God forbid that I should glory

As I sat on the couch this morning studying over Scriptures, seeking guidance from the LORD about what He might have me preach the next time I get the opportunity, I looked over my past sermons and posts on various blogs and websites. I began wondering if posting my own sermons and songs was just shameless self-promotion? I tried to look at it from the perspective of someone that just happened to stumble across one of my blogs and attempted to ascertain what their first impression would be. Sadly, I felt that most folks would undoubtedly consider it a form of self-promotion.

Let me say, I've never intended to boast of myself in any way. When I post sermons or songs of myself, I am hoping to share the Gospel message that is contained within them. I don't have to worry about obtaining anyone else's permission because it is my own works. I can see how that may appear to make me seem like a self promoter. I hope if you have read this far into this post that you understand where I'm coming from. I don't consider myself to be some great preacher or singer, far from it. If you ask my wife or kids they will tell you that I get sick to my stomach listening to myself. You would think that would make me post less, but like I said, it's the message within the songs or sermons that I am trying to promote.

I cannot take credit for what the LORD has given me. I pray for His guidance and He always comes through . More times than not, I feel that I do a terrible, miserable job when preaching or singing but I have enjoyed seeing people's lives touched and changed by something that I have relayed through what the LORD has given me. There was a time in my early days of preaching that I let people's compliments and words boost my ego. Folks would tell me things like, "that's the best preaching I've ever heard," or "you did an outstanding job." By the time I left the church my head was swollen so big it is a wonder I could even fit in the car! I've learned a lot since those early days. People still tell me that stuff today, however, I fully understand that they just have good intentions and are trying to be encouraging. Nowadays, I just let all of that stuff go in one ear and out the other. If  something I said, did, or sang touched someone then I am honored that God used me, but I will take no credit for it because without Him, I am nothing.

I'd like to leave you with this passage of Scripture to meditate upon today, written by the Apostle Paul:

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14 KJV