God's Glory Church

David, who was king of Israel around 1000 BC, is the contemplative soul who wrote our verse for the day:

“… then and there You would have taken me by the right hand and led me.”
Psalms 139:10

Note: Whenever a poem begins in the middle of a sentence, it’s a good idea to explore the larger context of the story. In this case, David explores the overwhelming fact that he can never escape the presence of God.

David realizes that it doesn’t matter if he sits or stands, travels abroad or rests at home, in heaven or in the grave, speaks his mind or keeps his thoughts to himself, or even if he somehow ends up near the farthest ocean on earth.

That’s when David continues:

“… then and there You would have taken me by the right hand and led me.”

Even there, even here, even everywhere—God is always there to guide and direct, strengthen and sustain.

Even if we try to avoid God or run away from His calling in our lives, He is patient and does not leave us, corrects us, guides us.

One thing is certain: He will never leave us.

So, when you’re washing dishes, looking at your phone, or making a difficult decision; when you’re working hard, lazing around at home, or spending time with the people you love; when you’re heartbroken, when you’re happy, when you’re in doubt, when you’re hopeful, and even when you’ve made a terrible decision…

“… then and there You would have taken me by the right hand and led me.”

Wherever you find yourself today, know that you are not alone. You are not lost. You are not without someone who cares and who can save. Thank God, there is no escaping His presence.

Because I live and you will live! —John 14:19
His father’s words deeply wounded Ravi’s heart. “You are worthless. You are a burden to our family,” he said. Compared to the other talented brothers, Ravi seemed like a complete loser. He tried to achieve success in sports – and achieved it. But he still felt inferior. “What will become of me? – he worried. – I am completely worthless? Can I leave this life in some painless way?” These thoughts haunted him, but he did not tell anyone about them. This was not acceptable in his culture. He was taught to keep his personal pain to himself and not to let anyone into his broken inner world.

So Ravi suffered alone. And then it happened that after a failed suicide attempt, he ended up in the hospital, and a visitor brought him a Bible. He revealed to him the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John. And the mother read to him the words of Christ: “For I live and you shall live!” (John 14:19).

“Maybe this is my only hope,” thought Ravi. “This is the way to a new life. The kind of life the Creator intended.” And he prayed like this: “Jesus, if You really are the One who gives such a life as it should be, then I want such a life.”

There are desperate moments in life, but we can find hope only in Jesus, who is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:9).

Dear Lord, I recognize myself as a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me and offering eternal life. Change my life so that I can bring glory and honor to You alone.
Only Jesus can give new life.
Author: Po Fang Hia

If evil comes upon us… we will cry to You from our oppression, and You will hear and save. — 2 Chronicles 20:9
French artist Henri Matisse believed that the last works of his life best expressed his essence. During that period, he experimented with a new style, creating large color paintings, often using colored paper instead of paint. He decorated the walls of his room with these vivid images, which was important for him – because he was diagnosed with cancer and was often confined to bed.

A serious illness, job loss, great misfortune – all these are examples of “walking through the valley of darkness”, in which it seems that only terrible darkness reigns everywhere. The Jewish people found themselves in such a valley when they heard that enemy armies were approaching (2 Chron. 20:2-3). Their king prayed: “If evil comes upon us… we will cry to You from our distress, and You will hear and save” (2 Chron. 20:9). And the Lord answered: “Tomorrow go out before them, and the Lord will be with you!” (2 Chron. 20:17).

When the Jewish army reached the battlefield, it turned out that the enemy armies had already destroyed each other. For three days, God’s people collected valuable things, clothes and weapons left by the enemies. And before returning home, they glorified God and called that place “the valley of Berach”, that is, “the valley of blessing.”

Let’s remember that God walks beside us in the most difficult moments of our lives.

Dear God, help me not to be afraid when I face various difficulties. Help me to believe that Your grace and love are always with me.
God is the Master of turning burdens into blessings.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Whoever loses his life for Me will find it. — Matthew 10:39
When I married my English fiance and went to the UK, I thought it would be a five-year adventure in another country. I never thought that I would live there for almost 20 years, that sometimes I would feel like I was losing my life – because I left my family, friends, work and everything that was so familiar and familiar. But, losing the old, I found a new life. Much better life.

