Am I Seeking My Own Glory?

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“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

SEEMS LIKE A LOT of people call themselves by titles and have a ministry these days. Many of them jockey against one another, emulating, violating the very and utter humility Jesus demonstrated and taught His twelve (Matthew 20:20-28; 23:8-12). Some desire to be the star of the show, the man or even the women of the hour, instead of rendering true repentance, dying to self, and letting Jesus reign.

Am I Seeking My Own Glory?

Am I missing something here? Have you observed some of this? Perhaps my statement is a bit too broad. Certainly there are humble servant who seek only the glory of God Himself. Let’s explore and learn of Him…

Why O why so many in our midst who insist upon calling themselves “reverend,” “apostle,” “prophet,” or even “pastor”? Jesus gave these gifts TO MEN – so they could serve men and not themselves (Ephesians 4:11-13).

First off, anyone can start a “ministry.” But what does that mean? For many it simply means that they are setting up an entity to make people think they are doing God’s will. It helps them draw attention to themselves I might add.

So many who have been put in the limelight by men seem to be show boating. In other words, their “ministry” is all about them and their riches and clothes and mansions. These are the very wolves the LORD often reminded us of (Philippians 3:18-21; 2 Peter 2:1-3, etc.).

Think about the so-called music today that we call “Christian.” It’s nearly ALL man or self-centered. Compare it to the substance of the songs of old. No comparison. The worship of Jesus Christ as the “mighty God” has been replaced by a self-serving, feel-good message. Jesus has been ousted! Ichabod! Remember that “antichrist” means “instead of” or “in place of.” The LORD Jesus has been replaced with self worship or the worship of mere sinful man. This is soul-damning idolatry (Revelation 21:8).

“He that speaketh of himself (instead of Christ) seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:18

Isn’t it amazing how little we talk about JESUS in our conversations (at times)? When the subject of God is discussed, JESUS should be the central Theme in that we cannot approach the Father without Him. He is the very LOGOS (Word) of God. He is the central Theme of all of Scripture. We will NEVER grow out of the need for JESUS – never. In fact, the more we grow, the more dependent upon Him we become. God’s Word instructs us to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly).” (Col. 3:16)

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5

Am I seeking my own glory – through spiritual avenues? Do I use my place in God’s kingdom, among God’s people, to promote myself, or the Savior? Do I truly exalt the Lamb of God who was slain before the foundation of the world for my depravity? Where is my authentic worship (worth-ship) of His holy name?

Does “the mind of Christ” truly possess my being? Did He come to give or take? Lust gets, love gives. If I truly have the mind of the One I claim to serve, it is obvious in that my life is set forth to love the LORD will all that is within me and to serve His precious saints. The true disciple should at once understand that elevating Him and elevating His saints to Him is where all the law and prophets hang (Matt. 22:37-39).

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5

We are instructed to cease esteeming mere men above that which is written of him.

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of ?” Isaiah 2:22

God is going to bring all men low, especially those who have lifted themselves up or allowed themselves to receive undue honor via wearing unwarranted titles and using other means to be lifted up. They are glory robbing from Christ who alone deserves all glory and honor.

“The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.” Isaiah 23:9

The Bible tells us that those mere men who are self-elevated among deceived men is a short-lived:

“Man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.” Psalms 49:12

What did God say man is, even in his “best state”?

“Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:5

What did the apostle Paul determine to do?

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

The apostle Paul purposely refrained from speaking eloquently. He refused to dazzle his audience with oration finesse. WHY?

“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The LORD doesn’t want us, mere messengers, branding ourselves or our delivery or personalities, or making an industry out of our ministering His Word. In order that Christ alone was elevated and all heart affection was placed on Christ, Paul made a determination to know nothing among the people except “Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

God certainly has called out some men to serve HIM. And that’s it – they are called out by Him to serve Him and not themselves using His holy name. To do so is the use His holy name in vain or for one’s own self-serving purpose and to be guilty of attempting to rob Him of the glory due His name alone (Exodus 20:7).

In whom did Paul glory?

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

Remember, “He that speaketh of himself (rather than the Lord) seeketh his own glory…”

Let’s lift up JESUS, not ourselves. There is soooooo much to say about Him Who is the Infinite Author and Sustainer of ALL life, why not get started talking…

PRAYER: O Father, in Jesus’ holy name, I beg You to deliver my heart from the evil vanity of all sinful and self-serving motives! Quicken my heart today in Thy holy fear and to love You as I choose to exalt Jesus Christ alone in thought, word, and deed, and to spread Your love to all under my influence! Amen Jesus!

Now, go read Matthew 20:20-28; 23:8-12, and 21:44 and pray.

