To God be the Glory!

I want my stage to be an altar

So all the praise goes to the Father

  I was listening to Enlighten this morning and they were playing "I Want My Stage to be an Altar" by the Akins...the song itself isn't one of my favorites, but this phrase caught my attention and really made me think. Is this really what I want? Do I honestly wish for all praise to go to God? Do I have a "John's heart", understanding that I am nothing, forcing flesh to take the backseat, letting Christ shine through me? He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (John 1:27) Is this my mindset? Oh, how I want it to be!
  Most of you know I can be a very competitive person...I like to be the best at what I do. Sometimes that can get in the way of my witness. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all saying that doing your best is a bad thing. In itself, it's good! It's our motives that we really have to watch out for. Are we doing our best to serve ourselves, to get a "pat on the back" from others, or are we doing our best to give God the glory? After all, what are we on our own? Nothing. Plain and simple. Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (Matthew 6:27)  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3)

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Refrain

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Refrain

                  ~Fanny Crosby