Recently on my facebook, one of my friends shared “what was on her mind.”
What was on her mind was a video she posted of her rather large retriever dog taking a “selfie” with clothes, makeup (including false eye lashes) not to mention all these additional items… posing for a glam shot with this utter look of arrogant confidence. Hilarious! The human clothes didn’t even fit! As a dog lover myself I could not hold back my laugher as I said out loud “There is something shamefully wrong with this picture!” It was almost as if the caption read. “Don’t you think I am beautiful? Don’t you care about ever single detail of my life? My whole existence is based on your human opinion of me.”
This parody was obviously poking fun at all the ways humans are focused on themselves with every kind of format, style, technology of “selfie” out there in this world! The sad part is that human opinion is ranked as number one in how a person, thinks, and views themselves and the world. Not only shamefully wrong but completely scary especially when it comes to our souls because the world view is completely contrary to the Biblical view.
Thank God that this world is not the end and there is a heaven to look forward to!
A glorious expectation of those who believe and follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior
But the true question is…What are you doing down here on earth to prepare you for heaven?
Remembrance and Review:
Last month, I invited you to join me in a series of “Solo’s”. In July we looked at Sola Scriptura which is Latin for Scripture alone. I shared how this term arose out of history during the great reformation of the sixteenth century and birthed out of the hearts of God’s people for the purpose of drawing them to the holy scriptures of God and nothing but. This term was defined and created by the Westminster Divines, during the Protestant Reformation after heresy and false teachings begin to sneak into the church and believer’s hearts began corrupting the sacred teachings of the Bible and the holiness of Christ, turning others from God’s holy truth.
This month we will be looking at Soli Deo Gloria which means For the Glory of God Alone but also translated as Glory to God alone. The application of this term has been used by great composers such as George Frideric Handel who wrote the wonderful Handel’s Messiah to which people around the world join in praise to God every year, since its inauguration, during the Christmas season. Handel made sure the purpose, clarification and understanding of his musical work was produced solely for the purpose of praising God and NOTHING else.
God’s glory, 1700’s and Lord’s Prayer
So perhaps you are thinking how does the glory of God and a musical score, from the 1700’s have to do with me? A whole lot! Matter of fact 100% of the very core of our life depends on it! It is all summed up with the three terms of salvation, sanctification and glorification. Once we come to know the Lord as our personal Savior and Lord we give up our life and what we want to do and live completely by His word (the Bible) and His will, guided and lead by the Holy Spirit…Who is now living inside every believer of Christ. Sanctification is the process of continual growth in divine grace because of your personal commitment after baptism and conversion to Christ…to live for Him as Lord.
So what does this actually mean? It means that after we are believers and followers in Christ we need to start living and following the example of Christ. God alone has sanctified us through the precious blood of Christ shed on the cross for our sins. But we have to do our part in submitting to, agreeing with and living our lives in accordance with God’s word. We need to make our minds up that we will not be focused on ourselves- “spiritual selfies” constantly focused on our flesh, what we want , the world, … but instead focusing on God’s glory and following our great Example-Christ!
From Selfies to God’s glory
Matthew chapter 6:9-15, is a great model prayer for us to start focusing on God and leaving ourselves far behind. Jesus gives us the perfect model prayer to mesh with the heartbeat of God and focus on God and his glory. This is commonly known as the Lord’s prayer as well as my prayer for each of you.
What NOT to do:
Verse 9-“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” “Pray, then, in this way:” Jesus is telling his disciples, DO NOT follow the people who follow the things of the world… The biblical selfies but instead look to God to meet your needs.
Thanksgiving and Declaration of Allegiance to Loyalty
Verse 10 “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed
be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in
heaven”Worship God is our first and foremost
duty in following Soli Deo Gloria…glorifying
God and who He is!
Intercession and Petition
Verse
11 ‘Give us
this day our daily bread.
Confession and Forgiveness
Verse
12 -15 ‘And forgive us our debts, as
we also have forgiven our debtors. And
do not
lead
us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the
power
and the glory forever. Amen.’ “For if
you forgive others for their
transgressions,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
“But if you do not
forgive
others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
May we live our lives in complete Soli
Deo Gloria! Unto the Lord in all we say and do!
CALENDAR
1. Bible Study: Prayer Tuesdays 9:00am to 11:00am starting in Sept. 2014
Check website for more info. www.churchonrandallplace.org
2. Apologetics Teachings/Courses starting in Sept. 2014- contact Simone for more info.
3. Audio Teachings on prayer and various speaking:
©Copyright 2014 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2014 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved
About the author:
Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: www.deeprootsin christ.com, www.simonelake.com, facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
