God's Glory Church

? 02/05/2023 09:58 A live broadcast has begun on your channel: “Three Prayers of Avvakum” | Pastor Mykola Sychev 02/05/2023: https://youtu.be/dYn5cmgFCc0

“Do not call me: Naomi, – call me: Mara, because the Almighty has made me very bitter.” — Ruth 1:20

After the death of her first husband, Jen remarried. However, the children of the new husband did not accept her. Now he died too, and the children hated her for staying in the house where they had spent their childhood. Her husband left her a small amount of money, but the children say she is stealing their inheritance. Jen is understandably disappointed and bitter.

Naomi’s husband moved with his family to Moab, where he and his two sons died. Years later, Naomi returned to Bethlehem; at the same time her daughter-in-law Ruth arrived with her. With their appearance, the city was in an uproar, and people began to ask: “Is this Naomi?” (Ruth 1:19). In response, she asked that she no longer be called by this name, which means “pleasant”. Instead, her name should be “Mara”, which means “hill”. “I left rich, but the Lord returned me empty” (vv. 20-21).

Can you be called “bitter”? You are disappointed by your friends, family, or your health. You deserved better, but you didn’t get it. And you are overcome with bitterness.

Naomi returned to Bethlehem with bitterness in her heart, but she returned. And you can go home too. Come to Jesus, a descendant of Ruth, born in Bethlehem. And rest in His love.

Over time, God changed Naomi’s bitterness to joyful fulfillment of His perfect plan (Ruth 4:13-22). It can also change your bitterness. Come to Him.

What name describes you? What does it mean to you to live out the name that describes you in Jesus Christ?

Heavenly Father, I return home to find peace in Your Son.

Author: Mike Whittmer

“As a native among you, so will be for you a sojourner who lives with you.” — Leviticus 19:34

In a new country, everything was completely different: a new language, schools, customs, traffic, weather. They didn’t know if they would ever be able to adjust to it. Members of the church, which is located nearby, decided to help the family in setting up a new life in a new place. Patti took the couple to a local grocery store to show them what was available and how to shop for groceries. During visits to the supermarket, the family was happy to see pomegranates on the counter – fruits from their homeland. They bought a pomegranate for each of their children and another for Patti as a thank you for her help. These fruits and new friends brought them great comfort in a new, unfamiliar country.

God, through Moses, provided a list of laws for His people, among which was the commandment to treat a foreigner among the people as a “native” (Lev. 19:34). God also commanded to “love him as yourself.” The Lord Jesus called this commandment the second great commandment after the commandment to love God (Mt. 22:39). Even God “protects those who come” (Ps. 145:9).

Helping new friends to adapt to life in our country, let’s remember that we are also “sojourners” on earth (Heb. 11:13). So, let’s wait for the appearance of a new heavenly abode.

Who does God want you to care about? What gift has He given you to show His love to others?

Compassionate God, I do not fully understand what it means to be a stranger in the world. Help me support those who are in a foreign land.

By Ann Sitas

“The student is not greater than the teacher; but, having improved, everyone will be like his teacher.” — Luke 6:40

In one popular video, a three-year-old student, who had already earned a white belt in karate, imitated her trainer. With passion and zeal, the little girl repeated all his words and movements after the mentor. She did a great job!

The Lord Jesus said: “The disciple is not greater than the teacher, but when perfected, everyone will be like his teacher” (Lk. 6:40). He told the disciples that, following His example, they should be generous, loving and non-judgmental (vv. 37-38), and be careful about whom they follow: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will not both fall into the pit?” (v. 39). The disciples had to understand that the Pharisees were blind leaders who led the people to disaster (Mt. 15:14), so it is important to follow the Master steadfastly. Disciples of Christ should strive to be like Him and to fulfill His instructions regarding the manifestation of generosity and love.

Striving to follow the example of Jesus Christ, let us dedicate ourselves to our Teacher, so that we may become like Him in understanding, wisdom and actions. Only He can help us to reproduce His generous and loving character.

In what ways are you striving to follow Jesus today? When is it most difficult for you to follow the example of Christ the Master?

Lord Jesus, great Teacher, help me to follow You disciplinedly and attentively!

Author: Marvin Williams

“Blessed are the sad.” — Matthew 5:4

I received a message from a young man from England who said that his 63-year-old father was in a very serious condition in the hospital. Although we never met him, our activities were similar in many ways. So, the son, trying to please his father, asked me to send a video message with words of support and prayer. Deeply moved, I recorded a short appeal and prayer for healing on video. Later, my husband said that my father had watched my video and was very happy. However, unfortunately, a few days later I received another message saying that my father had died. He held his wife’s hand until his last breath.

My heart was breaking. Such love and such grief. The family lost a husband and a father. However, Jesus assures that those who cry are blessed. “Blessed are the sorrowful,” says Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:4). The Lord does not say that suffering and sadness are good. Instead, He says that God’s mercy and goodness are shown to those who need them most. Those who are grieving because of the death of a loved one or even because of their own sinfulness need God’s attention and support more than others. The Lord Jesus promises: “They will be comforted” (v. 4).

