Category Archives: Glory

Bible, Boasting, Glory, Jesus, Pride, Rejoicing, Scripture

TAKE PRIDE IN JESUS

PHILIPPIANS 3:3

“for we are the true  circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh,”

I recently got a notification on my phone that I would have an IOS update (operating system). I normally look at what the latest update is supposed to do. Low and behold, one of the updates was for a new wallpaper theme for my phone, you know, those themed backgrounds. But this was one I was not interested in receiving. It was for Pride Month, a celebration of alternative lifestyles that I cannot condone. I will not be using that update.

Paul tells us clearly what we should take pride in – Christ Jesus. He tells the Philippian church that as followers of Christ we are the “true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus.” He goes on to say we “put no confidence in the flesh.” I don’t know how you could say it better than that. Jeremy Camp has a song I listen to a lot that has a line that says, “Holy Fire, burn away my desire, for anything that is not of You and that is of me, I want more of You and less of me.” That is Paul’s desire for you and me today.

APPLICATION

Taking pride in the right thing is a good thing. We often equate pride with being stuck up or arrogant. The quite opposite is true when we take pride in Jesus. The Greek word used here for “take pride” can also be translated “rejoice, boast, glory.” We see all of those in various translations of this verse. The word is used 38 times in the New Testament. But get this – it is used 26 times in 1 and 2 Corinthians. If I was a betting man, I would guess that church had a pride issue. Some were boasting in themselves or the wrong things. Paul kept pointing them back to boasting in the right thing – God alone.

You should really read 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 to get a full picture of the danger of pride in ourselves. Paul says it best in verse 17 there when he says, “But THE ONE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.” Paul may have had Jeremiah 9:23-24 in his thoughts as he penned this. Those verses say this, “23 This is what the LORD says: ‘Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.”

So, let me ask you today – what are you taking pride in? Your wisdom, your might, your riches, yourself? As Jeremy Camp said, “I want more of You and less of me.” I choose today to rejoice, to boast, to glory in Christ Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He and He alone is worthy of all our praise. Take pride in Him.

I glory in Jesus today, O Lord, and give Him all praise for what He has done for me.

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Bible, Christ, Christ's Return, Glory, Revelation, Scripture

REVEALED IN GLORY

COLOSSIANS 3:4

“When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

I was taking a drive with some friends recently in Jamaica which took us through a mountain pass. As we reached the other side of the mountain, we came around a curve to reveal the ocean and beaches on the north shore. It was breathtaking. This view had been hidden until we made that last little turn. Then the scene exploded with various shades of blue in the water and the white sand of the beach. It was truly glorious.

Paul tells us today that Christ will be revealed one day in His fullness. The Greek word for “revealed” is phaneróō. It means to reveal or uncover something that had been previously hidden. Paul uses this word twice in this verse. Christ will be revealed at some point when He returns to take us home. But we also will be revealed with Him in glory at that same time. This verb is in the Passive voice which means it will be done to us. Christ will “reveal” us in His glory. What a promise!

APPLICATION

In Mark 16 we see Jesus appear after His resurrection. Verse 12 says, “Now after that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. Then in verse 14a we read, “Later He appeared to the eleven disciples themselves as they were reclining at the table;” Wouldn’t that have been marvelous to be a part of?

How does God reveal Himself today? Well, I believe what I beheld the other day on that road was a glimpse of His glory in creation. I see Him in the innocence of my seven month old grandson. I saw Him in the faces of men worshipping the other night. God is revealing Himself all around you. But you have to be looking.

I like how the Apostle John put it in 1 John 4:9. “By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.” One day we will be revealed with Him in glory. We will be part of His heavenly cohort when He makes that final appearing on earth as Judge and King. Get ready!

Lord, You are promising so many incredible things. I cannot wait to experience glory with Jesus. 

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Bible, Filled, Glory, Hope, Scripture

CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY

COLOSSIANS 1:27

“to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” 

I attended the memorial service of a dear saint of God last night. She is experiencing the glory in which she had hoped for decades. She died five days shy of 100 years old and had been a believer for several decades. In her last days, she longed for two things – to see her beloved husband of 63 years who preceded her to glory by ten years and to see her Savior. Her hope is fulfilled now.

