“¹After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,

‘Hallelujah!

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,’”

— Revelation 19:1 (ESV)

I am excited to get my reward in heaven. I am really looking forward to the time when persecution and adversity will be gone. I will be able to celebrate without the concern with what is going to happen next. I will have arrived to the greatest of all places and situations. But, no matter how much glory I find in heaven at the culmination of my reward, nothing will belong to me. All will still belong to God.

I am a child of God and in this world yield to His glory and power and accept His gift of salvation in my life. As I read this passage this morning I am reminded that it does not change when I leave this world. I will be in His physical presence, and in a place where there is only joy and praise, but I still belong to Him and all glory and power and the gift of salvation are still belong to Him as well.

I am just a servant of God and devote every action and myself to Him. In heaven that is still the case. When He returns, I will be with Him serving Him and bringing glory and honor to Him.

This morning I was reminded strongly as I studied and thought, that in this world I am missing something by not giving all glory and power and salvation to God. I may have been missing out on the giving of all to Him. I have been focused on getting to heaven to experience my reward, without devoting myself completely to Him in this world. I may have missed opportunities to serve Him for His glory. I have to be focused on the now and remember that where I will be rewarded in heaven and will have a relief from the persecution and adversity and will experience all joy and praise myself, I will also still belong to Him and all salvation, power, and glory still belong to God.

What have you been taking for granted here in this world? Are you so looking forward to the reward that you are missing out on the now? What if you were to take action and give all salvation and power and glory now to God, knowing that you will be doing the same in heaven?

It is in my actions where everything is really shown. I can say all the right words and speak a good game, but without actions to back them up, they are just words and after a time, there will be no trust in anything that is said. I have to remember this as relates to that which has to do with God and not just in the world. I have to remember that I am to be bringing glory to God, not only in my words, but also in my deeds. And in doing so I will gain glory in Him.

“¹⁰As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” — 1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)

I see in the above verses that I am to use those gifts that I have received from God for Him. I am to be working with those gifts to serve others, and take action as opposed to simply sitting on the sidelines and talking about what could or should be done and/or what I could do. It is not enough to talk about it, I have to take action. I have been given responsibility for the gifts and it is up to me to use them for His glory.

When I am and have used the gifts given to me, I have demonstrated my relationship with Christ and am rewarded. My reward, glory. No, not monetary and certainly not anything tangible in the moment here in this world. I have been rewarded with glory in His name and that in and of itself is enough. I have to know that it is enough. I have continue as though it is enough.

I belong, not because of what I do, but how I use the gifts that have been given and entrusted to me. I belong because I have continually demonstrated actions that bring glory to Him and serving others before and in place of myself. I belong because God has saved me and because I show any and all that salvation daily in my actions.

What actions are you taking at all times? Are you demonstrating the gifts given you by God, continually? What if you were to use your gifts for others to demonstrate your thanks for them and to bring glory to Him and for those reasons only?

I find that there seems to be a lack of consistency in those things that are done. I am witness to the lack of doing and then reacting to the urgency to get it done and then the celebration of completing the task at the last minute. The reality is that all of the “extra” urgent work could have been avoided if there would have just been some consistent work at getting it done in the first place without all of the scrambling.

The above also bears itself in our Christian lives. I see the lack of continual worship and doing for God and then the scramble to appear greater in the moments of visibility. The thing is that doing those things continually is not glamorous and are boring. But, when done, they open up more time to enjoy the other parts of life as opposed to running around constantly putting out fires.

We are to do those things that belong to salvation and our relationship with Christ, not when visible, but continually.

“⁹Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. ¹⁰For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. ¹¹And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, ¹²so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” — Hebrews 6:9-12 (ESV)

There are those things that are done in and for the name of Christ. I am tasked with doing those things, not just once, but continually and in “earnestness”. I am to do all the things to bring glory to His name, at all times and not just in the moment when others may be watching. When I do, I avoid the “extra” work to get caught up.

Yes, when the work is done continually, there is a lack of fanfare and in some cases there is a lack of any acknowledgment of the work even being done. In fact, there is in most cases invisibility to the work at all. It is the consistency in the work that makes the work more meaningful. Yes, there is the rush from the urgent need and completion, but there is also the exhaustion from having to exert more energy than would normally be needed. Working consistently provides more stability and long term pleasure in the work.

My relationship with God is one the warrants the continual action and consistent work. I have to remember to work with purpose and consistency to maintain the relationship and not wish for all to be great just in those times of urgent need.

What does your approach to God’s work reveal? Are you constantly scrambling to accomplish things? What if you were consistent and continually worked for Christ to demonstrate your continued relationship with Him?

