JOURNEY BEFORE GLORY

WHAT IS GLORY?
Glory is defined as honor or magnificent beauty won by notable achievement.
Most people desire glory yet they do not want to sacrifice and achieve. What they do not understand is that there is a price to pay before glory sets in.
Let's look at the life of Jesus Christ and the price He paid.

 Philippians 2:5-13 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [a]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Light Bearers
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure..
Before Jesus Christ got the highest Name above all names, He paid the price(death on the cross).
Acts 2:33 New King James Version (NKJV)
33 Therefore being exalted [a]to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

 Similarly, Christians must be ready to pay the price(working out their salvation according to the Word of God).
2 Timothy 2:5 New King James Version (NKJV)
5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
Before the winner celebrates the medal/glory.
  • They follow a coach or instructor.
  • There is lots of practice.
  • S/he makes sacrifice of their time.
  • Denying oneself luxuries in diet.
  • Bear pain on the body.
  • Spend energy.
  • Remain focused and determined.
  • Participate and win the race and then the Glory. 
As a believer:
Have you counted the cost?

Matthew 16:24 New King James Version (NKJV)
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

also read:
Luke 9:23 New King James Version (NKJV)
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me.
Brethren, never forget that the glory has the price of denying self and taking the cross to follow Jesus Christ. This is why you cannot live like anyone else in the world because of the cross.
Ephesians 1:18 New King James Version (NKJV)
18 the eyes of your [a]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Below are some of the legends of the Old Testament who paid the price or the sake of obedience to God's Word.
  1. Abraham left His home for the promised land by God.
  2. Joshua committed His family to serving God. Joshua 24:15(b) (NKJV)
  3. Joseph paid the price through his encounter with Potiphar's wife, in prison and the hatred from his brothers.
Tips to reaching point of being celebrated with glory
  1. Follow Jesus Christ:Read Hebrews 12:2 New King James Version (NKJV)2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 
  2. Be Patient: Read Romans 8:24-30 & Psalm 40
  3. Live in Righteousness; Read 1 Peter 1:16, James 1, 1 Timothy 6:11, Proverbs 21:21, Psalm 112:6, Psalm1
  4. Live by Faith; 2 Corinthians 5:7
  5. Receive Grace of God 2 Corinthians 12:9
  6. Humility Ephesians 4:2, James 4:6,10 & 1 Peter 5:5
  7. Deny Yourself Luke 9:23
  8. Love God & People Mark 12:30-31
  9. Accept Correction;Hebrews 12:6 and pruning John 15:2
  10. Give thanks always. 1 Thessalonian 5:18
  11. Be Prayerful 1 Thessalonian 5:16-18
  12. Read the Word and Believe it.
  13. Submit to God and resist the devil James 4:17
  14. Think right Proverbs 23:7
  15. Confess life and positive things always Proverbs 18:21
  16. Remain in fellowship with brethren Hebrews 10:25-27
  17. Press on Philippians 3:14. Never give up, persist, persevere to the end.
Blessings Galore.
Word from TTM's own Pastor Mary Mugo. A teacher of the Word and a minister at Teaching Transformation Ministry.



Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking your time to comment.

Blessings.

Popular posts from this blog

Serving God Has Never Been in Vain

Image
Sometimes in serving God we may feel like it's all in vain, like there is no benefit to what we are doing. Time and time again God reminds us in His Word that serving Him has never been in vain. Let us look at a few stories from the Bible that demonstrate this, so that you and I can be encouraged to keep serving God, and serve Him with all we have.  2 Kings 4:1-7 A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.”  2 So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”  3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour ...
Read more

Overcoming the Enemies of Our Destinies

There are enemies ready and armed to prevent us from getting to our destinies. Wherever there is a vision, there is opposition.  Elisha was given by God to Elijah as a servant, and as a result he received a double portion of the anointing on Elijah's life, when Elijah left (2 Kings 2:15). God in turn gave Gehazi to Elijah as a servant, who sadly could not get to his destiny because he was overcome by the enemies of destiny (2 Kings 5:20-27).  As a Christian, be alert as there are enemies out to hinder you from getting to your destiny, and walking in it.  In John's open letter to the churches in Asia, John addresses these enemies: 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;...
Read more

Secrets of a Blessed Man

Let the Word of God always be your mirror, your map to lead you to your blessings. Though we are blessed through faith in Jesus, we need His Word to show us how to live a blessed life, and enjoy the blessings bestowed upon us. Psalm 112:1-10 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. 6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies. 9 He has dispersed abroa...
Read more