Day 21
Success Marathon Series
Scripture Reading:
“I have glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, GLORIFY me in your presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
John 17:4-5, ESV, emphasis added
In order for Christ to glorify you should glorify Him first. Let’s review at this point who the benefactor of the success that we desperately seeking on this earth is! In our theme scripture, Jesus was not seeking His glory on this earth but God’s. There is no glory on this earth that can satisfy; this is what the book of Ecclesiastes calls the vanity and a chasing of the wind (See 2:11). Jesus teaches us here that glory is God’s endorsement for every finished work that was done under the guidance of God’s council which is his mountain of revelation that he gives us directly or indirectly.
Psalm 8:5 tells the following about man, God “…crowned him with glory and honour.” We understand then, that these things come from God. Crowns can be acquired by victory or simply by inheritance. The apostle Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4: 7- 8, NASB). Here you can see the crown by victory. Paul finished the race but he had to wait on God to endorse his finished work. Elsewhere, it is written to the church to the church of Smyrna, “…Be faithful unto death (the end) and I will give you the crown of life” (See Rev 2:10). Thus they had to face a tribulation of ten days to earn the crown. God wants us to establish the fruits of our success and this possible when we honour him through our TITHES. These tithes are not only related to material things. God’s wants you to dedicate a portion of our careers to Him. For instance Joseph of Arimathea went to the authority to request Jesus’ body (See John 19:38), indeed he used his socio-economic and politic influence for the kingdom of God. I tell you brothers and sisters that was his tithe. Let’s us reveal you a mystery briefly on this matter. At one point Jesus spoke to an individual who wanted to follow Him in the mission, “Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Luke 9:5, NIV). Therefore Jesus was speaking about not having a place to rest in a very different context, yet it is this same Joseph of Arimathea that unknowingly answered the cry of our Saviour and gave his grave for Jesus to be buried in an HONOURABLE manner. Interestingly, at the resurrection, the angels testified saying, “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying“ (Matthew 28:6, NIV) Oh hallelujah! See how a simple but heartfelt act of service brought Jesus a place to rest.
Other examples include the family of Bethany who used the skills of hospitality to host Jesus (See Matthew 21: 17). This was really their tithe. When Lazarus died, Jesus said to Martha, “If you believe you will see the GLORY of God” (See John 11: 40). The resurrection of Lazarus was a glory from God to endorse the work of hospitality of this family. It is in the same line of thought that Dorcas received glory from God or was resurrected because she made her business and skill available for the kingdom (See Acts 9: 36- 40). There are many examples that clearly show that those who glorify God on earth will partake of the eternal glory. Allow us to shock you on this matter, the Bible says, “For all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God…” (See Romans 3:23) Brothers and Sisters, there is nothing truly glorious on this earth. Therefore, let’s bring everything we have to the cross and exchange it for the glory of the eternal God that will never fade away and that will cross the veil into the kingdom of heaven. We speak in this manner that you may not put your trust in this world and all that it holds, but rather strive to glorify God on earth with all that you have.
Prayer and Meditation:
Lord,
I submit all that I am, I give myself entirely to you that I tithe my very self.
May I live to do good on this earth so that glory is brought into your name.
Amen
For your questions contact
Pastor Ebenezer kilubaeben2000@gmail.com
Pastor Joshua joshkiluba@gmail.com
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Jesus Christ To all Languages 