God's Glory Church

? 04/30/2023 10:06 a.m. #broadcast “The 11th commandment – do not destroy” has begun on the Church of God’s Glory channel | Pastor Oleksandr Koltukov 04/30/2023: https://youtu.be/ELKmqXEf7KE

“The Lord supports all the fallen, He straightens all the bent!” — Psalm 144:14

I often worry. I feel worst early in the morning when I am alone with my thoughts. So, I taped Taylor Hudson’s words to my bathroom mirror. There I could read them when I felt vulnerable: “There is a living God. He speaks through the Bible. He says what He thinks and fulfills what He has promised.”

Taylor’s words were born from many years of being with God and remind us of who God is and what He can do for us in times of sickness, poverty, loneliness and grief. Taylor not only knew that God was trustworthy, he felt His trustworthiness. Because he relied on God’s promises and obeyed Him, thousands of Chinese devoted their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The experience of God and His ways helped David to know that the Lord is reliable. David wrote Psalm 144, a song of praise to God for His goodness, compassion, and faithfulness to all His promises. If we trust God and follow Him, we realize (or better understand) that He is Who He said He is, that He is true to His Word. And we, like David, glorify Him and tell others about Him (vv. 10-12).

If we experience difficulties, God can help us not to doubt Him, because He is reliable (Heb. 10:23).

What has been troubling you lately, and what promises of God can you rely on? How can knowing that the faith of Taylor Hudson and King David was not in vain encourage you and give you hope?

Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to me. Please help me to remember Your faithfulness as I trust You and listen to You every day.

Author: Karen Huang

“God made me laugh, everyone who hears will laugh at me.” — Genesis 21:6

Comedian John Brenyan said: “We didn’t invent laughter; it wasn’t our idea. Laughter was given to us by God, who knew we would need it in life. He knew we would face hardships, suffering, He knew… everything that was going to happen… That’s why laughter is a gift.”

A quick look at creatures created by God can cause laughter, for example, because of their strange appearance (such as the platypus) or their antics (playful otters). He created mammals that live in the ocean and long-legged birds that cannot fly. God obviously has a sense of humor. Because we are made in His image, it is also natural for us to laugh.

The word “laughter” first appears in the Bible in the story of Abraham and Sarah. God promised this deceased couple a child: “He who comes from your womb will be your heir” (Genesis 15:4). Then He said: “Look at the sky, and count the stars… Such will be your offspring” (v. 5). When Sarah finally gave birth at the age of ninety, Abraham named their son Isaac, which means “laughter.” Sarah said: “God made me laugh, everyone who hears will laugh at me” (Gen. 21:6). She was amazed that she could raise a child at her advanced age! God changed her skeptical laugh (Gen. 18:12) to a laugh of genuine joy.

Let’s thank God for the gift of laughter!

When did laughter become “good medicine” for you? How can a sense of humor help even in the most difficult moments of life?

Dear God, thank you for the gift of laughter.

By Alison Kieda

“And I say: walk in the spirit, and do not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16

This spring, our yard was attacked by weeds, as if from “Jurassic Park”. One of them was so big that I, trying to pull it out, was afraid of injuring myself. While looking in the utility room for a shovel to dig up some weeds, I saw my daughter start watering them. “Why are you watering the weeds?!” I exclaimed. “I want to see how big it gets!” – answered the daughter with a mischievous smile.

We never intentionally water weeds. However, I have come to realize that sometimes we water the “weeds” in our spiritual life, indulging in desires that hinder our growth.

The Apostle Paul writes about this in Galatians 5:13-26, where he shows the difference between living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit. He says that only following the rules does not free life from “weeds”. Instead, we need to “walk by the spirit.” Paul adds that only constant presence with God frees us from the temptation to satisfy the “lust of the flesh” (v. 16).

It is not easy to fully understand the teachings of the Apostle Paul, but I like the simplicity of his guidance: if we do not want the growth of unwanted selfish desires, we must nurture the fruit of the Spirit, and then we will reap the harvest of a godly life (vv. 22-25).

What areas of your spiritual life need to be cleared of “weeds”? How to dedicate yourself to God and be with Him?

Heavenly Father, sometimes I water the weeds in my life. Help me to be with You so that spiritual fruit grows in me.

Author: Adam Holtz

“The stone that its builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” — Psalm 117:22

The young minister of the student group was worried. He was puzzled when I dared to ask if he was praying… for God’s guidance… for His help. Does he pray without ceasing, as the apostle Paul encouraged. In response, the young man admitted: “I’m still not sure that I believe in prayer.” He frowned. “Or that God is listening. You just look at what’s going on in the world.” This young leader “built” the ministry on his own and, unfortunately, failed. Why? He rejected God.

Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of the church, has always been rejected, and what is most impressive is that His people did this (Jn. 1:11). Many people still reject Jesus, trying to build life, work and even churches on a different basis – on their own schemes, dreams and other unreliable foundations. However, our good Savior is the only one who can give strength and protection (Ps. 117:14). Indeed, “the stone that its builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (v. 22).

If Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives, He provides guidance in all that believers seek to do for Him. Therefore, we pray to Him and ask: “Lord, save! Lord, grant success!” (v. 25). Result? “Blessed is he who comes in the Lord’s Name!” (v. 26). Let’s thank God that He is strong and good!

What are your dreams and plans in building a ministry for God? How to make Christ the cornerstone of your plans?

Lord Jesus, I praise You, for You are the cornerstone. The church and my life rest on You alone.

