God's Glory Church

? 09/03/2023 10:06 a.m. The #broadcast of Prayer for Ukraine has begun on the Church of God’s Glory channel | 3/09/2023: https://youtu.be/i79thDxdHcY

“When my spirit within me faints… You know my way.” — Psalm 141:4

Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to run with Brian. I was in a foreign country and had no idea where or how far we would be running, or what the terrain would be like. In addition, he was a fast runner. Will I twist my leg trying to keep up with him? I just had to trust Brian, because he knew the way. As we started to run, I became even more anxious. The path was difficult, it passed through a dense forest on uneven terrain. Fortunately, Brian regularly looked back to check on me and warned of tricky sections ahead.

Apparently, people in biblical times felt something similar when they entered an unfamiliar territory: for example, Abraham in Canaan, the Israelites in the desert, the disciples of Jesus during the missionary journey. They didn’t know what the path would be, except that it would be difficult. However, they had One who led them, for He knew the way ahead. They only had to trust God that He would help them and take care of them. They could follow Him because He knew exactly what was ahead.

This assurance comforted David when he had to flee. Despite complete obscurity, he said to God: “When my spirit faints within me… You know my way” (Ps. 141:4). There will be periods in life when we are afraid of not understanding what lies ahead. However, let us remember that God, who walks alongside us, knows the way.

What worries you the most in life? How can we remind ourselves that God walks alongside us and knows the way ahead?

Heavenly Father, although I do not know what will happen next, but You know. I believe that You will take care of me and direct my path.

Author: Leslie Koh

“A straight road for the righteous, You make the path of the righteous straight.” — Isaiah 26:7

In sonic baseball, the ball and base emit signals so blind players know what to do and where to move. The blindfolded player (allowing for varying degrees of blindness) who bats the ball and the sighted pitcher are on the same team. When the player swings the bat and hits the sound ball, he runs towards the sound base. If the fielder catches the ball, the fielder is out if he does not reach the base. One of the players commented that the best aspect of the game for him is the feeling of “great freedom” when he runs, because he knows that he has a clear path and a clear direction in front of him.

In the Book of the prophet Isaiah, it is said that God makes “the path of the righteous” straight (Is. 26:7). When this was written, the path for the Israelites was not exactly “smooth”; they were undergoing God’s judgment for their disobedience. The prophet Isaiah called them to walk in faith and humility, which is often difficult, but is the smooth road. Their hearts were to seek to glorify God’s Name (v. 8).

As believers in Jesus Christ, we come to know God more and rely more on His faithful character as we humbly walk in His ways. Our life’s path does not always look or feel smooth, but there is no doubt that God is with us and paves the way for us. We can also experience freedom by humbly running God’s best way for us.

What steps of humility do you need to take? When and how can you do it?

Father God, I am grateful for the freedom I feel in Your good way. Please continue to show me Your way.

By Ann Sitas

“The Lord gave, and the Lord took away… Blessed be the Lord’s Name!” — Job 1:21

It couldn’t be worse. Having achieved some success in designing bridges, monuments and large structures, Cesare wanted to start a new business. So, he sold his first business and put the money in the bank, planning to reinvest it soon. During this period, however, the government seized assets in private bank accounts, and César lost all his savings.

Deciding not to take the injustice as a cause for complaint, Caesar asked God to show him the way forward and then simply started all over again.

Job lost not only his property in one moment. He lost most of his servants and all his children (Job 1:13-22). Then he lost his health (Job 2:7-8). Job’s reaction remains an eternal example for us. He prayed: “I came out naked from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there, to the earth! The Lord gave, and the Lord took away… Blessed be the Lord’s Name!” (Job 1:21). The chapter ends with the words: “Despite all this, Job did not sin, and he did not say anything foolish to God” (v. 22).

Caesar also decided to trust God. And just a few years later, he built a new business, much more successful than the first. His story recalls the conclusion of the story of Job (see Job 42). Even if Caesar never recovered economically, he knew that his true treasure was not on earth (Matt. 6:19-20). And he would still trust God.

How did you feel when you suffered your greatest loss? What is the Holy Spirit teaching you through your losses?

Dear God, please tell me more about Your love. I still don’t understand a lot.

Author: Tim Gustavson

“My heart was in favor of building a temple of peace for the ark of the Lord’s covenant.” — 1 Хронік 28:2

Graduates of a school in Oklahoma collected money for the “trip of a lifetime” all year long. Arriving at the airport, they learned that many of them had purchased tickets from a fictitious company that only pretended to be an airline. “It’s very painful,” said the school administrator. However, even though they had to change their plans, the students decided to “make the most of the situation.” They enjoyed two days of rest at the attractions, where they were simply given tickets.

Disruption or change of plans can be frustrating and even overwhelming, especially if we have invested our time, money and emotions in the planning. King David “had his heart set on building a temple” for God (1 Chron. 28:2), but the Lord told him: “You will not build a temple for My Name… Solomon, your son, will build My temple” (vv. 3, 6). David did not despair. He glorified God that God had chosen him to be king over Israel. Then David gave Solomon the plans of the temple (vv. 11-13) and encouraged him, saying: “Be strong and be courageous, and do … for the Lord God … is with you” (v. 20).

If our plans fail, we can take our disappointment to God, who “takes care of [us]” (1 Pet. 5:7). And He will help us cope with disappointment.

When have you invested a lot in planning, but then everything fell apart? What helped you deal with disappointment?

