God's Glory Church

10/15/2023 10:04 a.m. On the channel of the Church of God’s Glory #broadcast Unkind Sincerity has started | Pastor Oleksandr Koltukov:

“God chose the unwise of the world to shame the wise.” — 1 Corinthians 1:27

The pastor, squinting, peered into the text of his sermon. He was short-sighted, so he held the manuscript pages almost up to his nose. His language was vague and monotonous. However, the Spirit of God worked through the word of Jonathan Edwards, igniting the fire of the Great Awakening, which led thousands of people to faith in Christ.

God often uses unexpected things to accomplish His perfect purposes. Writing about His plan to bring lost humanity closer to God through the loving death of Jesus on the cross, the apostle Paul concludes: “God chose the unwise of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor. 1:27). The world expected God’s wisdom to look like its own wisdom and come with overwhelming power. Instead, the Lord Jesus came humbly and meekly to save us from our sins. He became for us “wisdom from God, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (v. 30).

The eternal and wise God incarnated into a human baby who would grow up, suffer, die and be resurrected in order to lovingly show us the way to His home. He likes to use humble means and people to accomplish great things that we could never accomplish on our own. If we want, He can use even us.

What unexpected things have you witnessed from God? How do you become open to Him?

Loving Father, thank you for Your unexpected ways. Help me to follow You so that You can use me for something useful.

Author: James Banks

“I leave you peace, I give you My peace!” —John 14:27

I was thrilled when I found the perfect gift for my mother-in-law’s birthday: the bracelet even included a stone that matched her birth month! Finding the perfect gift for someone is always a great pleasure. But what to do if the gift that a person needs cannot be bought. Many of us would like to give someone peace of mind, rest or even patience. If only all that could be bought, wrapped in beautiful paper and tied with a ribbon!

People cannot give such gifts to each other. However, Jesus, God in human flesh, gives believers in Him a special gift – the gift of peace. Before ascending to heaven and leaving the disciples, He gave them the promise of the Holy Spirit, who “will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have told you” (Jn. 14:26). Jesus offered them peace, His peace, as an incorruptible gift to their hearts when they are troubled or afraid. He Himself is our peace with God, with others and with ourselves.

We can’t give loved ones the extra level of patience or improve their health the way they would like or give them the peace we all need during life’s challenges. But under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can tell them about Jesus, about the One who gives true and eternal peace and is the embodiment of this peace.

How has Jesus brought peace into your life? Who introduced you to Him?

Lord Jesus, thank you for the comfort of Your eternal and unshakable peace in my life.

Author: Kirsten Holmberg

“Always rely on the Lord.” — Isaiah 26:4

One winter morning, when I opened the blinds, I saw a dense veil of fog – an extremely rare phenomenon in our area. Forecasters called it “frosty fog” and promised that it would last no more than an hour. “It’s impossible,” I told my husband, “there’s no outstretched hand in sight!” However, not even an hour had passed when the fog cleared and the sun shone brightly in the blue sky.

Standing by the window, I thought about how much I can trust when all I see in life is a fog. I asked my husband: “Do I always trust God, or only when I see something?”

When King Uzziah died and wicked rulers came to power in Judah, the prophet Isaiah asked a similar question: “Whom shall we trust?” God answered Isaiah with a vision so amazing that it convinced the prophet: God can be trusted in the present circumstances. And he began to glorify God: “You will keep the thought that rests on You in complete peace, because it puts its hope in You” (Is. 26:3). Then he added: “Always rely on the Lord, because in the Lord, in the Lord there is an eternal stronghold!” (v. 4).

When our minds are focused on God, we are able to trust Him even in dark and troubled times. Even if everything is dim in front of us now, we can trust God and be sure of His help.

When life seems vague and unclear, who or what do you rely on? How to redirect your attention from present problems to the eternal God?

Dear God, the world seems hazy and incomprehensible; help me focus on You, because only You can I trust.

Author: Patricia Raybon

“For indeed I will do you a favor for the sake of your father Jonathan.” — 2 Samuel 9:7

In the insightful article “Does my son know you?” sports journalist Jonathan Tjarkes wrote about his battle with cancer and asked that other people take care of his wife and young son. The thirty-four-year-old author wrote this article six months before his death. His father also died at a young age. Thiarks, a sincere Christian, shared in the article passages from the Holy Scriptures, which speak about the care of widows and orphans (Exodus 22:22; Isaiah 1:17; James 1:27). Addressing his friends, he wrote: “When I see you in heaven, I will ask only one thing: “Have you been kind to my son and my wife?… Does my son know you?””

King David also inquired: “Is there anyone left of Saul’s house? I will do him favor for Jonathan’s sake” (2 Sam. 9:1). They brought Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, to the king, who due to an accident (see 2 Sam. 4:4) became “crooked in his feet” (v. 3). David said to him: “Do not be afraid, because I will really do you favor for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will give you all the field of your father Saul. And you will always eat bread at my table” (2 Sam. 9:7). David showed loving concern for Mephibosheth, and it seems that it was then that he really got to know him (see 2 Sam. 19:25-31).

The Lord Jesus called us to love others as He loved us (John 13:34). So, with His help, we will get to know and love others.

How can you learn more about others? What does it mean for you to love them as God loves you?

Heavenly Father, help me to glorify You with my sincere desire to love others.

