May 18, 2018 Friday

““I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:20-23 NKJV)

            As God Jesus is not limited by time even living within time and sees the Church’s growth through time to extend and complete the ministry of Jesus.  Even seeing the brokenness as the Church split into denominations and the excesses of those who claim to be Christians Jesus sees those who are always faithful and continue the lineage of the Church.

            Jesus prays the world will understand God is one by the unity of Christians.  Our lives reveal to the world the difference God can make in a human being and for many Christians are the only way they experience God.

            And then the amazing gets even amazinger! (I know this is not a word but it explains it well.)  Jesus declares “that they also may be one in Us”.   Unity is when God’s people are united with God!

            Jesus teaches our unity is possible because we have been given the glory God has given to Jesus.  But what is glory?  The Hebrew root word for glory means to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honorable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honored.  In Greek glory comes from the root which means offering the praise, honor, dignity and worship God deserves.

            The Old Testament word glory is God centered describing why God deserves our worship and praise.  The New Testament word glory is us centered and we must choose to give God the praise and worship of our hearts.

            Our choice to offer God our worship is a sign to the world of the glory of God and calls them to come to God.  The Glory of God is a description of God and also a statement of why we should give our lives to the God who gave His life for us.

            Do you think worship services are boring?  Do you go to a worship service to offer your worship to God?  What does it say about you if worship is boring?

            Today is a little better even though I still am weary.  Was able to walk and sit outside after we had our devotion and prayer.  Bonnie and Jonathan went to Knoxville Sympathy concert and Rebecca and I had a movie and popcorn time.