Daily Devotional for Monday January 24, 2000

It's All God's

(John 3:27)

It all comes from God. Often times, we get caught up in our ability to produce and perform. Deep down we realize that the talents and gifts we have are from God, and we understand that the blessings we enjoy come from above. But often in our life, we lose sight of those facts and start to think that it is US that is accomplishing the things we accomplish in this life. That is a dangerous place to be because that is the same prideful slope that led to Satan's banishment from Heaven. I use that example because the Bible clearly tells us that "pride goeth before the fall". We must never forget that who we are, what we accomplish, and the blessings we enjoy in this life do not come from our hands, but from God's.

There is nothing wrong with having confidence. As Christian's we should have confidence, since we know that "if God is for us, who can be against us". We should have confidence because "all things are possible with God". The key is why we are confident and who our confidence is in. We are confident because "we are more than conquerors" with Christ and that confidence is not in our abilities but in His. That is why we can be bold, go forward without hesitation, and know that with Christ we are always going to be victorious.

This word today is basically a warning to never forget that who you are, what you are able to accomplish, and the things you have, all come from God. When we understand this truth, it enables us to be free in using our gifts and talents to serve Him since they came from Him. It enables us to work hard since our work for Him is never in vain. It enables us to not "cling" to our earthly possessions since they are His anyway. When you give to God, you are simply giving back to Him part of what He has loaned to you in this life. It is not, never has been, and never will be yours. It ALL belongs to Him. He loves you deeply. He has given you many tools to accomplish your purpose in this life, which is to serve and glorify Him. Never lose sight of that purpose, and never lose sight that who you are and what you have has come from Him to accomplish that purpose.