Author: Patricia Raybon

“Do not turn pleasing the body into lust.” — Romans 13:14

Augustine’s autobiography “Confession” describes his long and winding road to Jesus. One day he was going to the palace, where he was to make a flattering speech before the emperor. He was thinking about his speech and suddenly saw how a drunken beggar was “joking and laughing”. He realized that he already had everything to feel fleeting happiness and without much effort. Augustine was affected by what he saw, and he stopped striving for worldly success.

However, he was still a prisoner of his own desires. He knew that he could not return to Jesus without first turning away from sin, so he continued to struggle with sexual immorality. He prayed: “Give me purity, but not now.”

Augustine fell again and again until it was enough. Inspired by those who accepted Jesus, he opened the text from the Epistle to the Romans 13:13-14: “Let us act virtuously, not in gambling and drunkenness, not in adultery and fornication… but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not turn the pleasing of the flesh into lust.”

With the help of these inspired words, God broke the chains of sin and brought Augustine “to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). Augustine became a bishop. He was still tempted by fame and lust, but now he knew who to turn to. He turned to Jesus. And you?

What prevents you from dedicating your life to Jesus? How will your life change if you give it to the Lord Jesus?

Dear Father, let nothing stand between me and You.

Author: Mike Whittmer

“Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you.” — Exodus 16:4

Legends were made about Aunt Margaret’s thrift. After her death, her nieces began to go through her things with nostalgia in their hearts. In a box, neatly placed in a small plastic box, they found a set of short strings. On the box was written: “Threads too short to use.”

What motivates a person to keep and sign something that cannot be used? Perhaps this person once experienced great difficulties.

When the Israelites came out of Egyptian slavery, they left behind a difficult life. However, they quickly forgot about God’s miracle of their salvation and began to complain about the lack of food.

God wanted them to trust Him. He gave them manna to eat in the desert and told Moses: “The people will go out and gather every day as much as they need for the day” (Ex. 16:4). God also commanded them to collect a double portion on the sixth day, because manna will not fall from heaven on the Sabbath (vv. 5, 25). Some of the Israelites obeyed, and some did not, with the expected consequences (vv. 27-28).

In times of abundance and in times of need, people tend to grab what they can and hoard what they get, in a desperate attempt to control everything. However, there is no need to take matters into our own hands. There is no need to store “remains of threads” and accumulate all this. We believe in God, who promised: “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

How do you sometimes try to control everything? How has God proven His faithfulness in the past?

Heavenly Father, help me to hold on to Your hand and trust You in everything.

Author: Tim Gustavson

“Little children, let’s love not with word or tongue, but with deed and truth.” — 1 John 3:18

While waiting for a train at a station in Atlanta, Georgia, a young man dressed in a business suit sat down on a bench. Seeing how he was trying to tie his tie, the elderly woman asked her husband for help. As the man bent down and began to teach the young man how to tie a tie, the stranger took a picture of the three of them. Later, this photo appeared on the Internet and began to spread quickly. Many Internet users left comments under the photo about how to show kindness to strangers.

For Christians, showing kindness to others reflects the sacrificial care that God has shown to people. This is a reflection of God’s love, which He wants to see in His disciples: “that they love one another” (1 John 3:11). Apostle John equates hatred of a brother or sister with murder (v. 15). Then he talks about Christ, who gave an example of the manifestation of love in practice (v. 16).

It doesn’t have to be an incredible display of sacrifice. Selfless love simply requires recognizing the value of all people who bear God’s image and prioritizing their needs…every day. Everyday moments of caring, when we notice the needs of others and do what we can to help, are acts of self-sacrifice if we are motivated by love. If we look beyond our own needs and step out of our comfort zone to serve, we are loving like Jesus.

When have you experienced selfless love from another person? How will you show that love to others this week?

Loving Father, please help me to be ready to show compassion and selfless love wherever You direct me.

Author: Sosheel Dixon

? 04/23/2023 10:03 a.m. The #broadcast “Pain, anxiety or peace?” has started on the Church of God’s Glory channel. | Pastor Haydarenko Anna Mykolayivna | 04/23/2023: https://youtu.be/Wt_SofCSDqY

“You, Lord, are kind and forgiving, and abundantly merciful to all who call to You.” — Psalm 85:5

In 2021, the news reported the kidnapping of seventeen missionaries by a criminal gang. The bandits threatened to kill the entire group (including the children) if their ransom demands were not met. Amazingly, all the missionaries were either released or managed to escape. Once they were safe, they sent a message to the kidnappers: “Jesus taught by His word and example that forgiving love is stronger than cruel hatred. Therefore, we forgive you.”

The Lord Jesus spoke a lot about the great power of forgiveness. In particular, He said: “As you forgive people their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Mt. 6:14). Later, answering Peter, Christ explained how often one should forgive: “I do not say to you – up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven times” (Mt. 18:22; see verses 21-35). And on the cross, He showed forgiveness when He prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34).

The fullness of forgiveness is revealed when both parties seek healing and reconciliation. Although forgiveness does not eliminate the consequences of the damage caused and the need to restore the destroyed relationship, it does lead to the restoration of these relationships, reflecting the manifestation of God’s love and power. So, let’s look for ways to show forgiveness and thereby glorify God.

When is it hardest to forgive? How to rely on the help of the Holy Spirit in showing forgiveness?

Lord Jesus, help me to forgive others and thus testify to Your power and goodness.

Author: David Brenon