God's Glory Church

“And how much more valuable is a person than that sheep!” — Matthew 12:12

One day, a sixth-grader noticed her classmate cutting his hand with a small blade. Trying to do the right thing, she snatched the blade from his hands and threw it in the trash. However, she was not praised, but was suspended from school for ten days. Why? She briefly got hold of a blade that was forbidden to bring to school. Коли ученицю запитали, чи повторила б вона свій вчинок, та відповіла: “Навіть якби в мене виникли проблеми… я б все одно знову це зробила”. The girl tried to do good and got into trouble herself (later this punishment was canceled). In the same way, Jesus, because of His goodness, suffered problems from the religious leaders.

The Pharisees took Jesus’ healing of the man with the withered hand as a violation of their rules. In response, Christ said that God’s people are allowed to worry about animals even on the Sabbath if they are in trouble. “And how much more valuable is a person than that sheep” (Mt. 12:12). Being the Lord, Jesus Himself determined what can and cannot be done on this day (vv. 6-8). Therefore, He healed the man’s hand (vv. 13-14), although He knew that this would outrage the religious leaders.

Sometimes Christians, helping other people, experience “problems”, that is, they do something that glorifies God, but does not satisfy certain people. However, by acting according to God’s will, we imitate Jesus and show that people are more important than rules and customs.

How can you show kindness to other people? Why is it important to be ready to suffer “problems” for God’s sake?

Dear Jesus, please protect me from habits that prevent me from showing love to other people.

Author: Marvin Williams

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free.” — Galatians 3:28

Business analyst Francis Evans studied the work of 125 insurance agents to understand their formula for success. Surprisingly, the level of competence did not play a key role. Instead, Evans found that customers tended to buy insurance from agents who held the same political views, had the same education and even the same height as them. Scientists call this phenomenon homophily, that is, attraction to people who are similar to us.

Homophily also manifests itself in other areas of life, for example, in our tendency to marry and be friends with those who are similar to us. At the same time, if we give preference only to people of “our kind”, society can be divided into racial, political and economic castes.

In the first century, Jews communicated only with Jews, Greeks with Greeks, and the rich and the poor never crossed paths. However, in Romans 16:1-16, the apostle Paul describes a church in Rome whose members include, among others, Priscilla and Aquila (Jews), Epenetus (Greek), Thebes (“a benefactor of many”), and Philologus (a common name for slaves). What brought such different people together? They were gathered by Jesus, in Whom “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free” (Gal. 3:28).

It is only natural to want to live, work and go to church with people like us. However, Jesus encourages us to go beyond this. In a scattered world, He unites us into one family.

How to communicate with people who are not like us? What can you do this week to overcome ethnic or economic barriers?

Lord Jesus, I praise You for working to unite our divided world.

Author: Sheridan Voysey

“I will… deliver you from their work.” — Exodus 6:6

“You, like Moses, brought us out of slavery!” Jamila exclaimed. While working in a brick factory in Pakistan, she and her family suffered because of a huge debt owed to their employer. A large part of the salary went to pay interest. However, when they received a donation from a non-profit organization that allowed them to pay off the entire debt, they felt incredible relief. Thanking the representative of the organization for her freedom, Jamila, a believer in Jesus, recalled a biblical example of how God, through Moses, freed the Israelites from slavery.

The Egyptians oppressed the Israelites for hundreds of years, forcing them to work in inhumane conditions. And they turned to God, begging for help (Exodus 2:23). However, the oppression only intensified, because the new pharaoh ordered them not only to make bricks, but also to collect straw for it (Ex. 5:6-8). The Israelites continued to plead for deliverance from oppression, and the Lord reaffirmed His promise to be their God (Ex. 6:7). They will no longer be slaves, because He will save them “with an outstretched arm” (v. 6).

And God led the Israelites out of Egypt through Moses (see Exodus 14). God continues to save even now. He saves us with the hands of His Son Jesus, crucified on the cross. We are freed from an even greater slavery – the slavery of sin that once controlled us. We are no longer slaves, we are free!

