Christian Writers Circle

Seeking to Walk in His Glory
by Brenda D. Flowers

John 17: 4, NKJV I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

In my quiet time recently, I meditated on these words and asked this question in prayer, “Heavenly Father, what are you saying to me through these words of Jesus?” I waited in quiet and this is what I experienced.

First, my heart filled up with thanksgiving, “Thank you for sending Jesus to reveal who You are to all mankind. You are my life. You are my love. You are my hope. You are my joy. You are my all in all.”

Then, inside I felt a longing to follow Jesus’ example, to be in communion with Abba every day. “Abba, thank you for creating me to be Your child. What a loving heavenly Father You are! You don’t want me or anyone to be stuck in fear, doubt, or loneliness.”

Next, I realized more deeply how Jesus modeled how to receive from His Father and how to respond to the people God put in His path.

“Abba, You chose to reveal Your glory in Your Son and You have chosen to reveal Your glory in Your created image bearers, human beings. We are here on earth for great purpose. We are meant to have a deep relationship with You and to illuminate Your glory.”

“I ask You now, heavenly Father, ‘Am I revealing Your glory?’”

“Am I getting up each day realizing the amazing purpose I have for being alive?”

“Am I keeping my eyes on Jesus, trusting His anointed words revealed in scriptures?”

I knew at that moment, this was my sincere desire. As I meditated, I realized more deeply the truth that God our heavenly Father had given Jesus direction for where to go, whom to meet, what to say, and when to respond in words or actions. God’s Holy Spirit can do the same for me because He abides in me.

I pray again, “God, I want to reveal Your Glory so that the lost may be found, the sick may be healed, and the bound may be loosed.”

“Jesus, thank you again for Your creative, life-giving words and obedient actions. Thank you, today, for revealing to me by Your Spirit how to give God glory. I trust You to use these faithful words even now to touch the hearts of many.”

Write for His Glory
by Judy Hitson

Psalm 96:3 NLT Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

Is God calling you to write or speak for His glory? Or is God calling you to serve Him in other ways? Whatever God calls you to do or how He has gifted you, I bid you blessings to have courage and confidence in Christ to tell everyone about the amazing things He does in your life. To God be the glory, great things He has done.

As a testimony, I share with you the profound words of Psalm 96:3 NLT. This verse and translation were displayed as the logo at my first writers conference several years ago. My sister said I had a gift of writing and made arrangements for us to go. These words are still a call on my life from God.

At that conference in the midst of fear, I hoped to become a Christian author to encourage women.  Afraid because I knew nothing about writing for publication, the Spirit  nudged me to tell everyone about the amazing things God does in my life as I surrender to Him. Sharing with women my life stories of God’s grace and mercy grant understanding that what God did for me, He will do for them.

Washed by the blood of Jesus, knowing His everlasting love is greater than all my sins, I feared telling others sins of my past if I became a writer. At the conference I was nervous talking with editors, agents and writers. It was intimidating and humbling to tell my God stories as well as enter an unfamiliar field.

With childlike faith in Jesus Christ, I came to know the Lord as an adult. The glory of the Lord came upon me listening to Christian radio. I sensed the glory of God’s presence. Women I met at my local church were instrumental for me to mature in Christ. They invited me to weekly prayer time, Bible studies and weekend retreats. They blessed me as mentors and in discipleship. I also learned the importance of journaling  my journey of faith.

Now I look to Jesus, the Author and finisher of my faith to give Him glory for mighty things He has done. It is Christ in me the hope of glory that enables me to shed shame and blame to live for His glory, not mine. He helps me heed the call to write for His glory. Whether writing a personal note, card, message or publishing a devotional or article, it is glorious when anointed by the Spirit of God living in me. Whatever I do, I am learning to do it to the glory of God.

Prayer: Lord be glorified in me.

2 Thess. 1:10-12 NASB when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed–for our testimony to you was believed. To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Glory Revealed
By Brenda D. Flowers

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory
as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1: 14, NKJV)

John, who recorded these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was one of the closest disciples of Jesus, often called His beloved disciple. He was a young man when he started his walk with Jesus. John listened and learned from Jesus as he followed Him.

John’s gospel reveals the glory of Jesus in ways that the other three gospels do not. It reveals Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God. This gospel shows how He revealed God’s glory by doing His Father’s will for His life on earth.

John witnessed firsthand the ministry of Jesus and grew in his faith. John was with Jesus when He performed His first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.John traveled with Him to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration and saw the zeal He had for keeping the temple in Jerusalem a place of worship. John, on many occasions, overheard Jesus’s words to the Jewish leaders. I wonder if he heard Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus, when Jesus shared how to become born again.

In those early days of following Jesus, I believe John empathized with the hurt and rejection Jesus experienced as many of their own people, the Jews, did not recognize Him as the Messiah.

John must have experienced joy when a large group of Samaritans at Sychar invited Jesus to spend time with them. They came to Jesus because of the testimony of a Samaritan woman who believed Jesus was the Messiah.  After hearing Jesus themselves, they became the first large group of people to receive the gift of salvation and openly confess Jesus as Messiah and Savior. I imagine the celebration which must have transpired, both in heaven and on earth, as God was glorified.

John, by watching Jesus, saw how He went away to a place of isolation to spend time with His Heavenly Father in prayer. Many of the prayers of Jesus are recorded in this fourth gospel.

Jesus led by example. Let us learn from these prayers of Jesus as recorded in John, Chapter 17.

His Personal Prayer:
John 17:3-5, NKJV, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You,
the only True God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You
Have given Me to do.
And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which
I had with You before the world was.”

