God gave me this phrase right on time for the Thanksgiving season. We honor people by thanking them and acknowledging them when they have significantly influenced our lives. It is just like when celebrity stars accept their award; they recognize the people who have helped them along the way. That is their way of honoring them. When a writer writes a book, there is a section that says acknowledgments and lists people who inspired/helped them. We can’t get anywhere on our own without the help of others. God uses people to push us to our destiny. I am thankful for everyone in my life that has helped me along the way.
Romans 13:7 says, Give honor to whom honor is due.
At some point in our lives, we have taken people and things for granted. People have encouraged and helped us along the way, yet we forget to say thank you or appreciate them. When we honor people, it makes them want to do more. It shows that person that they are appreciated. God is the same way.
Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
God wants to be glorified through us. We honor God by doing things according to the word of God and giving Him the glory. We are created to glorify God. God honors us when we honor Him. We also should honor spiritual leaders and teachers who pour into our spirit.
1 Timothy 5:17: Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
T.D. Jakes mentioned in his sermons that he was about to quit preaching due to challenging times in the ministry. However, a young lady told him how one of his teachings helped her. It gave him the strength and encouragement to keep going. Spiritual leaders deal with a lot. They have challenging times as well while uplifting others. A word of encouragement, giving, and prayer mean a lot to people. We also should honor our parents.
Ephesians 6:2-3 Living Translation: 2 Honor your father and mother. This is the first of God’s Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. 3 And this is the promise: if you honor your father and mother, yours will be a long life, full of blessing.
We may disagree with our parents. Some of you may not have had great parents. However, we should still respect our parents. You will have a long life with blessings. The Bible tells us to pray for everyone, including people in authority.
1 Timothy 2:1-2: 2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Some of you are familiar with the story of the 10 lepers.
Luke 17:11-1915 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,16 And fell on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Our restoration and victory are in reach by honoring God and people that have made a difference in our lives. Give people their flowers while they live because there is nothing we can do when they are gone.
Don’t leave people to wonder. While they are here, give them honor!
Prayer: I honor you, God, today for giving me life. I repent for forgetting about you and the people in my life that have helped me along the way. I give honor to whom honor is due. God, I thank you for the people you used in my life to impact me for good. God, let everything I do be for your glory, not my own glory. In Jesus’ name! Amen!
sus name! Amen.