This passage is a favorite of mine. Just read it. If you are not a Jewish believer in Christ, you fall into that category of the Gentiles. Paul says, “God willed to make known…the glory” to us. What a huge blessing! What a gift! You and I have this hope of glory because of Jesus. He is in you. He is in me. He reveals to His glory to us by living in us through the Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION

I can’t begin to describe this “hope of glory” better than Albert Barnes does. “This was the great truth which so animated the heart and fired the zeal of the apostle Paul. The wonderful announcement had burst on his mind like a flood of day, that the offer of salvation was not to be confined, as he had once supposed, to the Jewish people, but that all men were now placed on a level; that they had a common Saviour; that the same heaven was now opened for all, and that there were none so degraded and vile that they might not have the offer of life as well as others.”

Isn’t that great? Why do we hope in this glory? Because God promises it. He always delivers. There is no question about this hope. It is not a baseless hope. Through the centuries God has proven Himself faithful, and the culmination of that hope is Jesus. We place our hope in Him and Him alone.

But let me go back to that phrase “Christ in you.” Do you realize tha the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, indwells you as a believer? You are filled! You have all the Spirit. You simply have to allow Him to work. Get your flesh out of the way. Let Jesus through the Spirit live and work in you today.

Father God, I hope in You because I know You are faithful to fulfill all Your promises.

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Bible, Blessing, Calling, Family, Glory, Humility, Scripture, Service, Uncategorized

NAMESAKE

EPHESIANS 3:15

“from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,”

My daughter and son-in-law gave me such a blessing a few weeks ago when our grandson was born. What was an even bigger blessing is they decided to name him Lucas Carl. He has my name. Why does that bless me? Well, I carry both of my grandfathers’ names – Carl Spence and Clarence William Willis. It’s kind of like carrying on the family name, in a way. Of course, my grandson has his dad’s last name (unless I can get him to change it, lol). Bearing someone’s name is an honor and privilege.

In today’s verse, Paul says all believers have their Father’s name. Now, he didn’t mean we all have to change our name to Jehovah. That would be kind of silly. What he meant was we are now all in the same family. We represent the Father. We are protected by the Father. This applies to all believers, alive or in heaven. We are all one big family.

APPLICATION

What does that mean for us? Well, first of all, it means we need to love each other. In John 13:34, Jesus tells us, “‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’” How are you loving your fellow believer? Are you arguing about the color of the carpet in the sanctuary? How silly! We’re family.

Family means a lot of different things to people. Those who grew up in dysfunctional families can really struggle with the concept of family. They don’t understand that you can disagree and still love each other. Do you really think the disciples always got along? In Mark 10, we have a great story that I think illustrates this point. Remember when John and James asked Jesus if they could sit at his right and left in glory? Read the following and see what happened.

John 10:41-45 says, “41 Hearing this, the other ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them; and their people in high position exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you; rather, whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’”

So, love each other and serve each other. That’s what family does!

Thank You, Lord, for making me part of Your family.

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Appearance, Bible, Blameless, Glory, Justified, Modeling, Obedience, Restoration, Scripture, Witnessing

HIS WORKMANSHIP

EPHESIANS 2:10

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

There is no deep definition of the Greek word for “workmanship.” It simply means a thing made, a product. But just look at the product. I have mentioned before how much of a craftsman my dad was. He could look at a picture of something and then build it. I can still see his workmanship in our homeplace. He built that house in the late 50’s. It’s hard to believe that house is almost 70 years old. But my dad’s workmanship still shows.

Paul points out that God made us, fashioned us “in Christ Jesus for good works.” Albert Barnes says this about us being God’s workmanship. “There cannot be conceived to be a stronger expression to denote the agency of God in the conversion of people, or the fact that salvation is wholly of grace.” Because of God’s workmanship in us, we are able to carry out this work of grace into other people’s lives.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “workmanship” is only used one other time in the New Testament. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Just as the world should be able to see God in creation, they should be able to see Him in us, as believers in Christ.

Is His workmanship visible in your life? Do others see Jesus in you? That’s a hard question. You can’t just put Jesus on like a suit or a dress for Sunday and go to church smiling and singing hallelujah. God’s workmanship should be visible to others 24/7. When you stop to get gas and the guy behind you keeps honking his horn, let His workmanship be seen. When your order at the restaurant is wrong, let His workmanship be seen.

God’s works are perfect, right? That means His workmanship in you is perfect. We have no right to mess that up with our excuses. I am NOT pointing fingers. I am as guilty as the next guy of falling short of showing God’s workmanship. I want to be a showcase of His glory. Don’t you?