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JESUS IS COMING AND THE TRUE BODY OF CHRIST IS “HOLDING FORTH (BOLDLY DECLARING) THE WORD OF LIFE”

“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16

WHEN you speak God’s Word, you are speaking divine authority.

“These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 1:6

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

Nourishing the Body of Christ

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6

“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15

The best way to learn is to teach.

HOW well do you know your way around in God’s Word?

Jesus knew His way around God’s Word. Do you? If not, why not?

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he FOUND the place where it was written,” Luke 4:17

The disciple of Christ must daily and diligently search, study, and learn God’s Word in light of His Great Commission command to us to teach His Word to others (Matthew 28:18-20). Our ability to minister is in large part based on our knowledge of God’s Word or the ability to navigate God’s Word (King James Bible).

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – OBEY GOD, “PREACH THE WORD.” (2 TIMOTHY 4:2)

Tip: Always know WHERE you are reading in God’s Word – chapter and verse. You’ll be surprised at the repertoire that begins to build, making you, like Jesus, a good navigator of our LORD’s Word as you preach His Word (Luke 4:17).

Have you ever pondered why there is little or no Scripture being used when listening to someone pretending to be speaking about the LORD? You should wonder (Matthew 7:16, 20; 1 John 4:1).

“Preach the word” is the divine mandate, command (2 Timothy 4:2).

Let us cease to pretend that we represent the LORD when everything we say isn’t coming straight out of His Word. Read that again please.

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (written Word) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

Think God is calling you to serve? Good. If He has saved you, He has called you (Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:7). Get lost in His Word every day (Jeremiah 15:16). Read it (Revelation 1:3). Study it (2 Timothy 2:15). Memorize it (Proverbs 4:4). Meditate upon it day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1). THAT’s your prep for ministry, not going to an antichrist seminary. Jesus inducted you into His school of the Holy Ghost and Word the moment He saved you.

“As I was listening I was thinking of Paul. Who was a very educated man in the law. But after he was saved he spent three years being taught exclusively by the Lord Jesus Himself. And he says he “conferred not with flesh and blood.” But he was taught “by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Gal 1:12-18). All of us should be taught by the Lord in His Word and not learned through mere men or books. But by a direct revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus is The Word of God (John 1:1, Rev 19:13).” Karen Cochran

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WHEN PARENTS GET OLD …

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WHEN PARENTS GET OLD …

“Let them grow old with the same love that they let you grow … let them speak and tell repeated stories with the same patience and interest that they heard yours as a child … let them overcome, like so many times when they let you win … let them enjoy their friends just as they let you … let them enjoy the talks with their grandchildren, because they see you in them … let them enjoy living among the objects that have accompanied them for a long time, because they suffer when they feel that you tear pieces of this life away … let them be wrong, like so many times you have been wrong and they didn’t embarrass you by correcting you …

LET THEM LIVE and try to make them happy the last stretch of the path they have left to go; give them your hand, just like they gave you their hand when you started your path!

(“Honor your mother and father and your days shall be long upon the earth”.) – God”

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

Karen Cochran writes:

“A few years ago the Lord spoke to me and I heard honor your Father and Mother. I didn’t know that my Mom would be moving close to me in a few months and I would become her primary helper. It has been one of the biggest challenges of my life because she has dementia and isn’t always kind. I have had to come home many nights and sit at the feet of Jesus and ask forgiveness because I was not like Jesus to her. Then I go back everyday because the Lord commands us to Honor our Mother. He didn’t promise it would be easy. I have to be like Jesus and say Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23: 34 .As people who have dementia do not know what they are doing or saying.”

Sharing how God is working in her life concerning her relationship with her beloved mother, Karen Cochran writes:

“I had to die to being right. Pride! How could I love her (my mother) with the love of Jesus? How would she see Jesus in me? She would not see Him in me in all my pride and arrogance! By being full of pride, all I did was stir up strife. Proverbs 10:12 ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.’ Because she would retaliate and would be angry. I had to learn to keep my mouth shut. And it has completely changed our relationship. But first the Lord had to change me and cleanse me from my ‘know it all’ attitude and my pride. I went to the Lord and said ‘why is she (my mother) so mean to me’. The Lord straightened me out quick. It was me not her! I couldn’t control her! All I could do was allow God to root out what was sin in me.”

“Being broken to the core has been a continuous prayer for me. Otherwise my stone heart will hurt someone else that does not deserve to be hurt. Jesus had shown me my resentment against my parents. As I went to their grave, Jesus begin to say, ‘If they hadn’t taken you to Jesus at an early age, you wouldn’t be where you are now.’ I felt all the bitterness, anger, and hatred leave. How gracious is our Savior!” Thomas Cochran

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