Who Get's The Glory

When we have success in life, relationships, business, etc who get's the glory.  Are we just soaking it up and saying yes I did it?  Oh thank you it was such a sacrifice.  I am just so talented, so smart, so gifted, etc.  That's not the way it's supposed to be.  We shouldn't be getting the glory.  It should be going to God.  Don't believe me let's see what the Bible says.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Romans 11:36 ESV / 

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Well it really says it all in the first verse.  We are to do all things to the glory of God.  The second verse tells us more that all things come from Him and through Him.  He gets the glory.

Is it easy to give God the glory?  If we aren't spending quiet time with Him, listening to Him, truly loving Him,..it's not easy.  No matter what we are going through or where we are in life He should be getting the glory.  You might be thinking I did the work, where was God when this happened or when that happened?  Well since God created you didn't He do the work.  He knew you before you were even born.

2 Peter 1:21 ESV / 

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The scripture above tells us the prophecy comes from God.  The Holy Spirit brings it about.  We can't get into a mindset where we get up and tell everyone what God wants to do in their life without it coming from God.  It's clear.  He doesn't need our opinion or plan.  He will send it when He wills it.

Mark 10:17-22 ESV / 

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

We cannot do anything good apart from God.  The scripture above is basically a man of pride.  Nobody can live a perfectly sinless life.  We are just not that good.  It doesn't matter what we think we have done.  Our blessings, talents, gifts, finances, relationships all came through God.  He provided.  He is our provider.

Psalm 29:11 ESV

English Standard Version

May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

 

Give Him the glory!  Let's not take the credit anymore.  We are not perfect only God is!

Seek God In Your Decisions

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

So here we are getting closer to Thanksgiving and God has put on my heart to ask are we seeking Him in our decisions?  Do we pray about things or do we just react based on our own emotions, reasoning, thoughts or plans?  We are just His creation...shouldn't we be seeking what He wants us to do in a given situation?


Psalm 25:9
He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

 Proverbs 2:6-9
For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.

Psalm 25:12-
Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.

  John 16:13
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

Philippians 2:13
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure

James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Jeremiah 29:11 -
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 16:9-
The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.


So based on the Bible verses above He is looking to lead us but we must also be humble, trust God, acknowledge Him, seek wisdom, let Him guide us, direct us and He will put us on the path He has for us.  It is so easy to reason something in your head and not seek God.  Often we don't think we need His help unless we get into a real jam.  Then we humble ourselves and cry out to Him with all we have.  Wouldn't it be less painful and more wise to seek Him from the beginning?  James 1:5 says above that God will give wisdom if we ask for it.

Now let's seek God in our decisions, trials and all that we are going through.  We don't want to learn the hard way so let's do it God's way.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

I can't go there but.....

The tragedy in the Philippines has really grabbed my attention.  The people there have lost homes, family members, basics like food, and clean water.  The emotional toll(lack of hope) has to be heart breaking.  Stepping over bodies, struggling to get the help and supplies they need are things that aren't going away.  So what can we do?

1.  Even if we can't go over there we can always pray.  God hears our prayers and He knows their needs. 
2.  We can send money.  There are plenty of organizations at work over there.  We can help.
3.  Help someone else go who has the opportunity.

Keep in mind just because you can't physically go there doesn't mean you can't help.  I can't go over to Africa and dig wells but I can send money to help those who do.  We can expect to be blessed for doing so.  That shouldn't be our motivation but it can help when we doubt we are making an impact.  It will also help us take our focus off ourselves.  We can't live our entire life just worrying about us.  There are plenty of people out there looking for help that you could provide.  Sometimes it's just a conversation with someone who is feeling down.  It might be that you can make a meal for someone who is having physical issues or just out of the hospital.  Maybe you could help take care of the yard of someone who is elderly.  God can move in mighty ways in our lives to bless others if we just make time.

Lets look at some examples from the bible about helping others.

Hebrews 13:16 ESV / 

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Luke 6:38 ESV / 

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

1 John 3:17 ESV / 

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Matthew 25:35-40 ESV / 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ...

James 2:14-17 ESV / 

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

John 15:12 ESV / 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Matthew 5:16 ESV /

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Proverbs 19:17 ESV / 

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 22:9 ESV / 

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

So now it's not just me saying this but God.  Please take the time today to take your eyes off you and your problems and focus on what you can do to help someone else.

Changing Our Mindsets

In the news everyday we see news of terrible things, murders, deaths, attacks, kidnappings and natural disasters just to name a few.  We can listen to music about broken relationships, watch television programs and movies filled with violence and dysfunction.  If this is what we put into ourselves what do you expect to come out of us?

Luke 21:34 ESV 

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.

If we dwell on these things God says that it's a trap.  We aren't meant to be weighed down with the world.  So what are we supposed to think about?  How are we to use and renew our minds?

Romans 12:2 ESV / 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV / 

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV / 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Philippians 4:4-9 ESV / 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ..

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 17:22 ESV / 

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Based on these scriptures we are to trust God, have a joyful heart, we will receive peace from God when we keep on mind on Him and by staying in His word(Bible) He will help us to understand what is good and what His will is. 