The paradoxical gift of finding life despite the loss of life is what Jesus promised His apostles. When He sent 12 disciples to bring the Good News to people, He asked them to love Him more than even their mother, father, sons and daughters (Mt. 10:37). These words were spoken in a culture where the family was the cornerstone of society and was valued extremely highly. But the Lord promised that if they lose their “old” life for His sake, they will receive a “new life” (Mt. 10:39).

It is not necessary to go abroad to find yourself in Christ. Through service and consecration, we can see firsthand that we receive more than we give, thanks to the great love of the Lord that pours down upon us in abundant rain. Of course, Jesus loves us regardless of how much we serve Him, but when we give ourselves for the welfare of others, we find deep satisfaction, a sense of a meaningful life, not lived in vain.

When I see the Golgotha ​​cross, Where the King of glory dies for us, I find the greatest treasure there, I cover my pride with contempt. — Isaac Watts
Every loss contains the fullness of God’s presence.
By Amy Buescher Pye

One of the most famous stories from the life of Jesus is the calming of the storm (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25).

Think of the disciples sailing with Jesus in a boat when a life-threatening storm rages on the water. They are not ready to face it. In a panic, they realize that they may die. All this time, Jesus is sleeping peacefully.

Instead of watching how Jesus responded to their situation, the disciples let the situation dictate their response.

After they ask Jesus to do something, He calms the storm, but first by asking them, “Why are you afraid?”

He gave this mild rebuke, not because they did not believe that Jesus could save them from the storm, but because they found it difficult to believe that He would help them through it.

They knew Jesus was in their boat, they just didn’t understand what He was fully capable of.

Jesus was their Strength in the storm and above the storm.
Jesus was their Sustainer, Protector, Healer and Leader.
Jesus was a source of peace and strength for them.

And with us is the same God who was with the disciples in the boat. No matter what your current storm looks like, Jesus is there. There isn’t a situation you’ve been through that Jesus didn’t go through with you.

Jesus was, is and will come. He was there at the beginning of time and He will be there at the end of it. He has seen every event in human history and has not abandoned anyone who cries out to Him and hopes in Him.

Nothing is impossible for God, and His character never changes. He is for you, not against you, so you have nothing to fear. And that’s why you can make the promise of Isaiah 41:13 your own today:

“Because I, the Lord, your God, am holding your right hand. It is I who say to you: ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you.’

When we became Christians and first believed in Jesus, we began a journey of faith. We have made a commitment to become disciples of Jesus who keep His commandments and trust Him.

In his instructions to Timothy, the Apostle Paul encourages him to fight the good fight of faith. This means that the journey of faith will often be difficult. Sometimes it will be messy, difficult and painful. Paul’s words serve as a reminder that sometimes faith feels like a struggle.

However, this journey of faith is a struggle for goodness, beauty and faithfulness, not a struggle with people. We are fighting against our broken nature as well as God’s enemies in the spiritual realm.

Struggle often feels like making the right decision, even if it’s not the easiest decision. It can mean being gentle when we want to be harsh. It can mean choosing love when it’s easier to be selfish.

Fighting the good fight means staying faithful to Jesus throughout your life. You were called to a new life in Christ when you came to faith, and you are called to remain faithful throughout your life.

So how do you stay faithful? One way to develop faithfulness is to read God’s Word daily. When you spend time with Him regularly, you begin to love what God loves and hate what He hates.

But when you seek God in this way, it is also important to have friendships with people who can encourage you. Having two or three people in your life who can help keep you accountable is a necessary part of your faith journey. As you consider what next steps you need to take to fight the good fight, remember that you are not fighting alone. God is with you, and as you draw close to Him, He will give you the strength you need to successfully complete your faith journey.

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that Jesus said the following words:

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there will I also be in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

We know from many other passages in the Bible that God’s ability to be with us does not depend on a packed stadium or an empty hall. He is able to be just as present, regardless of whether more or less than 2-3 people have gathered.

So, in this particular case, what did Jesus mean?

When we look at the surrounding context, Jesus is actually explaining to His disciples how to correct a believer who has sinned against them. He encourages them:

• First, go talk to the person alone
• Second, if they don’t seem to be listening the first time, bring one or two others with you
• Third, if they still won’t listen, take the matter to the church
• Fourth, if they still refuse to listen to the wisdom and counsel of the church, treat them as you would an unbeliever.

So when Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there will I be in their midst,” He is reminding them that as they handle church discipline situations with humility, grace, and love, He will be with them in the process.

Throughout God’s Word, we receive instructions on how to handle various situations—whether it’s money, relationships, sin, health problems, and more. And even when things don’t seem black or white, we can listen to the Holy Spirit and listen to the leaders He has appointed.

