Glory Revealed

Who gets the praise when we do good? The answer should be “God.” Let everything be done to the glory of our heavenly father, the one who spoke our world into existance.

“And as You speak, a hundred billion creatures catch Your breath, evolving in pursuit of what You said. If it all reveals Your nature, so will I.

I can see Your heart in everything You say, every painted sky, a canvas of Your grace. If creation still obeys You, so will I.”

So Will I by Hillsong United

Raising Good Kids

Let me brag for a moment. Lizzy and I raised three beautiful children… inside and out. I am most proud that they reflect the nature of God. They are good for the right reasons. They reveal the glory of God. It is quite a legacy. 

They are kind when no one is looking. They seek justice because it is God’s purpose for their lives. Regardless of the circumstances, they are faithful. They are the sort of people you can trust to have your back. That is the nature of God. He desires to bless us… even though we don’t deserve.

When these three were babies and I could hold them in one hand, I was somewhat fearful of how they would turn out. I wasn’t the most mature young man. I wasn’t sure I could provide for them, and I really did not want them to turn out like me. Luckily, I was smart enough to trust the promise found in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” So, Lizzy and I took them to church. We had each of them dedicated to God, like Hanna did in the Bible. Then, thanks to the grace of God, we found teachers, pastors, and caregivers who helped us nurture the character of God in these young people. 

If you are a parent, I need to share something scary. Your child will develop 85% of his or her brain development by age three. A three-year old child will grow one million neutron brain connections each… second. The most critical factor: stimulating interactions with caring adults. You need help! Start developing the village who will support you and your child or children today. It is never too late to start; today is a good day.

Do Good For God’s Glory

Okay, I’m done bragging.

All of us need to develop the habit of training our minds and hearts to do good works for God’s glory alone. When someone does praise us, we can use this as an opportunity to pass the praise to others and to God. It can be as simple as this, “Thank you. I appreciate your kindness. God is good!” The root of the matter is not trying to conceal our good works, but it is a heart issue at the core. If your heart wants praise, you will find a way to get it. If in your heart you are submitted to God, you will find a way to see every good deed that you accomplish as an opportunity to demonstrate the goodness of God. Let God reward you.

It is the virus of pride and deceit that most turns off the non-believers… in other words “hypocrisy.” 

Reflect the Nature of God

People can tell if you are being kind as a show or to receive glory. We have to do good for the right reasons . . . because we want to reflect the nature of our Heavenly Father. “If it all reveals Your nature, so will I.“

“So that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matthew 6:4, NIV

Also, see Finding Purpose.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear