“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
I Chronicles 16:24

“Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.”
I Chronicles 16:28

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
Psalm 96:3

“The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.”
Psalm 113:4

 In addition to our focus word for the month of January – GLORY – one other word is found in every verse above: NATIONS. 

God’s heart for all people is woven into the fabric of scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. His call to Abraham and the establishment of his chosen people was so that they would be the light bearers to the world. The blessing was to carry the message forward – not to keep it exclusively for themselves.  

“All peoples on earth will be blessed through you,” God prophesied to Abraham. There is no greater joy than to fulfill God’s call to bless others as we have been blessed. It is both a privilege and an obligation! If a tree in my backyard was found to produce fruit that cured cancer, would I selfishly keep that secret to myself? Yet, the ultimate truth — the means to receive eternal life — is often withheld from those who are spiritually dying without hope.  

The purpose for our existence, the very reason we were created, is to glorify God. There is no greater satisfaction than fulfilling this purpose. Regardless of what we achieve, accomplish, or accumulate in life, something will always be absent if we don’t act on our mission. There is part of our being — Blaise Pascal refers to it as a “God-shaped vacuum”  — that cannot be filled by anything but Him.

As we intentionally lean in to embrace and fulfill this call, we are threaded into the “story of His glory” (quote from Steven Hawthorne, writing for One World Missions).

A study of Christian history reveals seasons of revival … times when new worshippers were added to God’s kingdom,  joyfully stepping up to glorify Him. The timeline of our individual lives would show the same: sweet times of connection to God and the body of Christ, when our lives were defined by “ascribing to Him the glory” He is worthy to receive. Those were times of peace and satisfaction like no other, when something inside bubbled up in defiance of challenges we faced on the outside.  

Historically, God has been glorified in many times and places: 

• Beautiful, stately, ornate European cathedrals 
• Thatched-roof huts in remote, Third World countries
  
• Fields in Israel where shepherds were tending their flocks at night 
• Russian gulags where Christians were incarcerated and persecuted  
• Nazi concentration camps 
• Chinese secret house churches 
• Outdoor tents revivals in America 
• Log cabins in the Midwest 
• Tiny ships pummeled and tossed by wind and waves as they crossed the Atlantic 

Pilgrims have been found in almost every generation and every corner of the world, making their way to a new land or a safe house as they sought out freedom to glorify God.  

In his book, The Insanity of God, author Nik Ripken shares true stories of believers he interviewed all over the world, who chose to glorify God at great risk to their personal safety and very existence. He tells of people who suffered, were tortured, and even lost their lives because of their steadfast commitment to worship God. One believer in Russia challenged Ripken: 

“Don’t ever give up in freedom
what we would never have given up
in persecution!”

Though I read this book a decade or more ago, these words still come to the surface in my heart and mind, challenging me to ask myself: Have I surrendered my call more days than not? Am I too easily distracted by a life of relative ease in my 21st-century, first-world existence?  

Do I use my freedom to be devoted, committed, relentless, and passionate in glorifying God? Is that the chief aim of my life? And if so, what does that look like, practically speaking?

Shouldn’t our lives be more than fulfilling the American dream and tending to our own interests?

The dots on the timeline of our individual lives, as well as those of the nations, will one day merge to one big glorious line of praise to God when every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. A time is coming when “every tribe, tongue, and nation” (Revelation 7:9) will: 

•  “Declare his glory…” I Chronicles 16:24
• “…ascribe to the LORD glory…” I Chronicles 16:28 
• “Declare…his marvelous deeds..” Psalm 96:3
  

As followers of Christ, we will be one day be part of the great chorus, joining in worship together as we behold our Lord “exalted over all the nations.” (Psalm 113:4)  

The day is coming, so why not let it begin now? Today is a good day for your heart and my heart to exalt His name and declare His glory!  

How are YOU called to glorify God on this day, in your life, in your corner of the world? Today, in these first weeks of a new year, is a great day to glorify our great God! Now is the time! 

In this week’s devotional video, we learn that doing God’s work requires commitment, sacrifice, and faithfulness. We invite you to watch as our guest teacher, Jennifer Francis, unpacks key lessons from this week’s passage in Nehemiah:

It’s not too late to join us for the remainder of January as we read, write, and study verses about GLORY. Visit our Downloads page today for your free copy of our Write the WORD bookmark and optional S.O.A.P. Bible study outlines.

“I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.”
Psalm 63:2

David opens Psalm 63 by declaring who God is and who He is to him personally:  

“O God, you are my God…” 

Not only is He the great God of the universe, but He is personal to me. He is my God.  

