A culture of honor is something every godly organization needs. It’s not an easy path. Here Danny Silk of Bethel Church in Redding California defines a culture of honor. What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Happy belated Thanksgiving to all you Canadians. I’m just getting over the extra turkey I shouldn’t have had. I’ve some issues with RevTrev.com – wordpress started missing automated posts. Good news for me is that others with more talent had the same problem and wrote a plugin for that so things seem to working again. I’ve been setting up an advocacy site so this newsletter is a little sparse. Enjoy though.

A big welcome to all my new readers. I look forward to learning more about each of you.

	Top 7 Visited Posts This Week @ RevTrev.com 70 Functions of the Holy Spirit  4 Funny Animal Pictures  How I Can Seek the Lord – 7 ways  TEN WAYS TO FULFIL A VISION FROM GOD – 1-5  3 Steps to Cast Your Cares on the Lord  How to Pray in Tongues  12 Words Christians Can’t Say and 13 Words We Must
	RevTrev Radio Why Should Ministries Consider Grants? RevTrev Radio I talk with Mike Stickler of The Vision Group about why ministries should consider applying for grants. Listen Now >>> How God Heals Part 1 – RevTrev Radio So many times we wonder if it’s God’s will to heal. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about that. Listen Now >>> Let people know what you think about it. Subscribe via iTunes
	How to Fight with Honor Yes, I’m part of an advocacy group that looks like it will be going into some confrontation. Personally I don’t mind it because I’ve had a lot of experience in terrible situations that have seen better things come out of it with open and honest dialogue. I’ve also learned to fight with honor. Here’s the tool I’ve come up with… H one in on the topic at hand.     Speak to the situation “This is what you        did/said; this is why I disagree/it upset me.” O nly speak words of life.     Cut out the sarcasm, condemnation and shame. N ame calling and labels are never to be returned.     Resorting to name calling and labels is the        same as placing curses on people. Don’t do it     to them, even if they started it. O perate in the present.     Avoid saying, “You always” and “You never”. Both     are untrue and are used to simply cause pain.  If     you’re phyiscally present with the person, look at     them in the eye and don’t turn your back to them.    R esolve the argument.     It’s OK to disagree. Allow them the right to hold their own opinion. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t bring the argument up with others to rally support or curry pity; continue to honor the person. Do you have stories about not using a tool like this? Feel free to share it in the comments.
	Social Media Tip I’ve written an article for CAST Magazine entitled “How is Social Media Like the Church” Here’s an excerpt for your Social Media Tip this week. Followers of Christ have such a huge advantage when it comes to Social Media. Sure we may not understand the technology or allure of some sites, but the basics of doing it well should be woven into our DNA. What’s the first rule of social media marketing? It’s “serve before selling.” What’s the most effective strategy for evangelism? It’s “people don’t care about what you know until they know that you care.” How beautiful an opportunity we have right now when we want to really care for people. All we need to do is earn the right to show love. How is social media like the church? To be successful we need to serve before selling. What do you think? Let me know.
	What People Are Saying @revtrev Your very welcome.. keep up your great post! .. love to retweets.. via @allengaper
	RevTrev TV What is the Fear Factor for Fundraising? RevTrev TV In this episode of RevTrev TV I talk with Mike Stickler of The Vision Group  about what the fear factor is for fundraising. Watch Now >>> View all the episodes:
	Awaken Love “When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you. Where before there was anonymity, now there is intimacy; where before there was fear, now there is courage; where before in your life there was awkwardness, now there is a rhythm of grace and gracefulness; where before you used to be jagged, now you are elegant and in rhythm with your self. When love awakens in your life, it is like a rebirth, a new beginning. ” ~ John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
	From Expectancy Press Can God Amplify Your Story? MP3 We all know people who have given up on Christianity. Some have even gone over to the enemy’s camp. Have you ever wondered what it would take to get them back? You’ve got to hear this message based on an incredible passage of Scripture that will make you pray, “Lord do it once more through me!” Listen to an excerpt on Expectancy Press
	One Last Thing… Can you let people know about this newsletter? I so much enjoy connecting with people and helping them as I can. If you’re on Twitter I’ve made it easy for you. Just click the picture…

We’ll get to answering in the opposite spirit down below. Want to first catch you up with a few things.

My Life

I am totally remiss in doing up my weekly newsletter. I have failed to welcome 352 new subscribers since the last one last month.

