Daily Devotions

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

 

Current Study: Living Life to the Fullest         

 

Today’s Topic: The Glory of Jesus

 

Today’s Scripture:   Luke 4:18-21  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

 

Today we come to the final letter in our acrostic of the word NAME. The E stands for exaltation, and is a reminder to us that every thought we think, every word we speak, and every action we choose is to bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

My desire today is to let the Word of God speak directly to you about this subject. My comments will be few, because they cannot compare to the wonder of the Word. Look into these things with longing eyes and a receptive heart so that your life may be lived to the honor and glory of Jesus.

 

The Apostle Paul begins in Romans 15: 17-18 by sharing his personal testimony of commitment to exalting Christ.  

Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.

 

Paul again speaks to the church at Corinth about how each one of us is in process of being transformed into the glory of the Lord.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

 

The author of Hebrews encourages us with the truth that God has equipped us to live lives totally pleasing and honoring to Him according to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

 

Once again Paul writes to us through the church at Philippi that as we grow in love and knowledge the end result is to be the glory and praise of God.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

 

The Apostle Peter confirms Paul’s teaching that everything we need for life and godliness comes from the power of God, and that we need not seek anything from the world to make our lives more valuable or prove our worth. In fact, when we live our lives for the glory of God, we escape the corruption of the world and all of its evil desires.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

 

Peter again shows us that everything we do is to be an expression of the work of God in our lives and is to be done for the glory of Jesus.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11

 

And finally, the words of Jesus Himself tell us the one specific thing that brings the Father the most glory –

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8

 

Therefore, I resolve that whatever I do in word or deed will be done in the NAME of Jesus, according to His nature, His attributes, His mission, and His exaltation, so that my life is lived as a thanksgiving offering to God the Father, who in His great and gracious love for me saved me from my sin by the blood of His precious Son Jesus, who is my Lord. May my life bring glory to the Father by bearing much fruit for Him.

 

Pastor John