“For the Lord, your God, is God in the heavens above and on the earth of fate.” —Joshua 2:11
In its films, Hollywood shows handsome superspies who drive around in luxurious Aston Martins and other expensive cars. But John Mendez, the former head of the CIA, paints the opposite picture. In real life, an agent should be a “little gray man” – inconspicuous and unremarkable. “The special services need people who you would look at and immediately forget,” he says. The best agents are the ones who look the least like them.
Two Israelite spies entered Jericho and came to a woman named Rahab, who hid them from the royal guard (Ezekiel 2:4). At first glance, she was the least suitable for the role of “God’s agent”. She had as many as three negatives: she was a Canaanite, a woman, and, ultimately, a harlot. However, Rahab believed in the living God. “The Lord, your God, He is God in the heavens above and on the earth of destiny,” she told the spies (v. 11) and hid them in bundles of linen on the roof. The Lord rewarded her faith. Joshua spared the lives of Rahab and all her relatives (Ezek. 6:24).
Sometimes we may feel that we are less suitable than others for God’s work. Perhaps we have physical limitations or feel we are not gifted enough or have a questionable past. But history is full of people like Rahab, whom the Lord entrusted with a special service in His Kingdom. Rest assured, He has great purposes even for those who seem least fit for it.
What makes you feel “in the background”? What task do you think God has dedicated to you?
God, help me to be ready to respond to Your call and fulfill Your will
Author: Kenneth Petersen
“He will be merciful to you at the voice of your supplication.” — Isaiah 30:19
If the baby cries, it means that he is tired or hungry. However, according to research by doctors at Brown University, some features of newborn crying can provide important information about other problems as well. With the help of a computer program, the pitch, volume and clarity of children’s cries were studied. Now these data allow us to draw conclusions about the state of the child’s central nervous system.
According to the prophecy of Isaiah, God listens to the pleas of His chosen ones, determines the state of their hearts and responds to them with manifestations of grace. The inhabitants of Judea did not want to listen to the prophet, but sought salvation from their enemies in an alliance with Egypt (Is. 30:1-7). To this God spoke that if they continued to resist, the result would be defeat and humiliation. But at the same time, – said Isaiah, – “the Lord will wait to have mercy on you, and… rise up to show mercy to you” (v. 18). Salvation will come, but only in response to the cry of repentance and faith. If God’s people call out to their Creator, He will forgive their sins and renew their spiritual strength and vitality (vv. 8-26).
The same applies to us today. When our cry of repentance or cry of faith reaches the ears of our Heavenly Father, He listens, forgives, and renews our joy and hope.
Why do we want to look for help not in God, but somewhere else? What happens when we turn to God and repent to Him?
God, forgive me for not looking to You for safety and protection. Please restore my love for You.
Author: Marvin Williams
“Finally, be like-minded, compassionate, brotherly, merciful…” – 1 Peter 3:8
Making benches is not part of James Warren’s professional duties. However, he took up this craft when he saw a woman in Denver sitting in dust on the ground while waiting for a bus. This is humiliating, Warren thought. And so the 28-year-old HR consultant found some boards, built a bench and placed it at the bus stop. They immediately started using it. James learned that there were about nine thousand stops in the city, and many of them had nowhere to get on. He made another bench, then several more, and on each he wrote: “Be kinder.” What did he long for? “To make people’s lives a little better,” James replies.
This is called “compassion” – a feeling that moves us to help people in their needs, as Jesus did. When a crowd of people gathered near Him, He “had mercy on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mr. 6:34). Compassion went into action: Jesus “healed their weak” (Mt. 14:14).
This feeling should guide us as well. “Clothe on… in sincere charity,” urged the apostle Paul (Col. 3:12). What will we get in return? Warren says, “I feel like I’m living for nothing. It’s like air in the tires of my car.”
There are many needs around us, and God will draw our attention to them. Let these needs motivate us to translate compassion into concrete actions so that people can see the love of Christ in action.
Have you ever helped people with their needs? What can you say about compassion?
When I see pain or need, Lord, fill my heart with the compassion of Christ and move me to action.
Author: Patricia Raybon |
? 09/24/2023 10:06 AM The Church of God’s Glory channel has started a #broadcast After all, you are saved by grace | Pastor Oleksandr Koltukov 24.09.2023: https://youtu.be/tU0C06Zf63c
“And all of them, having received the testimony of faith, did not accept the vow.” — Hebrews 11:39
Little Sean didn’t know what a real family was. His mother died, and his father rarely came home. Sean felt alone and unwanted. But a married couple lived nearby who decided to take care of him. They invited the baby to their place and introduced them to their children, whom they introduced as “elder brother” and “elder sister”. And they took him with them to church. Today, Sean, a friendly young man, is the youth minister of this church.
Although the aforementioned married couple played the most important role in Sean’s life, most of the members of their church do not know this. However, God knows and I believe that one day they will have a worthy reward like those mentioned in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. First, the author mentions the great heroes of the Bible, but then he talks about many others of whom we may never have heard. At the same time, all of them, having “received testimony by faith” (v. 39), are “those of whom the world was not worthy” (v. 38).
Even if our good deeds go unnoticed, let us remember that God sees and knows everything. And even if what we do seems insignificant – a humble favor or an encouraging word – the Lord can use it for His glory as He needs. What people do not see, God sees.
What simple good deed can you do today? How can you remind yourself that God knows the desires of your heart and the works of your hands?
