Thursday

Greetings Internet Campus,

Isaiah 43:7
"Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”

1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Why did you get up this morning? Why go to work? Why seek God's will for your life? The answer is always the same...to bring glory to God our Creator. Now some people falsely assume that if we are only created to bring God glory....He must be some kind of egomaniac. Why would God require our praises? Why does God even need us to glorify Him? In our search for God's will, Biblehelp.org says step three is:

Step 3: Rearrange your priorities so your primary motivation is to glorify God.

God created us for the purpose of bringing glory to Himself. Our primary goal and focus should be to bring Him glory. Everything we do should center around this.

There are two ways to bring glory to someone. The first is by making that person (or God in this case) glorious. That is not what this step is implying. God is already glorious. There is no creature on the Earth that can add to his glory. When we live our lives in a way that honors Him...that is God-targeted not me-targeted...that tries not to sin...that loves others...we are not adding to God's glory. We can't. He is already completely and fully glorious.

The second way to bring glory is by recognizing what is already there. When we rearrange our lives so that God is the center...that He is the reason we work, rest, or play...we are simply magnifying or revealing glory that is already there. It's recognizing the fact that none of what we do or who we are is by our own doing. We are God's creation. We were designed to live our lives so that He gets the credit..that He is lifted up...that God is responsible.

In my research, I ran across this guideline
"Love your wife, but love her less than the God who gave her to you. Enjoy your wealth, but far less than the God who placed it in your hand. Delight yourself in your children, but not more than you delight in the Lord who entrusted them to your care. Work hard to develop huge, glorious thoughts of God—" http://www.founders.org/FJ56/editorial.html

As you go through your day...and you are seeking God's will for your life...refocus your life so that God is revealed. We need to do this in all things, both spiritual and mundane. Can I glorify God by eating my lunch? Definitely. Thank Him for His provision...and share with others if necessary...

The challenge is to find ways to recognize God's glory in ways that many don't consider "spiritual". Your job...sitting in traffic...paying bills...all opportunities to focus on God's nature and not the ways of the world.

My challenge to you today is this...let others know that the source of your knowledge, beauty, strength, willpower, mercy, etc. is God and He alone. His honor...His reputation...His identity...His glory is far more important to show others than our own. We are created in His image...it is our responsibility to reflect and glorify our Maker.

Until tomorrow,

Pastor Brian