Honor!

Today I want to talk about honor. There is something inside all of us that wants to be valued and honored. We were created for it. Hebrews says, "What is man that You are mindful of him. You have made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor and given him authority over all things." From the moment of conception we were created for glory and honor and authority, but I don't see that happening in our world right now.

Jesus said that if I testify of my self, my testimony is not valid. We cannot give honor to ourselves. It doesn't work that way. It is not valid. Then He said, "There is another that testifies of Me, and his testimony is valid." Jesus was talking about John the Baptist, who gave honor and glory to Him wherever He went. So others can give us honor and glory, and their testimony is valid. BUT Jesus went on to say that He had no need of any human testimony. What?!? It does not matter if man gives us honor and glory or not. Man may or may not be able to see who we are, and it does not matter if they don't see. Jesus then went on to say, "But I have a greater witness than John - My teachings and My miracles. The Father gave Me these works to accomplish, and they prove that He sent Me. And the Father who sent Me has testified about Me Himself." (John 5).

When we follow Jesus, the Father, Himself, gives testimony that we are His. Our teachings and our miracles testify that God is with us. He gave us works to do, and He goes before us to prepare the way. He sends His Word that is Spirit and Life, and miracles happen. God is glorified, and so is His son or daughter. It is a sweet gig, BUT I still want to talk about honor.

God said, "I will not give My honor to another." We have to give Him honor for what He does, and He does it all. Every good thing comes from the Father of lights with which there is no shadow of turning. So we have to acknowledge God in all we do. It is His work. We just get to help. So what about the honor that belongs to us? We cannot testify about ourselves. That doesn't work. It is not valid. BUT then I started thinking about all the times that God COMMANDS us to honor people. Honor your father and your mother. Wives, honor your husbands. Honor those who are in authority. Honor all people for the LORD's sake. WHAT?!?

When we set our heart to honor people, we are really honoring God. People were created to be honored and glorified, and we get to do it. I know in my lifetime honor has nearly completely disappeared, but I want to help restore honor. That's why I wrote that tribute to my brother yesterday. Both of my brothers are worthy of great honor and glory - so is my husband - so are my children and my grandchildren and all of my daughters-in-law. The LORD has been kind and gracious to our family. But yesterday was my brother Rusty Howell's birthday and it was also Chris Winn's birthday, so I started thinking about Chris. Chris also is a man deserving of great honor and glory. From the time we were kids till now, everything that I have ever seen him do or heard people say about him has put this man above reproach. He works hard. He loves his family. He is self sacrificing. (Now I am on the outside looking in, but everything I am saying here I believe with all my heart.)

Can I challenge you to look around? Will you ask God to give you new eyes to see and new ears to heart and a new heart to understand how amazing the people you know are? I want to really see people. I want to see past the mistakes or the addictions or the mess ups. I want to see into the heart of a person who is made in the image of God and created for great honor and glory. I want to be the one to bring honor and glory to people. I have fallen so short in this area. God, please forgive me. Now I want to walk in this great work. I am hoping that others will join me.
Blessings my friends. May honor and glory fill your heart, too, and may it spill out onto others! I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN
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Terri