God comes to meet us, His beloved children (v. 9). He blesses us in our tears.

Where have you encountered sadness in your own life or in the lives of others? How does Jesus’ promise of blessing change your perspective on grief?

God, I was overcome with pain and sadness. Please help me feel Your blessing even in my tears.

Author: Wynn Collier

“And you will remember the Lord, your God.” — Deuteronomy 8:18

On January 15, 1919, a large molasses tank exploded in Boston. A five-meter wave of 8 million liters rushed through the streets of the city at a speed of more than 50 km per hour, sweeping away wagons, houses, people and animals in its path. Molasses seemed completely harmless, but that day it turned out to be deadly: 21 people died and more than 150 were injured.

Sometimes even good things can surprise us unexpectedly. Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Moses warned the people not to ascribe to themselves the benefits that they will receive: “So that when you eat and are satisfied, and you build good houses, and you dwell in them, and your cattle, large and small, multiply, and silver and gold multiply for you… so that your heart does not become proud, and that you do not forget Lord, your God.” The people were not to attribute wealth to their own strength or their own abilities. Moses said: “And you will remember the Lord, your God, because He is the One who gives you the strength to acquire strength” (Deuteronomy 8:12-14, 17-18).

All good things, including physical health and the skills necessary to earn a living, are blessings from the hand of a loving God. Even if we are able to work hard, it is only possible with God’s support. Let’s be grateful for the blessings received and praise God for His goodness to us!

What manifestation of God’s goodness are you grateful for today? With whom can you share the blessings you have received?

Heavenly Father, thank you for supporting me every moment. Please help me to realize Your goodness and share it with others.

Author: James Banks

Good evening dear church. Join us in prayer.

For the liberation of the occupied territories from the enemy, for God’s protection from missile attacks and the restoration of Ukraine’s energy system.

For God’s protection on our military. For peace throughout the territory of Ukraine.

For insight and repentance of the Russian people. For God’s judgment on the Russian government.

For spiritual awakening and humility before God of Ukrainian society.

For wisdom for our political and military leadership.

For the influence and service of the church in this difficult time.

For the restoration and healing of our land, for orphans, widows, refugees and the wounded, for release from captivity.

“They will run – and not get tired, they will walk – and not suffer.” — Isaiah 40:31

“I don’t think I can do it again,” my friend said with tears in her eyes, talking about the sense of helplessness she felt while working as a caregiver. “I know God called me to this job, but I’m depressed and emotionally drained.” Understanding her exhaustion, I replied, “I know you feel helpless right now, but ask God to give you the guidance you seek and the strength you need.” A friend decided to seek God in prayer. She soon gained a new sense of purpose. With God’s help, she was able not only to continue her work, but also to expand the circle of people she served by visiting various hospitals in the country.

We, believers in Jesus Christ, can always rely on God’s help and support, because “He does not grow weary or grow weary” (Is. 40:28). The prophet Isaiah says that our Heavenly Father “gives strength to the afflicted, and strength to the powerless” (v. 29). God’s power is limitless. However, He knows that we will inevitably have days when we feel physically and emotionally exhausted (v. 30). However, if we rely on God’s strength and do not try to cope with life’s difficulties on our own, He will restore our strength and help us move forward with faith.

When have you tried to cope with difficult situations on your own? How to rely on God’s help?

Dear God, thank you for helping me when life’s challenges seem insurmountable.

Author: Kimya Loder (guest)

“Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with courage to receive mercy and find grace for timely help.” — Hebrews 4:16

When the Perseverance rover landed on the red planet on February 18, 2021, the workers watching its arrival experienced “seven minutes of terror.” At the end of its space journey of 470 million kilometers, the rover went through the difficult process of landing. Signals from Mars reach Earth with a delay of several minutes, so NASA employees were not in contact with the rover at the moment of its landing. The lack of communication scared the team.

Sometimes we also feel fear when we pray and do not receive answers. In the Holy Scriptures, we see both those who quickly received answers to their prayers (see Dan. 9:20-23), and those who waited for answers for a long time (see the story of Anna in 1 Sam. 1:10-20). Perhaps the most striking example of a delayed response is the story of how Martha and Mary asked Jesus to come and help their sick brother Lazarus (John 11:3). Jesus’ delay probably filled the hearts of the sisters with terror. The Lord delayed, and their brother died (vv. 6-7, 14-15). However, after four days, Jesus finally answered by resurrecting Lazarus (vv. 43-44).

It is difficult to expect God’s answers to our prayers. However, God can comfort us and help us if we approach “with boldness to [His] throne of grace, to receive mercy and to find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

What have you been praying for that still hasn’t been answered? How can God strengthen your faith while you wait on Him?

Loving God, You know what is in my heart. Please help me to trust You as I wait for Your answer.

Author: David Brenon