Tag: glory of God
Day 5–Not One Word Failed!
Scripture reading for April 24: 1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the Lord Who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all He promised. Not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He spoke by Moses His servant.” 1 Corinthians 3:17-18 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”
Solomon spoke this Word of Truth to the congregation as they dedicated the temple that his father David had planned and provided for and he had been allowed to build. He reminded God’s people of His faithfulness to His Word. God’s Word would stand any test of time and is not dependent on our faithfulness but on God’s Holy character. He is a God of Truth. He is not a man that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19) Heaven and earth would pass away, but His Word would never perish. (Matthew 24:35)
In my nearly eighty years of my journey through earth’s wilderness, I have learned and continue to learn God’s Word is gold! What He has said, He will do. What He promises, He will deliver. This includes all blessings coming by faith as well as the curses brought on through disobedience and unbelief. God watches over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12)
Worship is our response to His goodness and promises and the fulfilment of them through His faithfulness. “Blessed be the Lord” was Solomon’s cry before God’s people. God’s presence had filled the temple with His Glory, causing the priest to not be able to even stand up outside the holy place. But now, we who believe in Jesus Christ, are being transformed by the Holy Spirit into greater degrees of glory into the image of Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing Word and Your faithfulness to fulfill it. Help me to walk in rest and peace and freedom as I respond to those in need. Thank You for supplying all my needs according to Your riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Day 5–God’s delays
Scripture reading for April 10: Psalms 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him;. . .”
John 11:1-5“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, he whom You love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was.”
It isn’t easy to be patient when a loved one is near death. We call ‘911’ and summon help expecting urgency. The EMT’s and support helpers from fire also seek to go quickly to provide timely help. We pick the best route and turn on lights and siren as we speed to the scene. We want action and and have high expectations.
But in this story, sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus of a serious illness afflicting His friend and their brother Lazarus. Their expectation was speedy action and quick results. But Jesus had other plans that would demonstrate the Father’s love and bring Him glory. He told His disciples that this sickness would not lead to death. He then delayed two more days before announcing that they were headed to Bethany. Most believers know the story of Lazarus dying and placed in a tomb. Jesus came and wept over the tomb and called Lazarus out. Death was defeated through a God-directed delay.
There are some lessons responders can learn about time management from this story. Our human tendency is to hurry and expect quick results, especially from Jesus. We often think we have things figured out but God has other plans and a bigger picture we don’t take time to see. When we are delayed or get lost on the way, we should always trust God to work out the delay for our benefit and the blessing of those we come to serve.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for working out our lives with a bigger picture than we see. Help me to be patient and wait on You when delays come into my hurried schedule. Let me see how You are bringing glory to Your Name and blessing those who are hurting. Amen.
Freedom but restraint
Scripture reading for July 18: 1 Corinthians 10
“”All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. . . .So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10: 23-24, 31-33
When we come humbly to Christ in repentance, we find salvation from sin’s penalty and a new liberty from the rules of religion and culture. The early followers of Christ in Corinth came out of of idolatry or Judaism’s rules and traditions. They no longer had to follow the rules or works of religion. But Christ’s followers also were indwelt by the Holy Spirit and were becoming like Jesus Christ Who loved sinners and called them to repentance. Jesus ate with sinners and broke tradition. Jesus healed and ministered to people on the Sabbath, drawing religious leaders ire. Jesus loved God totally and loved people where they were that they might be led to repentance by an understanding of God’s love and mercy.
Paul, Christ’s Apostle, taught the new believers that although their liberty was real, they should voluntarily limit their liberty for the sake of the weak consciences of the new believers or unbelievers. Our liberty may be ‘lawful’ but not ‘helpful’ to building up new believers. We should consider the needs of others and how their consciences are developed. If eating idol meat was considered sinful, Paul said he would never eat meat again to help those believing this. His goal was God’s glory and salvation for all!
Do you find yourself judging people or arguing with them about their personal choices and beliefs? Does this mean that we should never confront sinful behavior or destructive choices? How does Paul’s attitude of doing all for God’s glory help you?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for caring about all people and desiring their salvation. Help me to live in such a way that I bring glory in all I do to Jesus Christ and further the Gospel. Give me wisdom and self-control and help me to consider the good of my neighbor and their salvation. Amen.
