For your consideration

[rl69]

We were predestined "to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory" (Eph. 1:12 (http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Eph.%201.12)).

In salvation, as in everything else, God is preeminent. He deserves all the credit.Preeminence implies supreme standing, picturing one who excels over all others in a particular quality or achievement. There is no one more preeminent than God.
Ephesians 1:12 (http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%201.12) underscores that truth. You were redeemed and granted an eternal inheritance that God might be glorified. Certainly you benefit greatly from salvation, but God's glory is the primary issue.
Our man-centered culture doesn't share that perspective. Sadly, its self-seeking and self-glorifying mentality has crept into the church, and even the gospel itself has been subjected to its influence. For example sin is often defined by how it affects man, not how it dishonors God. Salvation is often presented as a means of receiving what Christ offers, not a mandate to obey what He commands. Many modern-day evangelists have reduced the gospel to little more than a formula by which people can live a happy and more fulfilling life. The focus has shifted from God's glory to man's benefit.
Such a convoluted gospel fuels the fire of self-love and self-exaltation.
As believers we know better than that. We know that the purpose of life is to glorify God. That means living to His glory is to govern everything we do.
What higher or more noble purpose could life afford? "Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead," Paul said he pressed "on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14 (http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Phil.%203.13-14)). Keep that goal clearly in mind in all you do today. By doing so your day will be to the praise of God's glory!
Suggestions for Prayer


Praise God for His preeminence in all things.
Pray for opportunities to speak of His preeminence to others, remembering that they will see Him in your actions as well as your words.

[Boaz]

Good lesson rl69 . We have to glorify GOD ...to him goes the glory . It mentions the wrong teaching/thinking of the prosperity churches . These type churches that only promise wealth , happiness with no expectation of love , commitment and service to GOD , may fill the pews but they do nothing . This is a great reminder and a great encouragement that we must actually try to live in him and for him .

[square butte]

He deserves ALL the credit - Thanks for the good start to my morning

[USMC87]

That is exactly right, We serve a Sovereign God who called us to a life of righteousness imputed by Christ. A lot of churches preach a man centered gospel that puts man on the throne, Exactly what fallen man wants a god like themselves not One to rule over them but instead for them to have dominion over their own lives.

[1johnlb]

One of my many favorites is Matthew 6:33 seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and all His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. I gained a working understanding and revalation of it. It stats seek first, this is us affixing our eyes and lives on Him and it finishes by and all these things shall be added unto you, this is Him turning His love, eyes, blessings unto us. Everybody and I do to, believes , you can't out give God. So if you give Him everything. What would He withhold from you? He has always prospered me.

Years ago I had an older lady/friend in Christ. That needed some help. She didn't have a lot and was locked in her mind with a poverty mindset, but I set out to help her. Her car was broken down and needed a alternator. I told her to get the alternator and I would put it on. At this time I had caught up on my bills and had spent all my cash but my tithe to the church. I left her house and the Spirit started dealing with me, I rebuked it thinking it was just me. When I got to the stop sign at the end of the road. He asked me a question, " why do you pay your tithes". By this time I was really confused and quoted Malachi, bring all your tithes into the store house and immediately He said " so you can get your blessings". Ooh how that pierced my heart. He already has blessed me to be a blessing, He's already prospered me. Now I don't preach not paying tithes but if you let your neighbor go hungry it will prosper you nothing. I had everything I needed with nothing lacking, but was gonna let her, part of the body, the church, do without, so I could get my blessings and it happens in our church every day.

Now i dont fault her or anybody else who doesn't believe in prosperity, because I know all to we'll how hard it is to break or change how we think.

If any man doesn't change the way he thinks the way he thinks will always bring him right back to where he started from.
This is why so many addicts, inmates or anybody else trying to change their life goes back to the thing they tried changing.