Author: Our Daily Bread

“That God… may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him.” — Ephesians 1:17

In 2001, a premature boy named Christopher Duffley surprised doctors by surviving. At the age of five months, he entered the foster care system, and then he was adopted by his aunt’s family. The teacher noticed that four-year-old Christopher, although blind and diagnosed with autism, had perfect hearing. Six years later, Christopher took the stage in the church and sang “Open the eyes of my heart”. The video has collected millions of views on the Internet. In 2020, Christopher shared his goals of serving as an advocate for people with disabilities. He continues to prove that the possibilities are endless if the eyes of his heart are open to God’s plan.

The Apostle Paul praised the Christians in Ephesus for their bold faith (Eph. 1:15-16). He asked God to give them “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him” ​​(v. 17). Paul prayed that the Lord would “enlighten” the eyes of their hearts so that they would understand the hope and inheritance promised by God to His people (v. 18).

Asking God to reveal Himself to us, we can know Him more and confidently proclaim His Name, power and authority (vv. 19-23). With faith in Jesus and love for all of God’s people, we can live a life that affirms His infinite possibilities. So, we ask Him to keep our eyes open.

How has God helped you overcome obstacles or limitations? How does understanding His truth, character, and love change the way you view difficulties?

Mighty and merciful God, please open the eyes of my heart so that I can love You and live with a bold faith that leads others to worship You.

Author: Sosheel Dixon

“Life and death I have set before you, blessing and cursing. And you choose life.” — Deuteronomy 30:19

A few weeks after the death of a close friend, I spoke with her mother. I did not dare to ask how she was doing, because I thought it inappropriate, because she was in grief. Eventually, I pushed aside my hesitation and simply asked how she was doing. And this is what she said in response: “Listen, I choose joy.”

Her words helped me get through the unpleasant circumstances in my life that day. They also reminded me of Moses’ words to the Israelites at the end of Deuteronomy. Shortly before the death of Moses and the entry of the Israelites into the promised land, God wanted to remind them that they have a choice: “I have set before you life and death… choose life” (Deut. 30:19). The people could obey God’s laws and live well or leave Him and suffer the consequences – “death and evil” (v. 15).

We also have to choose how to live. Or we choose joy by believing and relying on God’s promises for our lives. Or we choose to focus on the negative and difficult aspects of our life journey, allowing them to rob us of joy. We need to rely on the help of the Holy Spirit and choose joy, knowing that “all things work together for good to those who love God, who are called by His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

How do you choose joy despite your current circumstances? How similar is the choice of joy to the choice of life that God told the Israelites about?

Dear God, Giver of joy, please help me to follow You and trust You.

Author: Katara Patton

“Now we see as if in a mirror, in a riddle, but later – face to face.” — 1 Corinthians 13:12

An ophthalmologist helped three-year-old Andreas choose his first glasses. “Look in the mirror,” he said. Andreas looked at his reflection and then turned to his father with a happy and loving smile. Then Andreas’ father gently wiped away the tears that rolled down his son’s cheeks and asked: “What happened?” Andreas hugged his father by the neck and said: “I see you.” He moved back a little, bent his head and looked into his father’s eyes. “I see you!”

When we prayerfully study the Bible, the Holy Spirit helps us see Jesus, “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15). However, even with the sight given by the Holy Spirit and the constant knowledge of the Scriptures, we still only see a glimpse of God’s infinite majesty. When our time on earth ends or when Jesus fulfills His promise to return, we will see Him in all his fullness (1 Cor. 13:12).

In that joyful moment, we will not need any special glasses, because we will see Christ face to face and know Him as He knows each of us, the beloved members of His body, the church. The Holy Spirit will fill us with faith, hope, and love, so that we may remain steadfast until we see the loving and living Savior and say, “I see You, Jesus! I see You!”

What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you recently while reading the Bible? How has growing in the knowledge of God changed you?

Lord Jesus, please help me see You more clearly and know You better until You call me home or come again.

Author: Sosheel Dixon

“And God said: “Let the water bring forth… fowl that fly above the earth under the firmament of heaven.” — Genesis 1:20

An international research group has created a drone that imitates the movements of a specific bird – a swift. These birds can fly at a speed of up to 145 kilometers per hour and are capable of hovering, diving, turning quickly and stopping suddenly. However, the ornithopter drone is still inferior to the bird. One of the researchers said that birds “have multiple sets of muscles that allow them to fly incredibly fast, fold their wings, twist, open their feather slits, and conserve energy.” He admitted that his team’s efforts have so far been able to reproduce only “10 percent of biological flight.”

God has endowed the creatures of our world with various amazing abilities. Observing them can become a source of wisdom for us. Ants teach us to gather resources, badgers show the value of safe shelter, and locusts teach us that there is strength in numbers (Prov. 30:25-27).

The Bible says that God “by His wisdom firmly established the universe” (Jer. 10:12), and that at the end of each step in the creation process, He confirmed that what He created was “good” (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). God, who created “birds that fly above the earth under the firmament of heaven” (v. 20), gave us the ability to combine His wisdom with our reasoning. Think today about what the exquisite design of the natural world can teach you.

What in God’s creation fascinates you the most? What does it tell you about God’s wisdom?

Dear Heavenly Father, help me, reflecting on Your creation, to see in it the manifestation of Your wisdom.

By Jennifer Benson Schuldt

? 10/01/2023 10:05 a.m. The #broadcast of Prayer for Urayna began on the Church of God’s Glory channel | 1/10/2023: https://youtu.be/nxETvLoWYT0