God's Glory Church

“All Scripture is inspired by God, and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for guidance, for education in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16

At the end of the 19th century Christians in different places almost simultaneously began to develop similar materials for service. The first, in 1877, was Montreal (Canada). In 1898, a similar program was launched in New York. By 1922, about five thousand such programs were operating each summer in North America.

Thus began the Summer Bible School. Those who invented it were guided by the desire to teach God’s Word to children.

The apostle Paul had a similar desire for his young co-worker Timothy. In his letter to him, the apostle reminded that “the Scriptures are inspired by God” and are able to prepare us “for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). But his words are not just friendly advice to read the Bible. Paul’s instruction follows a dire warning that “in the last days perilous times will come” (v. 1). Many false teachers will appear who “can never come to the knowledge of the truth” (v. 7). Therefore, it is important to protect yourself with God’s Word. It immerses us in the knowledge of the Savior and makes us wise “for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (v. 15).

Not only children, but also adults should study the Bible. And not only in summer, but every day. “You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child,” said Paul to Timothy (v. 15). But even if we were not taught the Bible in childhood, it is never too late to learn God’s truth. No matter what age we are, biblical wisdom points us to Christ.

What are your favorite Bible texts? How do they point to Christ?

Loving God, thank You for the Holy Scriptures and that they help me to know Christ.

By: Kenneth Petersen (guest)

“Be still and know that I am God.” — Psalm 45:11

The first photograph of a person was taken by Louis Daguerre in 1838. The picture shows an empty Paris street in summer. The strange thing is that the street and sidewalks should have been filled with carriages and pedestrians. However, no one is visible.

The person in the photo was actually not alone. People and horses moved along the busy Temple Boulevard, the view of which is shown in the picture. They just didn’t register. The exposure time for creating a photograph (known as a daguerreotype) was seven minutes. Only stationary objects were depicted. And the only motionless living being was a man on the sidewalk. She stood in front of the shoe shiner with her foot on the stand.

Sometimes immobility allows you to achieve what is impossible during movement and effort. God speaks to His people in Psalm 45:11: “Be still and know that I am God.” Even if the nations are in turmoil (v. 7) and the earth is shaking (v. 3), those who are calm in their hope in God will know that He is “a help in the troubles that often happen” (v. 2).

The Hebrew word translated as “calm down” can also be translated as “stop fussing.” If we rest in God, instead of relying on our limited abilities, He will become our protection and strength (v. 2).

How do you “appease” before God today? In what area do you need to trust Him more?

Heavenly Father, help me to rely on You and find peace in Your unfailing love.

Author: James Banks

“And to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” — Luke 6:27

The handshake spoke for itself. On a March evening in 1963, two basketball players – one black, the other white – defied racial hatred and shook hands. For the first time in Mississippi State history, an all-white men’s team played against a mixed team. In order to participate in a “game changer” with Loyola University Chicago, the Mississippi State team defied a court order barring them from leaving the state. And Loyola’s black players were insulted throughout the season, pelted with popcorn and ice, and more than once faced with closed doors on road trips.

And still young people played. Chicago beat Mississippi 61-51 to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship. But, in the end, love won over hate that night. The Lord Jesus taught: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27).

Bible teaching changes hearts and lives. To love our enemies, as Christ taught, we must submit to His radical precepts and be transformed inwardly. As the apostle Paul wrote: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away, but the new has become” (2 Cor. 5:17). But how does this new overcome the old? With love! Having put on it, we will be able to see our Lord in each other.

What makes you see enemies in other people? What can you do to counter hatred with Christ’s love?

Loving God, help me to see people not as enemies, but as those who are valuable to You, and to love them with the love of Christ.