Heavenly Father, show me what good works You have instructed me to do. And grant faith to do them for You.
Author: Leslie Koh
“What do you want me to do to you?” — Luke 18:41
Ann came to the surgeon for an examination. It was her old acquaintance. After the examination, the doctor asked: “Do you have any questions?” “Yes,” answered Anne. “Did you go to church on Sunday?” The question was not judgmental. With his help, the girl wanted to start a conversation about faith.
The surgeon did not have the most pleasant childhood memories of the church. But thanks to Ann’s question and conversation, he rethought the role of Jesus Christ and the church in his life. Anne later presented the doctor with a Bible with his name on the cover. He received her with tears in his eyes.
Sometimes we are afraid of aggression from non-believers or we don’t want to seem aggressive ourselves, so we don’t dare to talk about faith. But there is a great way to involve a person in a friendly conversation – to ask a question.
Jesus, God in the flesh, knew everything, but asked many questions. We cannot always understand with what intention He did this, but His questions definitely aroused interest and encouraged conversation. He asked His future disciples: “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38). The Lord said to blind Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51; Luke 18:41). He turned to the relaxed person with the question: “Do you want to be healthy?” (John 5:6). And in each of the above cases, changes in life occurred after the question.
Is there someone you know with whom you want to talk about faith? Ask God to put the right questions on your heart.
Why are questions better conversation starters than direct statements? What questions can you ask those who need spiritual help?
Lord Jesus, help me to communicate with people in such a way as to direct them to You.
Author: David Brenon
? 09/17/2023 10:04 #broadcast Those Who Put Their Hope in the Lord started on the Church of God’s Glory channel | Pastor Oleksandr Koltukov 09/17/2023: https://youtu.be/f4ijWmsyOUk
“Do not be concerned about this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
In 2014, biologists caught a pair of orange seahorses off the coast of the Philippines. Along with part of the same orange coral that served as their home, they were taken to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Scientists wanted to find out: do newborn grasshoppers inherit the color of their parents or form their own under the influence of the environment. Orange grasshoppers gave birth to dull brown pups, which were placed in an aquarium with purple coral. Soon the children also turned purple. Having no other protection, they received from God the ability to blend into the background.
This is quite a useful defense mechanism in nature. However, it does not suit us. God calls all who have accepted salvation to stand out in the surrounding world. The Apostle Paul convinces us to glorify God in all areas of life and present our bodies “as a living sacrifice” to serve Him (Rom. 12:1).
Given the natural human vulnerability caused by sin, our spiritual health depends on the Holy Spirit renewing our minds and enabling us to avoid the influences of this God-rejecting and sin-glorifying age (v. 2).
“Relating to this age” means acting contrary to God’s will. However, thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live and love according to the example of Christ.
How did you “relate” to the world? How has God changed you?
God, change me every day into the image of Jesus Christ.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“Wait for the Lord in silence and rely on Him.” — Psalm 36:7
I settled comfortably in the float capsule. This is a special camera that isolates a person from any external stimuli. My body floated in the liquid, as if in weightlessness. The music began to subside and gradually fell silent. The light gradually faded. I read that such procedures relieve stress and anxiety. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The world seemed to stop around me. My innermost thoughts surfaced. I left the capsule calm and even a little younger. Indeed, there is great power hidden in silence.
Christians rest best in the stillness of God’s presence. The Lord renews our strength and gives us wisdom to overcome the difficulties we face every day. You just need to devote time to it, close yourself off from external noise and eliminate everything that can distract us.
Relaxation capsules are a good way to calm down. But God offers a simpler and more effective method: “When you pray, enter your room, shut your door, and pray to your Father” (Mt. 6:6). God will direct our steps and shine His righteousness through us. So, let’s look for a solution to life’s problems in the silence of His majestic presence (Ps. 36:5-6).
What causes you stress or anxiety? How can you focus more on quiet time with God?
Heavenly Father, the fast pace of life overwhelms me. Help me to stop and spend more time with You.
Author: Kimya Loder (guest)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works in gentle wisdom by good conduct.” — James 3:13
Just before Easter 2018, a terrorist broke into the shopping center. He killed two people and took a woman hostage. Attempts to free her were unsuccessful, and then one of the policemen offered himself to the terrorist in exchange for a hostage.
The proposal was shocking because it contradicted the worldview of most people today. The “wisdom” of the world can always be distinguished by characteristic self-centered statements. Many such statements are published in social networks. Here are some of them: “The greatest adventure is living the life of your dreams.” “Love yourself, and everything will fall into place.” “Do what you have to do for yourself.” If the policeman had followed these tips, he would not have taken such a risk.
Apostle James writes that there are two kinds of wisdom. One is “earthly”, the other is “from above”. The first type of wisdom is characterized by envy, quarrels and disorder (James 3:14-16). The second is characterized by meekness, humility and mercy (vv. 13, 17-18). Earthly wisdom puts itself first. Heavenly cares for others and leads to humble service (v. 13).
The terrorist accepted the offer. The hostage was released, and the policeman died during the operation. But on that Easter, the world once again saw how an innocent man gave his life for another man.
Heavenly wisdom values God the most, so it prompts us to Christian virtues (Prov. 9:10). And what wisdom do you follow?
What wisdom does the world offer? How to get the wisdom that God gives?
Wise Lord, grant me wisdom that leads to humble service and selfless love.
Author: Sheridan Voysey
