Glorifying God

[Guest Sweetkitty99]

Glorifying God

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

I was reading the other day several passages that made me think about glorifying God.

Just how do we glorify God in our daily lives?

I know that many times I fail God in this area but I'm attempting to do better.

Do we glorify Him in deed and in word?

How can we go about glorifying Him better?

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Psalms 86:12

[Catsmeow]

Sweetkitty: I believe one way to glorify God is through kindness and compassion towards others.

If it means giving up a parking space to someone else (*maybe an elder) even though you got there first or helping the person in line at the store if they're a little short on change...

Or just giving someone your umbrella at the bustop...big or little - I think kindness is the sweetest witness of God's love.

[Guest Sweetkitty99]

Sweetkitty: I believe one way to glorify God is through kindness and compassion towards others.

If it means giving up a parking space to someone else (*maybe an elder) even though you got there first or helping the person in line at the store if they're a little short on change...

Or just giving someone your umbrella at the bustop...big or little - I think kindness is the sweetest witness of God's love.

Thanks,Cat

But if the person we give up our space to doesn't know we are Christians,how are we glorifying God?

[Catsmeow]

Well, first Jesus tells us to humble ourselves before others. This glorifies God.

Matt 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

God sees from heaven when you do right. The Pharisees made a practice of showing their good deeds before all men to be seen by them..

Matt 23:5

Everything they do is done for men to see...

We are created to do good works for the glory of God. We are to show kindness and mercy and be a light to all.

Matt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deed and praise your Father in heaven.The purpose is not to gain attention for ourselves but for people to see goodness and kindness in His servants and give God the glory

**************************************************************

{I don't know about you but when someone shows me a kindness, the first thing I do is say, "Praise Jesus! Thank you, Lord!"}

[Catsmeow]

One more thing concerning glorifying God.

Jesus tells us to do good works for men BUT not to be seen by others.

Matt 6:1 Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

v 2 When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets...

v 3 When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then, your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Sweetkitty: God sees and knows the goodness of your heart. It is not always the matter that we are "known" as Christians necessarily, (*although it's a wonderful witness).

It's because our nature has made us sensitive to others and changed us from being self-oriented to others-oriented.

I remember noticing some awesome things I've seen people doing..even small things like helping someone with the door when their hands are full or someone picking up litter as they walk along the street.

It's funny...we don't know who's watching but we can be assured God is.

[Catsmeow]

Oh, one more thing...*(I just love this thread!)...I just thought of times I've seen acts of mercy and grace and felt the holy Presense of God in what I saw.

True Story

I remember a story of some children at a school, along with their teachers, being taken hostage by a husband and wife pair. The pair were equipped with a dangerous explosive. I don't recall what they wanted...money maybe.

A re-enactment showed how the teachers tried to keep the little children calm during this frightful event. One of the kindgergarten teachers was huddled on the floor with her pupils and began to pray. She said the "Our Father" and then prayed for the children's safety.

For brevity's sake I will say the end of the story..The husband went into the boys bathroom and shot himself, (while his wife had no clue what he'd done). She was hooked to an explosive device, jerked her arm and the bomb exploded right then and there.

She died instantly.

Every single student and teacher came out the classroom without a single scratch or cut. Not a single injury was done to the faculty or students.

Later, several children told authorities that they saw beautiful angels talking to them *(It was a kindergarten class). They said the angels told them to move back to the back of the classroom. The children complied.

The rescue workers and police on the scene were absolutely amazed that the woman with the bomb was blown to bits but not a single person in the room was harmed.

This happened someone in Arkansas years ago.

Everyone in this small, bible-belt town gave glory to God. They said they knew God had intervened and saved these children.

My opinion: When we pray for others, God is also glorified.

In fact, anytime we LOVE other people - God is glorified. God is love.

[hazel]

Sweetkitty: I believe one way to glorify God is through kindness and compassion towards others.

If it means giving up a parking space to someone else (*maybe an elder) even though you got there first or helping the person in line at the store if they're  a little short on change...

Or just giving someone your umbrella at the bustop...big or little - I think kindness is the sweetest witness of God's love.

Thanks,Cat

But if the person we give up our space to doesn't know we are Christians,how are we glorifying God?

I've found that when you do a kindness for a stranger, you don't have to tell them you're a Christian. Usually, they already know! That's the focus we should have. Living our lives in such a way that others would know we are Christians, even if we never said a word. Sometimes, doing something kind for someone is a better witness than talking with them about The Lord for hours. Actions speak louder than words more often than we realize.

[traveller]

Amen Hazel.

[tsth]

A Story of Mine.

I remember 26 years ago. I was a young mother, who had just been severely abused by a live-in boyfriend. I had a 1 year old child. I left the home..........it was winter, bitterly cold, I was walking alone with my child to a girlfriends home. I didn't have a car. As I walked, a car pulled up and a Christian man gave me a ride to where we were going. He witnessed to me. I have never forgotten him. It would not have meant as much, if he had not proclaimed Jesus to me, as I knew through him, there is Jesus! He was speaking to me through this man.

We glorify God, when we are willing to break out of our comfort zone and busy lives, just as that man did 26 years ago, when he took the time to stop and tell me of Jesus and serve me.

He broke into my life for a moment, he daringly ushered himself into "my life", when I had not asked him to. And he did so under the Banner of Jesus Christ! I have never forgotten his love and boldness, to do so. I look forward to meeting him, for I didn't catch his name, or......maybe I did?

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Guest Sweetkitty99]

I see what you all mean. And I have a story to share also. When my son was very small aroud 4,we were in Kroger's,a grocery store,and he had picked up a video tape and placed in my cart as we were leaving. I didn't notice it till we were at the car putting the groceries in the back. I immediately marched him back into teh store and made him give it to the cashier. As we were leaving again, a little old lady stopped me. She said she had seen my son place the movie in my cart and wondered what I would do,if I would just keep it or bring it back. And she said that she was so happy I had done the right thing and not only brought it back but made my son give it to the casiher himself..so I know that we never know who is watching us and judging our actions:)