Trophies

Jesus. In me.

Find a trophy, award ribbon, plaque, or certificate of achievement that you've earned. Think back to how you felt when you were awarded this. Recall your proudest moment or greatest achievement.

Did the "glory" of winning or achieving last or fade? Why?

What is it that you most want to accomplish or achieve right now? Do you imagine that the "glory" of such an accomplishment or achievement will last?

Read 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 and Colossians 1:27-28. Here it is in The Message, Eugene Peterson's devotional paraphrase.


Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)


Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. (Colossians 1:27-28)



If you are in Christ, God has given you a glory that will always increase. You are being transformed into Christ's likeness with ever-increasing glory. God lives in you through Christ--the hope of glory.


It's nothing you have done, but something incredible that God has done for you and in you. It's getting caught up in the constant and ongoing thrill of knowing Christ. It's about becoming more like Him. There is nothing more glorious than that. God is entrusting you to glorify Christ on earth--to shine with His glory.


How is God's glory stinging through you? Think about what a privilege this is! How have you noticed that you are becoming more like Jesus? How are you changing and growing spiritually? In what ways do you most long to be more like Christ? (What holds you back? Why?)


Christ's glory can shine through you as you let it, transforming you into His likeness, drawing others to Him.


(adapted from Christ in Me: 30 Next-Level Encounters, Group Publishing, 2002)


Father, live in me through Jesus today, taking your rightful place on the throne of my life. Jesus, please transform me so that I reflect Your glory. Holy Spirit, enable me today to live abundantly and like Jesus.


Jesus. ALL.