Sunday rest: the Glory of God
Dear Friends,
I am ready for a great day of resting in Christ and allowing His peace and presence to come into clearer focus in my life. Life is busy and I often find myself going from one meeting to another and one appointment to another without a break. Something is always needing attention or fixing. On the day of rest, I need fixing by recentering my life on God and His glory!
In reflecting on this past weeks reading in Ezekiel, I am impressed by Ezekiel’s visions of the glory of God. Ezekiel saw things in heaven around the throne of God’s glory that he had trouble describing in earthly language or word pictures. How does a finite creature describe an infinite being? The glory of God was life-changing for Ezekiel. He was encouraged and motivated to speak God’s message and obey even difficult assignments that would be uncomfortable and dangerous.
The saddest part of this past week’s reading was the part where God’s glory reluctantly left the Temple and city that He loved. God tried over and over to make a place for His glory in the midst of His people. They refused to honor Him and worship Him in Spirit and truth. He withdrew His glory to show them what darkness was in them.
I am thankful that God’s glory now resides in His church among His people. The day of Pentecost brought a rushing wind and tongues of fire bringing glory back to His living stones in the New Temple. We are now being transformed by the glory of God living in our midst personally and corporately. We have new revelations of that glory as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit fills us with power to share His glory with others! Sunday morning worship explodes with God’s glory descending into the midst of His worshiping church! Would that we do everything we can to welcome the God of glory today! We never want to see Him take His glory and depart! In His Love and Glory, Pastor John
The likeness of the Glory of God
Scripture reading for August 17: Ezekiel 1-6
Ezekiel had just turned 30 years of age and he was a priest who now entered full-time ministry. He had been taken into captivity and was in Babylon with a group of exiles which included Daniel and his friends. They met by the Chebar River to have their Sabbath observances and feast days. While they were meeting, God opened the heavens and gave Ezekiel a vision of God that changed his life and gave him direction and focus. God called him to go to His people and give them God’s Word. God warned him the people were rebellious, obstinate and stubborn. (Ezekiel 2:1-4)
The vision that Ezekiel saw of the throne of God was spectacular. It began with a windstorm coming from the north with a towering thundercloud and flashing lightning and fire in the center. As it got closer, Ezekiel could see four living creatures. (Ezekiel 1:4-9) These creatures had the form of a man but they had four faces and feet like a calf and four wings with hands underneath. They glowed like bronze and the faces were that of an eagle, ox, lion and man. Below on the ground, there was a wheel that sparkled and had another intersecting wheel. These wheels were full of eyes on the rim and enabled the creatures to move in all directions as the Spirit moved them. When these creatures with the wheels moved, there was a sound like that of roaring waters, like the voice of God.
As Ezekiel looked he noticed a glowing throne of sapphire above the creatures and on the throne was a figure like that of a man. He was glowing with fire and brilliant light surrounded Him. This light looked like a rainbow and glowed with radiance! (Ezekiel 1:26-28) This figure had the “likeness of the Glory of God”! When Ezekiel saw it he fell to the ground in awe. He was overcome by the likeness of God’s glory!
The Scripture states that sinful man would die if he could see the full radiance of His Glory. But God grants some grace to see a glimpse of His glory. Moses was hidden by God in the cleft of the rock and was allowed to see His backside. (Exodus 33:18-20) Now God has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show mankind the Glory of God. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) The gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to have the Glory of God revealed to us by the Spirit. We are being transformed by that grace gift with ever increasing glory! (2nd Corinthians 3:18) When Jesus Christ appears and the trumpet blows, we will be instantly transformed into a glorious body, like His glorious body! (1st Thessalonians 4:16-18) We now carry the “likeness of the Glory of God”!
Cause for rejoicing!
Scripture reading for May 30th: 1st Chronicles 22-25, Psalm 78, Romans 5
Romans 5: 1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produced endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Paul expounded on the results and effects of our justification by God through faith. There was much cause for believers to rejoice and be filled with joy. They now enjoyed peace with God in that God’s gift of righteousness now took the place of guilt and shame and fear of judgment. Instead of God’s wrath, we now have a hope of beholding the glory of God and eternally reflecting His glory. We can even rejoice in our sufferings which were promised by Jesus for all who believe. These sufferings produce endurance, the ability to wait on God’s help and plan. They also produce character–the image of Jesus in our lives as a result of purification from sins and living in hope of eternal life.
Psalm 78:5-7 “He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; . .”
