"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink,
or WHATSOEVER YE DO,
DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD."
 - I Corinthians 10:31

Before I get into today's devotional I want to ask you five questions?
1. Why do you participate in your favorite hobby?
2. Why do you work at your job?
3. Why do you communicate with friends and family?
4. Why do you pray?
5. Why do you want God to answer your prayers?

What is our purpose in life?  Have you ever thought about that question?  When I ask that question to Christians, there are alot of different answers.  Some respond, "To win the lost to Christ."  That's a great thing to do, but that's not our sole purpose in life.  If it were, then when I play tennis with my saved friend, with no one else around, I would not be able to fulfil that purpose.  

So, what is our purpose in life?  "To do good works," others might say.  That's another great thing to do, but again, it's not the sole purpose in life.  If it were, then when I am watching television or eating supper or driving down the interstate I would not be able to fulfil that purpose.

What, then, is our purpose in life?  Still others might venture, "To mature as a Christian, to grow closer to the Lord."  Great answer!  But, not the sole purpose in life.  If it were, then when I am on the job with my mind focused on the work at hand I don't necessarily fulfil that purpose.

There are a lot of things that you and I, as Christians, are to do on earth, but there is only one sole purpose.  What is that purpose?  To glorify God.  That's why you and I are here...to bring glory to Him.

You see, I can glorify God when I play tennis by playing honestly, exhibiting good sportsmanship and praising Him in success or failure.  I can glorify God when I am watching television by choosing appropriate programming and not allowing it to become a priority over Him.  I can glorify God while I am eating by thanking Him and asking His blessing , by sharing with others and by eating in ways to promote good health.  I can even glorify God by driving down the interstate by observing the speed limit and other traffic laws and being a courteous driver to others.  I can glorify God on the job by being a good employee, honest and dependable and by serving as an example for others to see in my speech and actions.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "WHATSOEVER ye do, do all to the GLORY OF GOD."  Whatever it is that you are doing today, do it in such a way that God will receive glory in it.  You see, the daily activities like tennis, television, lunch, travel, work and others can be used to either dishonor God or bring glory to God.  The question is, what do our activities bring to Him?

God really opened my eyes to something  by asking me, through His Holy Spirit, a very simple question:  "Why do you do the things you do?"  This launched into a conversation that went something like this:

ME:   "What do you mean, God?"  I pondered.
GOD:  "Why do you do the things you do?  Why do you play tennis?"
ME:   "Because I enjoy the game and because I need the exercise."
GOD: "Why do you work?"
ME:   "To support my family."
GOD: "Why do you visit your sister?"
ME: "I enjoy her company."
GOD: "Why do you pray?"
ME: "Because of needs that I and others have."
GOD:  "Why do you want those needs met?"
ME: "Because I don't want Bob to have cancer and because I'd like to see Susan get that new job and because little Suzy is in a lot of pain and because our church needs to get right     with you and..."
GOD: "Why do you do the things that you do?"
ME:  "I don't think I understand."
GOD: "You're right about that."
 
God made His point.  If my sole purpose in life is to glorify Him (and that includes witnessing, soul-winning, good works, as well as everything else in my life), then why is it that so few of the things that I do, I do because I want to glorify Him?  Why is it that there are always "other reasons" that come to mind when asked "why do you...", instead of the reason, "I want to glorify God...in everything I do"?

Think about your responses to the five questions that I asked at the beginning of this devotional.  What were your answers?  Did you answer on all five, "To glorify God," or were your answers similar to mine?  Why do we do the things we do?  Because of various reasons, or because of one reason?

Today, as you go through your day, take some time to think about how you can do the various activities to bring glory to the Lord.  When you make a decision, do it to glorify Him.  When you speak, speak to bring Him glory.  Let your actions be provoked to exalt the Lord.  Handle your problems, hardships and adversities in such a way that Christ is honored.

Oh, that our minds would focus in on lifting up the Name of Jesus in what we say and do.  Wouldn't it be great, wouldn't it be wonderful to stand before Jesus Christ on that day and when He asks, "Why did you do the things you did back on Thursday, October 28, 1999 and everyday after?" that we could answer with a smile, "I did it to glorify You, my Lord."

That's the purpose for living!

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!