Do all to the glory of Christ

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31

For me this passage is convicting. This scripture speaks of no ordinary walk with Jesus. For, to obey this advice of the Apostle Paul I or we would need to walk closely, completely, and consciously 'in Him'. Paul is indicating a walk that is unnatural, sacrificial, and pure in all aspects of a persons thoughts, motives, and consciousness; a person aware continuously of the presence of God in their lives.

As I honestly reflect on myself... I've not located such pure dedication, trust, and obedience within myself. I'm yet at war. The struggle between my flesh and God's Spirit within me in continual and so are the numerous setbacks and seemingly minor victories...

Paul's focus here is not on self but an abiding--living--flowing--doing... "to the glory of God." This question is then raised behind Paul's writing here. Do I or we do everything to the glory of God?

I cannot speak for you but for me this question causes my very soul to tremble. My heart is unsettled and rising within me is a quivering burst of veiled recognition of His great and wondrous glory and my great and awful sinfulness For if I answer the question honestly then it is revealed who it is that reigns over the throne of my heart.

And with that reflective and awakened heart, it must cry out, "O God!" "O God, I'm so sorry, please forgive me!"

The very glory and wonder and majesty of Christ our King causes our hearts to surge toward Him; towards clearing of ourselves, towards faith, and towards righteousness.

Christ's call is not religious, it is relational, our simple love and trust in Him alone.

'Father, may you be gloried in all I do today'

Peace I leave with you

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

There are, at present, any number of things to trouble us. Elections are always troubling through the sheer evil the side's stir up through speeches, commercials, and back-room deals.

The economy is down-turned with no forecast of immediate improvement. There are foreclosures, bank failures, joblessness, debt, and welfare needs all about us. Economic needs abound; they are close to home and at many of our doorsteps.

As an American society, our moral compass is attracted to filth and debauchery. Innocence and purity are mocked--lewdness and callousness are promoted and our children grow up with a perverted understanding of right and wrong or with very little consciousness at all.

Seemingly, on every hand, at every door, and in most hearts is a growing and nagging fear that sheer doom is lurking in our futures calendar. The world is right to fear!

Yet, this promise of peace is granted to those 'in Christ'. A peace that alters not the distresses of this world nor makes wrongs--right or enrich our pocketbook or prevail our hearts with ecstatic or empirical emotional states. A promise of peace that does not erase the scars of broken relationships or gloss over our memories of failure and our shattered dreams.

No. The peace of Christ that he shares with us is a peace beyond even our understanding. Often, His peace doesn't make any sense to our minds. We cannot understand it for it follows not the logic or assumptions of this world and its wisdom. The hope and joy and quiet contentment found only in Jesus Christ keeps us, helps us, blesses us, and humbles us when our hearts are in torment, when fear clutches our hearts, and when our hearts break over again... once again.

The peace of Christ comes to us like a calm flowing brook; peaceful, calm, quieting. Soothing. Resting. Healing. God's Spirit of peace, that resides in his own, whispers to our frantic heart, "I am with you, be at peace". "Trust in me, look to me, and learn of me, my peace."

The peace that Christ offers is not formulated nor can it be manufactured through human means. This hidden joy does not come from a bottle or a sermon. Ministers cannot impart it; music cannot demonstrate it and words cannot describe in us "Christ in you, the hope of glory"! (Col 1:27)

'Father, may your peace rule in our hearts and minds through Christ our Lord' Col. 3:15

Peace I leave with you

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

There are, at present, any number of things to trouble us. Elections are always troubling through the sheer evil the side's stir up through speeches, commercials, and back-room deals.

The economy is down-turned with no forecast of immediate improvement. There are foreclosures, bank failures, joblessness, debt, and welfare needs all about us. Economic needs abound; they are close to home and at many of our doorsteps.

As an American society, our moral compass is attracted to filth and debauchery. Innocence and purity are mocked--lewdness and callousness are promoted and our children grow up with a perverted understanding of right and wrong or with very little consciousness at all.

Seemingly, on every hand, at every door, and in most hearts is a growing and nagging fear that sheer doom is lurking in our futures calendar. The world is right to fear!

Yet, this promise of peace is granted to those 'in Christ'. A peace that alters not the distresses of this world nor makes wrongs--right or enrich our pocketbook or prevail our hearts with ecstatic or empirical emotional states. A promise of peace that does not erase the scars of broken relationships or gloss over our memories of failure and our shattered dreams.

No. The peace of Christ that he shares with us is a peace beyond even our understanding. Often, His peace doesn't make any sense to our minds. We cannot understand it for it follows not the logic or assumptions of this world and its wisdom. The hope and joy and quiet contentment found only in Jesus Christ keeps us, helps us, blesses us, and humbles us when our hearts are in torment, when fear clutches our hearts, and when our hearts break over again... once again.

The peace of Christ comes to us like a calm flowing brook; peaceful, calm, quieting. Soothing. Resting. Healing. God's Spirit of peace, that resides in his own, whispers to our frantic heart, "I am with you, be at peace". "Trust in me, look to me, and learn of me, my peace."

The peace that Christ offers is not formulated nor can it be manufactured through human means. This hidden joy does not come from a bottle or a sermon. Ministers cannot impart it; music cannot demonstrate it and words cannot describe in us "Christ in you, the hope of glory"! (Col 1:27)

'Father, may your peace rule in our hearts and minds through Christ our Lord' Col. 3:15