Do we ever reach a place or status where we no longer worship God? This morning as I read in Revelation, I am reminded that the answer to that question is an emphatic, NO!

“⁹And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

‘¹¹Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.’”

– Revelation 4:9-11 (ESV)

Notice in the above verses that the elders seated around the Lord were in a constant state of worship of our worthy Lord and Savior. There was not a sense of entitlement or looking down on others, there was only a desire to bring glory to God in all things. Here you have the highest of the high and they were still devoted fully to the glory of God only.

I have to say that as a Christian, have I the same approach? Am I bringing glory to God always as opposed to thinking about myself? I certainly hope so. I can only do what I believe it is that God would have me do and in that I will certainly bring glory to Him. I do have to remember that in my station in life, it is up to me to simply do God’s will and bring glory to Him and know that He is worthy and only He is worthy and I serve at His gracious allowance. He is worthy and I am here to worship Him.

In this world, we are all in the same position as children of God. We are here to do the work of God and bring glory to He who is worthy. Even in heaven, there is no position that falls outside of that task, even those that sit around God. We are all to bring glory to He who is worthy, Christ our King.

When you reach a higher station in life are you expecting that things will be different for you? Are you expecting that somehow the work and responsibility of worship are taken away? What if you took the approach that regardless of where you are in life, you are to still worship the one who is worthy, Christ our King?

When others come to your home or are in need, what is the approach you take? I know that Out home is open to all comers and when they do come, they are treated as though they have always been here. As an example, the friends of our youngest son have been welcomed with open arms. They have been given the green light to enter without knocking and help themselves to snacks and drinks that we have available. And where they were resistant at first, they have embraced the idea and although they are still extremely respectful and announce themselves to everyone when they do come, they have relaxed and accepted the hospitality we have offered.

“⁵Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, ⁶who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.” – 3 John 1:5-6 (ESV)

John, writing to Gaius, is sure to praise him for the hospitality he shows to all comers. Those that had been traveling he opened his home to them even at the rebuke of a church leader who was more interested in himself than doing the work of God. Notice in the above verses that Gaius demonstrated the example of Christ and took the strangers in and then when they were set to leave, he was encourage to continue that example in sending them out. I can just see Gaius loading them up with provisions for their travels like food and drink and any spare blankets or the like.

I was reminded of Matthew 5:40, “⁴⁰And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.” (ESV) Now I know that the context is completely wrong as Jesus is referring to those that are doing wrong against us, but does it not truly demonstrate the hospitality and love of God that should be in all of us. There is no reason to fight back as relates to monetary things as God will provide our needs. The same holds true when demonstrating hospitality to others, we should be sure that they are comfortable and have what they need as God will do the same back to us.

My worthy hospitality needs to be on display at every turn. It is my duty to be the example of Christ in all that I do so as to bring glory to Him and comfort to others that they have the opportunity to grow closer to God and experience the glory and blessings He has for them and the rest of His children.

When you are out there in the world, what is your approach to others that come into your world? Are you interested in bringing attention to yourself at the expense of providing for others? What if we demonstrated hospitality worthy of Christ and gave full provision to others as an example of Christ and His provision for us?

As a Christian, I am no different than others that are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I receive the same salvation and love and care and protection from God as all of my brothers and sisters.

“¹⁷Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” – 1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV)

There are brothers and sisters in Christ that are worthy of more. I think of the pastors of the church and the work that they do, not only for Christ, but also for the church and all of the congregation. By worldly business standards they are are the CEO of the church. And, somehow they are not compensated as such. Most pastors I know live very conservatively with a less than robust salary and yet they are content and find themselves doing quite well.

Even in the commentary of my ESV Bible, it states, “Paul does not actually require that pastors be paid a double amount, but Paul clearly indicates that pastors should receive generous remuneration.” I take this to mean that it may not be in salary that pastors are granted double, it could be in a host of other ways that they are compensated. Gifts, time, covering of obligations (paying bills), and other ways of providing for them are absolutely warranted and in line with the role they fill and all that they take on in the name of Christ and in service of Him and the church.

I want to be clear in saying that elders/pastors are greater than I am in the eyes of God, it is only that the role they have in this world is one of greater visibility and that should be taken into account as we think about worthiness. So my title, “There are Those Who are Worthy of More” is not wrong. It is important to understand the meaning and reason for the more they are worthy of and just what it is they would be receiving and why. No one is greater in the eyes of God. There are those that have a greater visible responsibility, and that must be considered in this world.

What is the worthiness of all in your life as relates to your spirituality? Are you even cognizant of those that have the impact in the greatest number? What if we looked at others and their role in this world and counted them worthy based on that worldly role, yet knowing that they are no greater than the rest of us in the kingdom of God?

I have mentioned in my writing and study that I will never be worthy, but I will continue to strive for it and pray that others will as well. But why is the question.