Prayer: Father God, I rejoice in Your gift of righteousness and the hope of eternal life. Thank You for peace with God and rest from the striving to keep the law. Form Your character in me and give me endurance in suffering. Help me to declare this joy and peace through faith to my children, grandchildren and their children until You come again and inhabit Your royal throne here on earth and forever and ever!
2nd Samuel 22:9-10 “‘Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for My Name. He shall be My son, and I will be his Father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.'”
Pagans sacrifice to demons!
Scripture reading for September 7th: 1st Corinthians 10
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 10:19-24 “What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”
As a Christ-follower, we must never compromise our love and commitment to the One true God. In the Corinthians culture, idol worship was associated with sacrifices that were then cooked and served. Believers knew that the sacrifice was nothing more than an animal and that the god they sacrificed to was nothing. But behind these ‘gods’ were demons. They were lying religious spirits of darkness that held men in bondage. Demons were real and their purpose and power was also real. To set a good example and help those who were just coming out of this demonic bondage, Paul urged the believers to do what was most helpful and able to build up those being delivered: abstain from this meat. It would be ‘lawful’ to eat for them, but not helpful. The law of love again limits liberty to win souls.
1st Corinthians 10:26-29 “For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to diner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “this has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience–I do not mean your conscience, but his.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for this instruction on idolatry and the demonic forces behind it. Help me to apply this truth today in my time and culture that I might show the love of Christ and yet never compromise my sincere and total devotion to You and Your Word. Help me to seek the good of my neighbors always.
1st Corinthians 10:31-33 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”
“Do not Fear! Only Believe!”
Scripture reading for January 22nd: Mark 5
Key Scriptures: Mark 5:21-24; 35-36 “And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about Him, and He was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing Him, he fell at His feet and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And He went with him.” . . .”While He was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.””
Jesus was approached by a synagogue ruler, Jairus, with a desperate request. He had a little daughter who was near death. He approached Jesus with great humility and asked for a personal visit by Jesus and the laying on of His hands. As they went, Jesus was interrupted by a woman with an issue of blood. He took time to minister to her and free her from her long infirmity. As Jesus was speaking to her, He overheard some messengers from Jairus’s house tell him not to bother the Teacher, as the little girl was dead. Jesus spoke authoritatively, “Do not fear, only believe.” The result was an amazing raising of the 12 year old girl from sickness and death. All were amazed at the immediate miracle!
Jeremiah 32:26-27 “The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?”‘
Faith confession and prayer: You are the Lord of all and nothing is too hard for You! Lord Jesus, help me to defeat all fear and hold fast to You and Your unfailing Word. Use me to speak Your Word and live by faith, inspiring others to trust You and Your eternal Word.
John 11:40 “Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
Faith unveils the glory!
Scripture reading for September 21st: Nahum, Psalm 149, 2nd Corinthians 4
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 4:3-6 “And even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel for the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, Who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Paul carefully explained to the Corinthians how the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings light to darkened hearts. Satan, the ‘god of this world’, acts to blind the minds and hearts of the unbeliever to block out the light. But those who have believed receive the light and proclaim the Gospel by confessing “Jesus is Lord!” We joyfully become servants of all men, proclaiming the Gospel and sharing the light of Jesus’ glory by living a holy and consecrated life. We long to see Jesus face to face in full glory!
Psalm 149:2 “Let Israel be glad in his Maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise His Name with dancing, making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre!”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, fill me with Your light and truth today that I may reflect “Jesus is Lord” to the world You want to reach with the Gospel. May Christ’s light overcome Satan’s dark veil of death today and forever as I call others to take refuge in You.
Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.”
Do all for God’s glory!
Scripture reading for September 7th: Isaiah 36-37, Psalm 123, 1st Corinthians 10
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 10:31-33 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”
Paul concluded his remarks about eating meat from idol temples with an appeal to a simple principle: Do all to the glory of God! We should not purposely try to offend or condemn others whose conscience may be weak or undeveloped in these matters of choice and limiting our own freedom. Our goal should be the salvation of as many as possible and we should act and work to that end, glorifying God by fulfilling His purposes.
Psalm 123:1-2 “To You I lift up my eyes, O You Who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to our God, till He has mercy on us.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I will keep my eyes on You and with Your help, do all I do to Your glory! May there be a great harvest of souls saved from destruction!
Isaiah 37:16 “”O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; You have made heaven and earth.””