I am amazed that You would consider me worthy to be touched by Your hands.

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Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Glory, Grace, Love, Power, Riches, Scripture

BOUNDLESS RICHES

EPHESIANS 2:7

“so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” 

I am sure you have heard stories about rich people and their luxurious lifestyles. It’s on television all the time. Names like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos are usually among the top 10 richest. But who was the richest person ever? Mansa Musa (1280-1337)! They say his wealth was incomprehensible. Ever heard of him? I hadn’t either which goes to show you money isn’t the answer to everything.

Aren’t you glad Paul wasn’t talking about monetary riches in today’s verse? God promises us “boundless riches of His grace.” The Greek word used for “boundless” is huperballó. It’s only used five times in the New Testament, three times in Ephesians (1:9; here, and 3:19) and two times in 2 Corinthians (3:10 and 9:14). I want us to look at what Paul uses this word to describe.

APPLICATION

In 2 Corinthians 3:10, Paul uses huperballó to describe God’s glory. “…because of the glory that surpasses it.” Later in the same letter, Paul uses the word to describe God’s grace. 9:14 says, “while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.” So, we have God’s glory that is surpassing and God’s grace which is surpassing.

Then in Ephesians, we saw back in 1:19 “and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe.” Then the last time Paul uses huperballó is in this letter to the Ephesians in chapter 3 and verse 19. “and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.” That means in Ephesians, Paul uses that word to describe God’s great power, His great love through Christ and the riches of His grace.

Paul really liked that word, didn’t he? Through the Holy Spirit, he penned those words so long ago which still ring true in our ears. God’s surpassing glory, surpassing grace, surpassing riches of His grace, surpassing greatness of His power and His surpassing love. Wow! God’s riches are truly surpassing. Are you an heir to all of this? If you are a believer in Jesus, you are the richest person in the world!

Thank You, Lord, for the surpassing riches of Your grace towards me.

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Authority, Bible, Eternity, Exalting, Glory, God's Will, Heaven, Kingdom, Majesty, Power, Scripture

FAR ABOVE ALL

EPHESIANS 1:21

“far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”

Okay, if you know me at all, you know I am a huge Georgia Bulldog fan. I follow their sports teams, especially the football team. They won back-to-back national championships and are picked to win it again next season. They are currently ranked #1 in the Pre-season poll. Being ranked high at the beginning of the season, however, doesn’t mean quite the same as being ranked at the top at the end. And teams move up and down in the rankings as the season progresses.

Aren’t you glad Jesus’ ranking doesn’t change? Paul says just that when he uses the Greek word huperanó, which comes from two Greek words, huper and anó. Literally, it means “beyond above.” Paul is saying Jesus is so far above every rule, authority, power, dominion and name that you can’t even compare Him to them. He is super, exceedingly above. His ranking will never change. He has been, still is and will forever be above them all.

APPLICATION

Philippians 2:9-11 describes Jesus similarly. “9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, everybody will bow. They will all concede His authority. No one nor nothing will ever take His place.

Paul continues this thought in Colossians 2:10. “and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over every ruler and authority.” This theme ran through these three letters, which were written while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. The authorities who had arrested Paul were no match for Jesus. Paul wasn’t worried about his imprisonment. He knew who was ultimately in charge.

How about you? Are you worried about who is charge? Jesus is! No one else. Others may think they are for a season. They may use their authority in a way that is not appropriate. But every authority, every ruler, every power will one day bow. I have already bowed to Him. Have you?

O Father, You have placed Your Son in an exalted position that will never change.

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Adoration, Advocate, Atonement, Authority, Bible, Crowns, Eternity, Father, Glory, God's Will, Heaven, Scripture

HIS RIGHT HAND

EPHESIANS 1:20

“which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,”

What is the best seat you ever had for an event? Maybe you had a front row seat for your favorite artist’s concert. My sister has awesome football season ticket seats at my alma mater, the University of Georgia. They are on the 12th row and about the 45 yard line. For those of you who follow American football, you know those are good seats. You can almost smell the sweat from the players, lol.

Paul explains in today’s verse that Jesus has the best seat in the house (of heaven). He is seated at the right hand of the Father. That’s the place of honor. We are going to look at a few other references to this seat today. I am sure Paul had these in his mind when he penned these words. Jesus is worthy of this seat. His Father in heaven was holding it just for Him after His completed work on the cross.

