Tag: Glory to God

Bring Glory to God

And there it is, the ultimate goal of every leader and every Christian for that matter, bring glory to God. Too often we are out there looking for the direction or next goal to pursue. We are searching to be be on top or at least be headed that way. When actually we should be seeking to bring glory to the LORD and for us as Christians, that is all. Now as leaders we should also be seeking spiritual maturity and creating new leaders to round out the goals of it all, but the ultimate goal is still to bring glory to God.

Even Jesus did not look to bring glory to himself but for God (John 8:50). The goal of Jesus was to carry out the will of the Father here in this world. He sought the Father’s guidance at every turn, and where His spiritual maturity was well established He did provide for us the pattern to follow in our own growth. And let’s think about it, Jesus taught, not just so others would learn, but so they could take over for Him when He was gone. He created future leaders.

Now, how and when are we to bring glory to God. Well, that is a tough one to answer definitively as for each of us has a different role to play and frankly any number of gifts give by the Holy Spirit. But, regardless of those gifts and/or role, we are to use them to take action (1 Corinthians 10:31). We are not to sit on the sidelines and wait for someone else to do the work we are assigned by God. As spiritual leaders, we are to be in the work and not just directing the work. We have tasks to complete as well as the goals to achieve. Remember those goals start with bringing glory to God and out from there. We are to be taking action to achieve the goal.

And when do we bring glory to God, ALWAYS. At every moment of every day we are to be working to bring glory to God. Not just when things are going well or we are in church worshiping, but always. There will be times when we will be having a bad time of it or suffering and our approach and continued rejoicing will bring glory to God (1 Peter 4:13). Whatever we are doing or experiencing, we are working to accomplish the goal of bringing glory to God.

And there it is. The role as Henry & Richard Blackaby indicate, “Spiritual leadership is moving people on to God’s agenda”. This is done by working toward the three goal of, 1. “Bringing Glory to God”, 2. “Spiritual Maturity”, and 3. “Leading Others to Lead”.

What is your first and most important goal as a leader? Are you looking to rise up and be recognized for the work your doing? What if you were to start all things with the number one goal of “Bringing Glory to God”?

Good and Perfect Gifts are from Above

“17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” — James 1:17 (ESV)

These are the words of James and they are powerful indeed. I am continuing my study of “gift” and this morning I am brought here to read about the good and perfect gifts from above. What is meant “from above” in my thoughts here are me.

I know, a bit self-serving in what I am reading and thinking of and really shouldn’t I dig deeper into the passage to understand and not just pick and choose verses to fit my own thoughts? Yes, and that is what I have done as seen here in the following verse from James.

“18Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” — James 1:18 (ESV)

See that James calls out that we were “brought forth” and are “firstfruits” of God. I was created by God and am a good and perfect gift of His. I was brought forth in this world to bring the gospel to others and to bring glory to Him. I just as noted, a “good gift…perfect gift” and was sent here from above.

I hear what I just wrote and want to clarify. I am NOT perfect. I do not claim to be anything other than what I am. I was created in the image of God and my purpose is to bring the gospel to this world as noted in His Word.

“19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

From the words of Jesus Himself, I am to go and make more disciples of everyone. I am to to do so in the name of God who created and sent me to do so. I am the good and perfect gift of God.

How do you see yourself in this world? Do you see yourself as just existing and wondering how and where you fit? What if you looked at yourself as God’s good and perfect gift sent out in this world to bring glory to Him and the gospel to everyone?