I’m so sorry.

Thank you so much for the many who email me so often to say that I’ve encouraged them or who ask for advice and or prayer.

There’s been a lot on the go I’m not going to write about it like some of those relatives we all have who you only meet every few years and who talk about people they think you should know and always think you’ve put on too much weight…well maybe that’s just me. I could tell you stories about my distant relatives…but I won’t.

I wanted to finish up my videos for ExpectancyMinistries.com These videos are going to describe our one-on-one ministry coaching and weekly video coaching that will answer questions around launching and marketing your ministry. I didn’t get those all done, even though I got my new video camera this week. I may still have time to shoot, edit, upload, post and possibly syndicate them done today, but failing to produce a newsletter for six weeks made me think I had better re-prioritize.

I did get the videos up for ImagineBusinessMarketing.com with so many business asking me about social media marketing I took some time to develop strategies to help them connect, engage, and follow up with their perfect prospects through social media. This merges my skills of content creation and using social media with my heart to help businesses and business owners succeed.

Enough about my last 6 weeks. Let’s look at what’s been going on at RevTrev.com

Top Posts This Week @ RevTrev.com

• 70 Functions of the Holy Spirit
• TEN WAYS TO FULFIL A VISION FROM GOD – 1-5
• Why Were Joshua and Caleb Different?
• How I Can Seek the Lord – 7 ways
• Asking for Forgiveness – Day 26
• Angels – 20 Characteristics of Angels I See In Scripture
• WHAT IS GOD’S VISION FOR YOUR LIFE?

The 63 – 365 visitors spent an average of 3:06 – 5:11 minutes on each post. That really humbles me.

This Week’s Guest Blogger

They Would Not Stay Awake With Me Either This blog post is from Lisa Hainline. It’s a challenging post for all of us. Check out here blog at http://www.thehealingsource.org

Answering in the Opposite Spirit

I’m chuckling to myself as I write this. I need to keep things confidential. I have no business ranting about different challenges we’ve been entrusted with…I’m assuming by God.

About a year ago Karen and I spent a day with Patricia King.  As supporters of her ministry we were invited to get to know the ministry and have dinner in her house. We were part of a group, but Patricia prophesied over each one of us. Over me she said:

Lord I pray for Trevor, I thank you so much for his life and for his leadership anointing.

Thank you Lord for pastoral anointing.

Thank you Lord for the message you’re stirring in his heart.

Thank you for the faith that’s arising…and the two of you are going to create a place for the glory of God to manifest. It’s like the weight of His love, the weight of His glory…it’s not just for yourselves, it’s for other people to enjoy.

And the Lord says, “Endure hardship as a good solider” because every hard place with lead you into a promotion if you walk it well. Don’t get angry, don’t retaliate. But just trust God and you’re going to get a promotion – a big one. With every realm that comes against you,” the Lord says, “with every realm that fires at you, He’s got His firing squad to fire back. It’s firing love missiles. It’s firing the opposite spirit that’s going to take out the enemy and then you will be promoted in it. He says, “Possess and occupy, o man of God, possess and occupy” the realms He’s put before you -increase and multiplication.

I’ve talk about this in my book Hope in Transition This book has been in production for a few months. The last while I’ve been put to the test in ways that I know I would have reacted to differently if I hadn’t been pondering on how to respond with the “opposite spirit”.

I don’t want to go into the details but I can mention that good friends of ours recently made the remark, “who are you going to accidentally offend next?” To which I answered (in probably not the opposite spirit) “only the easily offend-able.”

Isn’t it just like God? He loved us while we were still sinners..He sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous…He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases…

And He gives us His Spirit so we can act more like Him.

Confrontation is not a bad thing. It’s much more difficult when we’re there to love and not there to win the argument.

Expectancy Press

Expectancy Press is about to become a royalty paying publishing house. We’ll be using social media marketing to promote our authors and books. If you’re interested in finding out more check out http://expectancypress.com/submissions/

Posts From My Blogging Buddies You May Like

• What Tangled Revealed to Me About Raising a Child By Adam of The Daily Walk
• Do You Manage Your Time or Does Time Manage You by Sue Miley of Christian Business Crossroads
• 7 Tips to Overcome Writer’s Block by Julie McElroy of Inspired to Write
• Nothing Hurts Quite Like the Message of Rejection by Kevin Martineau of Shooting the Breeze.

