NOT OURSELVES, BUT CHRIST
Today’s Text: For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5)Today’s Thoughts: We live to exalt Christ. When we preach or witness we do so in order to exalt Christ, not ourselves. We are but the humble instruments that the Lord has chosen to use to proclaim Himself to the world. Our hearers are meant to see through us and see Christ and Christ alone. Our priority is to show Christ to the world – it does not matter if the world sees the messenger as odd, as long as they see Christ. We need to proclaim Christ to a lost and dying world at all costs. Show them God – show them God’s heart.
Today’s Testimony: Usually when I speak in public I am open and honest (not that I’m not always honest when speaking, but I probably don’t always open up totally if it’s unnecessary). Then afterwards I feel so transparent, by which I mean that others can see right inside me and see a better glimpse of who I am, faults and all.
One night after presenting a topic to a group of people, I said to the Lord, “O Lord, I feel so transparent.” The Lord then said to me, “Good, you’re supposed to be. They’re meant to see right through you and see Me.” Then I said, “That’s not what I meant, but thanks Lord.”
Yes I might have revealed a bit of my human nature; yes others may have been able to see that Lindy isn’t perfect – but that’s a good thing. Only my God is truly perfect. If I had to share pieces about myself, good and bad, in order for my God to be glorified then that’s the way it must be. Whenever I speak I am simply the messenger. I am not important – the one who gave the message is. I preach Christ and Him alone. I am nothing worthy of praise. But my God deserves total praise. I hope that as you have been reading and as you continue reading Today’s T’s you see right through this messenger and see Christ. Every testimony is shared in order to reveal how great my God is. My God truly is great!
Today’s Task: Preach Christ. Don’t allow others to think highly of you as a messenger. Exalt Christ and Christ alone. Share Him with the world. Tell them how great your God is. Do not get discouraged if the world thinks poorly of you as a person – make sure you are living for Christ and then focus on exalting Him. Ask the Lord to help you to become and stay transparent so that all those you speak to will only hear Christ’s message and see Christ. Reveal to the world your God of love. Introduce them to your Saviour.
Today’s Thanks: O Lord I praise You that we do not have to worry about what the world thinks of us – all that matters is that they get a true picture of You. Help us to live our lives so that all can see You in us. Help us to proclaim You and You alone. Please Lord, help us to die to self so that we never want to exalt ourselves but only You. Teach us to be humble servants of Yours. I thank You that You have given us the privilege of showing Your true character to the world. Lord I praise You because You are all-worthy of praise. We love You Lord. Amen.
