God's Glory Church

“All power is given to Me.” — Matthew 28:18

Even after Jesus set my son Jeff free from years of drug addiction, I still worried. We’ve been through a lot together, and I sometimes focus on his difficult past instead of thinking about the future God has in store for him. Parents of ex-drug addicts are often troubled by the thought of a possible relapse, and one day at a family gathering I took Jeff aside and said: “Remember our enemy, because he is strong.” “I know, father,” he answered, “he has power, but he has no power.”

In that moment I remembered the incomparable power of Jesus that saves us from our sins and changes our lives if we look to Him. I immediately thought of His words to the disciples shortly before He returned to His Heavenly Father: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. So go…” (Mt. 28:18-19).

Crucified and resurrected Jesus opened the way to God for us, no matter what our past. He owns both our past and our future. Because Jesus promised to be with us always (v. 20), we can be sure that He will accomplish His purposes. Our lives are in His safe hands. Jesus gives us an incomparable hope, a hope so great that we cannot keep it to ourselves. The devil and the world may have some power temporarily, but all power belongs to Jesus forever.

How does Jesus’ authority give you hope? What of what He has done for you that you can share with someone else?

Dear God, thank you for lovingly calling me to You. Please lead me to someone I can show Your love to.

Author: James Banks

May 5 at 10:00 a.m.
at the address: str. Mykhailo Dry-Khmary, 44
(entrance from Zhmerynska St., to the right of the Medical Center)

The holiday will include songs, a festive performance, a children’s quest and nice gifts.
We will be glad to see you!

“We love Him because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

Once as a child, my now-adult son Xavier spread his arms wide and said, “I love you so much.” In turn, I spread out my long arms and said: “And I love you so much.” In response, Xavier said: “And I loved you first.” I shook my head. “I loved you even when God put you in my belly.” Xavier’s eyes widened. “You won.” “No, we both won,” I said, “because Jesus first loved us both.”

As Xavier prepares for the birth of his first child, I pray that they will have a strong love for each other. Instead, as I prepare to become a grandmother, I marvel at how much I’ve grown to love my grandson since the moment Xavier and his wife told us they were expecting a baby.

The apostle John claimed that Jesus’ love for us gives us the ability to love him and others (1 John 4:19). Understanding that He loves us gives us a sense of security that deepens our personal relationship with Him (vv. 15-17). Realizing the depth of His love (v. 19), we can grow in love for Him and show it in other relationships (v. 20). Jesus not only helps us to show love, but also commands us to do it: “And we have this commandment from Him, that whoever loves God should also love his brother” (v. 21). God always shows more love than we do. No matter how hard we try, we still cannot surpass God!

How has understanding that God loves you helped you love others? How can you show love to others?

Loving Savior, thank you for loving me first so that I could love others.

Author: Sosheel Dixon

“Behold, I am sending Angel before your face, so that he will protect you on the way.” — Exodus 23:20

Bev was forced to undergo medical examination after examination; it made her overworked and tired. The doctors worried the woman when they said that they were looking for cancer in her body. Every day God faithfully encouraged her with promises of His presence and constant peace when she turned to Him or read the Bible. The woman tried to cope with uncertainty and learned to trust God with everything. One morning, Bev came across a verse from the book of Exodus, while she was preparing for a major operation: “Behold, I am sending an Angel before your face to guard you on the way” (Ex. 23:20).

God spoke these words through Moses to His people, the Israelites. He gave His laws, which His people had to obey, and led them to a new land (vv. 14-19). And in the midst of these instructions, God told the Israelites that he would send an angel before them “so that he would guard [them] on the way.” Although Bev’s situation was not like this, she remembered that the guardianship of angels is also mentioned in other biblical texts. In Psalm 90:11 it is said: “He will command His angels concerning you to watch over you in all your ways.” And in Hebrews 1:14 it is said that God sends “ministering spirits” to serve believers in Jesus.

If we know Christ, He sends an angel or angels to help us.

What can God do for you through His angels? How does that encourage you?

Dear God, I am thankful that You are always near and that Your angels are watching over Your children.

