ONE VOICE – ONE PURPOSE
Devotionals for International Women’s Day 2025, Day One of Seven
By Pavithra S. G., Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Question for Reflection
What was your purpose when you were baptized into Christ? Are you able to recall it?
Romans 15: 5-6 (ESV)
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This passage states that the objective of our lives is to glorify God with one voice. To me, reflecting on Isaiah 43:7, to glorify God means to exalt him via praise or worship. God is magnificent. He is fantastic and wonderful. He is particularly great in both character and conduct. The natural world all around us testifies to it. When we glorify Him, we recognize His magnificence and splendor. We applaud him who is worthy.
Paul says here that God is the God of endurance and encouragement. He is the one who gives us the ability to persevere and he gives us encouragement. We became disciples because God gave us the faith to do so. God gave us the heart to love him and serve his people. God created us to be who we are and what we do as disciples.
If we are not careful, even Christians can end up doing godly things to seek their own glory instead of glorifying God. Let me share an instance from my own life where I was seeking my own glory: I was going to be awarded a certificate of completion of my training for full-time ministry on stage at a conference. Everyone at the conference applauded a brother for his evangelistic skills and the number of people he baptized. The Holy Spirit convicted me of my envious thoughts at that point because I was feeling that no one is recognizing my service, while they are lifting someone else up.
God impacts people's lives for his glory and uses that brother and me for a purpose. I came to see how foolish it was of me to pursue fame for myself. I thank God for helping me to recognize my sin of seeking glory for myself. I had to pray and ask God for forgiveness of my sins before I could get my certification.
Sisters, in order to honor God with one voice, we must have one mind. Let's not let our differences, fears, and transgressions keep us from coming together to
exalt God. Let us live our lives that reflect God's glory. Let us give our praise and glory to the only one who is worthy, for we will laud him all the time in heaven. Let us prepare for it.
For further reflection
- Call to mind a blessing which you greatly appreciate. Take time today to glorify God for this.
- Are there any circumstances – regarding this blessing or others -- in which you take credit for yourself when God is the one who deserves the credit?
- Consider: how might we glorify God even more, through the way we think, serve and interact with others?
My name is Pavithra. My husband and I serve in the full time ministry in Bangalore. I have completed my MBA. I joined the school of mission in 2012.
52 Comments
Mar 24, 2025, 6:21:09 PM
Linda Sullivan - Thanks for sharing your heart. It's so hard to not seek glory for myself, even when I'm doing God's work. Through the grace of God, He gives me second chances as the Holy Spirit reminds me who the glory goes to and that's not me.
Mar 17, 2025, 9:36:31 PM
Claudye James - To God be the glory, always 🙌
Mar 10, 2025, 4:54:18 PM
Elaine Evans - Very impactful and a grateful for the reminder that God deserve ALL the glory. And that my life means nothing without him🙏🏿🥰
Mar 8, 2025, 7:59:59 AM
Lucette R. - It’s never about us. It is all to the Lord’s glory, always!!
Mar 8, 2025, 6:14:29 AM
Hillary - Thank you so much for reminding me that my purpose n the reason why God created me is to glorify Him.. I had forgotten that. Thank you🙏🏾
Mar 6, 2025, 6:16:51 PM
Hooichin - Thanks for sharing your journey. Speaking about envious, I can relate to that. God was graciously reveal how I need to face up my shame for feeling inadequate. Little did I realized how He had loved me even I was failed to understand myself.
Mar 6, 2025, 8:44:04 AM
Efie Jimenez - Beautiful family Pavithra ! Thank you for sharing and for been vulnerable . You helped me to meditate and search my own heart about how I am glorifying God and how I encourage other sisters to do the same and together praise and exalt him 🥰
Mar 6, 2025, 2:55:52 AM
Leasa - Thank you for this great reminder of being focused on Him who is able. It’s not about what you get, it’s about what you give and then reflect that back to God. Amen 🙏🏾
Mar 5, 2025, 6:09:54 AM
Fredria - Thank you for sharing your heart and showing us how we should give God the glory in all things.
Mar 4, 2025, 9:44:00 AM
JanellaV - Thank you Pavithra! I love Isaiah 43. We were created to glorify God and how awesome to do it collectively as a worldwide women’s ministry. May God bless you there in Bangalore!
Mar 4, 2025, 6:54:13 AM
Joan - Thank you Pavithra. I am encouraged to give God the glory for all wins.
Mar 3, 2025, 9:55:45 PM
Alita Tucker - I appreciate your devotional and want to focus on considering others better than myself and being sacrificial.
Mar 3, 2025, 4:45:04 PM
Zagouta Viviane - Great family picture ❤. Thanks for these reflections questions. I must value unity that means a lot to God and the well-being of the sisters.
Mar 3, 2025, 6:59:36 AM
Ifeoma - Thank you Pavithra! Your call to unity and oneness among us sisters reminds me of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. He prayed for a united Christian community to reflect the unity between the Father and the Son, to make the gospel more believable to the rest of the world.
Mar 3, 2025, 5:02:15 AM
Oyindamola - I'm encouraged by the message. Thank you sister.
Mar 3, 2025, 1:52:44 AM
Dunni Poole - Many thanks Pavithra for calling me back to my purpose of being a disciple and to the constant need and desire to please God only and not man.
Mar 3, 2025, 12:07:46 AM
Clara - Thanks for sharing 🩵 can relate , letting God be God in my life is such a liberating experience and seeking my own Glory is a very anxious feeling I feel it so many times .
Mar 2, 2025, 7:24:10 AM
Tami G - I'm looking forward to this journey.