Prayer Items

Even with all the issues, we’re in a very amazing place in our lives. Please pray with us as we have opportunity to minister God’s love to people who won’t come to church and people who lead churches and feel all alone.

How to Judge and Not Be A Jerk (part 2) - Episode #9 – RevTrev Radio

Download audio file (RTRadio1_9.mp3)

How to Judge and Not Be A Jerk – Part 2

There is so much self-righteous misinformation and confusion around judging that we need to take a serious look at it. I’m so passionate about this topic that I’ve written a booklet with the same name. You can order the full sermon as well, or just take some time to listen to this week and next week’s podcast. This is important information not just to know, but to know how to live out in a world that is quick to tear down.

Listen to the message and share your questions and comments below. I know this is controversial, but I also know I need to practice what I’m preaching before I expect others to do the same, so I’ll be nice.

Enjoy!

How to Judge and Not Be A Jerk - Episode #8 – RevTrev Radio

Download audio file (RTRadio1_8.mp3)

How to Judge and Not Be A Jerk – Part 1

There is so much self-righteous misinformation and confusion around judging that we need to take a serious look at it. I’m so passionate about this topic that I’ve written a booklet with the same name. You can order the full sermon as well, or just take some time to listen to this week and next week’s podcast. This is important information not just to know, but to know how to live out in a world that is quick to tear down.

Listen to the message and share your questions and comments below. I know this is controversial, but I also know I need to practice what I’m preaching before I expect others to do the same, so I’ll be nice.

Enjoy!

These words were once common in marriage vows, and they need to be common in our relationship with the Lover of our souls. The enemy can come with signs and wonders, what separates us as children of God is that we need to love, honor and obey what the Spirit says. Maybe this explains it better:

Discernment is a gift desperately needed at this moment in Church history. Jesus warned us:

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. Matthew 24:24 (New International Version)

We’re living in the time He was prophesying about. It’s one sign of the end of the age.

In the past we’ve focused on criticizing other servants of our Master. But who are we to do that (Romans 14:4)?

Leaders were warned about wolves arising from their midst (Acts 20:29). And those same leaders were later chastised by the Son for not acting in love as they confronted heresy (Revelation 2:1-5).

We must know how to discern in love.

It’s time to stop being a jerk when we judge. It’s time to stop responding like a jerk when we’re judged.

Honor is the answer to both excuses to act like a jerk.

As you honor the Father by obeying Him, He will honor you. As you honor your parents, you will enjoy long life in the land. As you honor those who betray you, you honor our Lord by walking in His steps. As you call out the glory in those around you, you allow them to become what the Father has deposited in them. You are a carrier of the Kingdom. Bring it out wherever you go.

Lord, I know you didn’t come to condemn the world, so forgive me for when I have. I know you’ve given us discernment so help me to use it in love and faith. I thank you for honoring me beyond my comprehension. Help me to honor all people, keeping true to who You’ve created and called me to be.

I love to hear what you have to say. Do you have any questions about how to honor that you’d like to ask? I’ll try to answer with the best of my understanding (and research).

When a follower of Christ has sinned, and has repented of that sin, trust still needs to be restored. This is how the process of restoring trust begins:

1. Allow them to feel godly sorrow. Ask questions like, “Who has been affected by your sin?” Help them see the broader picture.
2. Lead them through to solutions with questions like “What are you going to do to make it right with those who are affected by your sin?” “How are you going to do this?” and “When are you going to do this?”
3. Stand with them. Don’t set them up to fail. They came to you because they trusted you with their sin. Don’t hold them up to public ridicule. Don’t make them an illustration in your next sermon. If a public confession is needed, make sure the public knows this isn’t a topic of gossip as well as their role in the ministry of reconciliation.

Use what satan intended for evil for the glory and honor of the Father. Honor those who have sinned because the Father has lifted you up to His level while you were still in sin.

Trust is something that must be earned. When it’s lost it must be re-earned. This assumes – as a person they’ve trusted their failing with – you’ll give them opportunity to rebuild trust…which means they’ll have the opportunity to fail again as well.

Don’t set them up to fail. Don’t give them enough rope to hang themselves. Stand with them in their decisions to make things right with as many people as they’ve affected with their sin.

When you’re part of a community, this will ensure honor is part of your DNA.