By Ann Sitas

“And the one sown among the tares is the one who hears the word, but the troubles of this age and the delusion of riches drown out the word.” — Matthew 13:22

After planting a few seeds in my yard, I began to wait for the results. After reading that the seeds should germinate in ten to fourteen days, I checked often by watering them. Soon I saw several green leaves poking through the soil. However, my illusion was quickly dispelled when my husband said it was weeds. He encouraged me to pull them out quickly so they wouldn’t choke out the plants I was trying to grow.

Jesus also spoke about the need to act decisively on things that can hinder our spiritual growth. He explained part of His parable as follows. When the sower sowed the seed, some of the seeds “fell into the weeds… and [he] choked them” (Matt. 13:7). This is exactly what weeds do to plants – they stop their growth (v. 22). Worry, no doubt, also stunts our spiritual growth. Reading the Scriptures and praying are great ways to grow in faith, but I have learned that I need to beware of the weeds of anxiety because they will “choke out” the good word planted in me, forcing me to focus on what could go wrong.

The fruit of the Spirit spoken of in Scripture includes love, joy, and peace (Gal. 5:22). However, in order to bear this fruit, we need to, with God’s help, pull out the weeds of anxiety and doubt that can distract us and force us to focus on something other than God.

How does God help you grow the seed He has planted in you? How to pull out the weeds of anxiety?

Dear Heavenly Father, please remind me more often of the need to pull out the weeds of anxiety and delusional thoughts so that I can grow in You and bear fruit.

Author: Katara Patton

“You, both once and twice, sent me for my needs.” — Philippians 4:16

Rescuers have teamed up to help two men stranded on an island in Micronesia. Coordinated teamwork was necessary, as the disease prevalent at the time required them to limit contact with each other. The pilot who first spotted the exiles radioed a nearby Australian Navy ship. The ship sent two helicopters to deliver food, water and medical supplies. The US Coast Guard later arrived to check on the men and deliver the radio. Eventually, a Micronesian patrol boat took them to their destination.

We can achieve a lot when we work together. The believers in Philippi joined forces to support the apostle Paul. Lydia and her family welcomed him into their home (Acts 16:13-15). Clement and even Euodia and Syntychia (who did not get along with each other) worked directly with the apostle for the sake of spreading the Gospel (Phil. 4:2-3). Later, when Paul was imprisoned in Rome, the church collected the necessary things and handed them over through Epaphroditus (vv. 14-18). Perhaps most important, however, was that the Philippians prayed for him throughout his ministry (Phil. 1:19).

Cooperation with other believers can produce far more powerful results than if we were to do it alone. Someone said: “Alone we are one drop, but together we are an ocean.”

When have you served well with other Christians? What is your spiritual connection with them based on?

Dear God, please show me how to join those who serve You.

By Jennifer Benson Schuldt

“The Lord is my helper, and I am not afraid of anyone.” — Hebrews 13:6

My friend Reilly is approaching his 85th birthday! Ever since our first conversation over 35 years ago, he has always been a source of inspiration for me. When he recently revealed that he had completed a book manuscript and embarked on another ministry initiative after his retirement, I was intrigued but not surprised.

At the age of 85, the biblical hero Kalev was not ready to stop either. Faith and devotion to God sustained him during many decades of living in the desert to receive God’s promised inheritance. Kalev said: “Today I am still strong, as on the day when Moses sent me – what was my strength then, such is my strength now, to fight, and to go out, and to come” (Ezek. 14:11). How did he plan to win? “The Lord will be with me, and I will drive them out, as the Lord said” (v. 12).

Regardless of age, stage of life, or circumstances, God will help all who put their full trust in Him. In Jesus Christ, our Savior, God has become visible to us. Thanks to Christ, the Gospel inspires us to believe in God. Jesus showed God’s care and compassion to all who turned to Him for help. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews said: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid of anyone” (Heb. 13:6). Young or old, weak or strong, imprisoned or free, running or lame – what prevents us from asking Him for help today?

