Crowns of Glory 5-4-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. As the worship song goes, "We fall down; we lay our crowns at feet of Jesus. ... We cry holy, holy, holy is the Lamb." ... It is important to know who we are in Christ and that we wear the crowns You have given us. In Christ, we are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people" (1 Peter 2.9). Yet it is much more important to know who You are in us. The gifts and graces that these crowns of glory represent are all from You. We've not earned them and not deserved them. They are a gift from our Father because we have been received as royal sons and daughters of God our King. All that we are and all that we have is from You, so that there is no room for pride or glory in ourselves but only thanksgiving that You have crowned us with the glory of Your presence. "Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" (James 1.17). So that becomes a test of our pride. Are we willing to lay down our crowns at Your feet? Have we come to see ourselves by our gifts rather than seeing ourselves as Your people? Any crown of glory we wear is because You have worn the crown of suffering for us. Let us glory in You alone. Let us lead others to You and minister Your love to them -- not so much because we know who we are in Christ as much as we know who Christ is in us. Both are important, but if we emphasis the one over the other, we can subtly slip into religious pride. Continually convict us of any sin that creeps in, that we may be continually restored to the intimacy of the presence of Your glory, through our repentance and Your forgiveness. As we do, we receive Your gifts and graces, pure and undefiled: "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away" (1 Peter 5.4). In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe/reply please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- "preparing the way of the Lord" -- MessiahMin@aol.com Our mailing address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502. God bless you!