GLORY ONLY IN THE LORD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY AUGUST 14, 2020.

SUBJECT : GLORY ONLY IN THE LORD!

Memory verse: "But, “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.

" (Second Corinthians 10 vs 17.)

READ: Jeremiah 9 vs 23 - 24:

9:23: Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

9:24: But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the LORD.

INTIMATION:

People tend to admire three things about others: wisdom, power, and riches. But God puts a higher priority on knowing Him personally and living a life that reflects His justice, righteousness, and love. God created all things, including you, and gave you all that you have; abilities, talents, wisdom, possessions and so on. When one employs the things God has given him or her to achieve some feat, it will be wrong to boast of such things as your achievements, leaving out the One who has bestowed the enablements on you. Instead one should glory or boast in the Lord who has given you all you have, and made you what you are. 

One should not glory in order to emphasize his or her own abilities to perform. One should glory on the basis that he or she is in the Lord, and thus, it is the Lord working through you. When we boast in order to bring glory to Jesus, then we know that our lives are about Jesus, not ourselves. 

Never take pride in human wisdom, defenses and material possessions, because all these things are worthless in defending one against the power of God. One can boast only in so far as the grace of God has worked in his or her life to move him or her to respond to the will of God, and take pride in grace, righteousness, and just judgement of God..

When we do something well, we want to tell others and be recognized. But recognition is dangerous—it can lead to inflated pride. How much better it is to seek the recognition of God rather than the praise of people. Then, when we receive praise, we will be free to give God the credit. We should always lead our lives in order to receive God’s commendation.

The apostle Paul, in Galatians 6 vs 14, says, “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” The world is full of enticements. Daily we are confronted with subtle cultural pressures and overt propaganda. The only way to escape these destructive influences is to ask God to help crucify our interest in them, just as Paul did. How much do the interests of this world matter to you? 

Although God asks us to do our part, we should remember that He gives us that enablement to even do our part; “

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4 vs 13.) And 

He is not limited to human effort. God often chooses to work through people, but only because it is good for them. He can accomplish all His purposes without ant help from us if He chooses. You are very important to God, but on your own you have neither the ability to fulfill nor power to disrupt God’s plans. So if you have the privilege to be used to accomplish His plans through the enablements He has given you, then boast or glory in Him—the Enabler. 

Great servants of God in the Scriptures, such as Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Paul, and so on, never stopped at anything to glory in the Lord, ascribing all their feat to Him. Many people believe that to survive in this world a person must be skillful, powerful, tough, unbending, and harsh. But God says, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” (Zechariah 4 vs 6.) The key words are “by My Spirit.” It is only through God’s Spirit that anything of lasting value is accomplished. As you live for God, determine not to trust in your own strength or abilities. Instead, depend on God and work in the power of His Spirit! Then boast in that Spirit of God. 

 

The Scripture, in 

Ecclesiastes 9 vs 11, says, 

“I returned and saw under the sun that—the race is not for the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.” It isn’t difficult to think of cases where the swiftest or the strongest don’t win, the wise are poor, and the skillful are unrewarding with wealth or honor. Your abilities and talents are not In themselves guarantees for success, but rather all things are of God who only guarantees anything of achievement in us, therefore, glory or boast only in Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, outside of You I am nothing and can do nothing. Endue me with the spirit of total dependence on You, and in all glory in Your works through me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!