“¹¹To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, ¹²so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (ESV)

I see here in Paul’s 2^nd letter to the church in Thessalonica that it is for the glory of God in you and in Him. I am seeking the glory of God, not that He would remove all affliction, but that I would somehow be able to achieve glory in Him and that He would be glorified by me. I have the duty to seek our the glory of God for me and for those around me. Whether achieved is up to God and us. Our job is to lift Him up and He will provide and grant what is in His will for our lives.

“⁵This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ⁶since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels” – 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7 (ESV)

There is also the words above from Paul indicating that we seek worthy for relief. As I mentioned above, I will not seek to remove affliction, but that I could achieve glory. Where God will allow for my affliction, He does not forget about me and the work that I have or will do in His name. And as such, He will relieve my afflictions at the appointed time that they are to be relieved for the work done in His name.

Now I know the reasons for my work to be viewed as worthy. I am not, of course, but the work I do for God, I do in the quest for glory and relief. He will provide that which is in His plan for me. And that goes for others as well. I pray not for others to be worthy, but for them to demonstrate worthiness with the idea that they are seeking glory and relief themselves. And when we seek to glorify God, we will be glorified and as Paul writes, will be granted relief.

What actions are you taking to bring glory to God? Are you seeking your own worthiness or that of others? What if you simply sought to bring glory to God so that He would be glorified in you and may provide relief?

I have to remember that I am here to serve others and to be sure that I am spreading the gospel. I have to not think of myself and spend the bulk of my time thinking of others. In action of thinking of others, I have to remember to pray for them and especially to pray for their worthiness.

“⁹And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” – Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV)

Paul delivered thanksgiving and prayer for the people of Colossae. Here he is addressing their worthiness and as noted in verse 9, was not ceasing to pray for them and that worthiness. He outlines just what his prayers are for and not that he is simply praying for them.

In my work for the Lord and His glory, I must be praying for those around me. And, in my prayer, I have to be very specific in that I am praying for their worthiness in the Lord. I have to advise them of the prayer and exactly what I am praying for to let them know just what the Lord will have in store for them as He answers my prayer. Will His answer be exact, in our sense, no. God does answer prayers and when we are praying fervently for others and not our personal gain, God will indeed answer.

I am concerned for my own worthiness, and I should be. But, I also have to know that I have a life in Christ and when living out my life in Christ, I will be demonstrating the traits of worthiness for all to see. Where I will be doing the most good for God is in working to be sure that all I come in contact with are given the opportunity to know God and work to demonstrate worthiness themselves. I will therefore be praying for the worthiness of those around me and letting them know of my prayers for them.

What are you working for in your life? Are you only thinking of the worthiness of yourself? What if you were to pray for the worthiness of others to be sure they have the same opportunity you have in Christ?

“⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

In the verse above, I see that which I should focus on as opposed to what is seen and pushed. It is that which is of God where I should be giving my attention.

Too often in the world today, we are brought the sensational as opposed to the just. We are exposed to the grand as opposed to the pure. There is a celebration of the material and the honorable is overlooked. I see this every day in my view of the outside world and in the world I work. It seems as those that make the most noise are those that are looked upon with favor and those that sit and do the work are those that are ignored.

There is peace in the those above encouraging words of Paul to the Philippians. He reminds me that I have a duty to God and only to God and I should be looking for those things are bring glory to Him in all that I do. I have to look for and celebrate those things that are worthy of praise in the eyes of God and not those that man tends to celebrate.

“⁹What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:9 (ESV)

It is up to me to find those things that are praise worthy, practice them, and, as noted in verse 9 above, rest in the peace God has for me. It is/will not be easy. I have the world against me and I have nothing but the sensational, the grand, and the material being thrust at me each day. It is difficult to find a place of space where I can find the peace of God to rest in each day.

But here it is, as I sit this morning and study the Word of God, I have that space. I have that peace as I look only into His face as presented to me through His word. I look and see the just, the pure, and the honorable and know that there is hope and when I lean into and practice those things, I will find the peace of God.

What things are you being exposed to that are not of God? Are you being led by the sensational, the grand, and the material? What if you were to focus instead on the just, the pure, and the honorable and that which is praise worthy?

Have you heard the saying, “Real integrity is what you do when no one is watching”? Well I know that I have.

“²⁷Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.” – Philippians 1:27-28 (ESV)

Well there it is in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. He was challenging “them to be servants” and “to be unified” (Introduction to Philippians in my ESV Bible). In these verses, Paul was explaining to them that even when he was not around to observe their actions, they were still responsible to do that which would be pleasing to God and bringing glory to Him.

The thing is that the truth will always be revealed whether I want it to be or not. I may not have someone explicitly watching my actions, but I am be seen in all that I do. It is easy to keep my actions in check when all eyes are on me. I have a stake in what is seen as others will certainly call me out for my actions in the public eye. It is those actions that I perform when I believe to be in private that are the tell tale signs of true integrity.

