Day seven kinda completes day 1. Whereas day one let us know it wasn't about us, day seven tells us that it's all for Him. Everything on earth is here because God wants it here. It looks like it does, moves like it does, smells like it does, because that's how God designed them. Even the duck billed platypus is exactly what God wants it to be. (Although my theory on that is that animal is that it's just here to mess with our heads) It's here for God's glory.
That's why I am here, to give glory to God. My goals shouldn't be to get glory, fame, or fortune, but to give God the glory for everything in my life. Even my misfortunes are for the glory of God. Say that with me, my misfortune is for God's glory. It makes anything easier to deal with.
Do you know the story of Job? I think in the entire Old Testament, no one suffered like Job did. Job was taken from the pinnacle of success and wealth to a man with no wealth or family. God allowed this to happen because He knew the kind of man Job was. Job's acceptance of what had happened to him, brought glory to God. And God went on to reward Job for his faithfulness and trust through what any one of us might consider proof that there is no God.
You won't read about Job in day seven. But it's one of my favorite books of the Bible. I could turn to any book and find examples of people giving glory to God where I myself might not under the same circumstances. But, since God made all things, He deserves all the glory. God made ALL things. I can't add to God's glory, but I can bring Him glory through my actions.
All sin, at it's root, is failing to give God glory.
Sinning doesn't bring God glory, but I can bring Him glory by worshiping Him. Not just on Sunday, not just by singing in church, but by enjoying Him and all his creations. When you live your life for God's glory, everything you do can become an act of worship.
We bring God glory by loving other believers. I think the author left out that we bring God glory by loving non-believers too. My pastor says, "look at where someone has been, look at where they are going, and love them THERE. Notice he doesn't say look at where they are. Don't let the current issue going on in someone's life keep you from loving them. God made that guy who upsets me at work, to hate him is to hate something God made and that's not going to bring Him any glory.
The last three points are all extensions of this one. We bring God glory by becoming like Christ. As I become like Christ, I will serve others with my gifts, and I will tell others about Him. That's what I'm doing here. Telling people about God. About my God and my relationship with Him. I've said it before, this blog isn't about me.
If you're having trouble believing that my God is real, that He is your God too and that He loves you drop me a note. If you have questions, I may not have the answers right away, but I have a great support group.
Our Bible verse is from the Book of Romans:
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Rom 11:36 (NIV)
The question of the day is:
Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory? Everywhere. But I need to start looking for it more at work. That really is where I feel farthest from Him and His glory.
Remember:It's all about Him.
Check back later, I'm going to do a week in review with some extra questions from the back of the book.
I'm still reading and journeling and following the blog. My challenge is to then sit at the PC and type it in- since my job is all day at a PC -I reject it when I'm not at work . I just wanted to let u know ur doing a great job n I 'm still here .I'll keep what journal pages I don't blog n case u feel up to reading them but keep going!
ReplyDeleteThere are many places in my days that I could be more aware of Gods glory. Sometim my impatience gets the best of me. I struggle with this without making an effort of being aware of Gods glory and knowing I can overcome this because with God all things are possible.
ReplyDeleteWhere in my daily routine can I become more aware of God’s glory? I can spread the word about God. I have been doing this lately by having more people join our journey with this book. I can continue to follow the 10 Commandments and spread a positive and thankful attitude to the people around me. It can be very difficult at times to be happy, positive, and thankful…but, if I am able to continue this attitude in even the dreariest of times, then maybe it will become contagious, and the people around me will follow suit. I can give my thanks for everything. When I awake in the morning, I can pray and give thanks for another day on this planet with my family. When I eat, I can give thanks for the food that I have in front of me. When I get to work, I can give thanks for having a job to go to. When get home, I can give thanks for having a home to go to. Giving thanks will keep my mind focused on all the positive things in my life, and it will allow me to live in a more “Jesus-like” fashion, never taking anything for granted.
ReplyDeleteBy the way...This is Joleen if you didn't know already :)
ReplyDeleteShera, I completely understand, that's why I don't have my own airplane, I would never want to work on it after working all day.
ReplyDeleteAaron, our pastor has a phrase, "the second second" when you find yourself feeling impatient, give the first second to God. In other words, pause before you react. Think about how long God has been waiting for 'YOU'. Everything worth having is worth waiting for.
JoJo, of course I knew it was you :p. That's great that you're becoming more evangelistic. Maybe I'll see you on late night TV soon. But all kidding aside we can all be thankful for our homes, our jobs, and the fact that we live in a country that allows us to Worship in public without fear.