Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father
As the voice of Majestic Glory spoke:
“This is My Son, marked by My love,
Focus of all My delight!”
2 Peter 1:17 Message
Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. Finally, the other disciple also went inside. He saw and believed. They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead (John 20:3-9).
The best thing we can do is to finish what we’ve started, and not let our good intentions grow stale. Our heart has been in the right place all along. We’ve got what it takes to finish. We’ve made a commitment, but it’s important to do what we can, not what we can’t. The heart regulates the hands (2 Corinthians 8:10-12 Message).
This Scripture refers to finances, that nothing would be left over for the one with the most, and nothing would be lacking for the one with the least, but it can also be applicable to other aspects of our life. In the above verses we see Peter was not as fast as the other disciple, but he was quick to move forward. We each have talents and giftings, abilities and resources to be personally valued and then shared with others.
When I came to the Lord, there were not many things about myself that I valued. As a result, I have struggled from a lack of social skills. Fear! So much fear! What people thought, what they would say, how should I behave to be accepted, to feel valued, to feel needed.
My focus was to do for others in attempts to please, to meet expectations, of which many were quite unrealistic. Of course, this behavior proved very problematic. Amazingly, God accepted me exactly as I was – a fear driven individual that had adopted many bad habits and hang-ups and character deficits.
The reason I am so adamant about sharing God’s Word, we need a very different foundation on which to stand – Truth! When we train and exercise with God’s Word, the glory of God will be seen! When I looked up the meaning of glory this is what I discovered: to think, to make weighty, reputation, abounding with, honorable, prevail, be rich, stop, very great, glorify, promote, to honor, show…
Those who belong to God are told to think carefully about Jesus, God’s Word, His Messenger and High Priest. For the Lord was faithful to God, Who appointed Him (Hebrews 3:1-2 NLT). Those who hear the call to repent, are to be faithful to God’s Word so change of personal opinions, beliefs, behaviors, attitudes… can begin.
God has given us free will but that does not mean what we think and believe will influence the will of God, for the will of God is this: that everyone would look to the Son and believe in Him so they could have eternal life (John 6:40).
This world, this life of flesh, all we personally think and believe, and all the desires that arise will pass away, but those who do the will of God shall live forever (1 John 2:17). Those who are willing to humble themselves and be teachable, who will no longer conform their thinking to the patterns of this world, will experience the Spirit of Truth transform perceptions and convictions by renewing their mind (Romans 12:2).
For great and important and weighty is the hidden Truth of godliness. God was made visible in human flesh, justified, and vindicated in the Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16).
Jesus said, “Father, the time has come for the glory of Your Son to be revealed, so I can give the glory back to You. Here on earth, I have brought You glory by doing everything You told Me to. Now Father, as I stand in Your presence reveal My glory, the glory we shared before the world began,” John 17:1-5 TLB).
The Lord performed signs and wonders throughout the land, and said “There are many who do not believe, but the miracles I do in My Father’s name speak for Me,” John 10:25-26). Lord, You’ve made a reputation for Yourself that doesn’t diminish (Jeremiah 32:20 Message).
Yes, the Lord’s glory shines brilliantly for all to see He is merciful and gracious and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 103:8). He has made His wonderful works to be remembered, for they are honorable and glorious. As is His righteousness, which shall endure forever (Psalm 111:3-4 AMP).
So, don’t be faithless and skeptical, but stop your unbelief and believe! (John 20:27 AMP), for there is no human wisdom or understanding or counsel that can prevail against God’s Word (Proverbs 21:30 AMP). For God’s power and His goodness reach to the highest heavens. Who is like our God? Who is His equal? He has done very great things (Psalm 71:19 AMP).
God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith, and to inherit the Kingdom He promised those who love Him (James 2:5). With all our heart we will praise You, O Lord our God! We will glorify Your name forevermore, for Your love for us is very great. You have rescued us from the depths of death (Psalm 86:12-13 NLT).
Yet, some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life (1 Timothy 6:3 NLT). For God’s Word guides us with His counsel, for our own welfare and profit, not to put a halter of restraint upon us, but to promote what is seemly and in good order, and to secure our undistracted and undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:35 AMP): so afterward He can receive us to honor and glory.
And though our flesh and our heart may fail, our God is the Rock and firm Strength of our heart and our Portion forever (Psalm 73:24-26 AMP). He shows us the Path of Life! In His presence is fullness of joy! At His right hand there are pleasures forevermore! (Psalm 16:11).
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full glorious light of day! (Proverbs 4:18). The Lord God is a Sun and He is a Shield; the Lord bestows grace and favor and glory, honor and splendor and heavenly bliss! (Psalm 84:11 AMP).
The Lord will be our everlasting light, and our God will be our glory! (Isaiah 60:19). Blessed are the people who trust in Him (Psalm 84:11-12), who revere and honor His name, for the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing and deliverance and salvation in His wings (Malachi 4:2).
God and His will, not our own,
Will be acknowledged as hallowed
By those who come near Him!
He will display His glory before all people!
Leviticus 10:3