Jesus knew that conflicts and problems would inevitably arise, so He taught His disciples to ask for whatever they needed (see verse 19) and promised to be with them on their journey.

The death and resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith. It is through Jesus that we receive the free gift of salvation. Jesus’ death not only atones for all our bad deeds, but also gives us the opportunity to have a relationship with God.

However, there are many other benefits that came through the death and resurrection of Jesus. One aspect that Paul focuses on in 1 Corinthians 15 is the victory that comes through Jesus.

The scriptures say that Jesus’ death not only solved the problem of our sins, but also defeated the power of sin. This means that we can live a life filled with the power of the Holy Spirit living within us.

Jesus’ death and resurrection also defeated the consequence of our sin, death. We no longer need to fear death because Jesus has power over it. He rose from the dead, and now He gives eternal, fulfilling life to those who believe in Him.

This is why Paul encourages his readers to stand firm in the faith. The victory has already been won by Jesus, and as Christians we are participants in that victory. Nothing can take away God’s love. Nothing can separate us from His plan of salvation.

Even so, Paul encourages us to continue working for the Lord because God’s work will never be in vain. Since Jesus has already won, all work done in His name will also bring victory.

What is the Lord’s work? It is to continue to share the hope and love of Jesus with other people. It is love for God and love for others. Each of us has an area of ​​service—at home, in the neighborhood, or at work. And because Jesus won, we must be confident in doing the work that God has given us.

So let’s be extravagant in showing our love to others in our lives. Do not hesitate to share His good news with other people.

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest! — Matthew 11:28
Once a man was driving a truck on a country road and saw a woman carrying a huge bag. He stopped and offered to give her a ride. After thanking her sincerely, the woman got out of the car.

But after a minute, the driver noticed a strange thing: the woman was still holding her big burden in her arms, although she was already sitting in the car! Extremely surprised, he pleaded with her, “Ma’am, please put your burden on the floor and rest! My car is quite capable of carrying you and your belongings. Just relax!”

What do we do with our burdens of fear, anxiety, and worry when life hits hard times? Do we stubbornly drag them on ourselves, like that woman, or do we give them to the Lord, finding peace in Him? Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!” (Matthew 11:28). But still, I often find myself carrying burdens instead of releasing them by giving them to Jesus.

We are freed from burdens when we bring them to the Lord in prayer. Apostle Peter says: “Put all your sorrows on Him, because He takes care of you!” (1 Pet. 5:7). The Lord really cares about us, so we can rest our souls in Him. Instead of carrying these burdens that weigh heavily on us and tire us, we can give them to the Lord. Let Him carry your burden.

I’m so tired, Lord. I bring you my burdens today. Please take them and carry them for me.
Prayer is the place where God takes our burdens on His shoulders.
Author: Laurence Darmany

Have you ever had a question or concern that you felt you needed to resolve on your own?

Sometimes we shy away from asking questions because we think we should already know the answers. But Jesus invites us to bring all our doubts, fears and questions to Him.

In the 3rd chapter of the Gospel of John, we see how Nicodemus, a respected and influential religious man, came to Jesus alone one evening to ask him a few questions.

Many think that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he was afraid that the other Pharisees, who were always looking for ways to get rid of Jesus, would see Nicodemus and condemn him.

Being a Pharisee, Nicodemus studied the Holy Scriptures all his life. But he still didn’t have answers to all the questions. Instead of relying on his own abilities and knowledge, Nicodemus gave up his pride and status and came to Jesus.

Although Nicodemus may have feared the judgment of the Pharisees, Jesus did not judge him. He welcomed Nicodemus’ question and answered him truthfully.

Answering Nicodemus, Jesus says the following: “But whoever lives in the truth, he comes to the light, so that his deeds may be revealed, because they were done in God.” (NPU)

Jesus says that everyone who lives the truth and follows Him lives in the light. Those who do not live like Jesus run from the light and live in darkness.

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, fearing what others might think. But Jesus called him to live in the light and follow Him. This meeting with Jesus changed the life of Nicodemus. He no longer followed Jesus in the shadows. In John 7 he defended Jesus to the other Pharisees, and in John 19 he came to bury Jesus’ body.

Like Nicodemus, when we choose to walk with Jesus, we walk from darkness to light and from fear to courage. And when we come to Jesus, He accepts us as we are and leads us to His truth.