DAILY DIFFERENCE DEVOTION 06/07/2010

And said unto me, Thou [art] my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. (Isaiah 49:3 KJV)

“FOR GOD’S GLORY”

Recently, our van, with all my children’s car seats, was stolen right in front of my house.  I remember the morning I woke up and went to the door to see an empty car space.  I actually laughed because somebody was that brave to steal something in front of my home.  If that wasn’t enough, about two weeks later I was involved in an accident right in front of my house again. I guess then it was time to freak out.  No, patience and the thought of glorifying God flooded my mind.  Besides, the lady that hit me was freaking out and I had on a shirt with Romans 5:8 written on it; what would that have looked like if I flipped out?  Finally, I found a used van selling at a dealership that is an 1hour from my home.  I went with my wife to look at the car and it was junked up, yet they were offering a good price for it.  I decided not to take it at that moment and then changed my mind on the drive back home.  The next day, I called the sales person, leaving a message that I was coming to get the car.  I spoke again with the sales agent, who told me by mistake that the car was being purchased.  When I found this wasn’t true, I began heading up to Bethesda, Md.  Going to Bethesda, we sat in an hour of traffic; this was really beginning to test my patience lol.  I was challenged on the way God has me to raise my children, and to top off the day, I spent 7 hours waiting for the van to be given to me.  Not once did I loose my cool because of one thing: Glorifying the Lord within my living.

Do you make excuse for sin in your life? Do you say its okay for Christians to loose their cool etc? It is not okay because of Christ we are glorifying.  Don’t take your sin lightly or brush it off as a small thing.  Your life in Jesus Christ is to glorify Him, not your own self.  I have said to myself, “you’ve got to be real Karsten”; but being real is letting the Lord be glorified in every aspect of your life. Let the Word of God speak to you here:

Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. (Psalms 22:23)

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. (Psalms 86:12) 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. (Acts 19:17)

And that the Gentiles might glorify God for [his] mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (Romans 15:9-12)

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:  Even as I please all [men] in all [things], not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:  That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  (1 Peter 2:12)

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:14-16)