Dear God, thank You that Your promises and plans are unchanging. Help if my plans fall apart.

By Alison Kieda

? 08/27/2023 10:05 a.m. The #broadcast “Our words and mistakes are a reflection of fate” has started on the Church of God’s Glory channel | Pastor Haydarenko Hanna | 27.08.2023: https://youtu.be/KHpCbkBBi_c

“I…will praise You in the midst of the congregation!” — Псалом 21:23

At the end of the service, the pastor invited Latrice to come on stage. When she was offered to greet the congregation, no one was prepared for the words she would speak. She moved from Kentucky, where devastating tornadoes killed seven members of her family in December 2021. “However, I can still smile because God is with me,” Latrice said. Despite the pain of the ordeal, her testimony was a powerful encouragement to those who themselves were struggling.

David’s words in Psalm 21 (which foretells the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ) are the words of a sufferer who felt abandoned by God (vv. 2), humiliated and ridiculed by others (vv. 7-9), and surrounded by predators (vv. 13-14). He felt weak and desolate (vv. 15-19), but not hopeless. “And you, Lord, don’t stay away – My helper, hurry to my defense!” (v. 20). Your present trials (though perhaps not as those of David or Latrice) are just as real. Therefore, the 25th verse is of great importance for you: “For He did not despise and despise the suffering of the poor, and did not hide His face from him, but heard how he cried to Him!” When we feel God’s help, let us tell others about His goodness (v. 23).

What are the benefits of stories about God’s goodness? Why is it important to connect with other brothers and sisters in Christ?

Heavenly Father, I brought my feelings of helplessness to You. Fill my heart with new hope and help glorify Your Name.

Author: Arthur Jackson

“And the Jews said: ‘See how He loved him!'” – John 11:36

It had been years since my old friend and I had seen each other. During that time, he was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment. An unexpected trip to his state gave me the opportunity to meet him again. When I entered the restaurant, I saw him and our eyes filled with tears. It had been a long time since we had sat like this in the same room, and now the threat of death reminded us of the transience of life. Our long friendship was filled with adventure, mischief, laughter, loss and love. We had so much love that we had tears in our eyes when we looked at each other.

The Lord Jesus also wept when He stood before the tomb of His good friend Lazarus. This moment is described in the Gospel of John: “And he said: “Where have you laid him?” They say to Him: “Go, Lord, and look!” And then we read the words that reveal the depth of Christ’s humanity: “And they shed tears for Jesus” (John 11:34-35). It was a touching moment, and this is also evidenced by the reaction of the Jews: “Look, how He loved him!” (v. 36). These words are more than enough reason to stop and glorify the Friend, Who knows our every weakness, because he became like us. Jesus is the Savior who loves and understands us.

When was the last time you thought about the humanity of Jesus? How does knowing that Jesus understands and shares your tears encourage you today?

Lord Jesus, thank you for being the One who saves and the One who shares my tears.

Author: John Blaze

“For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but strength, and love, and a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

No one has ever said before death: “I’m so glad I lived a selfish life,” Parker Palmer said in his speech to the graduates and urged them to “offer to the world . . . your pure-hearted generosity.”

He went on to say that living like this means realizing “how little you know and how easy it is to fail.” To serve the world, you need to develop a “beginner’s mind,” that is, “understand your ignorance and risk failure, again and again, and then get up and learn, again and again.”

Only by building our lives on the foundations of grace are we able to choose a life of fearless “pure-hearted generosity.” As the apostle Paul explained to Timothy, his colleague in God’s field, we are able to “warm up” (2 Tim. 1:6) and use God’s gift only if we remember that God’s grace saves us and that it calls us to a meaningful life (v. 9). It is God who helps us to face our fears and lead a life of “strength, and love, and a sound mind” (v. 7). It is God’s grace that lifts us up if we fall and helps us continue the journey of rooting our lives in His love (vv. 13-14).

Do you tend to give in to fears? How does God’s grace and power help you live more courageously for Him?

God, thank you that we don’t have to live in fear, fearing offense or failure. Help me to rely on the courage that You give through Your Spirit.

Author: Monica La Rose

“The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” — Genesis 4:10

In the poem “Witnesses” Henry Longfellow (1807-1882) described a sinking merchant ship carrying slaves. Writing about “skeletons in chains”, Longfellow mourned the many nameless victims. The final stanza says:

This is the grief of slaves,

What are watching from the abyss

Calling from unknown graves

And we are witnesses!

But to whom do these witnesses speak? Isn’t this silent testimony useless? However, there is a Witness who sees everything. When Cain killed Abel, he pretended as if nothing had happened. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” – he replied disdainfully to God. However, the Lord said: “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand” (Genesis 4:9-11).

Cain’s name became a warning. “… Not like that Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother,” warned the apostle John (1 John 3:12). Abel’s name also continues to sound, but in a completely different way. “By faith, Abel brought to God a better sacrifice than Cain; by it he was attested that he was righteous,” wrote the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 11:4).

Abel is still talking! The bones of long-forgotten slaves also speak the same. It is good if we remember all these sacrifices and oppose the oppression we have witnessed. God sees everything, and His justice will prevail!

What manifestations of injustice and oppression do you know? What is God calling you to do?

Dear Heavenly Father, You are the All-Seeing God. Help us to see oppression when it occurs, and show us how to counteract it.

Author: Tim Gustavson