Today’s thought is an amplified version of the article I wrote for yesterday’s church bulletin: John the Baptist announced one day that Someone much greater than he had come. Then he added "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30) These words must always be kept in mind by Christ’s followers and servants. We should always make a sincere effort to insure that people keep their focus on Him and not on us. This is not always easy to do because our old nature still lives within us and, perhaps without realizing it, we want to share with others all the good things that we do. Since doing good deeds for others make us feel good, it is not always easy to keep them to ourselves. Nevertheless, we must also remember that Jesus said these words three times in the 6th Chapter of Matthew: "And your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." In many churches, ours included, members are given a chance to ask the church to pray for their special petitions or else share with the congregation the good things that Godg.” is doing in their lives. The idea is for the members to encourage one another while uplifting God for His mercies. Often, however, well meaning members, perhaps unknowingly, will include all the good things they did that day or that week. While many church members will not notice the error, those who are spiritually perceptive may feel frustrated or irritated, and will tend to no longer take it serious every time these same folks get up to “say a word.” We must always keep in mind that the more people see of us in our daily lives and conversations, the less they will see of Jesus. People can easily do without us but nobody can do without Him. Even when we don’t say it, others will eventually notice the good things we do. But even if they never do, what’s more important is that the One that really matters will always notice. Done this way, God will get always get the glory. Besides, if we get applause or pats on the back from others in this life, our reward may end right there. Because you are a true child of God, I choose to believe that you prefer to wait for the day when Jesus Himself will tell you: "Well done, my good and faithful servant." God’s word for today (Matthew 6:3) “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doin
