Monthly Devotion - April 2025
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S GLORY IN OUR WORSHIP
" ...; I looked and saw the glory of the Lord filling the temple of the Lord, and I fell facedown." (Ezekiel 44:4b NIV)
April 2025 is the month of commemoration of Easter, namely the commemoration of the day of Christ's resurrection from death. Without Christ's Resurrection there would be no holy and indestructible message of eternal salvation. That's why the Bible says, "Death has been swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who has given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord" (I Corinthians 15:54-57). And immediately after Jesus rose, His disciples preached from East to West the news of Christ's victory over death (Mark 16:8). The news of Christ's resurrection is the news of glory that is preached from East to West. Likewise in these last days, this holy and indestructible news, meaning the news of Christ's glory, is also being preached throughout the world. If Jesus in the past through His disciples preached the news of His mighty resurrection from East to West, then in this present time He wants us to also be willing to convey the holy and indestructible news of salvation that is only in Jesus. This is a very special mission task for every church that wants to continue to experience the power of Christ's resurrection to bring about great change. Great change (Transformation) can occur when His house is filled with the glory of God in which everyone bows down and worships God (Ezekiel 44:4 b). Likewise, through us as true worshipers (John 4:23-24), Jesus can work great changes that bring glory to His name. This is not impossible, but it is a reality that can happen when we can prove that we have a good way of life (moral excellence) on the day when God visits a city and nation. Peter's advice addressed to Jewish immigrants who were abroad confirms this, "My beloved brothers, I advise you, that as immigrants and foreigners, you abstain from the desires of the flesh which war against the soul. Have a good way of life among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they can see it in your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits them." (I Peter 2:11-12). This is very much in line with God's purpose who has called us to become individuals who are increasingly transformed into greater glory (2 Corinthians 3:18), so that people can see our good deeds (moral excellence) and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). A good way of life is proven through a good relationship with God through prayer, praise and worship in spirit and truth as He wishes. And what will result from this is the conversion of souls as when the morally depraved woman was transformed by the power of God into a true worshiper (John 4:39-42). For this reason, let us rise up to fulfil our vision together as His church by being willing to become true worshipers and preach the holy and indestructible news of eternal salvation through the power of our prayer, praise and worship. The power of prayer, praise and worship that glorifies His name can result in major transformation of cities and nations. Happy Easter, the Lord Jesus has risen and let us be a generation that continues to glorify God. Amen!
By Pastor Silwanus Obadja M.Th.
...Monthly
Devotion - March 2025