It is too easy to get caught up in all that goes on in the world today. I know that I get distracted by the sensationalism that is out there. And, I know that is the goal of those in the realm of the propaganda that is all a part of that sensationalism.

“⁵For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” “⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:5 & 8 (ESV)

I have to remember that I belong to the light and that light is Christ Jesus. I have to look to those things that are in the light and believe in them as opposed to those things that are in the darkness, like the sensationalism. I have to focus on those things that are driving to the hallowed one and fully believe in and know that He is the light that I belong. Not just in the light with me, but being the light.

I look at my boys and see where they are in life and their youth. I see that Bryson has begun his career in the world and I can only continue to guide him to the light that is Christ Jesus and pray for him that he is able to remain in the light and not drift into the darkness that the world would have him in. With Aarron, I look for him to continue to grow and mature and focus on the light and seek it out as he continues in that growth. He is just beginning to be more on his own with his college experiences and I can only pray that he will lean on what he knows to be true in the LORD.

I look to my writing in the above paragraph and see my hope in our boys. The reality is that it is really up to them as to finding and holding on to the light that is Christ Jesus. I can only point them in that direction and guide them in getting there. It is up to them to be in and remain in the light as the get older.

I know that I belong to the light that is Christ Jesus, as does Lori, Bryson, and Aarron. Lori and I have the continued responsibility to let the boys know that they belong to the light and we are here to continue pointing them there. We have to continue reminding them of what is right and that they do belong and that they should continue to seek the light out and not just expect it to find them in their time of need.

What does your idea of belonging to the light look like? Are you simply looking to find something? What if you were to understand that you belong in the light and that you should continue seeking to remain there at all times?

This morning as I was reading and preparing my thoughts, I was impacted and reminded to be positive and uplifting. I read in Galatians to “Walk by the Spirit” and as I was I immediately jumped to all those items that demonstrate walking in the flesh. Paul does a great job of informing the Galatians and us of those things that are of the flesh and the worldly law. So much so that he even infers that the law was and is all about the flesh. I am not going to speak of those things of the flesh this morning, I will simply let you know of the passage (Galatians 5:16-26) and allow you to do your own reading. What I will do is refer to the fruit of the Spirit that is discuss in the same passage.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ¹⁶But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” — Galatians 5:22-23, 16 & 18 (ESV)

There are so many things that are within the fruit of the Spirit and our relationship with Christ and our belonging to Him will bring those out. I see in the verses above and am reminded that all of those are not referred to in the law. When I am loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled, there is nothing that anyone will say or act out against me. There is not law that says that you are to not be or do those things. There is no one in court waging war against anyone that was to loving.

As this is such the greatest thing to be cared for as we live by the fruit of the Spirit, it makes so much sense to live those traits out every day. I belong to Christ and He is the example of all of these traits and when I strive to be more like Him I am to be the example of Christ as I live, so living by the fruit of the Spirit are in my wheelhouse.

What traits are you living by? Are you trying to defend yourself and the right to live by the flesh? What if you focused all of your actions on your belonging to Christ and living by the fruit of the Spirit instead?

There will be a time when those who are in Christ will rise. And that time will mean that all will rise, even those that have passed from this world in death. When Christ comes again, those in this world that have not died will rise to be with Him. Those who have passed from this world will also rise to be with Him as well.

“²⁰But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ²²For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. ²³But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (ESV)

I am a man and at the current time I am still of this world. When Christ comes again I will rise to be with Him as I am in Christ. Yet, there are those from my life that have passed from this world and when Christ comes, they will join me with Him in the fight against the evil one.

Belonging to Christ does not just mean that I will inherit the Kingdom of God as I pass from this world. It means that I have brothers and sisters that are there with me as heirs. Some of those heirs will pass from this world in death and will rise again at the coming of Christ again, and some will rise to be with Him when He comes again. But, the great thing is that we that belong will rise again to be with Him.

Do you belong to Christ? What if you were to go along in this world knowing that you will rise again, regardless if you pass from this world in death, or when He comes again?

Yes, you. I know that each of us are different and that is what makes us great. I am different than you and you different than me. Without you and me, the body of Christ would not be full. Something would be missing. We cannot all be the same.

“¹⁶And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?” — 1 Corinthians 12:16-17 (ESV)

Our physical bodies are like our Christian bodies as without one part, it is not whole. Without those that have certain talents, then the body will not grow in that area. Paul goes on to describe some of the different talents that are found in the body of Christ and they are all important in the growth of that area of the body.

“²⁸And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?” — 1 Corinthians 12:28-29 (ESV)

I am not a prophet and not an apostle and do not perform miracles. I am but a teacher and administrator. That does not make me any less important in the body of Christ and the bringing of the gospel to the world. I have my talents and gifts that make me unique and those are used for the furthering of the gospel and bringing glory to God. Each of us are different and yet, we all belong to the same body and have a purpose in the body of Christ.