It’s never easy to journey with someone through a difficult time, but when they want to restore trust, honoring them as who they are brings great rewards.

I’d love to hear about a time when someone stood by you.

You’re a leader. You may be a pastor, mentor or parent, but you’re in a position of authority. Someone you’re responsible for has sinned and they come expecting the condemnation they are under to be compounded because they’ve confessed a hidden sin and know the myth of grace many in the church hold to.(The “myth of grace” is its for me and not you.)

But Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah:

A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
Isaiah 42:3 (New International Version)

Your goal is not to make the problem go away. Don’t lose one the Father has entrusted to you. Your goal is not to cover up the sin. Don’t corrupt the ones you’ve been entrusted with.

Jesus said in Luke 17:3-4 (NLT)

So watch yourselves!
“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

Your goal is reconciliation. The Father has given you this ministry (2 Corinthians 5:16-21). Reconciliation simply means “to make friends again” – your goal is to help the one who is a smoldering wick to be reconciled to:

His or her self
His or her friends
His or her Father

How do you do this?

To begin the process of reconciliation, the person who has sinned must repent of the sin. They must agree with Scripture that it’s wrong and has hurt themselves and others. But I need to warn you, for their sake get to the root of the problem. The “sin” is not the issue. The issue is the wound that allowed the sin to be acceptable to this child of the King in that particular situation.

You get to the root by asking open-ended questions that allows them to examine their motives. Don’t preach. Don’t share your opinion. Ask them questions like “What’s the problem?”, “What can I help you deal with today?” and “Why do you think you did it?”

When you get to the root problem, take the following steps:

1. Ask the Father, Son or Spirit to take the person back to the first time they encountered the root problem in their mind. To make sure the individual is “there”; ask them to describe the situation or picture.
2. Ask Him to reveal the place where the lie took root.
3. Ask the person to find where Jesus (or the Father, or the Spirit) is in the picture.
4. Ask Jesus (or the Father, or the Spirit) to show them the lie they learned from the situation (there can be more than one).
5. Have them renounce the lie.
6. Ask Jesus (or the Father, or the Spirit) what the truth is.
7. Have the person agree with and declare the truth.

There may be many root issues to deal with. If it’s a situation where someone was in a position of trust but they’ve lost that trust because of sin, time needs to be given to both deal with the issues and rebuild the trust that was lost. There shouldn’t be a set time, before they are restored, because it’s a process that’s different for each person and circumstance.

In the next post we’ll talk about the process of restoring trust.

Love to have your questions and comments.

The Hebrew word for honor is also translated at times “glory”. How you honor the unhonorable is to look for the glory the Father has deposited into their lives and pull it to the surface.

Let’s make it practical… someone bursts into your office and screams at you for the current problem they are facing, even though it’s the choices they’ve made that have led them to this crisis… how do you see the “glory” in them?

Pray, while they stand there venting, “Father, what do you love about them?”

Then, when you have a chance, affirm what the Father shows you.

So let’s say this person is a mother and her son is in detox and somehow she’s blaming you for her son’s problems (by the way, this is a common scenario for pastors). What does the Father love about this mother’s passion? There are many things that could be reflecting the nature of the Father. He’ll show you what He’s most proud of in her. Here are some thoughts I’ve received from Lance Wallnau (www.LanceLearning.com) that you can consider in that moment:

Know that the person you’re looking at is a unique creation of the Father and that on the inside of you is a supernatural anointing that has the power to connect and release the unconditional love that that person needs. Your look and care and presence helps them to connect with the greatness that’s locked up on the inside.

The favour of God and the grace of God is flowing through you and if you look closely, even behind their eyes you’ll begin to see there is a re-created, newly created powerful eternal spirit – the likeness and image of God being made manifest in that person right now.

And you’re experiencing the release of total, unconditional acceptance and as you do it, you’re experiencing contribution and growth. And you’re alive when you contribute. You’re alive when you grow.

Now look to see the glory the Father has deposited in them. Look to see the gold He wants you to pull to the surface. What pleases the Father in them? Jesus did not come to condemn them, and He’s not condemning them now. He’s come that they might have life and have it to the full. And you have an opportunity to see that life break the surface.

What you’re doing is training yourself to see people as the Father sees them. And guess what? He’s not angry with His beloved any longer.

