God's Glory Church

And Samuel answered: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” — 1 Samuel 3:10

I got a call from an unknown number. I often send calls like this to voicemail, but this time I answered. A stranger politely asked if I had a moment to spare and if he could share a short Bible passage with me. He quoted from Revelation 21:3-5, which says that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” The man spoke about the fact that the Lord Jesus is our confidence and hope. I replied that I had already come to know Jesus as my personal Savior. Then he offered to pray with me and in prayer asked God to support me and fill me with strength.

That call reminded me of another instance in Scripture when God called the boy Samuel at night (1 Sam. 3:4-10). Samuel heard the voice three times, thinking it was the old priest Eli. Ultimately, with the help of Elijah, Samuel realized that God was calling him, and answered: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening” (v. 10). In a similar way, God can address us, both during the day and at night. We need to spend more time in His presence and listen to His voice.

You can look at such a “call” from the other side. What if we are messengers of God’s words to someone else? Yes, we may not know how to help others. However, following God’s guidance, we can call a friend and ask, “Would you mind if I pray with you?”

Who has encouraged you recently? Who can you cheer up with your call?

Dear God, prompt me to think of those whom I can encourage with Your Word.

By: Kenneth Petersen (guest)

“Do the work of the evangelist.” — 2 Timothy 4:5

While waiting to start university, twenty-year-old Shin decided to devote three summer months to serving in a youth missionary organization. It seemed like an inappropriate time for this, given the restrictions related to COVID-19, which prohibited in-person meetings. However, Shin found a way to serve. “We weren’t able to meet with students on the streets, in shopping malls and in fast food places like we normally do,” she said.

Shin followed the instruction of the apostle Paul, which he gave to Timothy: “Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5). Paul warned that people will seek teachers who will tell them what they want to hear, not what they really need to hear (vv. 3-4). However, Timothy was called to preach with courage “in season and in season”. Paul told him: “Rebuke, forbid, convince with patience and knowledge” (v. 2).

Although not all of us are called to be evangelists or preachers, each of us can share our faith with those around us. Without Christ, unbelievers will simply perish. Believers need strengthening and encouragement. With God’s help, let us proclaim His good news everywhere and to everyone.

What prevents you from witnessing to the faith? How does the thought of Jesus’ return help you overcome fear?

Dear Jesus, help me to use every opportunity to witness to others about You so that they may find hope and comfort in You.

Author: Po Fang Hia

“And the Lord said to Gideon: “The people that are with you are numerous.” — Judges 7:2

When my son was about three years old, I had an operation, after which I had to recover for a month. Even before the procedure, I imagined how I was lying in bed, and a pile of dirty dishes was piling up in the sink. I did not understand how I would worry about my energetic child and how I would prepare food. I imagined with fear how my weakness would affect the rhythm of our life.

God deliberately weakened Gideon’s army before his battle with the Midianites. First, all who were afraid were allowed to leave the army, and twenty-two thousand men returned home (Judg. 7:3). Then, of the remaining ten thousand soldiers, only those who drew water for drinking with their hands could remain. So, three hundred soldiers remained, and this lack of military strength did not allow the Israelites to rely on themselves (vv. 5-6). They could not say: “My hand saved me” (v. 2).

There are times when many of us feel exhausted and powerless. When this happened to me, I realized how much I needed God. He encouraged me internally through His Spirit and externally through the help of friends and family. I had to lose my independence for a while, but it taught me to rely more on God. Since “[His] power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9), we have someone to hope for if we are unable to care for our own needs.

How have you experienced the manifestation of God’s power through your weakness? How can you help a person who feels weak?

God, help me every day to rely on You even more and to feel Your strength in times of difficulty.

Author: Jennifer Benson

? 04/09/2023 10:02 a.m. #broadcast “Jesus Yosypovych. Son of David, Son of Abraham, Adam, God” | Pastor Oleksandr Koltukov 04/09/2023: https://youtu.be/S0O2FLY16BI

“By his wounds we are healed.” — Isaiah 53:5

On Easter Sunday 2020, the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, which towers over Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, was illuminated in a special way, making Jesus dressed as a doctor. The bright image of Christ in the image of a doctor was made in support of many workers in the medical field who were trying to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. This image resembles the description of Jesus Christ as our Great Healer (Mark 2:17).

During His earthly ministry, Jesus healed many people from physical ailments. For example, He healed the blind Bartimaeus (Mr. 10:46-52), the leper (Lk. 5:12-16), the paralyzed (Mt. 9:1-8). Jesus’ concern for the health of His followers was also manifested in providing for their food needs, when He multiplied bread and fish to feed the multitude of people (Jn. 6:1-13). Each of these miracles reveals the mighty power of Jesus and His sincere love for people.

However, the greatest healing came through His death and resurrection, as prophesied by the prophet Isaiah. “By [Jesus’] wounds we are healed” from the greatest problem – our separation from God, which arose because of our sins (Is. 53:5). Although Jesus does not deliver us from all health problems, we can believe in the solution of our greatest need – the healing of our relationship with God.

How have you experienced the amazing spiritual healing that God has given you? How does a healed relationship with God through Jesus’ sacrifice help you endure physical ailments?

Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice that heals my spiritual sickness. Help me to trust You in times of physical difficulties.

Author: Kirsten Holmberg

“They both ran together, but the second disciple ran ahead, faster than Peter, and arrived at the tomb first.” — John 20:4

On a trip to Paris, Ben and his friends visited one of the famous museums. Although Ben did not study art, he admired Eugene Burnand’s painting “The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Tomb on the Day of Resurrection.” The facial expressions of Peter and Ivan and the gestures of their hands speak for themselves, causing the audience to want to be in their place and feel their special emotions.

