Glorifying God

So recently, I've just come back home from our church retreat and God has been speaking to me more about glorifying Him. Psalm 51 was mentioned, about giving a broken spirit and a contrite heart. That true worship comes from our brokenness in Christ and that as a result we will receive healing from Him. Also that we need to worship God in acceptable ways. For a lot of the OT, God despised the offerings given to Him because they were not REAL worship. Doing things in an unworthy manner where the heart did not glorify God...this is not what He wants. We need to be living fruitful lives in Christ, drawing strength from His sacrifice, His resurrection and His hope. The same power which rose Christ from the dead also resides and works within us!

Another thing that has really challenged me is glorifying God in our sufferings. John Piper said "God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him". This is a great quote on it's own as it teaches us to rejoice in Christ. However, often the next part of the quote is neglected, that is, "...in our sufferings". This, takes it to a completely different level. So often we will praise God when we have it all, when we have plenty but what about in sufferings? If the Holy Spirit does live in us then we will have a hope that surpasses all understanding, a hope that does not disappoint. We need to examine ourselves and ask, is God enough? Are we satisfied with just God? or do we need other things as well? As Job said...

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."

Likewise, we need to do this, we need to know that God is enough and rediscover that joy that befell us when we He first found us. Only then can we bring God a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart...worship and offerings that are acceptable to our God.



...On a side note, Church retreat was decent, the Lake District was amazing, check my facebook for photos!