Tribute

​Recently I had the opportunity to go back for my 25th college reunion.  On a beautiful Friday morning we met in the cadet chapel to honor in a memorial service our classmates who have passed away. Dave Mead, my old roommate, planned within the service the opportunity for people to come up to the microphone and share memories of those who had died.  Mike Meese was one of many who walked up and paid tribute to our departed comrades.  Mike shared a brief story about John Hennessey, a fellow Company D2 member. 

As a plebe, Mike was in danger of failing boxing (something many of us nonboxers can appreciate).  John happened to be his last graded opponent.  Before they went into the ring, John told Mike just to aim for his chin. During the fight, Mike threw a punch to John’s exposed chin and John immediately fell to the mat.  Mike was amazed that John would let him knock him down thereby enabling him to win the bout and pass the class.  It was a selfless act of kindness that typifies a class whose motto is “Strength As One.”
 
Meditation
2 Thessalonians 1:11,12—So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call.  May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.  Then the name of the Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with Him.  This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and our Lord Jesus Christ. (NLT)
 
I would venture that all of us in attendance at the memorial service were touched by the tributes given to our departed friends.  If we, as imperfect beings can find ways to give tribute to each other here on earth, can you imagine what it will be like to stand in heaven one day and be honored alongside our Savior, Jesus Christ?  One of our motivations to live good lives ought to be to bring Him glory.  Paul prayed that the Thessalonian Christians would live a life worthy of their Lord’s calling.  I pray the same thing for you and I hope you will pray that I will be worthy of Jesus’ calling.  

What is His calling for us?  I believe Scripture teaches that we are to live holy lives, to be obedient to God’s will, to love our enemies and treat our neighbors the way we would want to be treated, to accomplish God’s purposes for us and to have an attitude that is built on faith that God’s power can enable us to accomplish whatever He prompts us to do!  

When we live according to God’s calling, we honor the name of Jesus.  God promises that we in turn will be honored thanks to His fantastic grace.  So let’s live so that our actions and character, attitude and conduct are a living tribute to Jesus.  In the end that never ends we will receive a heavenly tribute!   Amen!
 
©2006 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)