Who inspired you to believe in God? How do you see God as the source of help in all things?

Almighty God, help me to see You as a source of help in all circumstances.

Author: Arthur Jackson

“God arranged the members in the body, each of them, as he wished.” — 1 Corinthians 12:18

In his essay “Ministry and the Spectrum,” Professor Daniel Bowman Jr. writes about the complexity of making decisions about how to serve a person with autism in the church. He explains, “People with autism have to forge a new path each time, a unique path that takes into account…mental, emotional and physical energy…time to be alone/recharge; sensory capabilities and comfort level…time of day; whether we are valued for our strengths and accommodated to our needs rather than excluded because of perceived shortcomings; and so much more.”

Bowman believes that the proper solution to the situation can be mutual assistance, which the Apostle Paul talks about in the 12th chapter of the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians. In verses 4-6, Paul describes how God uniquely gifts each believer “for good” (v. 7). Everyone is a “necessary” member of the body of Christ (v. 22). If churches understand the uniqueness of each person’s calling and gifting, and do not demand the same ministry from everyone, they will be able to support their members in ministry according to their gifts.

Therefore, each person can find prosperity and wholeness in the body of Christ, as well as be confident in their own worth (v. 26).

How have you been blessed by the unique gifts of others? How can churches encourage Christians to serve in different ways?

Dear God, thank you for making us all unique. Help me to appreciate every member of Christ’s body.

Author: Monica La Rose

“I told you this so that you may have peace in Me.” —John 16:33

The Civil War was raging in the USA. On December 30, 1862, Union and Confederate troops camped seven hundred yards apart on opposite banks of the Stone River in Tennessee. While warming themselves by the fires, the Union soldiers took up fiddles and harmonicas and began to play “Yankee Doodle.” In response, the Confederate soldiers played “Dixie”. Notably, the two sides came together for the finale, playing “Home, Sweet Home” in unison. In the dark night, sworn enemies shared music; those were glimpses of unimaginable peace. However, this truce was short-lived. The next morning they laid down their fiddles and took up their rifles, and 24,645 soldiers died.

Our human efforts to establish peace are inevitably exhausted. Fighting stops in one place, only to flare up in another. One conflict in the family subsides, and a few months later a new misunderstanding arises. The Holy Scriptures say that God is our only reliable peacemaker. Jesus said: “Peace is in Me” (John 16:33). Although we participate in His peacemaking mission, it is God’s reconciliation and renewal that makes true peace possible.

Christ says that it is impossible to avoid conflicts. “You will suffer in the world, but be of good courage: I have overcome the world” (v. 33). Although our efforts often prove futile, a loving God (v. 27) makes peace in this divided world.

Where do you see people working for peace? How is God’s peacemaking different?

Dear God, please show me the way of peace.

Author: Wynn Collier

“The triple thread does not break soon.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12

“I knew the only way to succeed was to forget about my home, my wife, my son and my daughter,” Jordon said. “But I realized I couldn’t do that. They are woven into the fabric of my heart and soul.” While alone in a remote area, Jordon took part in a reality TV show where contestants were challenged to survive outdoors for as long as possible with minimal supplies. They had to endure not the threat of a meeting with bears, the cold, injuries or hunger, but complete loneliness without friends and family.

We can have all the survival skills we need to be in the wild, but cutting ourselves off from our community is a sure path to failure. The wise author of the book of Ecclesiastes said: “Two are better than one, for…one will lift up his friend” (Eccl. 4:9-10). For our prosperity, we need a community that loves Christ, even if that community is imperfect. We have no chance of facing the trials of this world if we try to deal with them alone. He who labors alone labors in vain (v. 8). Without community, we are more vulnerable to danger (vv. 11-12). Unlike a single thread, “a triple thread does not quickly break” (v. 12). The gift of a loving, Christ-centered community is a gift that not only encourages, but empowers us to thrive despite any difficult circumstances. We need each other.

How can you commit to spending time with other believers? Who around you is lonely and needy?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of community! Open my heart to show love and spend time with other Christians.

Author: Karen Pimpo