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March 19, 2018 |
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
I have the coolest job.
Seriously, every day I get to read the Bible and dive into amazing content to find ways to bless others. Working at a Christian publishing house, I get to work with amazing men and women who have dedicated their lives to bringing God glory through the written Word.
Still, there are times I just don’t want to go to work. Maybe there’s a huge presentation looming, I just can’t stand to look at one more spreadsheet, e-mails are piling up, or I once again have to use my “gift” of nagging so we can meet a hard deadline.
It’s during those moments of hair-pulling frustration that I usually see my friend Felix.
I can’t think of one time when I haven’t seen Felix smiling as he diligently goes about his work. Vacuuming the stairs — amazingly done with a smile. Polishing a drinking fountain — it shines like nobody’s business, and Felix did it with a smile.
That huge popcorn spill I had at my desk while nervously eating and trying to meet a deadline? You guessed it — Felix was there, helping me clean it with a joyful heart.
God keeps teaching me through Felix that it’s not what we do but that we do it for God’s glory. We can be the most consistent Bible reader or a walking theology encyclopedia, but unless we apply God’s Word to our daily lives, we are empty.
Consider the Pharisees.
They were the most biblically literate people around. They even knew the Law and the message of the prophets from memory, but when it came to their hearts and applying Scripture to their lives, they were in the negative zone. Check out Matthew 23 to hear how Jesus doesn’t hold back when rebuking them:
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs — beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27-28, NLT).
Ouch!
Every day we face situations small and large where we need to choose how to respond. So, am I like the Pharisees, living my life for show and the praise of others? Looking all put together on the outside — but really letting pride and selfishness take control on the inside? Or am I like my friend Felix, who allows Christ’s joy and love to shine through him no matter the task?
When we read God’s Word, and apply it to our lives, we give God glory and praise. When we live out God’s truth, our lives are testimonies to His goodness, and we can bring real love and hope to a world that desperately needs it.
As today’s key verse says, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). In other words, our actions should be motivated by God’s love … in order to bring God glory.
So, whatever I do — whether I’m eating or drinking, scrubbing toilets or finishing one more spreadsheet — I can pray: How am I honoring God? Lord, may everything I do be for Your Glory.
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing Word that helps me grow closer to You. May it never become just something I read, but always be a living, breathing, transforming power in my life. Please forgive me for the times I don’t apply it and instead turn to my selfish desires. I pray I never let anything too big or too small stop me from giving You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (NLT)
2 Thessalonians 1:11, “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” (NLT)
RELATED RESOURCES:
Searching for a way to make God’s truth applicable to everyday life? With nearly 10,000 notes and features, the Life Application Study Bible breathes life into even the most difficult-to-understand Bible passages, changing people’s lives as the Word of God speaks directly to their hearts. Get a copy today for you or a friend here.
CONNECT:
Enter to WIN a copy of the Life Application Study Bible. In celebration of this book, Tyndale is giving away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and email notifications to each one by Monday, March 26, 2018.}
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What is one area of your life that you need to work on so you can bring God glory? Find a task you don’t enjoy and ask God to help you find joy in doing it.
Which passage of Scripture can you apply to your life today?
© 2018 by Evie Polsley. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Tyndale House Publishers for their sponsorship of today's devotion.
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Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Monday, 19 March 2018.
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