Using the imagery of thirst, David declares his desire for God: nothing and no one else can satisfy his longing, the world offers only dryness and weariness. There is no water in the land, David says in Psalm 63:1. 

The sanctuary – the presence of God – is the oasis in the world’s desert.

It was true then, and it’s still true today. 

David comes to the sanctuary and is rewarded: He sees God. He beholds God’s power and His glory. We find this same glorious reward when we seek Him out today: 

You will seek me and find me when
you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13

… those who seek me find me.
Proverbs 8:17b

Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:8a

Remain in me, as I also remain in you…
John 15:4a

You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11

Life in this world brings dryness and weariness. Whether today’s challenge is chemotherapy or a clogged drain, a parent with dementia or a teenager with an attitude, or perhaps a lost job or just a lost set of keys, life brings hardship. But in Him, we can survive hard things … do hard things … and glorify God in hard things.  

Life is exhausting, but in Him we can “run and not grow weary.” (Isaiah 40:31) 

Life will bring trouble, but in Him we can have peace. (John 16:33) 

Life brings confusion and oppression, but understanding comes in His presence. (Psalm 73:16-17) 

When our cup is empty, we can – we must – come to God to fill it. He is the Living Water. Trudging through the challenges of life leaves us parched, dehydrated, and thirsty. I carry my cup to the mall, to my own dinner table, to the committee meeting, to the bookstore, to the ocean or the mountains. Wherever we find ourselves, we can come to Him with our cup held out … and time after time, He fills it to overflowing.  

We may mistakenly look to people and places to fill our cups. Some may try eating, drinking, or spending their way to a full cup. But our real thirst can only be quenched by Him.  

Come to the sanctuary. Come to Him. Come see His power and His glory. Allow it to overwhelm, consume, and thrill you. The great God of the universe, the creator of the world and everything in it, the author and perfecter of our salvation, the God of all power and glory … knows you and loves you. This love is better than anything – any thrill, high, or reward the world can offer.  

His love is better. It is higher, deeper, wider. It is eternal. May we declare with David: “Your love is better than life.” When we behold Him, when we see His power and glory, when we are drenched in His love that is better than anything in this life, our lips will – indeed, they must – overflow with praise: 

“Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.”
Psalm 62:3

Let’s covenant together in this new year to come to Him, our sanctuary, every day. Like David so many years ago, let’s embrace the timeless truth that only He can quench our thirst. Let us enter His sanctuary by reading His Word, abiding in His presence, and holding our cup up to Him for filling. Let’s be wowed by His power and His glory. Let’s allow Him to shower us with His love and overwhelm us with His presence. And let us be women of God, who respond by glorifying Him in every task, every action, every word.  

Because He is worthy.  

Because His love is better – greater, more powerful, more glorious than anything this world can offer.  

O God, you are my God…your love is better than life. 

In this week’s devotional video, Laura unpacks a verse that, while familiar to many of us, may actually mean more than we thought. We invite you to read Romans 3:23, and then listen to Laura’s teaching and allow yourself to be challenged!

“To the Israelites the glory of the LORD
looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.”
Exodus 24:17

The glory of the Lord was revealed in the Old Testament with a striking visual. The power of a consuming fire drew the eyes of all. God used the time in the desert to reveal Himself to His people: 

“While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community they looked toward the desert,
and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.”
Exodus 16:10

Our God is a relational God: He reveals Himself to us, and He wants to be known. As God’s people stood in the desert that day, they stood as those freed from bondage. God had brought them out of Egypt. As they heard God’s man speak to them, God Himself allowed them a glimpse of His glory. All were drawn to look upon it.

How did they respond? Worship? Fall prostrate? Cry? Shout? Dance? Sing? 

God’s revelation to His people then should also stir our hearts to wonder, to contemplate, and to worship all these years later. We live this side of the Cross … in the in-between time of waiting for His second coming.  

Following the first coming of Jesus, the manifestation of God’s glory became personal and individual. After His death, burial, and resurrection, His glory came down. Just as in the Old Testament, it came in a stunning display of power. All the senses were engaged. Acts 2:2-3 describes His coming as sounding “like the blowing of a violent wind.” The power was so great it “filled the whole house.” Those present saw “tongues of fire.”  

God’s glory was seen, heard, and felt on that day of Pentecost and the result was evident: 

“All of them were filed with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other tongues as the spirit enabled them.”
Acts 2:4

God’s glory came near. It came to rest and abide in each believer. 

When God’s glory comes: 

• It is seen.
  
