Glory, Glory. Glory.

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all peoples." Ps. 96:3

To declare: to announce, make known, state as fact. I hardly think these instructions are simply suggestions. I doubt that the author is saying, Well, if you feel like it this is what you should do; or, When it is convenient for you, you should talk about God's glory. No! We are commanded to DECLARE HIS GLORY!!

Unfortunately, we do not get that excited about God's glory; and therefore, do not see the importance of declaring it to all nations. What will it take for us to recognize the magnitude of God's glory? We were created to do just that: to bring him glory and make him known.

Why were we made in God's image? For His glory. Why were we allowed to live post-salvation? For his glory. Why were we commanded to live as he would want us to? For his glory. Do you see a pattern here?

In our selfish world of instant gratification, we do not know how to recognize maintaining purpose for the gain of another. It is not about you! It is not about me! It is about the glory of the Father... proclaiming his name, his renown, his might and marvelous works! May we truly learn what this means!

Experiences

I visited with some friends tonight and old memories flooded my mind. Last summer I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. I was able to travel to multiple locations with four other people for ten weeks ministering in diverse ways. I learned many new things about myself that summer. I learned many new things about others. I learned many new things about ministry.
My life will be forever changed by that experience. I am saddened that I am unable to return to those experiences again this summer; nevertheless, I realize God is taking me to new places. I realize God is going to teach me new things about myself, others and ministry that I could not learn last summer. At the same time, I could not do the work God has set for me to do this summer without having last summer's experiences.
Crazy, isn't it? The way the Lord uses our opportunities to bring himself glory? After all, that is his desire and our purpose: to bring glory to his name at all times at all ways, in all ways.