What a Person Does, Who a Person Is

When someone does some good and kind thing for us, it is proper to be grateful and offer thanksgiving. When a person consistently does good things for us and lives in integrity, it is proper to honor them for who they are.

Hebrews 12:28 says, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” It is good to be thankful for all that God has done for us, especially in providing for our salvation. Along with thankfulness for His blessings, our hearts overflow with reverence and awe while considering who God is.

More Power

When we walk into a dark room, a simple flick of a switch brings us the power to light the whole room. When we want to drive our car, we fill it with gasoline to have the power to go where we want to go. Where do we find the power to deal with life’s troubles on a daily basis?

Exodus 14:21-22 says, “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” God’s power has not diminished. If He was able to part the raging sea so that the people of Israel could walk through it on dry ground, He can certainly walk you through any troubles that you may face. Let’s walk by faith believing in God’s power for us.

A Proclamation

Governments issue proclamations in the form of legislation that the constituents must follow. Businesses and philanthropic organizations issue proclamations in the form of mission statements and values. God has issued proclamations in the form of prophecies and commands. Unlike other proclamations, God’s proclamations are meant to inspire faith and promote the desire to live godly lives.

Jesus quoted this prophecy of the Messiah found in Isaiah 61:1; “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me, To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives, And freedom to prisoners.” Jesus also affirmed that He is the fulfillment of this prophecy. As followers of Jesus, these words become our mission also.

Joint Heirs

At the end of our lives, we will leave behind every material possession that we have at the time. Those whom we have made heirs will take possession of what was ours. During our lives, however, we also leave an inheritance. We can leave an inheritance of faith, but sincerely following our God. We can leave an inheritance of integrity by doing the right things, even when it may cost us something. We may leave an inheritance of joy through the relationships we have established and blessed.

Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” All who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord become God’s children. The Holy Spirit then dwells within the believer and confirms that we are God’s children through His activity in our lives. As God’s children we inherit the truth and fruit of His promises along with His power and love. We will be forever glorified together with Jesus after suffering a short time in this life.

Fight or Flight

Our fears can make us do foolish things and make bad decisions. We may choose to hide from our fears and shut down. Or we may choose to immediately fight our fears without proper consideration of all aspects of the situation. Either reaction can lead to disastrous results.

I Samuel 13:12-13 says, “I (Saul) said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you.'” When faced with an immense threat, Saul directly disobeyed God, by making an offering only priests and prophets could offer. We should never let fear drive our decision-making. Saul’s fear drove him to an action that caused God to remove His blessing from Saul. When we wait upon the Lord, the outcomes will be completely different and blessed by God.