The Least of Ways Bring Glory

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so 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.

God’s glory should be the reason for all that we do. Jesus is our model. In every doctrine that Jesus taught, in every miracle that He performed, in every suffering that He endured and certainly in His death, Jesus Christ lived unto the glory of His Father in heaven. He came to earth to do the work that the Father gave Him to do and He did it faithfully so that the Father would be glorified.

So too, we have all been called to serve Our Father in heaven here on earth. Everything that we do is ordained by God. Every portion of our lives, even our eating, drinking, walking and talking are all for His glory. But beyond our daily utilities, God has created each of us to serve Him in accordance to the plan that He has for our lives.

Most of us were not called to be theologians or full time ministers. Most of us were called to be secular laborers or laborers in our homes. For some of us, aside from our daily labor, the Lord has placed a calling on our lives for some type of spiritual service such as teaching a Bible study, singing in the choir, visiting prisons or assisted living facilities, etc. For most of the rest of us, our service beyond our daily labors may be quite simple service at the church we attend – child care, parking attendant, usher, etc. Again, all of these things are ordained by God for His glory and all are held in high esteem by Him.

Let us strive to find ways to join Jesus in doing the work of the Father. Let us find pleasure in all works, no matter how big or small they may be. Let all our works be done for the glory of Our Heavenly Father.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You allow the least of us in the least of ways to bring glory to Your name. We rejoice in knowing that You have created us for this purpose. We bless the name of Jesus who accepted His calling as Our Savior and fulfilled it completely to the end of His days on earth. We pray, Lord, that the Holy Spirit will guide us and inspire us in finding all the ways that You have planned for us to serve You. May our every act be consecrated by our holy motives to glorify You. We ask all these things in the name of Our Glorious Lord, Jesus Christ.

Prepared, Protected and Strengthened by Our Savior

Isaiah 49:5
And now the LORD speaks–the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The LORD has honored me, and my God has given me strength.

We learn three important things from the prophet Isaiah that pertained not only to him but to all of us:
1) God created us. The entire human race was created to serve and glorify God forever. Through God’s grace we were given life so that we may be one of His servants here on earth. Through God’s mercy we were granted eternal life so that we may praise and glorify Him in His eternal kingdom forever.

2) God commissioned all of us to serve Him. While our calling may be different from the commission of Isaiah, it is just as important in God’s eyes. We have all been uniquely gifted to fulfill the will of Our Heavenly Father and His plan for our lives. Our unique service to Him will be on earth as it will be in heaven.

3) God will give us all we need to fulfill our commission. Through Our Savior, Jesus Christ, we shall have the strength and capability to do the work that we have been called to do. We shall have the protection that we need to overcome our enemies. We shall have the comfort that we need to rise above our discouragements. It will all be fulfilled according to His promises and His indwelling in us. Through it all, He will complete His work in us so that we are prepared for our heavenly duties.

Let us seek the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s unique plan for our lives. Let us cling to Our Savior who waits to prepare us, protect us and strengthen us so that our lives may glorify the Father.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the loving kindness, the mercy and the grace that You have bestowed on us through Your Son, Jesus. We rejoice in knowing that You have a wonderful plan for our lives that will bring praise and glory to You forever. We pray, Lord, that You will bring us to a place of repentance so that we may turn away from all the things in our lives that displease You and turn toward all the things that Your Holy Spirit reveals to us. May it all be for Your eternal glory. We ask all these things in the name of the One who strengthens us, Jesus Christ.