Author: Patricia Raybon

“Let us run with patience to the fight that is before us.” — Hebrews 12:1

It was impossible to watch my friend Iryna’s social network status update without tears. In February 2022, just days after fleeing Kyiv, the besieged capital of Ukraine, she posted one of her old photos of herself raising her country’s flag after participating in a running competition. “All of us are running the marathon called life to the best of our abilities. Let’s run it even better these days. With something that will never die in our hearts,” she wrote. In the following days, I watched my friend continue her run. She regularly posted messages asking for prayer and help for the suffering citizens of her country.

Irina’s words gave a new depth in my eyes to the biblical call to patiently go through the struggle “that is before us” (Heb. 12:1). This call follows the description in the eleventh chapter of the “cloud of witnesses” – numerous heroes of faith who remained faithful to the Lord, despite the risk to their own lives (Heb. 11:33-38). And although they only “saw” God’s promises from afar (v. 13), their lives were dedicated to the eternal – which will never die.

All believers in Christ are called to live with the same attitude. Because shalom – peace and prosperity – the Kingdom of God is worth giving up everything for. And also because we have the example of Christ and His strength that supports us (Heb. 12:2-3).

What examples of bold faith have you seen? How does the example of Jesus Christ give you hope?

God, I am at a loss for words when I see the faith and courage of Your children in desperate circumstances. Give me the courage to follow You just as faithfully.

Author: Monica La Rose

? 03/12/2023 10:01 a.m. #broadcast “Grateful Heart” started on the Church of God’s Glory channel | Muele Luda | 12.03.2023: https://youtu.be/NR3W2cq8OIE

“Whenever possible, if it depends on you, live at peace with all men.” — Romans 12:18

Scientist Kenneth Bailey spoke about the leader of one African state, who managed to occupy an unusual position in the international community, namely: he established friendly relations both with Israel and with neighboring countries. When someone asked him how he managed to maintain this delicate balance, he replied: “We try to make friends everywhere, but we do not welcome it if they try to make us enemies.”

Wise and very practical. What this African politician achieved on the international level, the apostle Paul persuaded his readers to achieve on a personal level. Describing in detail the life changed by Christ, he said: “Whenever it is possible, if it depends on you, live in peace with all people” (Rom. 12:18). And further, developing this theme, he even showed how to deal with enemies (vv. 20-21). In all this our trust in God and His all-powerful care must be manifested.

It is not always possible to live in peace with everyone (in fact, the Apostle Paul says so: “If”). But we believers in Christ are responsible for allowing His wisdom to guide our lives (James 3:17-18) and to be peacemakers in the world around us (Matt. 5:9). Could there be a better way to glorify the Prince of Peace?

With whom do you find it difficult to live in peace? How can you become a peacemaker and bring grace into these relationships?

Loving Heavenly Father, I was Your enemy and You called me a friend. Make me a peacemaker so that I can bring the same grace to others.

Author: Bill Crowder

“David took the harp and played with his hand. And it was easy for Saul, and he felt well.” — 1 Samuel 16:23

Five-year-old Bella was diagnosed with cancer. The girl was admitted to a hospital in the state of North Carolina and, among other things, prescribed music therapy. Many people know how much music affects mood, although they don’t understand how it works. Recent clinical studies have confirmed the positive effects of music on recovery. Now it is prescribed for oncological diseases, as well as for Parkinson’s disease, dementia and various injuries.

King Saul also received a similar “prescription” when he began to experience mental torment. His advisers suggested looking for a person who could play the harp, hoping that music would make the king “good” (1 Sam. 16:16). In the end, David was found, who greatly pleased Saul and remained in his service (v. 22). When Saul was attacked by an evil spirit, David began to play the harp, and the king felt better.

We have only begun to discover on a scientific level what God has always known. The creator of both our bodies and music provided various means of caring for our health, available to all, regardless of the era in which we live or the level of medical care. And even if we do not have the opportunity to listen to music, we ourselves can sing to God in the midst of joy or sorrow, receiving comfort and healing (Ps. 59:17; Acts 16:25).

How has God used music to bring you relief? Can you help someone with music as David helped Saul?