Mar 2, 2025, 6:13:11 AM
tammy Berry - Thank you for your insight and reminding me to glorify God continually as I go about my daily life.
Mar 2, 2025, 2:58:06 AM
Amanda Dunbar - Thank you for this wonderful resource. (Manchester, UK)
Mar 1, 2025, 10:27:15 PM
Kedi Malejane - Thank you very much Pavithra for the devotional and your vulnerability.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:55:44 PM
Tally Green - We were made for God’s glory. We were put on this earth not for our own glory, but to bring glory to the One who created us. I love it. One person, One voice! 🙏❤️
Mar 1, 2025, 5:21:23 PM
Fredria C Sterling - Looking forward to this meditation
Mar 1, 2025, 4:13:42 PM
Ashley M - This was such a great read, and thank you Pavithra for sharing your heart! One of the things that was brought to my attention while reading is that it is sometimes really difficult is wanting others’ approval in any situation. People pleasing is very much so in my nature, but as Paul states, if we are serving men, we can not serve God. I am grateful for this reminder that through all circumstances, we can give praise and honor to God- because He is worthy of every breath of praise!
Mar 1, 2025, 3:51:33 PM
Thresia Suebu - What was my purpose when I was baptized? Great reflection question! Thank you for sharing this wonderful message Pavithra
Mar 1, 2025, 3:50:01 PM
Zuleyca romero - Gracias 🙏
Mar 1, 2025, 11:25:29 AM
KATY LEEUW - Thank you.
Mar 1, 2025, 9:01:06 AM
Lucy Christy Varghese - Thank you Pavitra for the wonderful devotion,your personal sharing is a reflection of how you you want to Gaurd your heart.and the questions are a great reminder to glorify God even as we think,serve and interact with others.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:44:04 AM
Nkapi Mohale - Only Almighty God deserves the glory. He is above all.
Mar 1, 2025, 7:30:47 AM
Roxanne - God is responsible for every good thing. I can forget what he has done for me at times and focus on the negative. God is worthy to te the world about and the family of God he has given me is amazing. We must hold fast to God and each other. The world needs God and us.
Mar 1, 2025, 7:23:02 AM
Emily - Amen and thank you. To God be the glory amen
Mar 1, 2025, 6:56:49 AM
Catherine Ogheneovo - Thanks for reminding me once more of my purpose of being a disciple
Mar 1, 2025, 3:52:53 AM
Faith Archibong Offiong - Th God be all the glory. MY hus grace be sufficient enough for me to see him all that I do and to return back all glory to him and not myself. Amen
Mar 1, 2025, 3:38:54 AM
Swapna fredy - Amen to that .. thank you
Mar 1, 2025, 3:30:01 AM
Joyce - Amen Sis, great reminder of God's grace, endurance and encouragement. Let us continue to glorify God with one voice and uphold God's purpose for our lives.🙏🫶
Mar 1, 2025, 3:08:06 AM
Olayinka Ojerinola - Strength in a woman of God is evident by her willingness to focus on the needs of others and her desire to foster a spirit of genuine harmony among Gods people
Mar 1, 2025, 3:06:52 AM
Olayinka Ojerinola - Strength in a woman of God is evident by her willingness to focus on the needs of others and her desire to foster a spirit of genuine harmony among Gods people
Mar 1, 2025, 2:40:33 AM
Laxmi singh - Very nice
Mar 1, 2025, 12:33:23 AM
OLADIPO MODUPEOLA - God's name must be glorified every day of my life because I don't deserve His grace
Mar 1, 2025, 12:24:01 AM
Oyedokun Oluwabunmi Esther - Always give God the glory and not to myself.
Mar 1, 2025, 12:15:58 AM
Blessing Williams - Thanks a million for this insightful and refreshing message,we must have one mind and unified as sisters to be able to glorify God. In all I do must glorify God not self.
Mar 1, 2025, 12:03:10 AM
Abiodun Karunwi - Thanks so much dear sister. Great lesson learnt, I should not seek glory or praise for myself but God cause he uses me for a purpose.
Mar 1, 2025, 12:00:57 AM
Anjola - Thank you so much for the reminder. My purpose shouldn't be one that will exhalt me among my peers and make me "popular" but it should be a reason why God's name should be exalted. And also, I should be in a conscious state where I recognise my sin and immediately repent from it🙏🙏🙏
Feb 28, 2025, 11:41:08 PM
Chong M sun - Learning
Feb 28, 2025, 11:33:13 PM
Ogunmona Olubunmi - Thank you very much. This is an eye opener. Seeking self glory does not please God. All glory belongs to God Almighty. Thank you.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:28:35 PM
Omobola Abolarinwa - Thank you for sharing @ Sister Pavithra. My focus, as I worship and serve, must be to glorify only God. It is not for me to seek praise or recognition, and even if my efforts is noticed and applauded, I must be quick to return it to God who deserves it and worthy of it all. May God keep me in humility as I serve him with my whole hearted devotion. Happy international women's day to us all. God's blessings always. 🙏
Feb 28, 2025, 10:33:48 PM
Regina Atolagbe - Awesome insights. Thanks so kindly.
Feb 28, 2025, 4:43:27 PM
Iveline DOUCE - Thanks
Feb 28, 2025, 2:40:16 PM
Phodia St Fleur - Thank you!
Feb 28, 2025, 2:04:45 PM
Jamila Gubbels - Thank you for blessing us with this wonderful reflection. It’s bearing fruit to God’s glory!
Feb 28, 2025, 10:25:56 AM
CHINYEREAjadi - Thank you very much
Feb 27, 2025, 1:42:08 PM
Katherine Ducille - Excellent inspiration