“To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again.
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:9-10 (New International Version)

By the way, use those same thoughts for those outside the faith as well. It’s the kindness of God that leads us all to repentance.

Love to hear your stories about when this approach has helped you. I know you have questions. I’ll try to answer them especially if they aren’t covered in future posts.

I need to give a warning, and I’m not here to single anyone out. But I have heard it from many people and I confess, I’ve participated at times. We can’t allow it any longer in the Body.

Let’s go to a Bible story that’s rarely taught in Sunday School.

Genesis 9:18-28 (New Living Translation)

The sons of Noah who came out of the boat with their father were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham is the father of Canaan.) From these three sons of Noah came all the people who now populate the earth.

After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard. One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked.

Noah was a righteous man. He was the last one God called “perfect”. It’s clear from Noah’s response later in the text that his son Ham was likely going to his brothers to laugh about the state of their “perfect” father. It was not a concerned “What do we do?” or else Noah would not have cursed Canaan. What Ham did was to further the shame of his father, and the curse was passed to his kids.

Children, stop doing this to your parents. Quit mocking them even in fun for their mistakes or idiosyncrasies. Adult children do this in front of their kids and don’t expect it to be returned upon them later in life. Your judgment of others limits your destiny. This is especially clear when children mock or try to shame their parents. I’m not old, but I’ve lived long enough to see children judge their parents the same way their parents judged their grandparents.

The lesson from this account isn’t just for covering up the mistakes of parents. It should be our model every time shame is exposed. We don’t make a joke about it. We don’t hold them up to judgment. We show them honor by not exposing their shame.

Incidentally, not exposing the shame of one who is fallen but who has repented is one of the most difficult things for a church leader to do. People want the details. But if they’re not part of the solution or part of the problem, to discuss the details is simply gossip. And if the individual has repented and is trying to make it right, their is no reason to expose their shame. The easy course is for the church leader to expose the sin and stop the vultures circling him or her. It’s easy enough to expose a dead corpse to the birds.

But our mandate is reconciliation and we cannot expose the shame of others to save ourselves from unfair judgments. If you’re a church leader, don’t worry. I’ll give you tools to honor those who have fallen and those who want to rip into you because you won’t play the gossip game. Stay tuned.

I’ve been working to set up the store on RevTrev.com. Still a few things to do. I hope to have it up on the weekend… but really don’t know if I have the time to. Anyway, it’s always timely to talk about how we honor in conflict.

Honoring someone does not mean there will never be a time you don’t disagree with them. It doesn’t mean there won’t be arguments. Honoring doesn’t mean you’re a doormat. The closer another person is to you, the greater the opportunity for disagreements.

So you need to know how to to fight and still honor. Here are some simple guidelines… simple for me to write, possibly not so simple for you to remember in the heat of conflict. Learn them now and apply them later. And don’t expect the other person to know or appreciate the rules your fighting with, especially if you spring it on them.

H one in on the topic at hand. Speak to the situation “This is what you did/said; this is why I disagree/it upset me.”

O nly speak words of life. Cut out the sarcasm, condemnation and shame.

N ame calling and labels are never to be returned. Resorting to name calling and labels is the same as placing curses on people. Don’t do it to them, even if they started it.

O perate in the present. Avoid saying, “You always” and “You never”. Both are untrue and are used to simply cause pain. If you’re phyiscally present with the person, look at them in the eye and don’t turn your back to them.

R esolve the argument. It’s OK to disagree. Allow them the right to hold their own opinion. Don’t go to bed angry because it gives the enemy a foothold. (Ephesians 4:25-27). Following an argument, don’t bring it up with others to rally support or curry pity; continue to honor the other.

Have you tried to honor in conflict? It isn’t easy, but its necessary. Love to hear about it or if you have a question or comment, please post it.

We can honor the Father because He’s first honored us. He has lifted us up and seated us in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:4-6). He has changed our relationship from being a servant to being a friend (John 15:15), He’s called us His co-workers(2 Corinthians 6:1), and He’s made us joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

Why has He done this? Why does He cause the sun to rise on the evil and good and send rain on the righteous and unrighteous (Matthew 5:45)?

It’s the same reason why we need to honor all people:

He can’t allow another’s lack of honor to affect who He is.

I can’t allow another’s attitude to change who He has called me to be.

Biblically speaking, honor isn’t simply for the honorable. Honor is…

Raising another up to my level, because I can’t allow their attitude to change who I am.

