our focal point. He is where we are going. He is deserving of all glory, now and forever.

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”2 Yes, Lord, for you are worthy. Amen.

1 Isaiah 43:6-7 NIV, emphasis added
2 Psalm 29:2 NIV

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The Glory That Awaits Us

Cruise line promotions stuff our mailbox on a regular basis. They are tantalizing. I find it interesting that, although their literature features onboard activities and delectable dining, what they’re really selling is destination. Ornate European cities dotting the Rhine; Scandinavia’s fjords, majestic green mountains exploding upward from placid blue waters; the laid-back, steel drum vibe of the Caribbean — the allure of the trip is the destination that awaits.

Over the past three weeks, we have been focusing on God’s glory, not only in who He is, but also in what He does. Why then is it important that we take time to contemplate glory? First, as we’ve seen, glorifying God is our Biblically-stated purpose in life — it’s why we were created.1 Moreover, the majesty of His being calls forth His praise: “Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty . . . thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.”2

There is yet another cause for pause and contemplation, and it is this: Glory is where we are going, it is our destination, it awaits. Paul declares the time is coming when, “at the name of Jesus every knee [will] bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”3 No exceptions: we will all behold His glory and worship Him. But grace upon grace, we who live in Christ now through faith will be glorified with Him face to face. “What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later,”4 writes Paul. Moreover, “we have the Holy Spirit within us [now] as a foretaste of future glory.”5 And when Christ appears, “we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”6 Yes, glory is where we are going, both Jesus’ glory and — in Him — our own.

Every day our ship draws nearer to port. Then may we heed Paul’s exhortation to this world’s travelers of any generation: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”7 This is our destination. See you on board.

Father, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what [You have] prepared for those who love [You].”8 Thank you for your amazing, boundless love. Be glorified in this life You have so graciously given me. In Christ I pray. Amen.

1 See Isaiah 43:6-7 NIV
2 1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV
3 Philippians 2:10-11 NIV
4 Romans 8:18 NLT
5 Romans 8:23 NLT
6 1 John 3:2 NIV
7 Colossians 3:1-4 ESV
8 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

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God’s Glory in His Deeds

On weekly strolls down green fairways, my friend Matt would often voice the most recent difficulties facing his business. It was not uncommon for him to stress openly over the pressure of financial strain. “If [such and such] doesn’t happen, I won’t make payroll next week.” Or “If I can’t restructure this agreement, I’ll have to close up shop.” [Building a business is not for the fainthearted.] Yet after a while, I noticed a trend: A man of prayer, Matt always survived his predicament, and quite often in the most unforeseeable of ways. Repeatedly amazed, I finally suggested, “It’s clear God hears you; He keeps delivering you from these predicaments. You should keep a journal of your prayers and His provision, because He’s answering you without fail.” So, Matt did exactly that — he began to record his petitions and then God’s faithful provision. His journal continues to be for him a source of strength and a call to praise.

We have been considering God’s glory over the past few weeks. In our March 11 post, we learned it is for His glory that He formed and made us.1 And in last week’s post, we saw praiseworthiness in His very being: He is Jehovah Shalom, our peace; Jehovah Raah, our shepherd; Jehovah Nissi, our banner; Jehovah Tsidkenu, our righteousness; and El Shaddai, Lord God Almighty.2 We could add, El Elyon, “the Most High God.”3 We see His glory in who He is.

Yet as my friend Matt experienced, God also manifests His glory in what He does. Again, we see it in His names, His descriptions.

He is El Roi, “the God who sees me.”4 Have you ever sensed God’s intimate, personal presence amid the most difficult times of your life, or can you now see it in retrospect?
He is Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord will provide.”5 Can you recall a time when you “inexplicably” received exactly what you needed, be it financial provision or inner assurance?
He is Jehovah Rapha, “the Lord who heals you.”6 Have you ever witnessed God’s miraculous healing, whether within yourself or in someone you know? (I think this happens more often than we realize or recall.)

If you have experienced God in any of His works in or around you, then tell of them, for people draw strength from testimonies. And sing from your soul the glory due God’s name, not only for who He is, but also for what He does. “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name.”7

“You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?”8 To You be all glory in the heavens and in our hearts, now and forever. In Christ we live and in Him we pray. Amen.

1 Isaiah 43:6-7
2 See last week’s post for Biblical citations of these descriptions of God.
3 Genesis 14:18-20
4 Genesis 16:13
5 Genesis 22:14
6 Exodus 15:26
7 Psalm 105:1-3 NIV
8 Psalm 71:19 NLT