• It is powerful.
  
• It consumes and fills.
  
• It elicits a response.
  
• It empowers and equips.
  

In Old Testament times, the glory of God came and departed. But this side of the cross, the glory of God comes to dwell in the heart of every believer. How blessed we are! What an amazing time to be alive—truly alive! Alive in Christ! God’s Spirit takes up residence in us … and His presence equips us to do what we are powerless to do on our own. 

In Acts 2, believers were enabled to speak in tongues so that others present could hear the truth in their language. It wasn’t just about speaking in tongues; there was a purpose to this gift. It was given to simultaneously bring glory to God and bless others.  

Every gift that comes down to us from above does the same: it brings glory to God, and is used to bless others.  

Instead of speaking in a language they didn’t know, the believers could just as easily been equipped to build furniture, create a cooking vessel, dig a well, tame a donkey, paint a masterpiece, invent a bicycle, or bake bread. The power of God enabled believers then—and enables us now—to do what we could never do on our own.  

The impossible is even more improbable when we move from the physical to the relational and emotional. Through the power of His presence, you and I can: 

• Love the unlovable.
  
• Speak the truth in love.
  
• Forgive…again.
  
• Keep praying in faith.
  
• Give one more day.
  
• Die to ourselves.
  
• Refuse to take credit.
  

God Himself reveals His glory by empowering us with gifts. The focus should not so much be on the gift itself, but on the One who gave it and the blessing to those receiving it. Do we make much of the mailman when he brings the letter with good news? Our joy and thanks go to the sender. As recipients of the gift, we are filled with joy. We would think it strange if the mailman tried to claim the credit for the blessing he delivered.  

We receive gifts from God. We use them for Him. We do so to bring glory to Him … not to ourselves.  

His abiding presence—His glory in our hearts through the person of the Holy Spirit—brings profound change.  

We have peace with God, because we know our sins are forgiven. We have power from God to live for Him. We are so consumed by His abiding presence that our chief aim is to make much of Him and give Him the credit—the glory—for it all. 

It’s not that we are so great … or that we are anything at all. It’s solely about who we are in Him!  

How are you and I enabled to reflect His glory today? How is His fire consuming you? 

Let’s make Psalm 57:5 our prayer for today: 

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;  
let your glory be over all the earth.”

David’s words in Psalm 19:1 still ring true today! All creation speaks a universal language of praise to our mighty and creative God! We hope this week’s devotional video inspires you to join us as we Write the WORD … and to give Glory to God!

Visit our Downloads page today for your copy of the Write the WORD: Glory bookmark.

…everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory.
Isaiah 43:7

God created us for Himself, for His glory. It seems fitting, then, that we’ll begin the new year  by focusing on GLORY in our January Write the WORD Bible study.

For many of us, I suspect the word itself seems “churchy” or “religious” … but it is the reason for our being, the purpose for which God created us. I’d like to invite all of us to explore what scripture tells us about “glory” this month, hoping to glean deeper understanding of what it means.  

God’s glory is His intrinsic substance, His truth, magnificence, greatness, and beauty … and when we glorify God, we acknowledge all this in Him. Glorifying God is a choice that engages our thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes. The more we know Him, the better equipped we are to glorify Him. His glory is on display in creation, in His World, and in His Word. As we praise and worship Him in response, we are satisfied and fulfill our purpose.  

The reason Jesus left heaven to come to earth was to glorify God. Having celebrated Christmas a few short days ago, you probably heard the passage read aloud at least once, but most of us can quote from memory the words of Jesus’ birth announcement from the angels, which explicitly stated this: 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:13-14

And when Jesus prepared to return to heaven, God’s glory was again mentioned: 

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work
you gave me to do.
John 17:4

If the life of Jesus on earth was consumed with glorifying God, then surely you and I should do likewise.  

What if the litmus test for each decision we make was this: Will it glorify God?  

As we write the WORD this month, let’s challenge ourselves to consider each day’s actions and thoughts, behaviors, words, and decisions: Did I fulfill my purpose today? Did my life and my choices glorify God? As we write out these 31 verses – chosen from over 300 in the Bible that include the word, “glory” – let’s ask God to bring our hearts and minds into alignment with the purpose for which He created us. I believe as we read, study, and pray these verses during the month of January, each passage from God’s WORD can bring a subtle shift that draws us to Him in ever-increasing worship and praise.  

Today, as we approach a new year filled with many decisions and choices of how we live our lives, I hope you’ll join me in committing to ask that all-important question: Will it glorify God?  

