40 Days of Praise: Day 04 - Ashland Theological Seminary

40 Days of Praise

Day 04

Thomas Gilmore

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, because you created all things. It is by your will that they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

I am encouraged that this verse is found in the final book of the canon. Biblical history covers over 4,100 years. In that time, we have witnessed the fall of humanity in the garden and a constant battle between good and evil. We have witnessed the rise and fall of nations and dynasties. We have witnessed a world divided by 7,000 languages, over 4,000 religions, and almost 200 countries. We have also been divided by culture, gender, race, caste, lifestyle, politics, issues, ideology, and morality. Many have used hate, envy, jealousy, fear, and prejudices to further divide us. Yet the prayer of Jesus is that we might all be one, even as he and the Father are one. How is this to occur in a world that is so divided? The answer is found in this verse. Jesus is worthy to be praised. He alone is worthy to receive glory, honor, power, and praise from all things. He is the creator of all things, so all things praise him. This includes every nation, every language, and every person, for the scripture says that every knee will bow, and every tongue will praise God (Romans 14:11).

This is a unifying call for all who live to praise God, for He has created all things. Only when we are all called together to praise Him will there be unity and peace in our world. Jesus is the common denominator between all our differences. Revelation 7:9 tells us that there was a great crowd that no one 5 could number. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. It may be hard for us to imagine Jews and Gentiles, Christians and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians, or even Democrats and Republicans all worshipping together. However, with God, all things are possible. I believe this will be the greatest miracle, that such a divided world can become one people united under one faith. As we consider the days of our lives and the world in which we live, let us not forget the one who created us and the one who will unite us as one people. Let us remember to give honor, glory, power, and praise to He who is worthy to be praised.

About the Author,
Thomas Gilmore

Adjunct Faculty, Ashland Theological Seminary; ATS Alumni, 2004 Masters of Divinity, 2007 Doctor of Ministry

Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Gilmore is a retired pastor who has served over 42 years at five congregations in Cleveland Ohio. He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University where he received his degree in Education. He served as a teacher in the East Cleveland School system and then transitioned to become the Director of Parking & Transportation for University Circle Inc.

He received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary (ATS) where he also worked as the Director and Area Coordinator of Education for the Cleveland Center from 2011 – 2018. He continues to serve ATS as an adjunct professor, as an advisor for the Doctoral Program and as a Care Giver for the Institute of Formational Counseling. He has been actively involved with many national and local ministries where he has served on the executive boards of the Ministers Council of American Baptist Churches, USA and for the Cleveland Baptist Association (CBA). He currently serves as the CFO for the CBA and the Cleveland Clergy Alliance. Dr. Gilmore loves to teach and has taught several workshops on a variety of topics including biblical studies, practical theology, clergy care, marriage, and finance. His hobbies include biking, bowling, birding, and photography.

He has been married to Rev. Dr. Dianthia Gilmore for the past 43 years and have often worked as partners in ministry including co-pastoring. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.