Monday 7 Apr 2008

Monday Reading: Proverbs 31:29-31
 
Key Verse: Proverbs 31:29
29  Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.
 
Devotion:
If you have time today, read through verses 10 to 28; they describe the virtues of a good woman. If anyone could ever keep up to this description, then they would truly be one to look up to, but when we read these last three verses of the chapter a new light is shed on the preceding verses. Is this not talking about the virtues of the church rather than a single person? Many daughters have done well, or many daughters have gathered riches as some bibles will put it. When we look at the churches around the world, we see a very varied mix. We see the super rich churches that will make sure that they are seen as the biggest and best – but are they true to God in their hearts?
 
We have looked at us being true to God in our own hearts, carrying those true feelings through to the whole church would then make a group of Christians that are true to God. Being true to God would by necessity mean that we uphold God above any riches, above any places, above any person. If they are not doing that, then you should be asking whether they are a virtuous church…
 
The church of Christ, the group of people that believe in Jesus Christ and uphold Him as part of the Godhead, excels in all virtuous points making sure that God is held above everything in life. Making sure that favours are done for others to gain their trust, making sure that pomp and ceremony go before worshipping God, making sure that glamour and glitz are shown instead of God’s word all make for a deceitful church; one that is surely deceiving themselves before they realise what is happening. A church that fears God will be blessed in God’s eyes; they may not necessarily prove profitable nor give a “good show”, but they certainly know who to worship!
 
If we want to make sure that God is the one that is impressed, we have to bow down before Him with reverence and fear. As a society, church, group or individual, we all need to lift Christ up as head of our church and give Him all the praise and glory that is due to Him…
 
Points to Ponder:
What sort of things do you do in preference to meeting with other Christians?
 
What sort of message are you giving to God?