From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God. Self cannot satisfy self. We must hunger for God.
This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God. Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.
When Corrie Ten Boom was asked about her fame, she pointed to God’s plans. Her way of handling adulation was to take each compliment as a flower, and then gather them all in a bouquet and give them back to Jesus by saying,
“Here Lord, they belong to you.”
Day 3: Fasting Praise
Our human nature loves the attention of praise. Praise is like a warm hug for our emotions. However, we must remember the insatiable need for praise can become evil when we use it to exalt self—make it self-serving. The proper way to steward praise and the attention we gain is to remember all gifts come from God. When we receive praise, it is an opportunity to turn the attention back to God for his glory. In this way, we participate in increasing more people’s view of Jesus.
Corrie Ten Boom was a WWII holocaust surviver who never set her devotion for the Lord aside. Corrie, her father, and her sister Betsy lived in Holland where they hid and sheltered many Jews. Eventually, the Nazi’s captured them and they were taken to a concentration camp. Only Corrie survived the camp. She authored the book “The Hiding Place” and received great praise for her work and endurance on behalf of the Jews. She served as a great inspiration for many people during challenging times. She graciously accepted the praise, but continually redirected the praise back to the Lord knowing his love had kept her strong in the midst of her darkest days.
In our passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus told his disciples he would lay down his life in order to reveal God’s power over death, as well as his supernatural ability to give eternal life to all who would humble self and call upon his name. Jesus denied his desire for self and obeyed the plan of God for the praise and glory of the Father. His life was like a bouquet of praise that he handed to Father God. Now, we live, move, and have our being in Christ (Acts 17:28). So, each praise we receive can be gathered like a flower, and placed into a bouquet of praise for our precious Savior, Jesus.
Today, we will make an effort to fast praise by receiving it graciously and then redirecting it. We are not rejecting praise we are simply pointing to Jesus who is the One who genuinely deserves it. This world we live in needs to hear our heartfelt praise of the Lord.
John 12:20-28 NLT Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.” [redirected praise]
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”
Prayer: Lord, we praise you, today. You are the Source of every good and perfect gift we have ever received; you have generously placed each gift within us. So today, we give you the praise you alone deserve. With every praise we receive, we will redirect it to you for your honor and glory. May the praise we redirect transform us and make us more like you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.