Archive for the ‘Glory’ Category

WHERE IS CHRIST?

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Day 242

“Christ in you, the hope of glory”
Colossians 1:27

Where is Christ?

Christ is our hope of receiving and participating in glory. The gospel is not a system, tradition, or set of regulations. It is the very Person and work of Jesus. We are admonished, taught by the Apostles, in coming to Christ to change our attitudes and actions and be conformed to His life. The purpose is to present us perfect in Christ.

Where is Christ?

Christ, seated at the right of God in all His glorious riches, dwells in our hearts and life through the Holy Spirit [John 14:20; 17:23; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:17-19; 1 John 3:24]. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness [2 Peter 1:3]. The Holy Spirit is the seal of our inheritance.

Where is Christ?

Sadly, many have not understood the riches of the indwelling Christ and the greatness and power of that life that dwells with us. They seek Him at places where they hear signs and wonders are happening, in stadium meetings that promise a hope they already have, and in books that promise to show the way. All the while, the full power and glory of Christ dwells in them—waiting. How grieved He must be for those who look elsewhere when they possess all and know it not. Consider today the prayer of Paul:

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in heavenly realms”
Ephesians 1:18-23

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WE ARE SAVED AND MORE

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Day 157

“That we should be holy and without blame”
Ephesians 1:4

Are you holy? Without blame? Many would no, but the Scriptures say otherwise: “…because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth … for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ [2 Thessalonians 2:13-14]. Salvation is often treated by many as a one time event involving believing on Jesus and that’s it. It isn’t. You are saved ‘from’ something and ‘to’ something and it is an ongoing process.

Our Father doesn’t just save you. When He chose us to obtain salvation in eternity, His purpose was to bring you to glorification – “…and whom He justified, then He also glorified” [Romans 8:30]. His divine plan is one that deeply affects every part of your life. He is a God of glory and your salvation is a glory to His grace for being made accepted in the Beloved. You are to be a praise of His glory. The great glory of His salvation is the working of His grace that continually brings change in your nature.

Salvation not only delivered us from the penalty of sin, but it delivers us from the power and presence of sin. He has given the Holy Spirit to sanctify you. It is the Holy Spirit’s purpose to fully accomplish God’s work in you, qualifying you for His glory. That’s why you are to rest in Him and not lean on your own understanding or strength. This is your confidence; God’s eternal plan is to save you today and tomorrow and He is at work in you right now to that end.

“Christ Jesus came in the world to save sinners”
1 Timothy 1:15

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TO HIS GLORY

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Day 119

“Not to us O LORD, not to us but to your name
be the glory because of your love and faithfulness”
Psalm 115:1

Did you know that God’s great delight is to display and uphold His glory for our enjoyment? Read what He says to His people in the midst of their obstinacy; “For My name’s sake will I defer My anger, and for My praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off” [Isaiah 48:9]. These people were rebellious and not obeying God, yet He chose not to express His anger, but refine them so they will honor Him.

God will not give His glory to another. There can be no greater sin than for us to boast and believe we can accomplish things in our own strength. It is no different than a father in his home who is raising children. What if the children would never obey? What if they did everything on their own? What if they ruled the house? It would be to the parent’s shame. The rebellious children would rob the parent’s of their rightful place.

God has a righteous passion about His glory. He knows if we humble ourselves and lean upon Him, we will find delight in Him. By giving glory and honor to God, blessing Him for who He is and His love and faithfulness, we ourselves will be blessed. We will take delight in His glory.

“Bring my sons . . . whom I created for My glory”
Isaiah 43:6-7

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HIS TIMING

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

Day 53

“There is a time for everything, and
a season for every activity under heaven”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Some people believe that God had to change His original plans because man rebelled against God and sinned at the beginning of our history. This is not true. It was determined before the foundation of the world that Christ would die for us. It was also determined whose names would be written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth [Revelation 13:8]. So, before the world and humanity were created God had already made his provision for us.

God’s provision also has been made for our lives. There is no luck, chance, fortune or other happening that determines what happens in our lives. Everything, every detail, every good or bad event that would happen in our lives was known before time began. Every day of our lives was written in His book before one of them came to be [Psalm 139:16].

God’s time and timing are sovereign. He is in complete control; everything is predetermined. He knows what is around the corner. There are no surprises for Him. He has appointed a time for everything in our lives. Even the deepest trials and tribulations of our lives occur in His time and the answer to our problems lies in His timing. For those who love Him, everything turns to the good. His timing will bring His glory to every situation. We will find comfort and peace by resting in Him.

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them! Were I to
count them, they would outnumber the
grains of sand. When I awake,
I am still with you”
Psalm 139:17-18

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THE GLORY OF THE LORD

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Day 31

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you”
Isaiah 60:1

This verse is addressing those lost in darkness, and those responsible for putting themselves in darkness. Darkness brings despair and hopelessness. Yet, it is from that place that God will bring light out of darkness. He will cause the light to shine on the very people that put themselves in darkness. He will substitute freedom for the prison in which they shut themselves. He will cause shouts of joy to come out of humiliation. The crooked way will be made straight.

Yes, our God delivers even those who put themselves into darkness! And He not only delivers, but He also restores and makes wrongs right. All tears will be wiped away. God’s people will be the delight of the Lord. And those who have been in despair, distress, debt; the broken, forsaken, rejected, and abused will be the glory of the Lord. God Himself will be glorified by what they become.

This is the hope in our hopelessness. If darkness comes in our life, even by our own hands, we will not be lost. God says that His arm is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear us. He cares for us, and Christ is the hope of our glory. His mercy covers us, and His compassion is new every morning.

“Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy”
Isaiah 60:5

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FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Day 13

“We were also chosen . . . in order that we
…might be for the praise of His glory”
Ephesians 1:11-12

Salvation is not an end in itself. God works everything according to the purpose of His will, and that purpose is His own glory. We are created to live for and through Him.

Simply put, our lives will show His glory. The prophetic declaration in Isaiah confirms this; “this people which I formed for myself, that they might show forth my praise” (43:21)

His glory is in our salvation. The old has been put away and we are now new creatures. Our changed life demonstrates God’s power to redeem and change us. Then our daily lives reveal His glory in how we walk through life covered by God’s grace and mercy.

Has He not declared that not one of us will be lost? His glory is at work in every living minute of our lives. He is acting in all the details of our life toward one goal – His glory. We are made to be the praise of His glory.

“So that in all things God may be glorified through
Jesus Christ to whom belongs the glory and
dominion forever and forever”
1 Peter 4:11

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HIS GLORY

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Day 5

“Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and
the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for
all that is in heaven and in the earth is Thine;
Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art
exalted as head above all.”
1 Chronicles 29:10-13

There is one indisputable and eternal fact in our lives – we exist for God. Although we are the objects of His salvation, grace, and mercy, we are not the center of His universe. He is. Our existence is because of God, and it is to serve His purpose and His glory. Someone stated years ago that it is not God “up there”, but all of the heavens, the universe and the world are in Him.

Great joy and delight must be taken in God’s favor towards us. He truly showers us with blessings, but our rest and peace comes only in understanding His sovereignty; in knowing who He is and His Divine purposes, understanding His Providence and that He works everything to the good for those who love Him. It is in God’s divine providence, the governing and control of all things, that we see His glory.

Do you want to see His glory?

Then see God’s hand in everything, the good and bad, the highs and lows, the peaks and valleys, in health and sickness, and in life and death. He is in it all. There is nothing that happens that is out of His control. Rest in this, and you will find peace and joy, and see His glory.

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever”   Romans 11:36

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