“And the forces of hell will not defeat her.” — Matthew 16:18
“Is the church over?” – asked a young mother who arrived at the prayer house with two small children already almost at the end of the Sunday service. Instead, the man who greeted everyone at the entrance said that another church nearby was holding two Sunday services and the second was due to start shortly. “Perhaps it would be better to give you a ride there?” he asked. The young mother agreed and seemed happy to be able to visit another church just a few blocks away. Later, reflecting on this incident, the man said: “Is the Church finished? No, never. God’s Church is eternal.”
The church is not a shaky building. Apostle Paul wrote that the church is God’s faithful family. Its members are “household for God, built on the basis of the apostles and prophets, where the cornerstone is Jesus Christ Himself, on whom the whole building, the government is built, growing into a holy temple in the Lord, on whom you too are being built together by the Spirit for the dwelling of God” (Eph. 2:19-22).
Jesus established His Church forever. He announced that despite any challenges or difficulties the Church may experience, “the powers of hell will not overcome it” (Mt. 16:18).
These promises give us the opportunity to look at the local churches and at all of us as part of God’s universal Church, built “in Christ Jesus for all generations forever and ever” (Eph. 3:21).
What are you thankful for in your local church? How can you contribute to the growth of God’s universal Church?
Dear Jesus, thank you that I belong to Your Church.
Author: Patricia Raybon
“Comfort . . . one another, and build one another up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Your bees are swarming!” My wife peeked into my room and announced the news that no beekeeper wants to hear. I ran out into the yard and saw a swarm of bees flying out of the hive, heading for the top of a tall pine tree. Everything, will never return.
I did not pay attention to the fact that the hive may soon begin to swarm. In addition, the rains that lasted for more than a week prevented my inspections. In the morning, when the rains ended, the bees flew away. It was a new and healthy family. “Don’t be too hard on yourself,” an experienced beekeeper told me encouragingly, seeing my disappointment. “It can happen to anyone!”
Encouragement is a wonderful gift. When David was overwhelmed by Saul’s attempts to kill him, Saul’s son Jonathan encouraged David. “Do not be afraid,” said Jonathan, “because the hand of my father Saul will not find you! And you will reign over Israel, and I will be your intercessor. And my father Saul knows this” (1 Sam. 23:17).
An incredible display of selflessness from someone who is the heir to the throne! Jonathan probably realized that God was with David, so his words came from a humble heart.
Everyone needs encouragement, and God will help us to encourage others. We just need to humble ourselves before Him and ask Him to make us instruments of His love for other people.
Who needs your encouragement? How can you humbly serve them?
Dear God, You gave me eternal encouragement and good hope. Help me to show your love to someone today.
Author: James Banks
? 08/20/2023 10:04 #Broadcast “War on Three Fronts” has started on the Church of God’s Glory channel | Pastor Oleksandr Koltukov 08/20/2023: https://youtu.be/RiRRk-YftPE
“And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as someone speaks to his friend.” — Exodus 33:11
In The Boundary, Dr. Richard Swinson writes, “We need a place where we can catch our breath. We need freedom to think and permission to heal. Constant speed bleeds our relationships. . . . Our children lie wounded on the ground, crushed by our speeding good intentions. Does God encourage exhaustion? Does He no longer lead His people to still waters? Who has robbed us of the wide open spaces?” past, and how can we get them back?” Swinson says that we need a quiet, fertile “ground” in life where we can meet God and rest in Him.
Does this sound familiar to you? Moses also sought open spaces. Being the leader of a “stiff-necked” people (Ex. 33:5), he often retired to find comfort and guidance in God’s presence. In the “tent of the covenant” (v. 7), the Lord spoke to Moses “face to face, as someone speaks to his friend” (v. 11). Jesus also often “retired to a lonely place and prayed” (Lk. 5:16). Both the Savior and Moses understood the importance of spending time alone with the Heavenly Father.
We also need to find wide and open spaces in God’s presence. Time spent with God will help us make better decisions and create proper boundaries in our lives so that we have enough love for God and for people.
Let’s look for God in the open spaces.
Why do you need boundaries in life? How to allocate time in your schedule for communication with God?