“²⁷Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” — 1 Corinthians 12:27 (ESV)

What is it that makes you unique? Are you standing off separate as you are unaware that your difference is what makes you strong in the body? What if you embraced your unique gifts given by God and used them to bring glory to Him and spread the gospel as you are capable?

It is easy to say that I belong to God. In fact, I can say it and present myself as belonging to Him by appearing in church and attending bible study and talking the good game. But it is not presenting and appearing to others that demonstrates our belonging to God, it is the having the Spirit and living according to the Spirit of Christ that demonstrates our belonging.

“⁹You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ⁵For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” — Romans 8:9 & 5 (ESV)

My relationship with Christ is not something that I present to others for their view and approval. I have the relationship with Christ and others may be of witness to that relationship, but it is not “presented” to them. For my relationship to be of worth to me, it is for me. I have to have the Spirit of Christ in me at all times. I have to set my mind to live according to the Spirit and the example of Christ. When I have the and live according to the Spirit, I demonstrate to others that I indeed am a bit different and they are then able to see the example of Christ in me.

I have work to do here in this world and that work is to bring the gospel and the LORD to those around me. I am to ensure that others are able to see the Spirit of Christ in me whenever the come in contact with me and wherever I may be. I am to be the example of Christ and NOT force anything on anyone. I am to appear different to allow others to be curious as to just what it is that makes me different. They will ask and I will then have the opportunity to witness to them and give them the opportunity to accept the free gift of salvation from God and begin their life of belonging to God through having and living according to the Spirit of Christ.

In order to belong to God, it is my duty to have and live according to the Spirit if Christ. I do that by remaining in Him throughout my time in this world. I am responsible for spending time with Him each day. I am to continue learning from Him and living according to that learning, to not force others to see me, but to drive their curiosity as to what it is that makes me different. My living in the Spirit is the example of Christ to the world and my demonstration of my belonging to Him.

What are you doing out there in the world? Are you presenting yourself to others? What if you were to simply have and live according to the Spirit of Christ and be His example in the world to drive the curiosity of the world and then present the free gift of salvation to them so that they can and will belong to God as well?

The LORD has provided a path for me to follow. I have been given tasks to complete and work to do in His name. And, I cannot miss the mark, not because I was not dialed in, but because it is so clear.

“⁸And a highway shall be there,

and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;

the unclean shall not pass over it.

It shall belong to those who walk on the way;

even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.” — Isaiah 35:8 (ESV)

When the LORD provides, He does so in such a way that we are not able to miss the mark. This place is the place that we belong and it is extremely clear and in a way that we will not miss it. Even wandering around aimlessly I am still on the path when I am ultimately clued in to the LORD and the plans He has for me.

I am protected on the road. I am given what is needed. I am guided on the path. The LORD will be there with me all the way and at all times. Now that I have the place to where I belong, I cannot lose sight of it. I only need to dial back into the LORD at every chance and He will guide me back to the path to Him ultimately. I cannot miss the road to which I belong.

What road are you on today? Are you even aware that you are on a path and that path is for the LORD? What if you knew that all you have to do is to seek the LORD and He will make sure that the path you are on will be the one to reach Him and accomplish His work?

I have all the best plans to get things done. I even take specific measures to think of contingency plans on top of contingency plans. I am ready for anything that comes my way. And then God happens.

“¹The plans of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

²All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,

but the LORD weighs the spirit.” — Proverbs 16:1-2 (ESV)

I may have all the best intentions to get things done and where that is commendable, I still have to listen to God for all of the details and the execution. He is the one who is ultimately driving the direction that I am to be taking. My best intentions, are just that, my intentions. The LORD has everything mapped out and it may not be the direction I am planning.

How do I know? I have to be in tune with Him. I have to do more of what I am this morning. I have to dial in to the LORD and not plan on my own, but plan with Him and allow Him to lead me, allow His plan to be understood by me.

I admit that I do not always feel as though the LORD is talking to me and therefor spend time working on things that may not, and a lot of times do not, align with what God really wants from me and the directions I am going. I feel as though I am talking with Him, but I am pretty hard headed and am not always hearing His voice to me. That is something that I have to be in tune. I have to be more quiet and listening as opposed to working to execute the plan I have in my heart.

God provides all we need when we need it. He knows what the execution should look like and will let me know. It is good for me to plan from the heart, but my heart has to be in tune with the LORD so that my plan aligns with what His execution of that plan is leading to and should be.

What plans do you have that do not always seem to turn out? Are you looking to execute your plans on your own without the understanding of what God really wants? What if you took the time to align with God and work through the plans with Him and look for His execution to guide those plans?