How did God bring you freedom? How can you support those who are enslaved by something?

Dear God, thank you for sending your Son to give me freedom from sin.

By Amy Buescher Pye

? 08/06/2023 10:03 a.m. #broadcast “Prayer for Ukraine” started on the Church of God’s Glory channel | 08/06/2023: https://youtu.be/o5_okVP3n44

“Maria chose the best share.” — Luke 10:42

In 2009, a team of researchers from Stanford University conducted an experiment with more than 200 students. The study involved constantly changing tasks and performing memory exercises. Interestingly, students who thought they could multitask did worse than those who were used to focusing on one task at a time. Multitasking made it difficult to focus and filter out redundant information. If we are distracted by something, it is difficult for us to concentrate.

When Jesus visited Mary and Martha, Martha “asked for a great favor” (Lk. 10:40). Her sister Mary instead chose to listen to Jesus’ teachings, receiving wisdom and peace that would never be taken from her (vv. 39-42). When Martha asked Jesus to encourage Mary to help her, He said: “You worry and complain about many things, but one thing is needed” (vv. 41-42).

God wants our attention. However, we, like Martha, are often distracted by various tasks and problems. We neglect God’s presence, even though He is the only One who can give us the wisdom and hope we need. If spending time with Him in prayer and scripture meditation becomes our priority, He gives us guidance and strength to solve our problems.

What is distracting you from God? How does focusing on God bring wisdom?

Dear Father, sometimes I try to grab everything at once. Please help me get rid of everything that distracts me from You and become closer to You.

Author: Kimya Loder (guest)

“Stretch out your wing over your slave girl, because you are my relative.” — Ruth 3:9

Phil and Sandy, moved by the stories of refugee children, open their hearts and their home to two of them. Having picked up the children from the airport, they drove home in tension and in complete silence. “Are they ready for this?” There were many differences between them (culture, language, religion), but Phil and Sandy had to become a shelter for these wonderful children.

Boaz was also moved by the story of Ruth. He heard how she left her people to be close to Naomi, and when Ruth came to gather ears of corn in his field, Boaz blessed her with the following words: “May the Lord pay for your work, and may your reward be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, that you have come to hide under His wings” (Ruth. 2:12).

Ruth reminded Boaz of his blessing when she woke him up one night in a stream. When Boaz awoke from his dream, he asked, “Who are you?” Ruth answered: “I am your handmaid Ruth. Spread your wing over your handmaid, for you are my relative” (Ruth. 3:9).

Boaz sheltered Ruth by marrying her, and the echo of their story can be felt in the praise that their great-grandson David raised to the God of Israel: “How precious is Your mercy, O God, and the sons of men hide in the shadow of Your wings” (Ps. 35:8).

How did you feel when someone sheltered you? How can you shelter others?

Heavenly Father, in You I find refuge. Use me so that others can find refuge in You.

Author: Mike Whittmer

“Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed.” — James 5:16

“Hi, Po Fang! – a friend from church wrote to me. – Let’s do James 5:16 in our group this month. Let’s create a safe atmosphere of trust and confidentiality so that we can share our concerns and pray for each other.”

At that moment I did not know what to answer. Although the members of our group had known each other for many years, we had never really opened our hearts and our pain to each other. After all, it’s scary to be vulnerable.

However, the truth is that we are all sinners and we all suffer. We all need Jesus. Sincere conversations about God’s amazing grace and trust in Christ help us continue to rely on Him. With Jesus, we can stop pretending that there are no problems in our lives.

So I said, “Yes! Let’s do it!” At first it was awkward. However, gradually one by one the members of the group began to open up. Some continued to remain silent, but all treated this with understanding. No one pressured anyone. We ended the meeting by performing the second part of the text of the Epistle of James 5:16: “Pray for one another.”

That day I felt the beauty of sincere communication with Christians. Thanks to our common faith in Christ, we can rely on His help and the help of others in overcoming our weaknesses and difficulties.

How to encourage more sincere communication in your church community? Who can you share your pain with?

Heavenly Father, thank you for placing me in Your family so that I can find support in the process of my assimilation to Christ.