Lord Jesus, help me to find quiet moments every day to communicate with You.
Author: Adam Holtz
“Who is this that the wind and the sea are obedient to Him?” — Mark 4:41
In 2013, approximately six hundred spectators watched as acrobat Nick Wallenda walked on a tightrope over a huge gorge 470 meters wide near the Grand Canyon. Wallenda stepped on the 5-centimeter-thick steel cable and thanked Jesus for the wonderful view. A video camera was attached to his head, which filmed everything that happened. He prayed and praised Jesus, walking over the gorge as calmly as if he were walking on a sidewalk. Feeling a gust of wind, Nick stopped and sat down. Then he stood up again, regaining his balance, and thanked God for “calming the rope.” With each subsequent step along the rope, Nick showed all the spectators that he relied on the power of Christ. The video shot then is still watched all over the world.
When a strong wind caused a storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples began to plead for help in desperation (Mark 4:35-38). After Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples learned that He has authority over the winds and over everything else (vv. 39-41). Gradually they learned to rely on Him. Their personal experiences can help others to realize the close presence of Jesus and His extraordinary power.
Whether caught in the storms of life or walking the tightrope of trust over the deep chasms of suffering, we can exercise unwavering faith in the power of Christ. God will inspire others to rely on Him through the exercise of our faith.
How has the manifestation of Christ’s power in other people’s lives strengthened your faith? How can prayer help you walk with steadfast faith?
Heavenly Father, thank you for comforting my heart as I lean on you during the storms of life.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“And you will rejoice before the Lord, your God… in the place that the Lord, your God, will choose, so that His Name will be there.” — Deuteronomy 16:11
Participating in a large-scale event can change us in unexpected ways. After talking to more than 1,200 people during multi-day gatherings in the UK and the US, researcher Daniel Yudkin and his colleagues concluded that large festivals can change our moral orientations and even affect our willingness to share our resources with others. According to the study, 63% of attendees had a “transformational” experience at the festival, which also left them feeling more connected to humanity and wanting to show more generosity to friends, family and even complete strangers.
Gathering with other people to worship God, we get not just a social “transformational” experience, like at a secular festival; we unite with the Lord Himself. God’s people undoubtedly felt this unity when they gathered in Jerusalem in ancient times for annual solemn festivals. The Israelites traveled (without modern conveniences) to be present in the temple three times a year “on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and on the Feast of Weeks, and on the Feast of Tabernacles” (Deut. 16:16). These gatherings were a time of sacred memories, worship and praise “before the Lord” together with the family, servants and guests (v. 11).
So let’s gather together with other people to worship together, helping each other to rejoice in God and rely on His faithfulness.
What was your sense of union with God when you gathered with others to worship together? How did the presence of other people help you?
God, thank you for calling Your people to worship You together.
Author: Kirsten Holmberg
“Here we are as ambassadors instead of Christ… we beg instead of Christ: be reconciled to God!” — 2 Corinthians 5:20
In the age of the Internet, competition has become especially fierce. Companies are constantly developing new ways to attract customers. Take, for example, Subaru cars. The owners of these cars are known to be particularly loyal to this brand; therefore, the company offered “ardent fans” to become “brand ambassadors”.
The company’s website says: “Subaru Ambassadors are an exceptional group of energetic individuals who are ready to talk about these cars and the future of the brand with passion and enthusiasm.” The company wants Subaru cars to become part of people’s identity; she wants it so much that she can’t help but talk about it.
In the 5th chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul describes another “ambassador” program, the purpose of which is to invite others to follow the Lord Jesus. “Fearing the Lord, we convince people” (v. 11). Then Paul adds: “God… put the word of reconciliation in us. Here we are as ambassadors instead of Christ, as if God is pleading through us, pleading instead of Christ: be reconciled to God!” (19-20 centuries).
Many product manufacturers promise the satisfaction of the deepest needs, a sense of happiness, integrity and significance. However, only one message, the message of reconciliation entrusted to believers, is truly good news. And we are privileged to speak this message to a desperate world.
What do you think about the idea of being an ambassador for Jesus? How to fulfill this calling in practice?
Dear Jesus, thank you for inviting me to be Your ambassador.