Edited tides to tithes, hope everyone forgives me:roll:

[rl69]

s (http://biblehub.com/bsb/james/2.htm)
…15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If (http://biblehub.com/greek/1161.htm) one (http://biblehub.com/greek/5100.htm) of (http://biblehub.com/greek/1537.htm) you (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) tells (http://biblehub.com/greek/2036.htm)him, (http://biblehub.com/greek/846.htm) “Go (http://biblehub.com/greek/5217.htm) in (http://biblehub.com/greek/1722.htm) peace; (http://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm) stay warm (http://biblehub.com/greek/2328.htm) and (http://biblehub.com/greek/2532.htm) well fed,” (http://biblehub.com/greek/5526.htm) but (http://biblehub.com/greek/1161.htm)does not (http://biblehub.com/greek/3361.htm) provide for (http://biblehub.com/greek/1325.htm) his (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) physical (http://biblehub.com/greek/4983.htm) needs, (http://biblehub.com/greek/2006.htm) what (http://biblehub.com/greek/5101.htm)good is that? (http://biblehub.com/greek/3786.htm)

it looks like y'all are injoying the new bible study ?

[Boaz]

Yep !! Good comments ! You done good .

[Blackwater]

1John, I really liked your summation: "If any man doesn't change the way he thinks, the way he thinks will always bring him right back to where he started from." Thanks.

[1johnlb]

^^^^^^^That was courtesy of the Holy Spirit. ^^^^^^^

[Boaz]

Holy spirit , praise him that gives constant assistance . Praise him that he loves not only me but all . Praise his guidance . I thank you also John .

[Boaz]

s (http://biblehub.com/bsb/james/2.htm)
…15suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16if (http://biblehub.com/greek/1161.htm) one (http://biblehub.com/greek/5100.htm) of (http://biblehub.com/greek/1537.htm) you (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) tells (http://biblehub.com/greek/2036.htm)him, (http://biblehub.com/greek/846.htm) “go (http://biblehub.com/greek/5217.htm) in (http://biblehub.com/greek/1722.htm) peace; (http://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm) stay warm (http://biblehub.com/greek/2328.htm) and (http://biblehub.com/greek/2532.htm) well fed,” (http://biblehub.com/greek/5526.htm) but (http://biblehub.com/greek/1161.htm)does not (http://biblehub.com/greek/3361.htm) provide for (http://biblehub.com/greek/1325.htm) his (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) physical (http://biblehub.com/greek/4983.htm) needs, (http://biblehub.com/greek/2006.htm) what (http://biblehub.com/greek/5101.htm)good is that? (http://biblehub.com/greek/3786.htm)

it looks like y'all are injoying the new bible study ?



.........................................yes !!

[Jr.]

Thank you

[Blackwater]

One of the things that I read in G. K. Chesterton, was something he said that in effect, giving to the obviously needy and deserving was easy, and therefore, wasn't really "charity" but a simple fulfillment of our human obligations one to another. It's giving to the UN-deserving that is hard, and runs counter to our earthly sensibilities. And he had it right. Whenever I've given to someone I figured in my earthly way, who didn't "really deserve it," I've always let them know that I knew they didn't deserve it (they knew it as well), and then gave it to them anyway. It always surprised them, and seemed to make a bigger impression than if I'd just accepted their story and just kept going. There are many ways to witness, and giving to the undeserving, and letting them know you are onto their game, but give to them anyway, sets you apart from all their duped "victims" of their contrived stories. I can often spot a con, but some are so good nobody could spot them. Those, I just let know that whether their story's true or not, and whatever their needs are, I'm giving to them, and will pray for them. The cons are easier to spot at this point. Their expressions usually ferret them out, but after the fact. And even then, it still makes at least some sort of impression on them. Most never really see an act of true Christian kindness, especially if they are suspected of what they are. Mostly, they get the haughty stuff, like "get a job," etc., etc.

So there are all sorts of ways we can show people what true Christianity really is. We just have to think before we speak or act, and for many, myself being a prime offender here, that aint' easy!!! But it's always worth it when we can pull it off, and with each event, it gets easier and more satisfying, and seems to have more effect. Ain't it funny how that works?