God's Glory Church

“And now I entrust you to God and the word of His grace, which has the power to build and give an inheritance, among all the sanctified.” — Acts 20:32

After many years of research, scientists learned that each wolf has an individual voice, thanks to which the animals can communicate with each other. Using a special sound analysis program, one of the scientists found that different levels of volume and pitch of wolf howls allow her to identify specific wolves with 100 percent accuracy.

The Bible contains many examples of God distinguishing the voices of His beloved creatures. He called Moses by name and spoke to him directly (Ex. 3:4-6). The psalmist David proclaims: “I call to the Lord with my voice, and He will call from His holy mountain” (Ps. 3:5). The Apostle Paul also emphasized how important it is for the people of God to recognize the voice of their Lord.

Saying goodbye to the Ephesian elders, Paul said that he was going to Jerusalem “moved by the Spirit.” He confirmed his willingness to listen to God’s voice, although he did not know what awaited him after his arrival (Acts 20:22). The apostle warned the brothers that “ferocious wolves” will come to the church, and “men will arise from among them who will speak twisted things” (vv. 29-30). And then he urged them to be vigilant and diligent in discerning God’s truth (v. 31).

Christians have the privilege of knowing that God hears them and answers them. And we also have the Holy Spirit. It helps us to recognize God’s voice, which is always consonant with the words of Scripture.

What false teachings has God helped you to recognize as you study the scriptures? When has He sent you encouragement through the Bible?

God, when the noise of this world tries to distance me from You, help me to hear Your voice and obey It.

Author: Sosheel Dixon

“The Lord’s Law is perfect, it strengthens the soul.” — Psalm 18:8

One day I was helping my grandson, Logan, a sixth grader, with a difficult algebra homework assignment. During a short break, he said that he dreams of becoming an engineer. Then we’re back to the X’s and the Greeks again, and Logan angrily states, “Why do that? I’ll never need it!”

I couldn’t help but smile and said to my grandson, “Well, Logan, if you want to be an engineer, this is what you need!” He did not see the connection between algebra and his dream of a future profession.

Sometimes we look at Scripture the same way. Listening to sermons and reading some chapters of the Bible, we can think: “I will never need this!” The psalmist David had something to say about this. He wrote that God’s truth in Scripture “strengthens the soul”, “makes the inexperienced wise” and “rejoices the heart” (Ps. 18:8-9). The wisdom of God’s Word found in the first five books of the Bible, to which Psalm 18 refers (as well as throughout the rest of Scripture), helps us to be led by the Holy Spirit daily (Prov. 2:6).

And without God’s Word, we will lack the most important means that God has provided for our communication with Him, knowledge of His love and will. Why should you study the Bible? Because “the commandment of the Lord is pure, it enlightens the eyes” (Ps. 18:9).

Why is the wisdom of God’s Word relevant to you today? How can you grow in understanding it?

Loving God, make Your Word a light on my path. Help me use his wisdom to direct my steps and grow in love for You.

Author: David Brenon

“And God finished His work on the seventh day… And He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done.” — Genesis 2:2

My friend Susie and I sat on the coastal boulders and watched the waves. Decorated with foam combs, they crashed one by one against the stones. “I love the ocean,” said Susie, “it’s always moving, so I can afford real estate.”

Some of us feel obligated to find some excuse for taking time off from work. After all, rest is a gift from God! For six days He created the world: He created light, land, plants, animals and people. And then, on the seventh day, He rested (Gen. 1:31-2:2). In the Ten Commandments, God laid down the rules of a righteous life that is pleasing to Him (Ex. 20:3-17). Among them was the commandment to remember the Sabbath, the day of rest (vv. 8-11). In the New Testament, we see how Jesus healed all the sick in the city (Mark 1:29-34), and the next morning he went to a desert place to pray (v. 35). Our Lord worked and rested, setting us an example.

The rhythm of God’s provision through work and His proposed rest resounds around us. Sown in spring, grows in summer, bears fruit in autumn and rests in winter. Morning, afternoon, evening, and then night. God has determined both work and rest for our lives, giving us permission for both.

How do you balance work and leisure? When and how can you take a break during the day to reflect on God’s example of work and rest?

God, thank You for calling me to follow Your example in work and in peace for Your glory and my good.

Author: Eliza Morgan

“Because even though our outer man is crumbling, our inner man is being restored day by day.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16

In Chinese medicine, ground pearls have been used as a scrub for thousands of years. With its help, dead cells of the upper layer of the skin were removed. And in Romania, rejuvenating medicinal muds are widespread, which are believed to make the skin healthy and shiny. All over the world, people use different body care methods that they believe can rejuvenate aging skin.

However, the means invented to support our material bodies can only provide temporary satisfaction. It is much more important to stay spiritually healthy and strong. We, believers in Christ, have open access to spiritual renewal. The Apostle Paul wrote: “For though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). Every day we face problems that weigh us down, bringing fear, anxiety and worry into our lives. But “when we look not at what is seen, but at what is unseen,” spiritual renewal takes place (v. 18). We do this when we bring our concerns to God and pray that the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which includes love, joy, and peace, will be manifested again in our lives (Gal. 5:22-23). When we surrender our experiences to God and allow His Spirit to shine through us daily, He restores our souls.

How can you ask God to restore your spirit? How does the Holy Spirit strengthen you?

Lord Jesus, I face things every day that try to break me. Sometimes I feel defeated. But I know that in You I can renew my spirit.