If honoring someone is raising them up to my level, we should find evidence of it being done in Scripture. There are plenty of examples. I’ll give you three:

Jonathan did this for David when he gave David the servant his clothes (1 Samuel 18:3-4 ).

And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt. (NLT)

David did this for Mephibosheth when he gave the crippled grandson of his enemy room at his table (2 Samuel 9:8 ).

Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” (NLT)

Most vividly, Jesus did this when He washed Judas’ feet after Judas was already prompted to betray Him (John 13:2-5).

It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

Have you ever caught that in the story? The devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus, and Jesus washed his feet. His example is why I can assert “Honor is raising another up to my level, because I can’t allow their attitude to change who I am.”

Jesus did it. He gave us the Spirit to help us. This is how and why we honor all people. Lord, help all your children to grasp this and not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications into every area of our lives.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Galatians 5:25 (The Message)

Love to hear your thoughts. The next post will be on how we can honor in conflict.

We are to honor the honorable, but the Bible also tells us to honor those who should be honorable, but who may not always act honorably:

Father and Mother (Exodus 20:12)
Wives (1 Peter 3:7)
Widows (1 Timothy 5:3)
Kings (1 Peter 2:17)

These all make sense to our current definition of honor and the Bible promises if we honor our parents we will have a full life in the land God has given (Ex 20:12) that’s a bonus!

But our current definition allows us to dishonor those who aren’t honorable – and not all of our parents, or wives, or leaders have been. And the Bible doesn’t let us live with that excuse.

In fact, Peter challenges us with revolutionary living:

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
1 Peter 2:17 (New American Standard Bible)

Let’s be clear here: the king, who Peter was telling the first readers to honor, was most likely the one who ordered his death.

Why would the Bible tell us to “Honor all people”?

It’s what the Father has done for us.

Honor is when one changes the relationship with another. It’s when you raise someone up to your level. This is what the Father did for us when we became part of His family and He seated us in heavenly places.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6 (New Living Translation)

I’ll draw this out over the next few posts. Love to hear what you think.

To understand what the Father has done, let’s take a quick look at Revelation 4…

…the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Rev 4:10-11 NLT)

Did you ever wonder how you can give God honor? Danny Silk asks the question: “Isn’t that a little bit like saying ‘Bill Gates, I give you money.’?”

How can we give God honor?

Some teach it’s the crowns we throw at the Father’s feet that honor Him. I’ve got problems with that.

We will receive crowns for what we do (1 Corinthians 3:8). It’s part of our reward. Don’t think it’s prideful to look forward to the reward you’re getting. Jesus told us to store up our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).

That’s not to say you should brag about it – no need to get your full reward while still on earth (Matthew 6:1-5 ). But please understand, what you do on earth, in the name of Jesus, will get you rewarded in heaven. Part of those rewards are crowns.

Since we can earn these crowns by doing what we do, can we really be good enough to give the “God-who-made-everything”, anything?

In a way, we bring Him honor when people see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven ( Matthew 5:16). This reveals the Father’s honor, it doesn’t add to it.

So how in heaven do we give the Father honor?

I’d love your comments. I’ll share mine in the next post.

How can you refrain from condemning others and know how to deal with those who condemn you?

The answer to both questions is “honor”.

Church leaders tend to immediately love the idea of honor. With all the external influences on individuals spirituality, honor is hardly ever automatically given to them anymore.

But there’s a warning in Scripture about that attitude:

It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
Proverbs 25:27 (New International Version)

And our Father gives us the path to receive honor:

Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.
1 Samuel 2:30 (New International Version)

The Son confirms it:

My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:26 (New International Version)

It’s best we understand honor to know how it enables us to both refrain from condemning others and to also know how to deal with those who condemn us. Let’s start with an accepted definition:

Honor is the evaluation of a person’s trustworthiness and social status based on that individual’s espousals and actions. Honor is deemed exactly what determines a person’s character: whether or not the person reflects honesty, respect, integrity, or fairness. ?< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor>

It’s natural to honor the honorable. The Bible confirms we are to honor those worthy of honor including the Father (Exodus 12:42) and the Son (John 5:23). But the Bible doesn’t let us off with living out such an ordinary definition of honor. I’ll explain more in the next post.

I’m really appreciating your comments. Keep them coming.