"Glory be to Him" 8/9/23

Dear Church, God's servants have always been a strange bunch. Men and women from all sorts of backgrounds with many different experiences and skill sets. Think of the prophets. Among them we find a priest (Jeremiah), a shepherd (Amos), and a counselor to pagan kings (Daniel). OR Think of the Twelve whom Jesus chose to be his closest companions. Four fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, and John), one of those hated tax collectors (Matthew), a revolutionary (Simon the Zealot), a thief & betrayer (Judas Iscariot), and others. The Apostle Paul said to the church in Corinth, "For you see your calling, brothers, that not many wise (according to the flesh), not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things are are, that no flesh should glory in His Presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.'" 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 In our pride, we wish to think "I was chosen because I was something. I'm a somebody." But the truth is we're not chosen because we're awesome, we're chosen because God is gracious to the humble. This humbling truth is good news for those who recognize their dependendance on God. Do you? What hinders you from giving all glory to God? Our stories like those of all the saints who have placed their faith and hope in Christ are part of a grand tapestry that give glory to the author of all of them, the Alpha and Omega, YHWH our God. Pause and thank the Lord for His grace towards you in Jesus. Reflect on how you might demonstrate your gratitude by living for Christ's glory today. Grace & Peace, Matt P.S. I am considering a short series of devotionals on unlikely heros, examples of faith in Christ from throughout the ages. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear who you think I should include in this series.

Matthew Deneault Pastor at Christ Community Fellowship