Many people often feel like God doesn't speak to them, but if you aren't spending time reading the Bible how can you?  He speaks to us through His word, it's not the only way He can speak to us.  Sometimes we are looking for a sign and want to hear a clear voice.  God can do that too but are we giving Him the opportunity or are we too busy to even notice when He is speaking to us.  We can get to the point where all we are doing is saying God fix this and not listen to Him.  We need to get alone so we can hear His still small voice.

1 Kings 19:11-13

King James Version (KJV)

¹¹ And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
¹² And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
¹³ And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

It's so easy to send a million prayers up to God but not take the time to be still and quiet to hear Him.  We need to take the time to listen.  To trust Him.  Sometimes He will give you a scripture for a certain situation such as Psalm 46:10 He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Being still can be very hard in our culture where we get what we want instantly.  But God does thing in His own timing and often requires us to wait.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:13-14 ESV / 

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

James 5:7-8 ESV / 

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Psalm 33:20-22 ESV / 

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Isaiah 30:18 ESV / 

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

James 5:11 ESV / 

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

These are just a few examples about waiting on God.  Please take the time today to renew your mind, trust God, and wait.  He will do what He was said He will do but in His timing.

 

Worried?

We have all done it at one point or another...We worried.  There was something going on in our life that we couldn't control, fix, or find a solution to when we wanted to.  Worry isn't all that helpful but some of us live constantly in a state of worry.  Once a problem gets solved we find something else to worry about.  So what does the Bible say about it?

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV).

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
 (Also see Psalm 55:22-23)

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV). (Also see Matthew 6:25-34)

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).

These are just a few examples of what the Bible says about worry.  So when God made us He had a plan for us to deal with these feelings.  He knew that we would need Him.  God is our answer to those times of worry, doubt, fear, anxiety, etc.  He wants us to trust Him.  He wants our problems, prayers, and to give us peace.  God is in control...He made the world we live in and everyone around us.  Shouldn't God be the one we run to?

Obey God

How important is it that we obey God?  We often say that He will forgive us no matter what but what does it really mean to obey Him?

1 Samuel 15:22
 But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

 Romans 2:13 (NIV) For it is not those who hear the law that are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

Psalm 25:10 (NIV) All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of the covenant.

John 8:32 (TEB) "If you obey my teaching you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

John 15:10 (NIV) "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."

Deuteronomy 11:26-27 (NIV) "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse--the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today."

Exodus 19:5 (NIV) "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of the nations you will be my treasured possession."

Numbers 24:7 (NIV) "...Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land..." (Read context in Numbers 14.)

Hebrews 4:6 (NIV) It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience.

1 John 3:21-22 (NIV) Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

 John 14:23-24 (NIV) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching... He who does not love me will not obey my teaching."

1 John 2:4-5 (Phi) The man who claims to know God but does not obey his laws is not only a liar but lives in self-delusion. But the more a man obeys God's laws the more truly and fully does he show his love for him. Obedience is the test of whether we live in God or not.

So pretty quickly looking at these verses from the Bible we see that obedience is very important.  Through our obedience He blesses us, He answers our prayers.  So when you may have some doubt what He wants for your life just start with obedience and He will lead you.  He wants you to be obedient.

Feelings or Faith?

We live in a world where we are supposed to politically correct as to not offend or hurt anyone's feelings. Should we live our lives by feelings?

The Bible says we should live by faith. Faith is not a feeling, an emotion but an action we must put to work daily.

If we live by our feelings we will be tossed to and fro in the sea of life. Our emotions were not meant to rule us. I can get up in the morning and not feel like going to work should I be lead by that thought? What if you wake up tomorrow and want to walk away from a marriage just because you don't feel what you think you should? Is that ok?

To be led by faith requires trust in God, spending time in the scriptures and prayer. It takes a deep seeded dedication to God to grow our faith. It's when we don't feel like praying and trusting Him that we find ourselves living our faith.

A great example is found here in Luke 7:1-10 (New International Version)
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Luke 7:1-10

New International Version (NIV)
The Faith of the Centurion

7 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

So do you live by faith or feeling?

No Such Thing

There is no such thing as enough prayer. We all need it..not just for ourselves but for everyone. Someone is always hurting, living, dying, healing, and breaking. As men and women of God it is our duty and privilege.

None of us are perfect no matter how well our lives are going in our minds. Let God keep us in humility, honesty, integrity, truth, and peace. We will all be accountable one day before God. That day can very easily be today.

Lord please help us to live lives that bring glory to You. Let us remember to build Your kingdom and not just our own. Give us eyes that see that which You desire of us. Help us to hunger and thirst for You and not the world and what it offers. God open our hearts and ears to listen, love, and be willing to do Your will. Please help us to build up and not tear down. Help us to be aware of our words and thoughts and how they effect others. God please help us to know that we are not alone and that our ways are not always the best way but Your way is. Lord we ask these things in Jesus name.
Amen.

Let them off the hook

Today and Yesterday someone just tore me down. Just insulted and insulted me. You know what I let it go. None of the things this person said were true. So I went to the bible..Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. So I forgave them. You might have someone who just messed up your day or week and you are struggling to forgive them. God can help you do it. There was a man who was ministering in Germany after world war II. He gave an alter call and a man came forward who was in Hitler's army and had been one of the cruelest guards. The man who gave the alter call was in his concentration camp. But something happened nobody expected..He stuck out his hand and said if I can forgive you so can God!