APPLICATION

When Jesus was being tried before the Sanhedrin, we see this from the mouth of our Savior in Luke 22:69. “‘But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ 70 And they all said, ‘So You are the Son of God?’ And He said to them, ‘You say correctly that I am.’” Jesus knew He would return to heaven and be seated at His Father’s right hand.

In Hebrews 8:1, we see this reference to Jesus in heaven. “Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,” This high priest is none other than Jesus. He has fulfilled the role of high priest in offering the perfect, final sacrifice of Himself to satisfy the wrath of God.

Finally, over in Colossians 3:1, we read this. “Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” One day we will see this same Jesus, seated right there in His proper place. We will behold what the Scriptures have said about Him. We will bow before His throne. Are you ready?

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as worthy of this honored, holy seat which has been reserved for You.

For more verses on the right hand of God, check out this site:

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Right-Hand-Of-God

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Bible, Blessing, Following, Glory, Heaven, Praise, Scripture, Spiritual

BLESS YOUR HEART

EPHESIANS 1:3

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”

“Bless your heart” can be an expression of disgust or an expression of wishing someone well. It’s really our choice how we use it. It’s kind of joke here in the South when you use that expression “bless your heart.” It usually means you feel sorry for the person. You see yourself as smarter or wiser than them. If only they could measure up to you.

That is not how Paul uses it here. He is truly worshipping God. He is praising Him for “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” The word “places” is not in the original Greek. Actually “heavenly places” is one word, epouranios. It means the heavenly sphere or the sphere of spiritual activities.” Paul knew we live in a spiritual dimension, not just a physical. And he knew God operates in our lives through the spiritual.

APPLICATION

Let’s look at both sides of this “blessing.” Paul first blesses God. Some people think we are not told to bless God. In Luke 2:28 we read this about Simeon, “then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God…” Over in James 3:9-10 where James talks about the tongue, we read, “9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.” Our blessing of God is lifting our praise to Him, recognizing all He has done in and through us.

Then Paul says God has blessed us. We read in Hebrews 6:13-14, “13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear an oath by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, ‘INDEED I WILL GREATLY BLESS YOU AND I WILL GREATLY MULTIPLY YOU.’” God promised His blessings to Abraham, and He promises them to us.

In one of Christ’s last acts on earth He blessed the disciples. Look at Luke 24:50-51, “50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” Wow! The last thing the disciples heard from Him was His blessing. He is still giving it today. Do you hear Him?

Thank You, Father, for blessing me beyond what I could ever ask or think.

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Bible, Boasting, Cross, Glorify, Glory, Mediator, Payment, Redemption, Sacrifice, Salvation, Scripture

GLORY IN THE CROSS

GALATIANS 6:14

“But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

The title for today’s blog confuses the lost world. How can we glory in such a cruel death? The following link gives you a pretty good description of the Roman cross. It was an awful way to die.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/crucifixion-capital-punishment

But we believers understand it is more than just the way Jesus died. It was that He died for us.

Paul had plenty to boast about. In fact, he lists those things in Philippians 3:4-6. “4 If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.” But he knew the only thing worthy of boasting about was the Lord Jesus.

APPLICATION

I was thinking what to write here today, but I can’t say it any better than Albert Barnes. Read what he said about this boasting in the cross.

“But to the Christian, that cross is the subject of glorying. It is so because:

  1. Of the love of Him who suffered there;
  2. Of the purity and holiness of His character, for the innocent died there for the guilty;
  3. Of the honor there put on the Law of God by His dying to maintain it unsullied;
  4. Of the reconciliation there made for sin, accomplishing what could be done by no other oblation, and by no power of man;
  5. Of the pardon there procured for the guilty;
  6. Of the fact that through it we become dead to the world, and are made alive to God;
  7. Of the support and consolation which goes from that cross to sustain us in trial; and,
  8. Of the fact that it procured for us admission into heaven, a title to the world of glory. All is glory around the cross.”

What else can you say? That pretty much sums it up. So today, glory in the cross of your Lord. Praise Him for what He did and continues to do for you. Give Him the honor and glory He is due.

O God, my Father, I give You praise and thank You for the cross. That sounds strange, but I know Jesus died on that cross for me and for everyone else in the world.

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