Author: Adam Holtz
“One must pray always, and not lose heart.” — Luke 18:1
In 1917, the young dressmaker was very happy when she was accepted to one of the prestigious New York fashion schools. However, when Ann Cohn arrived to register, the school principal said she was not welcome here: “Let’s be honest, Miss Cohn, we didn’t know you were black.” Resolutely refusing to turn back, she whispered a prayer: “Please let me stay here.” Seeing Anne’s persistence, the principal eventually allowed her to stay, but separated her from the rest of the white students and left the classroom door open so Anne “could listen” from the hallway.
Prodigiously talented, Anne graduated six months early and attracted high-profile clients, including former US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; it was Ann who designed her wedding dress. Anne actually sewed the dress twice, seeking God’s help, after a pipe burst above her atelier that damaged the first dress.
Perseverance makes a big impact, especially in prayer. Jesus told a parable about a widow who pleaded with an unrighteous judge to help her. At first he refused her, but then he decided: “Because this widow is bothering me, I will defend her” (Lk. 18:5).
“And won’t God defend His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night?” (v. 7). Yes, He will do it (v. 8). So let us pray persistently and never lose heart.
What helps you to persevere in prayer? With what requests do you still turn to God?
Dear Jesus, thank you for answering my persistent prayers.
Author: Patricia Raybon
“He is not ashamed to call them brothers.” — Hebrews 2:11
Bridger Walker was only six years old when a ferocious dog attacked his younger sister. Bridger instinctively jumped in front of his sister, protecting her from the attack of the angry animal. After Bridger received emergency medical care and received ninety stitches in his face, he explained his actions: “If anyone was going to die, I thought it was me.” Fortunately, plastic surgeons were able to restore the boy’s face. At the same time, his strong brotherly love, reflected in recent photos of him hugging his sister, remains unchanged.
Ideally, family members should watch over us and take care of us. True brothers help us when we are in trouble and are there when we are scared or lonely. At the same time, even the best brothers are imperfect; some of them may even offend us. However, we have one brother who is always on our side; it’s jesus In the Epistle to the Hebrews, it is said that Christ, in the manifestation of humble love, joined the human family, becoming a “partaker of flesh and blood” and “in all things like unto brothers” (Heb. 2:14, 17). Jesus is our truest Brother, who gladly calls us His “brothers” (v. 11).
We call Jesus Savior, Friend, and King, and it is true. At the same time, He is also our Brother, Who has felt all human fears and temptations, all despair and sadness. Our Brother is always with us!
What is your experience with your human brothers? Do you consider Jesus your true Brother?
Dear Jesus, I am fascinated by the thought that You are my Brother. Thank you for loving me, teaching me and showing me Your way.
Author: Wynn Collier
“But the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, and forgot about him.” — Genesis 40:23
Listening to the stories of the prisoners, it becomes clear that isolation and loneliness are probably the most difficult for them. According to the study, the majority of prisoners, regardless of their time behind bars, are visited only twice by friends or relatives. For them, loneliness is a constant reality.
One can only imagine the pain Joseph must have felt sitting in prison because of an unjust accusation of a crime. However, a glimmer of hope appeared for him. God helped Joseph to correctly interpret the dream of the prisoner, who turned out to be Pharaoh’s servant. Joseph said that he would be reinstated and asked that he mention him to Pharaoh so that Joseph could be freed (Genesis 40:14). However, Pharaoh’s servant “did not remember Joseph, and forgot about him” (v. 23). So Joseph had to wait another two years. Yet during the waiting period, with no sign of a change in his circumstances, Joseph was never completely alone because God was with him. Eventually, Pharaoh’s servant remembered his promise, and Joseph was released after correctly interpreting Pharaoh’s dream (Gen. 41:9-14).
Regardless of the circumstances that make us feel forgotten and the sense of loneliness that creeps into our hearts, we can hold on to God’s reassuring promise to His children: “I will not forget you!” (Is. 49:15).
Did you feel the pain of being forgotten? How does being reminded of God’s constant presence bring comfort?
Heavenly Father, help me to turn to You if I feel forgotten and to remember that You are always with me.
Author: Lisa Samra
