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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion |
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Frontline Devotion for Sunday, March 1, 2009 by Don Kress
II Thessalonians 1:11-12 – That is why we always pray for you, asking our God to help you live the kind of life he called you to live. We pray that with his power God will help you do the good things you want and perform the works that come from your faith. We pray all this so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will have glory in you, and you will have glory in him. That glory comes from the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (New Century Version)
In deciding upon a title for today’s devotion, I’ve borrowed the opening words of the Penn State Alma Mater: “For the glory of old State…” I’ve also borrowed the title of a book, “For the Glory,” written by Ken Denlinger, a former sports writer for the “Washington Post” – a book about Penn State football. I think “For the glory” would be three words that Paul would use if we asked him why we should follow God’s call to Christian fellowship.
Paul says that living the kind of life that God calls us to live results in our lives being glorified and, more importantly, Jesus Christ being glorified. But what kind of a life does God call us to live? Over the past several years, many of us have read the popular book by Pastor Rick Warren, “The Purpose Driven Life,” in search of an answer to the “Why am I here? What am I doing in this world? What is the purpose of my existence?” questions. There’s been a lot of on-line discussion recently among participants of Fritz Foltz’s on-line study, “On the Road with Paul,” about living our lives according to the Christian standards of faith, hope, and love. Those are certainly noble standards for living, and our adherence to them would glorify Christ.
I’d like to suggest another frame of reference on the life that God calls us to live – our purpose for living. The Thursday morning devotion group with whom I meet has just finished a two-month study by the Reverend Dr. Selwyn Hughes (1928-2006) entitled “Purpose for Living,” (1996). Hughes says that a Christian’s purpose for living is “to be aware of God, and aware of others.” Hughes says that God’s highest purposes in this universe have to do with people. He says, “Christians need not be in any doubt about the direction in which God wants them to go, or what is the Creator’s highest purpose for their life. It is receiving God’s love, and then channeling that love into the lives of those around us, including those who are discouraged or wounded. God wants you to be a caring person, sensitive to the needs of others, and aware of how He wants you to minister to them. Whatever else God may have for you to do in this world, His highest purpose is to make you a channel of His tender, loving care to others.”
The men’s group at my church has just finished a two-month study of Tony Dungy’s book, “Quiet Strength.” Dungy says, “Society tends to define success in terms of accomplishments…God’s Word, however, presents a different definition of success—centered on a relationship with Jesus Christ and a love for God that allows us to love and serve others…If we get caught up in chasing what the world defines as success, we can use our time and talent to do some great things…But in the end, what will it mean?...God’s definition of success is really one of significance—the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. This significance doesn’t show up in win-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. It’s found in the hearts and lives of those we’ve come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived.”
I believe Hughes and Dungy are saying the same thing about the way we live our lives for the glory of Jesus Christ, a way of living that is summarized in the following poem by Susan Lenzkes: “When I lift you, my friend, my arms grow stronger. When I give to you my hand empties to receive. When I walk with you through dark valleys, my feet learn the way to Truth. When I weep with you, my eyes wash clear to see compassion’s holy bond. When I lift you, I am lifted.” And Jesus Christ is glorified!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, just as Paul demonstrated caring through his intercessory prayer in today’s text, help me to be aware of others’ needs and to be a truly caring person. Help me live for the glory of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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