JUNE THEME – “SEEING UNITY FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
CHRIST IS MY GLORY
“My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.” — Psalm 34:2
“The LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.” — Isaiah 60:19
Every person glories in something. Some glory in their accomplishments, while others glory in their careers, possessions, appearance, education, ministry, family, influence, or reputation. Yet every earthly source of glory is temporary. Beauty fades, strength weakens, wealth disappears, accomplishments are eventually forgotten, and the applause of people quickly fades away. As believers, however, we have discovered a glory that never changes—Jesus Christ Himself. When Christ becomes our glory, our identity is no longer built upon what we have done but upon what He has done through His death, burial, and resurrection. We no longer live for the approval of people but for the pleasure of God. There is incredible freedom in realizing that our greatest treasure, our greatest accomplishment, and our greatest reason for rejoicing is Christ alone. The more we glory in Christ, the less we feel the need to glory in ourselves.
Christ Is My Identity
Our world constantly pressures us to define ourselves by what we do, what we own, or what others think about us. Careers, possessions, talents, achievements, and even ministry can quietly become the source of our identity. We begin measuring our worth by our success instead of by our Savior. Scripture teaches something wonderfully different. Because of Christ we are forgiven, accepted, redeemed, adopted into God’s family, and made heirs with Him. When Jesus becomes our glory, we no longer spend our lives trying to prove our worth or earn acceptance. The cross forever settled our value in the eyes of God. We can rest in His finished work rather than exhausting ourselves trying to establish our own significance. Our greatest boast is no longer, “Look who I am,” but “Look whose I am.” That truth brings tremendous freedom. We are free from comparison because Christ is enough, free from insecurity because His love is unchanging, and free from pride because every blessing we possess is a gift of His grace. When Christ is my glory, my identity is secure because it rests in Him rather than in me.
Christ Is My Confidence
When Christ becomes our glory, He also becomes our confidence. Life has a way of humbling every one of us. Plans fail, health declines, relationships disappoint us, opportunities disappear, and eventually we discover that our own strength is not enough. If our confidence rests in ourselves, discouragement is inevitable. That is why Paul declared, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Although Paul possessed remarkable credentials, education, influence, and extraordinary accomplishments, he refused to place his confidence in any of them. His confidence rested entirely in Jesus Christ. The same must be true of us. Our confidence is not found in our abilities, wisdom, experience, or even our faithfulness. It rests in the One who never changes. When Christ is your glory, you can remain steady even when everything around you is uncertain because your confidence is anchored in His unchanging character. The stronger your confidence in Christ becomes, the less dependent you become upon the praise and approval of people.
Christ Is My Greatest Joy
Not only is Christ our identity and confidence, He is also our greatest joy. Many people spend their lives chasing happiness through possessions, accomplishments, relationships, or favorable circumstances, only to discover that none of those things can satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart. David understood this when he declared, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” When Christ becomes the supreme affection of our hearts, worship is no longer a duty but a delight. Prayer becomes fellowship rather than obligation. Obedience becomes joyful rather than burdensome. Service becomes an expression of gratitude instead of mere responsibility. We discover that Jesus is not merely preparing a place for us in Heaven—He Himself is our greatest reward. The more we delight ourselves in Christ, the less attractive the temporary pleasures of this world become. Nothing compares to knowing Him, walking with Him, and bringing Him glory.
Imagine a child proudly holding a trophy he has won. He carefully protects it because it represents what he values most. Many adults spend their entire lives polishing trophies that will one day collect dust—careers, possessions, titles, recognition, accomplishments, and earthly success. But the believer possesses something infinitely greater. Our greatest boast is not what we have achieved but what Christ accomplished at Calvary. His grace is our trophy. His cross is our boast. His resurrection is our victory. That glory will never tarnish, never fade, and never be taken away.
One day every earthly glory will disappear. The homes we built, the money we accumulated, the titles we earned, and the applause we received will all be left behind. Only Christ will remain. May our testimony never be, “Look what I accomplished,” but always, “Look what Jesus has done.” When Christ becomes our glory, we are set free from comparison, pride, and insecurity so that we can worship Him with undivided hearts. Our greatest joy becomes making much of Jesus rather than making much of ourselves. May we echo the words of the Apostle Paul: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Warfare Prayer
Heavenly Father, today I surrender every false source of glory in my life. Forgive me for the times I have found my identity in accomplishments, recognition, possessions, ministry, or the approval of others instead of in Christ alone. In the mighty name of Jesus, I renounce every spirit of pride, comparison, insecurity, self-promotion, and fear of rejection. I declare that my identity, my confidence, and my joy are found in Jesus Christ and His finished work upon the cross. Let every part of my life point others to Him instead of to me. Teach me to decrease so that Christ may increase. May every word I speak, every decision I make, and every victory I experience bring honor and glory to Your name alone. Make my life a continual testimony that Christ is my glory. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Throughout today, pay attention to what your heart naturally boasts in. Whenever you are tempted to seek recognition, defend your reputation, compare yourself with someone else, or find your worth in your accomplishments, quietly whisper these words: “Christ is my glory.” Then thank Him for His grace, praise Him for His faithfulness, and intentionally give Him the glory for every blessing, every opportunity, and every victory. Let your life proclaim the words of John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Sarah Brock
Brad & Karen Slane
Dale Suemnicht
Kim McClain’s Family
Susan Bankston
Ann Stanley
Aston Savage
Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer
Christopher & Yting Kelley
Danny Jarrard
David Franklin
Dinay Rodriguez
Ellen Boyd
Jean Muehlfelt
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Mary Williams
Nancy Riley
Phillip Roach
Amy Garner’s Dad
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Annette Ford
Brando Echarte
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Deon Lotter
Don And Karelle Franklin – Mae’s Cousins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards
Ed Franklin’s Son In Law – Heart Surgery
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
Gloria Young
James Burnette
Jean Partee
Jean Partee’s Sister
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
Joni Oberhage
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nancy Brown
Nora Allison
Paul Bateman
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Roach
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tammy Shelnutt
Tom Witcher