Author: Kimya Loder (guest)

“My soul is taken away from me like a child.” — Psalm 130:2

In a newspaper article, a psychiatrist was giving advice to a reader named Brenda, who complained of dissatisfaction with her life. Her ambitious projects did not materialize, and she suffered from disappointment. In response, the psychiatrist wrote that a person should not be happy. By nature, she is destined “only to survive and reproduce.” We are doomed to run after the “attractive but unattainable butterfly” of happiness. “Very few,” he added, “managed to achieve satisfaction.”

I imagined how Brenda felt after reading the psychiatrist’s nihilistic reasoning, and how different she would feel after reading the Bible. In Psalm 130, David talks about how to be content. At first, he humbly puts aside his royal ambitions, decides not to enter into the great and unattainable (v. 1). Then he quiets his heart before God (v. 2), trusting his future in His hands (v. 3). The result is beautiful: his soul is calmed, as a child is finally calmed after being weaned from its mother’s breast (v. 2).

In a sinful and corrupt world, the feeling of contentment sometimes seems like an unattainable dream. The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 writes that he learned to be content. But if we believe that our purpose is “only to survive and reproduce”, then the search for pleasure is like chasing an elusive butterfly. David shows another way: finding contentment through rest in God’s presence.

When do you experience the most satisfaction? How can you set aside a special time to be quiet before God?

God, I rest in You, the deep source of my true contentment.

Author: Sheridan Voysey

“Ananias… laying his hands on him, said: “Brother Saul, the Lord… has sent me.” — Acts 9:17

“Lord, send me anywhere, but not there!” This is how I prayed when I was still a teenager and was about to go abroad to study for a year. I didn’t know where I was being sent, but I knew very well where I didn’t want to go. I did not speak the language of that country and had many prejudices against the customs and people. So I asked God to send me somewhere else.

But God, in His infinite wisdom, sent me there. And now I’m glad that everything turned out this way, and not otherwise. Forty years later, I still have good friends in that country. When I got married, my best friend Stefan came to my wedding from there. And when he got married, I flew to him to repay the debt of friendship. And soon we are going to meet again.

When God makes a change in the heart, wonderful things happen. Such a transformation can be illustrated by two biblical words: “Brother Saul” (Acts 9:17).

They were spoken by Ananias, a Christian who was commissioned by God to heal Saul’s sight shortly after his conversion (vv. 10-12). Ananias initially resisted, because he knew about Saul’s cruelty in the past: “I have heard, Lord, from many about this man, how much evil he has done in Jerusalem to Your saints” (v. 13).

But Ananias was obedient and left. In the person of Saul, he found a new brother in faith. Saul became known as Paul, and the Good News about Christ spread with great power. The Lord is making amazing changes!

Is there a place in your life where the Lord is calling you to change? How can you support a new convert today?

Lord Jesus, thank you for the love that changed my heart. Help me spread it to others.

Author: James Banks

? 03/19/2023 10:03 AM #broadcast “Meeting with Jesus” has started on the Church of God’s Glory channel | Pastor Dmytro Ignatenko 19.03.2023: https://youtu.be/S0jfbyQw1Ww

“When we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all kinds of unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

One day I noticed a small, unfamiliar plant near our porch next to the watering hose. She seemed innocent to me, and I forgot about her. What can such a small thing do to the whole lawn? But after a week, the plant turned into a bush and began to take over the yard. The shoots spilled over the path and sprouted in other places. I had to sound the alarm. I asked my husband to help me dig up the weeds and treated the yard with herbicide.

Something similar can be said about sin. If we ignore its presence, sin can take over our souls and darken our lives. There is no darkness in God. As His children, we have everything we need to resist sin and walk in the light, “as He Himself is in the light” (1 John 1:7). Through confession and repentance, we receive forgiveness and release from sin (vv. 8-10), since we have a great Advocate – the Lord Jesus (1 John 2:1). He paid the ultimate price, shedding his blood “for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world” (v. 2).

When the Lord points out sin to us, we can choose to deny, remain silent, or evade responsibility. But if we choose to confess our sin and repent, He will eradicate everything that harms our relationship with Him and those around us.

How does understanding that our sins offend God change your view of repentance? What sins have taken root in your life and need to be “rooted”?

Loving Heavenly Father, remove sins from my life so that my relationship with You and people can be strengthened.

Author: Sosheel Dixon

All are invited to a special healing and deliverance service next Sunday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.
Come yourself and bring your friends.

Also, this Sunday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m., we will have a special guest – pastor Dmytro Ignatenko.

See you soon!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” —Revelation 3:20

Frederic Brown’s short thriller “The Knock” says: “The last man on Earth was sitting alone in a room. There was a knock at the door…” Ouch! Who can it be and what does he need? What kind of mysterious creature came after her? Now she is certainly not completely alone.

And we are not alone either.

The church in Laodicea heard a knock at its door (Rev. 3:20). What kind of supernatural Being came to her? Her name was Jesus, “The First and the Last… and the Living One” (Revelation 1:17-18). His eyes burned like fire. His face was “like the sun shining in its power” (v. 16). When the apostle John saw the brightness of His glory, “he fell at His feet as if dead” (v. 17). Faith in Christ begins with the fear of God.

We’re not alone, and that’s comforting, too. Jesus Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the image of His hypostasis, He holds the universe “by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3). However, He does not use His power to destroy us, but to show us His love. Here are His words: “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and I will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Our faith begins with fear: who is there at the door? But it ends with joy and blessing. Jesus promises to always be by your side, even if you remain the last person on Earth. Thank God that we are not alone!

Why is Christ’s power inseparable from His love? Why are both so important?

Lord Jesus, I accept You into my heart and life.

Author: Mike Whittmer