Women Glorifying God, part 2

How do we, as women living in 2011 (almost 2012), glorify God?

Let’s consider these 2 verses:

Colossians 3:17 – Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 

I Corinthians 10:31 – “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Let's consider 4 ways in which we can glorify God.  Today, the first of our "4 C's".

The first way we can glorify God is in our corporate worship.  This is when all of us assemble together for that specific purpose of worshipping God.

The acts of worship –

§  Singing – Ephesians 5:19

§  Praying – I Corinthians 14:15

§  Giving – I Corinthians 16:1-2

§  Teaching – 2 Timothy 4:2

§  Partaking of the Lord’s Supper – Matthew 26:26

These acts are all giving glory to God.  We are paying acts of reverence.  We can’t just assume because we have gotten dressed for church services and driven to the building and are sitting in our regular pew that we are worshipping and giving glory to God.  I know for me, and I’m sure for you sometimes too, we can go through an entire worship service, and not really be giving glory to God!   Those actions are being done, but without a reverent mind.  We must get control of that space between our ears – we must engage the brain and be an active participant in order for that corporate worship to become glory to God– not just singing the words, but thinking on them as we sing.  Not just hearing a prayer, but listening and being able to add our own amen at the end.  Centering our minds upon the cross during communion, being cheerful as we give and being an active listener as we hear the gospel preached.  Our worship is not a passive activity – but one we must fully participate in to give God the glory He is due! 

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2  “Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.  Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.  For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.”

As Christian women looking to glorify God, we need to be specifically seeking to offer acceptable worship to God.  Consider what you offer God when you come to worship Him. 

I will insert here that for those of you with young children, don’t let this discourage you!  Sometimes being there is all you can manage!  Remembering that training your children to behave in worship will have life-long benefits!  First you will train them how to behave, by having reasonable expectations for them and reasonable consequences and then you can teach them how to worship, by helping them find the song in the book, pointing to the words in the Bible as scriptures are read, teaching them to take notes.  These are necessary things to do, but is a wonderful job as a mom.  God is being glorified when we are training our children to worship Him.

Women Glorifying God part 1

I'd like to spend a few posts talking about Women Glorifying God.  It’s usually a wise thing, to define the words you’re using, so we all know that we’re thinking about the same thing.  When we define glory, according to Webster’s on-line dictionary, it’s to make glorious by bestowing honor, praise or admiration, to elevate to celestial glory.  These are the words I am referring to when I say glorifying God.  We are giving honor, praise and admiration. Another definition is to give glory to, as in worship.  Giving glory is also done in worship and we’ll discuss that a little later on, but for the majority of our discussion I will be referring to the first definition.

WHY are we as women to glorify God?

        We are to glorify God because it is Commanded –

I Chronicles 16:28 – Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. 

Psalm 22:23 – You who fear the LORD, praise Him!  All you descendants of Jacob glorify Him.

Isaiah 42:12 – Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare His praise in the coastlands.

       

        We are to glorify God because it is Due Him –

I Chronicles 16:29 – Give to the LORD the glory due His name

           

       We are to glorify God because of His Holiness

Psalm 99:9 – Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

Revelation 15:4 – Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?  For You alone are holy.

       We are to glorify God because of His mercy & truth

Psalm 115:1 – Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.

Romans 15:9 – and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy

 

  We are to glorify God because of His faithfulness

Isaiah 25:1 – O Lord, You are my God.  I will exalt You, I will praise Your name.  For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

       We are to glorify God because of His works

Matthew 15:31 – So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

        We are to glorify God because of His judgments

Ezekiel 28:22 – Behold I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I execute judgments in her and am hallowed in her.

Revelation 14:7 – saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come;”

        We are to glorify God because of His deliverance

Psalm 50:15 – Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me

        We are to glorify God because of His grace

Acts 11:18 – When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

2 Corinthians 9:13 – while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men

       

   We are to glorify God because it is our obligation

I Corinthians 6:20 – For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Busy December

Life is busy, but that can be good.  It just depends what we're being busy doing! 

As we go about our day, at home, work, shopping, volunteering, whatever we are doing, are we spreading sunshine and living by the golden rule?  Do we smile and speak to others?  Do we treat the sales clerk with kindness? 

December is one of those months where we typically see the best of people, and the worst of people.  Sounds like a Dicken's novel.  Be one of the best.  "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."  Galatians 6:10.  This doesn't mean when it is convenient to do good, but all the time.  Let's show love to each other, even when we don't feel like it. 

Be a ray of sunshine to others today, but especially to your family and church family.