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Monday, 22. September 2003
Glory randal, September 22, 2003 at 9:42:00 PM BST
by J. Randal Matheny "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."For many, "glory" is a nebulous concept. The main Hebrew term comes from a root meaning "heavy" or "weighty." The word is used figuratively to denote an important or impressive person. The glory of the Lord is his own character, his splendor, holiness, and power. That glory is closely tied to his revelation of himself, his self-disclosure that leaves man tongue-tied and weak-kneed.
Isaiah's verse above suggests to us several lessons about the glory of God. First, God bids us leave our sin. Jerusalem is pictured as a prostrate, humiliated woman, punished for her sins, now bidden to rise to welcome the coming of God's glory. How can we cling to the past, to transgression, to guilt, when God shines upon us? Second, God bids us bask in his light. His desire has always been to bless man. The first thing he did after creating Adam and Eve was to bless them. God's favor spills upon the pentitent, upon the one who is willing to rise to meet the splendorous shower of his presence. His light is cleansing, transforming, empowering. Third, God bids us fulfill his mission. Shine God's light to the nations. "His glory will be seen upon you" by the peoples of the world (v. 2). Stand up straight, stand tall, let God be evident in you to those around you. "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me," we sing. Yes, indeed. Through word and deed (both are necessary) God will be made known and the nations will come to him. Give glory to God by leaving sin, receiving his glory, and shining as lights in a dark world. Now that's heavy! |
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Update on FMag Forthright Magazine continues, more dynamic than ever! We have groups created for FMag on Facebook and the Churches of Christ Network. Announcement blog is up and going on Preachers Files. Email lists about FMag and FPress are available both on Yahoo and GoogleGroups. And, to top it all off, we're twittering for both on Twitter.com. by randal @ 1/20/09, 11:55 AM How to Make Sure That Your Judgment Is Flawless by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 5:24--47 How to Make Sure That Your Judgment Is Flawless Yes, it is popular to say that we are not supposed to judge, but the truth is we all make judgments about many things daily. Otherwise, we would never succeed in life. The real question is what is our guide for judging. Why can we not simply follow the example of our Master and Lord? He said, 30 "I can of Myself ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:08 AM Do You Ever Feel Like Just a Name? by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Chronicles 1--3 Do You Ever Feel Like Just a Name? Think on the manner, in which the Book of First Chronicles begins, 1 Adam, Seth, Enosh (1 Chr. 1:1). In this way begins the longest genealogy in the Bible. The names continue to the end of the ninth chapter! Were these just names? Adam; who is he? You know there is more in the Bible than the mere mention of his name in ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:05 AM ...
by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 5:1--23 Jesus healed a man. Praise God! However, Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. Uh oh. Some people were ready to kill Jesus for this perceived violation of the Sabbath Law. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath (Joh. 5:16). Jesus did a good thing. Yet, people criticized Him severely for it. And they were not people ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:03 AM They Were His Servants by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Second Kings 24 and 25 They Were His Servants As the writer of Second Kings explains whom the Lord sent against Judah, the writer said that this was 2 ...according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servants the prophets (2 Kin. 24:2). Those great men we have honored for centuries were nothing more than servants of the Lord God. What does that make us? Do you do something ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:01 AM ...
by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 4:30--54 The disciples went into a town to buy food while Jesus remained out of the town. There He engaged a woman in conversation. When the disciples returned, here is what happened, 31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know" (Joh. 4:31, 32). As you read the Gospel According to John, watch ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 4:59 AM Having a Tender Heart by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Second Kings 22 and 23 Having a Tender Heart When Josiah heard the word of God for the first time, he tore his clothes, knowing of the wrath that was upon Jerusalem for the idolatry of his forefathers. Therefore, he sent messengers to a prophetess to inquire of the Lord. He did have a message for Josiah. God said through the prophetess, 19 "...because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 4:56 AM
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Some writers quibble that we cannot add to God's glory, and I suppose they have a point. Perhaps we can but recognize God's glory and reflect it to others. At least, we can enlarge the shining of God's glory among men.