Author: Dr Glen

What Ever

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (NKJV)

Three of the gospels record Mary (the sister of Martha and Lazarus) with the act of anointing Jesus with oil.

John 12:3 “Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”

Mary performed this act to signal her devotion, and may not have realized the significance of what she was doing. Mary’s act of anointing Jesus, symbolized the anticipation of His death and burial, also the anointing of Jesus by Mary can also be looked at as an act of worship.

Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men (people pleasing) Vs 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Incentive: something that motivates or encourages one to do something or work harder.

Mary had the incentive to use expensive oil contained in an expensive container, not being concerned about the cost of the oil or the container.

1^st Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”

Motivation: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

Mary was motivated to do what she did as an act of worship, and not to impress Jesus or others that were there in the house.

1^st Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”      

Priorities: the order of importance of doing things.

Mary’s priority was focused on doing what honored Jesus, and not being discouraged about the comments or what people were saying about why she was using the expensive oil, or breaking the alabaster flask.

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Often time’s people will question your actions because what they see you doing does not make sense to them. One of the disciples, Judas asked the question “why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Financial gain should not always be the incentive, motivation or the priority for a person’s actions.

Father in heaven, may both our words and deeds magnify and glorify you, and be pleasing in your eyesight, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

He didn’t compromise

Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”

A definition of compromise is; “to accept standards that are lower than desirable, or to weaken or give up one’s principles, values, or ideas as for reasons of expediency.”

Daniel not only refused to “compromise” his daily custom of praying, he continued to do it in front of opened windows where he could be clearly seen by others.  

He could have easily “compromised” and gone to a different place to pray, or close the windows to not be seen by others.

The 6^th chapter of Daniel gives a detailed story of how Daniel rose to a position of authority over others.

Daniel was a favorite of the king. He had experience, wisdom, a sense of history, great leadership abilities, a positive attitude and revelation from God. Daniel 6:3 “Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirt was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.”

Individuals plotted against Daniel to have him cast into the lion’s den; Vs 7 “All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.”

Daniel was saved from the lions because of God’s intervention; Vs 22 ^“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

This fate that should killed Daniel, wound up destroying those that had plotted against Daniel along with their families; Vs 24 ^“And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.”

God gets the glory out of it all; Vs 26 “I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.”

Often times it might cost something to stand up for the values that a persons has. As we see in the story of Daniel, the price that might be paid can be the threat of losing ones life.

Daniel 6:16 “So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions.”

On several occasions I have heard the term “count the cost.” Daniel did not hesitate to “count the cost” when he heard that the writing was signed, he immediately went to his regular place of prayer and started praying.

On any given occasion, a person will be given the opportunity to compromise the values that they have. Like with Daniel, when we trust and have faith in God to protect and deliver us, there is no need to “compromise” or worry about the outcome of not compromising.

Lord Jesus, we stand on your word that you “Will never leave us or forsake us, and you are a friend that sticks closer that a brother. May we always be reminded of the example that was set by your servant Daniel. In Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev