Glory to God - His Creation and Works
Honor, praise, renown, distinction - all are words synonymous with glory.
As a manifestation of the work of His hands, all creation brings Glory to God.
In Genesis 1:31 we read, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
And there was evening, and there was morning-the sixth day." Psalm 19:1 says,
"The heavens declare the Glory to God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
" God's very work praises Him and brings Him glory.

Glory to God is displayed through His mighty actions. Psalm 111:3,
"Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.
" In Psalm 138:5 we read, "May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great."

Exodus 15:11 says, "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD?
Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"
No one can accomplish what God can. He is above and beyond our comprehension.

Glory to God - The Life and Death of Jesus Christ
Bringing Glory to God was the life purpose of Jesus Christ. Following His birth,
the angels declared the Glory to God: "Suddenly a great company of the
heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'"
(Luke 2:13-14).

Glorifying God, the Father, was Jesus' role on earth. In John 8:54, Jesus said,
"Jesus replied, 'If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father,
whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.'"

Strange as it may sound at first, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is perhaps the
greatest display of Glory to God. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life." In order that God's purposes
from the beginning would be fulfilled, Jesus Christ made the
ultimate sacrifice. He died and rose again three days later in
victory over sin and death. In that act, He set us free from
the slavery of sin, so that we might enjoy eternal life with
God in His eternal kingdom by grace through faith in Him.

Glory to God is expressed by John as he describes the eternal heaven.
Revelation 21:23 says, "The city does not need the sun or
the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light,
and the Lamb is its lamp." What a miraculous place
heaven will be, illuminated by God's glory!

Glory to God - New Life in Christ
Believers are called to bring Glory to God. In 1 Corinthians 10:31,
the Apostle Paul exhorts, "So whether you eat or drink or
whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Believers are
called to give Glory to God by what we say and do. It does
not mean that we are adding to the glory God already has.
It means we are revealing the Glory to God to the world through
our words, lifestyle, and behavior. It also means that
we are giving God our praise and adoration.

How can believers bring glory and praise to our God?
We can submit to God's will in all things, and be willing to
suffer for Him (John 21:18-19). We are to be content
with what God has given us (Philippians 4:11) and not worry,
knowing God will take care of us (Philippians 4:19).
We can rely on God for strength instead of relying on
ourselves (Philippians 4:13). We can help others and give
the Glory to God by praising Him with our mouths.
We are called to be selfless and humble (Philippians 2:3-4).
We show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).
None of these things is easy, nor do they come naturally.
But through faith in Jesus Christ, the transformation of our lives is possible.
When we submit to His will, we bring Glory to God.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "And we, who with unveiled faces
all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his
likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Glory to God - Does Your Life Show It?
What do others think when they look at your life?
Are they likely to give Glory to God for what they see?
This is the heart of the matter: does your heart belong to Jesus Christ?
If you have not yet made that step, if you have yet to
ask Him in, we invite you to do that now.

Next, recognize that nothing you have is yours apart from the
will of God. All your talents, abilities, even your possessions,
are yours because God has allowed them into your life.
When you use those resources for HIS kingdom,
then God receives all the glory… just as it should be.

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~ CHRISTMAS ~