We were all made to worship (give worth to/glorify) something. We're hardwired that way from our Sovereign Creator. Today we explore: What do we spend our time glorifying and what does that look like in our everyday life?

Promised Land Living alumni learned about glorifying self (contending) versus glorifying God (cooperating). Contending keeps us stuck in lies (in some manner, God is not enough) and cooperating shifts us into truth (God is more than enough). Check yourself on some of these tell tale symptoms:

Glorify Self:                Glorify God:

* Prideful                   * Humble

* "I'm so good!"          * Sacrifice of praise for God's goodness

* Complaining/whining  * Thankful

* Over self-indulgence * Subservient

* Serve flesh              * Obedient to truth

How do we move out of contentious living?

1. Meditate on God's word - Remember who He is and who you are in relation to Him. "And yet, O Lord, You are our Father.  We are the clay, and You are the potter.  We all are formed by Your hand." Isaiah 64:8

2. Identify lies and shift into truth - Awareness of lies that pollute our thought-life provide powerful opportunity to say "No! I choose to believe truth". We take captive those thoughts to the obedience of Christ. The statement "and the truth will set you free" is the very Word of God - His promise to you!  Will we take it lightly or hold it tightly? "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32

3.Hang on!  Notice the "if" in the above Scripture: If you hold to the truth. We are in a battle that originates in the heavenlies but is very much felt in our own persons. With our corruptible flesh those "ifs" indicate a need for continuous action. Hallelujah that we are more than conquerors in Christ!  There is no temptation that we cannot overcome. No trial that we cannot endure. No test that need fail because of the power of Christ within (1 Peter and Ephesians really help us to see this). But - if we do, remember your consolation is also Christ who's finished work covers us. We can confess and move on - glorifying God even in our weakness through confession. He is powerful to save and merciful to forgive.

4. Consider your Christ-likeness: While we are not to compare ourselves to one another for the sake of building ourselves up or tearing down a brother, there is something we are asked to compare ourselves to - Christ Himself. Am I moving towards His likeness or away from it? 

Have you every watched a fly fisherman? Cast out, reel in. Cast out, reel in. It's a continuous motion. We are cast out there in this sinful world. This is not our home. We are aliens in a foreign land under constant assault by the deceiver; and so we continually "reel in" to God's truths. Let's help each other not let down our guard in this perverse and evil generation.

Coaching points (Try to allow yourself the opportunity to respond to one question before proceeding to the next):

How have you ascribed glory to God in the past week?

How do you want to ascribe glory to Him today?

How have you held to Truth in the past 24 hours?

Where is God calling you to greater obedience?

What do you want to change?

When will you make that change?