His Prayer for His Disciples:
John 17:8-9a, NKJV, “For I have given to them the words which
You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that
I came forth from You; and they believed that You sent Me. I pray for them.”

His Prayer for Future Believers:
John 17: 20-22, 26, NKJV“I do not pray for these, alone, but
also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;
that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe You sent Me.
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be
one just as we are one: . . .
. . . And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love
with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17: 20-22,26, NKJV)

May the revelation of God’s glory be illuminated in our hearts as we trust the words of Jesus. That is my prayer for all of us.

Glory of Jesus Christ
by Judy Hitson

John 1:14 Amplified Bible (AMP) And the Word (Christ)became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).

Let’s wrap our hearts around this version of John 1:14. For me, it not only touches my heart but goes deep in my spirit as I consider the reality of “the only One of His kind.”In a Bible study years ago, I learned the four gospels reveal four aspects of Jesus. John reveals the deity of  Jesus Christ.

For February I wrote, “When Glory Came Down.” The angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in the field with the good news, “a Savior has been born to you.” This good news was for all the people. (see Lk.2:10) That includes you and me. The gospel of Luke reveals Jesus as a Man. Let us follow Him. Perhaps meditating on this good news, Luke 2:2-20, you will treasure up all these things in your heart like Mary.

Think of Him, “full of grace and truth,” absolutely free of deception. He is truth, there is no lie found in Him. That is glorious.

This acrostic of grace brings me understanding that captures my heart:

God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense

If you aren’t familiar with that, let it soak deep in your being, receive this grace available for you.

How does the glory of Jesus Christ effect us?

One way in my life is when I draw near with confidence to the throne of grace. I see and experience the glory of Christ, receiving mercy and grace to help in times of need. (Hebrews 4:16) God’s riches at Christ’s expense is available 24/7. That is glorious.

In closing, I share 2 Thessalonians 2:14 Amplified Bible (AMP) It was to this end that He called you through our gospel [the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection], so that you may obtain and share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of glory, give us a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the true knowledge of Him. Help us impart to others the glory of Jesus Christ. Amen. (See Eph.1:17)

Glory in Suffering
by Judy Hitson

1 Peter 4:13 NASB but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

Power packed verse, we have here. First, it is difficult for those who have not tasted the suffering of Christ to even consider rejoicing at a time of suffering, it makes no sense to them. yet that is what this verse says. Perhaps we need to pause and consider the result, “at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” Think about the example of Christ who now sits on the throne of heaven until Father tells Him to return to earth. His birth, death and resurrection present three simple words with deep truths. If we receive revelation and understanding of them, we will have God sense regarding, “at the revelation of His glory to rejoice with exultation.” For example, Stephen who was martyred for his faith. He understood glory in suffering.
Acts 7:55 NASB But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;

Today, we know Christians are beheaded for their faith. We are aware of global persecution and may experience personal persecution. We hear anti Christian rhetoric to silence us from speaking the name of Jesus, or pray in His name.

According to God’s word, let us now contemplate before the Lord our own understanding of glory in suffering. Let us ask ourselves the following questions:

Have I tasted death for anyone? I Corinthians 15:31
Do I deny myself, take up my cross daily and follow Jesus? Luke 9:23
Have I been crucified with Christ? Do I live in my body by faith in the Son of God? Galatians 2:20
Do I want to know Him, the power of His resurrection and fellowship of His suffering? Philippians 3:10
Am I willing to follow in His steps? 1 Peter 2:20-25

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are simple and You are deep. Grant me personal revelation and understanding of glory in suffering, in my life to full maturity. Lead me in Your ways to persevere to the end, willing to share in Your sufferings for the sake of others. That through me, they might know You and be embraced by Your unconditional love and life in Your Spirit. Amen.

Crown Him As King
by Kathleen Shore

Like a broken record stuck on one phrase of a song, repeating it over and over, I continued to hear the whisper of my spirit to Holy Spirit saying,
“Let my life crown you as King. Let my life crown you.”

I finally began to repeat it, even singing it aloud in agreement because it would not leave me. As I heard the words out of my mouth, there came a realization that Holy Spirit was awakening me to join the hosts of heaven in voicing, “We crown you King!”

Two weeks passed with this phrase ringing in my ears, all the while a deep well was being dug inside of me. Thirsty to be filled I began to ponder,

How do I crown Him with my life?

Soon after, Father answered me in my sleep and showed me things of my life that crown Him…that bring Him pleasure, things that are a pleasing sacrifice lifted up to Him from my little vessel of His presence.

To add to my amazement, not one of these things were any of my ‘doings’.
All of them were the Christ-likeness produced out of my ‘being’ that rose up like resurrection life, as death to self took place in me again and again through surrender to my Lord.

There were quiet internal places of choosing Him over my attitude, my thoughts, my emotions, my opinions, and my judgments. There were external places of choosing my Prince of Peace over what the enemy was stirring up around me. It was His pleasure in my choosing to ‘abide’…to ‘be still and know’…to follow Him behind the veil that was torn from top to bottom by the Way of the cross and drink from the intimacy with Him instead of living in the chains of my circumstances.

We crown Him King with our lives as we willfully reach for His likeness as our identity instead of the counterfeit of earthly gain. Here, the capacity of our vessel is widened for more of Him. It is also here that the glory of God overlays us, simple earthen wear, with His glory-gold and HIS heart is satisfied. He is our proud Abba Father, lifting us up for all to see the glory due His name.

Take time to wait upon the Lord and let Him build you up with the revelation of how your life crowns Him – as your King. May our desire be, to satisfy the longing of His heart. My life, your life, ‘rested’ down upon Him, overlaid with gold…crowning Him King!

You are beautiful in His sight. Now let us live with God’s eye view.