I have to be conscious of all of my actions at all times to be sure that I am acting in a way that is worthy, just in case I am seen by others, let alone that God is always watching me and knows all about my actions as well as my thoughts and feelings. I have to act worthy for the glory of God and so that I do not accidentally cause another to stumble in their walk with Him.

What actions are you taking/doing out of the public eye that are different than those for all to see? Are you allowing yourself the opportunity to be less than worthy in “private”? What if you held to the idea of “true integrity is what you do when no one is watching” and acted worthy regardless of what the environment or who may/may not be watching?

“¹I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ²with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)

I read this morning and the verses may be a bit confusing in that we are not worthy. I tried to clear things up in the title of my thoughts here, but I also feel compelled to expand a bit more.

I am not worthy, however I should live to be worthy. In the second half of verse one above, Paul writes, “walk in a manner worthy”. He is not saying to be worthy, but more striving and showing others that you are working to be worthy. We can never do enough to earn grace and salvation, works do not do it. No matter what I do, I will never meet the standard or the example demonstrated by Jesus. But, that should not discourage me from continuing to do the work. I am to bring glory to God in all that I do and that is what I am asked for. I am asked by God to be worthy, only to bring glory to Him by bringing Him to the world.

I am to follow the approach outlined in verses two and three above in my work to be worthy. I am to be humble, gentle, patient, loving, and working for peace in the name of God. I am to strive to be worthy. I am to allow others to see me as working to be worthy. I am to be steadfast in my work for God so much that I am looked at as an example of His love and approach.

I have often heard and believe in the phrase, “fake it till you make it”. I also believe that in the course of faking it for others to feel the genuineness in my actions I become genuine in my actions. It is the genuineness that I have to remember in my striving to be worthy. I again say that I am not and will not every be worthy, but I should be acting in a way that others can see my genuine approach to being worthy each and every day.

What approach are you taking in your life? Do you believe that you have arrived and somehow are worthy of praise and adoration? What if you were to simply work to be worthy through your genuine actions to be humble, gentle, patient, loving, and working for peace in the name of God?

“³I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” – Psalm 18:3 (ESV)

I am continually reminded of God’s glory. I am in study of the word “worthy” and was brought to verses that are identical in two books of the His word, above and in 2 Samuel. And the focus of my study is not the same although similar. This morning I am brought to the above passage and what I see is the deliverance from my enemies at the hand of God. And in 2 Samuel I was focused on His fulfilling my needs.

God is my ultimate protector. When I am in trouble with those around me in persecution, He is there to stave them off for my good. God wraps His arms of protection around me and fends off the evil that surrounds me. He will fight the battles for me and win as I find comfort in His word and His glory. I rely on Him.

“¹I love you, O LORD, my strength. ²The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:1-2 (ESV)

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress…my salvation, my stronghold”. Recently my family traveled to Key West and visited Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park where we were able to tour the Fort and see feel the protection provided by the walls there. As I think back to that feeling, I am overwhelmed knowing that God provides the same protection for me from my enemies. I can feel safe in that He is watching the horizon for trouble and is there to not only warn me of the dangers coming, but erects the walls of protection to provide the safety I need. Only He can and will provide that protection and will guide me through those times.

What are you out there fighting on your own? Are you looking for some protection and for someone o fight for you? What if you leaned on God as your “rock” and “fortress” and “salvation” and “stronghold” and let Him save you?

Who is it that we go to for help? I know that I will go to those that I know, my family, friends, close acquaintances, and the like. I go to them because I know that they are there and will work to provide the assistance.

“⁴I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” – 2 Samuel 22:4 (ESV)

Why is it that I miss the one that will help the most, God. I know that He is there to provide for my needs and will protect me from the evil one. He only wants the best for me and the best from me. As I have accepted Him as my savior, He has accepted me as His son and has treasures stored for me in heaven. I know that God will be there for me and all I need is to call on Him.

So why don’t I? I guess it is because He is not the on physically in front of me. I don’t go to Him as I am not able to “see” Him. I don’t go to Him as His answer to my prayer may not be in line with what I “want”. He is there always to provide for my needs and I presume I am not interested in just having those needs met, I want more and more and greater and I guess that I feel as though going to those around my physically will get me more in the way of a worldly view.

I have to remember and look at the two verses that come before the one above to be reminded of the great and wonderful provision of God.

“²He said, ‘The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, ³my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.’” – 2 Samuel 22:2-3 (ESV)

When I am in need of help, I have to remember to reach out to the one that is always there, the LORD. I know of His greatness, love, care, compassion, and protection and the steadfastness of them. I must lean on Him for those and find comfort in the resolution to my ills that He will provide in His time and not my own for He is worthy.

Who are you looking to for assistance and help when needed? Are you looking for someone to save you here in this world? What if you were to lean on the LORD for guidance, greatness, love, care, compassion, and protection and we know He is worthy?