Let's more closely examine the verse Romans 3:23, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Well, I know for sure I am in the category of ALL, because that word doesn't exempt anyone. As far as the wording "...have sinned...", if it just said "all sin", then it would be more accurate to me. Currently, not a day goes by without some "falling short" or missing God's mark of holiness on my part. How about you?
Since I am not a scholar of Bible linguistics, I cannot truly examine the nuances of each word, but I have a passion to understand the ideas suggested behind the words. And, the concept of falling short, means to me, failing to properly estimate God; Who He is and the power and awe, the respect and love He alone deserves.
What are the consequences of not giving God the glory or estimation He should have? Futility, for one. How many things in our lives can we control-really? How much of a mess do we have to make on our own without realizing we need Someone to help us. It really gets tiresome being your own god, doesn't it? This Someone has the power to change our lives and if we accept Him as our LORD, He can give us godly contentment in any situation.
Our opinion of God is reflected in every decision we make, whether to go our own way, or to ask for His help. To underestimate God, fail to give Him glory, is to go it alone in this cruel world and continue being snared and tripped up by old habits and sins. Don't do it. Seek Him while He can be found, ask for His help, knock on heaven's door. In finding Him and His love and forgiveness, receiving answers, and opening your heart to Jesus Christ, you will be fully satisfied and begin to know the glory; the true estimate of Our Priceless Savior. You have everything to gain. Doma
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Tragic Underestimation
If you read my last blog entry, you know I like Kay Arthur's definition of "glory" which she found and put into her book, LORD, I Want To Know You. Glory is defined as having a correct estimate or opinion (of someone). So then, nature, by virtue of its amazing content is glorious, speaking volumes about the estimation of a masterful Creator and His workmanship. And the night sky rivets our attention causing us to respond in awe at its great expanse and the precision of the movements of the heavenly bodies. Our opinion of our God soars beyond what our mere words can express as we observe all He has placed before us.
Therefore, considering all of creation and all of mankind, doesn't it seem to you that people still underestimate God; don't give Him the glory or hold Him in the highest esteem He deserves. In fact, I would suggest that the verse in Romans 3:23 that says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God", is really saying "All have underestimated and have an erroneous opinion of our great God"!
Don't we think we can handle life ourselves? Haven't you caught yourself thinking, "God is too busy for my petty problems." Or, "God can't possibly do anything about me and my situation; it's too far gone." Haven't people turned their backs on God believing He does not hear their cries? They do not know how great and wonderful and loving He really is. They don't realize how He loves to give and give. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior." John 3:16 & 17 Now that's a God who deserves glory upon glory; a God who loves and gives beyond what we can estimate, a glorious God! Doma
Therefore, considering all of creation and all of mankind, doesn't it seem to you that people still underestimate God; don't give Him the glory or hold Him in the highest esteem He deserves. In fact, I would suggest that the verse in Romans 3:23 that says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God", is really saying "All have underestimated and have an erroneous opinion of our great God"!
Don't we think we can handle life ourselves? Haven't you caught yourself thinking, "God is too busy for my petty problems." Or, "God can't possibly do anything about me and my situation; it's too far gone." Haven't people turned their backs on God believing He does not hear their cries? They do not know how great and wonderful and loving He really is. They don't realize how He loves to give and give. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior." John 3:16 & 17 Now that's a God who deserves glory upon glory; a God who loves and gives beyond what we can estimate, a glorious God! Doma
Friday, September 11, 2009
Glory - What is it?
Glory: To give the correct estimate or opinion of (someone or something)
With this definition in mind, scripture all makes so much more sense. Looking at nature the quote from Isaiah, "The whole earth is full of His glory" makes amazing sense. Nature in all its splendor, power and variety gives the correct estimate of the Creator God, Elohim, just by its existence and content. Likewise the heavens "declare the glory of God" with its myriad of stars, planets, galaxies, and phenomenal complexities. Anyone who has looked through a microscope at those things which exist unseen with the naked eye surely knows something of the glory of God.
From the microscopic world to the telescopic view, the seen and the unseen, all of creation states clearly the glory or correct opinion of God by existing and functioning in its proscribed manner. But what about man? Author Kay Arthur says "...you are to live in such a way as to give all creation a correct opinion or estimate of who God is." (LORD, I Want to Know You, pg. 23) For this we were created; for God's glory.
So how are we doing as Christians in making clear through our thoughts, words, actions and attitudes a correct estimate of the God we serve? Time for a heart check? Me too! Doma
With this definition in mind, scripture all makes so much more sense. Looking at nature the quote from Isaiah, "The whole earth is full of His glory" makes amazing sense. Nature in all its splendor, power and variety gives the correct estimate of the Creator God, Elohim, just by its existence and content. Likewise the heavens "declare the glory of God" with its myriad of stars, planets, galaxies, and phenomenal complexities. Anyone who has looked through a microscope at those things which exist unseen with the naked eye surely knows something of the glory of God.
From the microscopic world to the telescopic view, the seen and the unseen, all of creation states clearly the glory or correct opinion of God by existing and functioning in its proscribed manner. But what about man? Author Kay Arthur says "...you are to live in such a way as to give all creation a correct opinion or estimate of who God is." (LORD, I Want to Know You, pg. 23) For this we were created; for God's glory.
So how are we doing as Christians in making clear through our thoughts, words, actions and attitudes a correct estimate of the God we serve? Time for a heart check? Me too! Doma
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Back Side of the Fence
"Isn't painting the back side of the fence just as important as painting the front? Same paint, same job."
This is the question that came into my mind just before I woke up one morning. I had been dreaming about many people who were busy painting a long white picket fence. I didn't recognize anyone, but I was the only one painting the back side, the side that doesn't face the road, the side that few would see or notice. I remember I was taking my time, making sure every area was painted thoroughly. Getting this job done was a passion for me, in my dream.
Thinking about my dream helped me realize God approves, understands, and in fact, it is His idea for me to get involved with "back side of the fence" issues, those things other people may not even notice. The woman with the worried look cradling her sick baby in the clinic waiting room, the teenager who walks the streets alone at odd hours of the day or night, the newly widowed woman who goes to the neighborhood grocery five or six times a day because she is so lonely, all of these people need a smile and some encouragement. Doing these simple actions won't make headlines or be noticed, but they are every bit as important as ministering on a world-wide scale with media attention.
I need to remember that. Maybe you do too. Let's keep on paintin'.
Dear Father, help us to have a servant's heart and the ability to see the needs others may miss, knowing that nothing done in Your service is trivial or unimportant. Amen Doma
This is the question that came into my mind just before I woke up one morning. I had been dreaming about many people who were busy painting a long white picket fence. I didn't recognize anyone, but I was the only one painting the back side, the side that doesn't face the road, the side that few would see or notice. I remember I was taking my time, making sure every area was painted thoroughly. Getting this job done was a passion for me, in my dream.
Thinking about my dream helped me realize God approves, understands, and in fact, it is His idea for me to get involved with "back side of the fence" issues, those things other people may not even notice. The woman with the worried look cradling her sick baby in the clinic waiting room, the teenager who walks the streets alone at odd hours of the day or night, the newly widowed woman who goes to the neighborhood grocery five or six times a day because she is so lonely, all of these people need a smile and some encouragement. Doing these simple actions won't make headlines or be noticed, but they are every bit as important as ministering on a world-wide scale with media attention.
I need to remember that. Maybe you do too. Let's keep on paintin'.
Dear Father, help us to have a servant's heart and the ability to see the needs others may miss, knowing that nothing done in Your service is trivial or unimportant. Amen Doma
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