Who Gets the Credit?

                                                                           by Dr. D. James Kennedy

“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory…”
— Psalm 115:1 kjv

Chuck Swindoll once pointed out that President Reagan had this saying on a plaque on his desk: “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”

In contrast, envy limits itself to that for which we will get the glory. Think of all the times the apostles argued among themselves over one thing—which of them was the greatest? Jesus rebuked them for that and told them that the greatest among them was the servant of all.

If anybody just sits on their God-given gifts because they are concerned that maybe people will not praise them, they are sinning. We should use the talents and opportunities God has gifted us with on a regular basis. If you’re concerned about who gets the credit, then remember what we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “… For Thine is…the glory.” What is the point of any of our accomplishments? The Psalmist tells us: “Not unto us, Oh Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory.” If we live free from the worry of who gets top billing, of who notices us, of how well we are doing by some worldly status criterion, we can do much more work for the Lord.

So whatever task you find at hand, do it with all your might. And do it for God’s glory and others’ good. God knows what you do, and He will repay you.

Father God, give us strength for today to serve You diligently, even if we aren’t always recognized for it here on earth. Thank You, Lord, You who sees all, for being a just God. Let everything we do be truly for Your glory…

BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN
SERVE ANONYMOUSLY.

 

The Annihilation of Christians

‘The Annihilation of Christians’ Armenian Believers Cut Off from Humanitarian Aid By Billy Hallowell “The situation is now very, very serious. Indeed, it has been said by people, it may indeed be an impending genocide.” Those foreboding words from Baroness Caroline Cox, a prominent member of the U.K. House of Lords, summarize the state of affairs in Nagorno-Karabakh. It’s been more than two months since Azerbaijani protestors blocked the only road into this small, landlocked region preventing the transport of food, medicine, and other essential needs. “I’m afraid it’s a continuity of aggression by Azerbaijan against the Armenians,” Cox told CBN’s Faithwire. “The netherland of Nagorno-Karabakh was relocated by Stalin inside Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan has been trying to carry out ethnic cleansing of the Armenians from there for a long time.” As the blockade persists, the 120,000 predominantly Armenian Christians living there are suffering and pleading for assistance. ​​“The shortage of food is now getting desperate,” Cox said. “The shortage of medicines is very, very serious, especially medicines like insulin, for people with diabetes and the transfer of patients from Karabakh into Armenia needing urgent medical treatment that has been very, very much stymied.” She continued, “It is a very dire situation indeed.” Gayane Beglarian’s 4-year-old daughter, Monika, suffers from liver cancer. Gayane recently sounded the alarm about her child being trapped inside Nagorno-Karabakh and risked missing life-saving treatment. “We were frightened,” she said. “And we were really worried about the situation, because her life depends on this treatment.” After weeks of anxiously awaiting transport, the Red Cross helped the family exit. Still, Gayane warns other ailing residents need help. “We have no necessary equipment; we have no doctors,” she said. “We don’t have doctors who can come there and have necessary treatment.” Listen to the latest episode of CBN’s Quick Start podcast 👇 Cox also warned about another element of the crisis — the potential destruction of Christian churches, historic landmarks, and entire cultures. “This could be another stage of genocide, destruction of Christian people, destruction of Christian heritage,” she said. “And we need to pray.” Cox continued, “The annihilation of Christians is very much part of the agenda of getting rid of the Christians. And that’s one of the things that the Armenians are really worried about, because they will lose part of their unique Christian heritage.” As the chaos continues, prayers for peace, eased tensions, and resolution are desperately needed.

September 29

Fortunes rise and fortunes fall. Whether we are able to live our lives in the lap of luxury or whether we are privileged to live our lives totally dependant upon the mercy of God for each day’s need—no matter how our lives may look externally to anyone observing our journey from birth to eternity—our circumstances are subject to change.

The wealthy man who thinks he shall have need of nothing can become like so many during the Great Depression whose reversals of fortune were too much for them to bear. The poor man who anticipates nothing but one day of want followed by another may become the recipient of a windfall that transforms his life.

Nothing is absolute but God Himself. Nothing is sure except His promises. As we stand on the unshakable Word of the God who cannot fail and cannot lie, we are secure in a world that leaves little room for confidence in our circumstances. No matter how the details of life may ebb and flow, we remain unshakable in our expectation of Jesus’ promises.

The Word says in Philippians 1:6, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you shall perfect it until the day of Jesus’ appearing.” No matter what joys or disappointments we may have in life, if we have placed our lives at the feet of the Lord, He shall work every aspect of our lives toward the glorious realization of all His perfection –not merely in time but in eternity.