OK--so you've just sent your KIDS to school--either this week or perhaps 30 years ago--but you well remember those days! As I well remember a high school freshmen class--LATIN--it was one of my favorites, and I strove for excellence. I am reminded of it once again in the phrase "Soli Deo Gloria" which appears at the end of every issue of the Internet for Christians newsletter.
I "inherited" the position of executive editor of this fine newsletter several years ago from Dr. Quentin Schultze of Calvin College, a Reformed Calvinist, who concluded every issue he edited with this Latin phrase, "Soli Deo Gloria." Upon learning its deep meaning, I knew it had to continue to be a part of every newsletter I did--and if you check it out, you'll find it there!
So what does it mean? "For the Glory of God Alone." It stands as the foundation of Reformation theology (see link below)...and reminds us, of whatever denomination we may be, of our real dependence on God and God alone--and of attributing all we are, all we do, and all we ever hope to be, to His Glory and His Glory alone.
A high-and-mighty theology that transcends us into the holy heavens of God...wonderful, glorious, but how in the world do we translate and transfer that old Latin phase into the 2001 world in which we live NOW? How do we glorify God TODAY? You--and I--are in for a come-down-to-earth-quickly BUMP as we read:
"...we glory in TRIBULATIONS also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us (Romans 5:3-5)."
"But God forbid that I should glory, except in the CROSS of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Galatians 6:14)."
Want to live "for the glory of God and God alone"? Then get ready for the tribulations that will enter your life as you seek to glorify His Name. It is through the trials and testings of real life that we show forth His glory--in the way we trust Him in the trial, in the way we triumph through the trial, drawing closer to Him, and revealing His glory and goodness to a lost world.
AND--it's through the glory of the CROSS--the hard things of life--that His glory shines; that people around us will KNOW the God we serve gives us a faith that WORKS, in sorrow as well as joy, in suffering as well as peace. We testify to the world that His Word and our faith WORKS--when our lives are truly lived daily "for the glory of God and God alone!
Think about it...and whatever tribulation--or cross--you bear today, let GOD receive the ultimate glory as you are tried, tested--and taught by Him...it's a Latin lesson I want not only to LEARN but to LIVE...how about you!
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
"...Show me thy glory (Exodus 33:18).
"...Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)."
"And blessed be his glorious name forever;
and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen (Psalm 72:19)."
Draw from the Well--a prayer for renewing strength for this day
"Lord, how many times have I gloried in You when things were looking up, when all was well, when I could praise You with joy and a full heart! How many times, though, have I praised You when things were going all wrong--when I was tried, tested, sick, broken, bruised! Lord, help me, in the good times--and the bad--to bring glory to Your Name. May everything I am and everything I do, in whatever state I am, give glory to the One who died for me, In Jesus' Name, Amen."
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Copyright 2000-01 by Peggie Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.
Not to be copied without permission.
Your DAILY ASSIGNMENTS!
The Christian Armor Room--Don't forget your armor today!
Words from the Well poem--A prayer you can pray each day!
Your DAILY HUMOR:
Church of the Covered Dish--A daily Christian cartoon strip you'll love!
Reverend Fun--Another fun Christian cartoon of the day!
A FRIENDLY FEATURE:
Surf over to my friend Barb's and enjoy her daily devotionals.
A Daily Dose of God's Word from Barbara's Entourage
AND DON'T FORGET THE SENSATIONAL FEATURE--CHOCOLATE, OF COURSE!
Featured devo from Peggie's Place Peggie's Confessions of a Chocoholic!
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