Author: Po Fang Hia

“Woe… to the shepherds who feed themselves! You do not strengthen the weak, and you do not heal the sick.” — Ezekiel 34:2,4

The University of Iowa has probably the most touching tradition in football. Kinnick Stadium is located next to Stead Family Children’s Hospital. On the top floor of the hospital, there are panoramic windows that offer a wonderful view of the field. On game days, sick children and their families gather on the upper floor and watch the action in the stadium. At the end of the first half, all coaches, athletes and thousands of fans turn to face the hospital and wave to the children. At this moment, children’s eyes begin to shine. It’s just amazing to see the athletes and the whole stadium pausing to show care.

The Holy Scriptures call us to be concerned about those who are weak and to care for those who are struggling and who are sick. However, very often we ignore the needy (Ezek. 34:6). The prophet Ezekiel rebuked Israel’s leaders for their selfishness and disregard for the needs of others. “Woe to the shepherds of Israel,” God said through Ezekiel. He further explained: “You do not strengthen the weak, and you do not heal the sick, and you do not bind up the wounded” (vv. 2, 4).

How often do our personal priorities, leadership styles, and attitudes toward finances show a lack of concern for those who are suffering? Instead, God shows us a way of life in which the strong take care of the weak (vv. 11-12).

Have you seen how the strong take care of the weak? Or, on the contrary, ignored them?

Heavenly Father, teach me to love as You love.

Author: Wynn Collier

“Jesus… says: ‘Let the little children come to Me.'” — Luke 18:16

When our named grandmother ended up in the hospital after several strokes, the doctors did not know how much her brain was damaged. It was necessary to wait until her condition improved a little, and then check the functioning of the brain. She spoke only a few words that were barely understandable. However, when the 86-year-old woman who had watched over my daughter for twelve years saw me, she opened her parched lips and asked, “How’s Kayla?” The first words she spoke to me were about my child, whom she loved deeply and deeply.

The Lord Jesus also loved children and gave them a special place, although the disciples did not approve of it very much. And so the parents brought their children to Him so that He would “touch them” (Lk. 18:15). And Christ blessed these children. However, not everyone was happy that He blessed the little one. The students scolded the parents and ordered them not to disturb the Teacher. Instead, He intervened and said: “Let the children come to Me” (v. 16). Christ set the children as an example of how to accept God’s Kingdom – with simple trust and sincerity.

Young children rarely have ulterior motives. They say what they see. Let us trust in God with an open heart like a child, while He helps us to restore that childlike trust.

How to imitate a child’s sincerity in a relationship with God? How do you bless the children in your family and community?

Heavenly Father, help me to accept Your Kingdom openly and sincerely in a childlike way.

Author: Katara Patton

“Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws which I speak in your ears today, and learn them, and be careful to do them.” — Deuteronomy 5:1

A few years ago, a train carrying two hundred and eighteen passengers derailed in northern Spain. 79 people died, and another 66 were hospitalized. The driver could not explain the reasons for what happened, but the video from the surveillance camera was able to explain. The train was moving too fast and could not enter the turn. There was a speed limit on this section designed to keep passengers safe. But the driver with thirty years of experience neglected safety requirements, which led to the death of many people.

In the 5th chapter of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses presents the restrictions imposed on Israel by the covenant with God. He encourages the new generation to accept God’s instructions as given directly to him (v. 3), and then repeats the ten commandments (vv. 7-21). Recalling the laws given at Sinai and drawing conclusions from the disobedience of the previous generation, Moses calls the Israelites to be obedient, humble and remember God’s faithfulness. The Lord made a way for His chosen ones so that they would not destroy their own lives or the lives of other people. If they neglect His wisdom, they will bring trouble upon themselves.

Today, as the Lord guides us through life, let’s make all the Scriptures our comfort, guidance and protection. Then we will be able to stay on God’s rails and fully devote our lives to Him.

Why are the boundaries that God has set a manifestation of His love? In what cases can these limits be tight?

God, help me to show my love for You through obedience.

Author: Marvin Williams