Heavenly Father, thank you for music and for using it to calm my heart and mind in difficult times.

Author: Kirsten Holmberg

“Therefore comfort one another, and build one another up, just as you do.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I call it a “green miracle” and I’ve been watching it every spring for fifteen years now. After winter, the grass in our yard becomes brown and dusty. To a casual passerby, she may seem dead. Snow falls in the state of Colorado only in the mountains, and on the plains the climate is hot and even arid. But every spring at the end of May, I turn on the irrigation. The water does not hit in a stream, but flows slowly, constantly moistening the soil. After a few weeks, the brown and dry lawn becomes green and lush.

The green grass reminds me of the important role that encouragement plays in the life of a believer. Without it, our faith and spirit can become exhausted. However, regular encouragement does wonders for the mind and soul. In the First Epistle to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul emphasizes this truth. Christians in Thessalonica felt anxiety and fear. Paul saw that their faith needed support. Therefore, he called them to preach and teach one another (1 Thess. 5:11). He knew that without it their faith would wither. Paul experienced this firsthand, because the same Thessalonians of his time were an encouragement to himself. Today, the Lord gives us such an opportunity – to encourage and support each other so that we can all blossom together for God’s glory.

What encouragement have you received recently? Who can you support today or during this week?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the encouragement You send me through my brothers and sisters. Help me encourage others too.

Author: John Blaze

“And you shall write them on the side doors of your house and on your gates.” — Deuteronomy 6:9

While scrolling through my social media feed after the 2016 south Louisiana flood, I came across a friend’s post. Her house was badly damaged and there was a lot of cleaning and repair work to do. Her friend’s mother advised her to ask God for help. After some time, a friend posted on the network photos of verses from the Bible, which she discovered on the door frames when the moldings were removed from them. They were probably written during the construction of the house. Sacred texts on wooden boards brought her comfort.

The custom of placing biblical texts on doors comes from God’s command to Israel. The Lord commanded the Israelites to write His commandments on the door frames so that they would never be forgotten. In addition, they were to keep God’s words in their hearts (Deut. 6:6), teach their children (v. 7), and use special symbols and other means that remind them of the Lord’s law (v. 8). God’s people had to do everything possible not to forget the covenant made with the Creator.

We will also benefit from placing passages from God’s Word in our homes and keeping His truth in our hearts. Then our lives will be securely based on the Lord’s faithfulness revealed in the Holy Scriptures. And He will be able to use these words to send us comfort when disaster or loss comes.

When did the scriptures bring you special comfort? How do the truths of the Bible become the basis of your life?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Holy Scriptures that guide my path. Help me to build my life only on him.

Author: Katara Patton

“The Lord gives the word; there are many prophetesses.” — Psalm 67:12

In 2020, the United States celebrated the centenary of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. Old photos show the participants of the march with placards on which were written the words from the Psalm: “The Lord gives the word; the prophets are many” (Ps. 67:12).

In this Psalm, David speaks of God as the One who sets prisoners free (v. 7) and renews His powerless people by pouring out blessings on them (v. 10-11). In thirty-six verses, David mentions God forty-two times, telling how He was constantly with Israel and saved His chosen ones from injustice and suffering. This truth is proclaimed by a great number of soothsayers (v. 12).

It is debatable to what extent the women who defended their rights understood the meaning of the words from the Bible written on the posters. However, there is no doubt that these words themselves have an inescapable value. God, “a father to the fatherless and a judge to widows” (v. 6), goes before His people, directing them to blessings, renewal and joy.

Let us be comforted and encouraged, remembering that the Lord is always close to His children, and especially to the defenseless and suffering. As in the distant past, so in our days, He works powerfully for our benefit with His Spirit.

How did God take care of you during difficult times? What comfort do you find in this?

Heavenly Father, thank you for your constant presence in my life, for guiding and protecting me in times of injustice and suffering.

Author: Lisa Samra