1 Samuel 2:30: ‘Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.’

DAILY READING: Matthew 14:1-21; Leviticus 20-21; Proverbs 30

Steve Curry is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors. A six-time NBA All-Star, he has been named the NBA Most Valuable Player twice and won three NBA championships with the Warriors. Many players and analysts have called him the greatest shooter in NBA history. He is credited with revolutionizing the game of basketball. Yet Steve Curry credits all of his success to God.

He is not only a Christian, but also quite outspoken about his faith. During his MVP speech he openly declared “People should know who I represent and why I am who I am, and that’s because of my Lord and Savior.”

When playing on the court he often pounds his chest and points up. He said the reason for that is because he has a “heart for God” and also it is a reminder that he plays for God. The NBA superstar grew up going to Church. His parents ensured they instilled Christian values early in their children. His mother would wake the kids up before school to do devotionals as a family, so as “to emphasize putting God first.”

Stephen says his faith gives him strength, and the Word of God is his beacon of light and lighthouse. Curry says that although he takes every opportunity to talk to someone about God and his faith, he puts a larger emphasis on letting his actions speak for him. Part of the action that speaks for him is the Bible verse on the side of the sneakers he wears on the court; Philippians 4:13 which says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It is a verse that gives him strength and a sense of purpose, to remember who he is playing for every time he laces up his sneakers to get on the court. Curry also has written on his wrist, in Hebrew “First Corinthians 13:8”—Love never fails…

No doubt God has honored Curry and blessed him tremendously. Today he is one of the most successful players in the NBA, and he has also become an international celebrity. ESPN has ranked Curry among the most famous international athletes, while Forbes has ranked him among the world’s highest-paid celebrities for his endorsements.

God said in 1 Samuel 2:30, ‘For them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed’.

Every position God has granted us is for us to serve Him and proclaim His Kingdom. We are where we are only by His grace. Therefore wherever we go, we must use every opportunity to serve Him. And when our goal is to serve God, then honor automatically follows us.

In John 12:26 Jesus says ‘If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.’

As Christians, our whole life should be focused on bringing glory to God. Honoring God means making Him our top priority. It means putting Him first in everything and making Him our number one consideration in every decision. We must conduct our lives and affairs is such a way that it bring glory to God’s Name. Whatever we do,, wherever we are, we must let our light shine so brightly before men that they will see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. And for our light to shine brightly we must be willing to buy oil in the place of prayer.

There is a commanded blessing that comes upon those who honor God. When you keep honoring God, you become a magnet for His goodness, God will open before you doors that no man can shut.

We have a duty to continually bring honor to God wherever we are. In Malachi 1:6 God says ‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear?’

Indeed if we desire glory from God; then we must first give Him the glory due to His name. And one way we honor Him is by praising Him. When we give God praise we are planting seed that will bring forth His fearful acts in our lives, because God is fearful in praises. Thanksgiving is a debt everybody owes God, and it multiplies God’s blessings in our lives; it preserves His presence. And it is the Presence of God that beautifies the destinies of men. Let us therefore endeavor to bless The Lord at all times and let His praise continually be on our lips.

To continually see God’s goodness, we must therefore engage in tireless thanksgiving and celebration of God at all times. We must endeavor not to take God for granted so as not to become grounded. And when you keep honoring God, His blessings will find you. When you honor God, it will put you in a position for His blessings to overtake you. Indeed the more we uplift Him before men, the more He will also elevate us to higher positions to bring greater glory to His name.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to honor You continually with my life. Wherever I go please help me to use every available opportunity to bring glory to You. May my light so shine before men that they will see my good works and glorify Your name continually in Jesus’ name.

QUOTE: The purpose of prosperity is for you to proclaim the Gospel. – WORDBITE 222.