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“Glory in Christ, Not in Me”

Thoughts for Today:

Having recently returned from a mission trip to southern Sudan, I have had a number of people ask to hear about the trip. I have been resistant. Many have also inquired about when I will speak before the church of our great Sudanese adventure. I have delayed. I've been praying a lot lately. I've been asking God to help me express that the message is about Him, and not about what we did, or our sacrifice.

My companions on the Sudan trip are great men of God (Dr. Len, my friend Jim West, Eric, and Gary), and much was accomplished in the name of our Lord. Medicine was distributed and many lives were changed as a result of our testimony. But still I delayed speaking about it. Why? Because from my perspective, the glory was still in man and in our service to God, rather than glory to Christ Jesus in our service to God. It's a subtle yet gigantic heart difference that I needed to get right or the work we did in Sudan was pointless. And so was speaking about it.

This last week I finally had a breakthrough. God spoke to me about the message He wanted me to convey. It has nothing to do with what we did -- the hardships we endured or the dangers encountered. I am to speak about the work Jesus Christ is doing in southern Sudan -- of His people's great need and what we can do to help. God has shined His spotlight on Kagwada, Sudan. He has chosen me as His mouthpiece (at least for South Shores Church). I have finally found the right perspective -- just as Paul puts it in our passage today: "Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God."

Questions to Ponder:

There is one thing that should never characterize a man or woman who serves God -- pride. The glory is to be in Christ, not in ourselves. We should never be self-important, instead taking the position that we are merely and simply serving the Lord Jesus Christ -- and He is the One in charge. Yet it is a trap we can easily fall into. Over the last few weeks, I could feel pride's jaws closing around me, so I delayed, postponed, and continued to pray. The Lord revealed that His will is glory in Christ, not in me. Have you struggled with this recently? How can you come into the correct alignment with God?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.