To God Alone

We all like to think that we're doing the best we can.  We try to be successful with our families and in our jobs.  But did you ever stop and think about who gave you the ability to work hard?  What about who gave you the talents that you use everyday at work?  Your ability to be strong during struggles?  Your peace in hectic times? 

Didn't all of those gifts come from God?  Of course they did!  So, why do we always praise ourselves for the great jobs we are doing?  We should be praising and thanking and giving the glory to Him!

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)     But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

This verse reminds us that without God, we are insubstantial and weak.  It is only through His power and His grace that we are able to be worth anything. 

If we rely on our own selves and our own strength, we will fail and falter.  It is only through His grace that we are able to accomplish anything.  It is important for us to remember that it is through God that we are blessed; it is through God that we persevere, it is through God that we move forward.  It is not by our own strength.
   
I pray that you find the humility to admit that everything in your life is because of God.  Thank Him for your victories, thank Him for being faithful through your trials, and thank Him for His unending power and mercy.

Let God take over for your weaknesses and let Him work through your life.  After all, when we allow God to be the Lord of our lives, He doesn't fail.   

To God Alone by Aaron Shust     Can You take me by the hand?  Can You use me as I am?  Break me into who You want me to be.  When the time is finally right, will You open up my eyes?  Show me everything You want me to see.  This life is not my own.  To God alone be the glory.  To God alone be the praise.  Everything I say and do, let it be all for You.  The glory is Yours alone, Yours alone.  Take the offering I bring.  You want more than what I sing.  Can I give You every part of me?  Turn these pennies into gold.  Take this life I call my own, until I'm running after Your heart.  I'm needing to let go.  To God alone be the glory.  To God alone be the praise.  Everything I say and do, let it be all for You.  The glory is Yours alone, Yours alone. We will rise and we will fall; but You remain after all.  You're glorious and beautiful.  You're beautiful.

So the next time you receive a compliment on a job well done or when you find success in an area of your life, stop and consider who really deserves the praise?  Remind yourself that it wasn't through your own ability that you succeeded; God deserves the praise and thanks.  Give the glory to Him for what he has done!