Based on the text of the Gospel from John 20:1-10, the painter depicted two disciples running to the empty tomb of Jesus (v. 4). The artistic masterpiece conveys their strong emotional confusion. Although their faith was not yet fully formed at that moment, they ran in the right direction, and the resurrected Jesus eventually appeared before them (vv. 19-29). Their experience of seeking Jesus was different from that of those who sought Him in later centuries. But even if we are far from an empty tomb or masterpieces of art, we can still clearly see the good news. Scripture encourages us to hope, seek, and run to Jesus and His love, even in the face of doubt, question, and uncertainty. Celebrating Easter, let’s remember God’s faithfulness: “And you will seek me, and you will find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).

If you don’t know Jesus, what will you do to start running to Him and His love? If you are a Christian, how will you tell others about His love?

Dear Jesus, lead me into Your arms.

Author: Arthur Jackson

“And His sweat became like drops of blood that floated to the ground.” — Luke 22:44

While visiting the Scottish National Gallery, I paid attention to the painting style and bright colors of one of the many paintings by the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, “Olive Trees”. According to many historians, this painting was inspired by Jesus’ experience in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. However, my attention was drawn to the small red drops of paint on the canvas among the ancient trees.

It was on the Mount of Olives (so named because of the olive trees on the mountainside) that Jesus went to pray on the night when, as He told the disciples, Judas was to betray Him. Jesus was filled with pain from the realization that betrayal would lead to His crucifixion. When He prayed, “His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Lk. 22:44). The suffering of Jesus in the garden was visible. He was preparing for the pain and humiliation of the public execution that would lead to the physical shedding of His blood on that Good Friday.

The red drops in Van Gogh’s painting remind us that Jesus had to “suffer much, and [that] he would be shunned” (Mr. 8:31). Although suffering was part of His story, it no longer dominates the picture. Jesus’ victory over death transforms even our suffering, making it part of the beautiful landscape of our lives.

Why is it important for you to remember the suffering of Jesus Christ? How does His example help you in your suffering?

Lord Jesus, thank you for your willingness to suffer and even die so that I may have eternal life.

Author: Lisa Samra

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” — Matthew 20:28

Thirteen-year-old DiEvion accepted the challenge to serve others. He and his mother heard a story about a man who encouraged children to mow fifty lawns for free during summer vacation. The goal was to help veterans, single mothers, people with disabilities, anyone who simply needed help. According to the event’s organizer (who himself has mowed fifty lawns in fifty states), it was intended to teach the importance of a work ethic and giving back to the community. Despite the heat and the opportunity to do something else this summer, DiEvion decided to serve those in need and rose to the challenge.

The call to serve also goes out to believers in Jesus. On the eve of His death, Jesus had dinner with the disciples for all people (John 13:1-2). He was well aware of the suffering and death that awaited Him, but he still got up, wrapped himself in a towel and began to wash the disciples’ feet (vv. 3-5). And then he said: “And when I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, then you must also wash one another’s feet” (v. 14).

Jesus, the humble Servant and our example, was concerned about people. He healed the blind and the sick, preached the good news about His Kingdom and gave His life for His friends. Because Christ loves you, ask Him to show you whom to serve this week.

What does God’s love and compassion mean to you? How can you serve others with your gifts and talents?

Dear God, show me how to love others with the love with which You love me.

By Ann Sitas

“If anyone wants to follow Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” — Matthew 16:24

We all leave a part of us behind when we move to a new place. However, for a long-term stay in the village of Villa las Estrellas in Antarctica, in a cold and deserted place, you have to literally leave a part of yourself. Considering that the nearest hospital is 625 miles away, a person is in serious trouble with appendicitis. Therefore, before moving there, every resident must have their appendix removed.

Seriously, right? However, it is not as serious as becoming a citizen of God’s Kingdom. People want to follow Jesus all they want (Matt. 16:25-27), but He explains what it means to be a disciple. “If anyone wants to follow Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (v. 24). This also means our readiness to get rid of everything that competes with Him and His Kingdom. By taking up our cross, we declare our willingness to suffer social and political oppression and even death for our devotion to Christ; it is a willingness to truly follow Him. It means following His lead in service and sacrifice moment by moment.

Following Jesus is much more than just leaving a part of your life behind. It is devotion and consecration of our whole life, including our bodies, only to Him.

What does following Jesus mean to you? How does He call you to sacrifice your life for Him?

Dear Jesus, help me to get rid of everything that competes with You and Your Kingdom.

Author: Marvin Williams

“Abide in Me, and I in you.” — John 15:4

A few years ago, we adopted an adult black cat named Yuno from a local animal shelter. I only wanted to reduce the mouse population, but the rest of the family wanted a pet. The shelter gave us clear instructions on how to organize the feeding of the cat in the first week, so that he understood that our house is now his home, his place of belonging, where he will always have food and be safe. And even if Yuno goes somewhere, he will definitely return home.

In the absence of a true home, we will always be tempted to wander somewhere in search of kindness, love, and meaning. If we want to find true life, Jesus calls: “Abide in Me” (Jn. 15:4). The biblical scholar Frederick Dale Bruner emphasizes that the word “abide” evokes a sense of family and home. Therefore, he paraphrases the words of Jesus: “Make yourself at home in Me.”

Developing the idea of ​​a home, Jesus used the image of a branch on a vine. Branches, if they want to live, must always be on the vine, holding fast to their place of belonging.

Many voices lure us with empty promises to solve our problems or provide us with new “wisdom” or a bright future. But if we want to live truly, we must abide in Jesus. We have to stay at home.

What makes you happy about being in Jesus? How did Jesus show that He is the true source of life?

Lord Jesus, I tend to wander off somewhere. I am attracted by different directions. However, I want to be with You. You are my life. Help me to be in You.

Author: Wynn Collier