If you find yourself in a philosophical conversation about life, attempting to answer questions like: Why are we here? What’s the purpose of life? Is there a reason for my existence? You can answer: We were made for HIS GLORY.

In this week’s devotional video, Laura introduces our January Write the WORD topic. We invite you to join us as we write, ruminate on, and pray over verses that all include the word “GLORY.“ Our prayer is that this will equip all of us to lean more intentionally into our purpose: to bring glory to God!

Visit our Downloads page today for your copy of our free Write the WORD bookmark and optional S.O.A.P. study pages.

“…and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:3b

God chose Abram. He plucked him up from a pagan place and gave him a new name, a new purpose, and a promise of greatness. Through Abram, God would grow a nation and a people for Himself. Of all the people on earth, Abram was chosen for blessing and honor. Genesis 12:1-3 chronicles the Abrahamic Covenant. It marks the establishment of God’s chosen people and His relationship with the Jewish people.

But it’s not all about them. It was never intended to be all about them.

Note the phrase in verse 3: all peoples on earth. This little phrase captures God’s missional heart, conveying His plan to use His chosen people to reach all people.

God’s unconditional promise to Abraham is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the reason Matthew began his gospel with a genealogy that highlights the two greatest heroes of the Jewish faith, David and Abraham:

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David,
the son of Abraham.
Matthew 1:1

Matthew’s gospel was intentionally written to present Jesus as the Messiah to the Jewish people. Stressing His lineage to Abraham was key in his evidence. No burying the lead here. Matthew states right up front – Jesus is the Messiah and here’s why!

Yes, Jesus is Jewish. He is the Jewish Messiah. But the blessing extends beyond the Jewish people. God chose Abraham and the Jewish people to be His tool for reaching the world. This was not Plan B – it was His heart and His plan all along. It’s right there in Genesis 12: ALL PEOPLES ON EARTH. Friends, all means all! That includes you and me! We are grafted into the blessing.

The Messiah was for all.

The message of salvation is for all.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is for all.

Luke picked up the threads of Genesis 12 when he wrote in Acts 3:25:

And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant
God made with your fathers.
He said to Abraham,
‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’

There it is again: all peoples on earth.

The promise is for you and me! It’s for us, too! Don’t miss the blessing, my friend … take hold and hold on! God keeps His promise. He is faithful!

Have you accepted the blessing of Jesus?

The Old Testament is filled with prophecy about the Messiah to come. When those dots are all connected, the image that emerges is Jesus. Only He “checks the box” on every single one of the Old Testament prophecies. We invite you to listen to this week’s devotional video as Laura talks geography and taxes – then, we hope you’ll celebrate how God is sovereign over both! Only God could orchestrate events and circumstances to ensure that Jesus of Nazareth was also the Messiah born in Bethlehem!

All of us at Cross My Heart Ministry wish you and your family a blessed and wonderful Christmas as we celebrate the miraculous birth of our Savior!

Not What You Would Expect:
Isaac (Not Ishmael), Genesis 17:19
Jacob (not Esau), Genesis 28:14

In a Jewish patriarchal society, the first-born son is typically the expected choice for lineage and inheritance.

But God’s ways are not always our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God seems to take surprising delight in sometimes doing the unexpected.

Much about the coming of Jesus was unexpected:

• His lineage is traced through a line that did not always follow the first-born.
• He was born of a virgin. (How is that possible, one might ask!)
• He came from Nazareth. (Can anything good come out of Nazareth, was asked more than once.)

Christ’s birth, His life, and His death all defy human expectations, human logic, and even common sense.

But God.

• God became man.
• God responded with love to our sin.
• God embraced us when we rejected Him.
• God gives us His righteousness because we have none of our own.
• God’s sacrifice covers over our sin.
• God came to us because we are unable to get to Him.
• God brings us peace when we declared war.
• God loves us.

He may not be what we would expect. But He’s absolutely what we need.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Peace. We long for it – crave it even. Especially at Christmas. Does it feel elusive? Unattainable? Unrealistic?

Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

He came to bring peace to the world. And peace to you and to me.

Do you know my Jesus? Do you know peace? Do you want to?

Know Jesus, know peace. No Jesus, no peace.

The Old Testament is filled with prophecy about the Messiah to come … and when those dots are all connected, the image that emerges is Jesus. Only He “checks the box” on every single one. We invite you to listen to this week’s devotional video as Laura talks about geography and taxes. Then, celebrate how God is sovereign over both! Only God could orchestrate events and circumstances to ensure that Jesus of Nazareth was also the Messiah born in Bethlehem!