Give Glory to God

April 15, 2014
Opening Hymns:
127 Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh127.sht

Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 1:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

1:20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.

1:22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom,

1:23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

1:24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1:25 For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

1:26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

1:28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are,

1:29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God.

1:30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

1:31 in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

Message:
Sometimes, it can be good to have confidence in ourselves. It’s wonderful to speak with authority, and be a leader to those who need guidance. However, we must be cautious of who we give the glory to. Do we uplift ourselves, longing for people to admire us? Or, do we give the glory to God? Ponder the last verse of today’s scripture reading. Now, try to think of one thing that you’ve done on your own without God’s help.

God has created us, and all of creation. He has helped us when we’ve fallen, and forgiven us when we’ve sinned. Everything I’ve done in my life would have been impossible without God. Sometimes I can feel myself becoming proud of my own work. It can be humbling to remember that none of it would have been possible without our Savior and Lord. This reminds me that each day we are given a gift from God. Each day we have a new chance to share God’s love with others, and boast in what the Lord has done. What is God calling you to do today?

Time of Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us life, forgiveness, and love. Let us use the gifts You’ve given us on this day to serve and do Your will. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
165 Hallelujah What a Savior http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh165.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God