God's Glory Church

“Lord, deliver my soul from a lying lip, from a treacherous tongue!” — Psalm 119:2

“The Christian consciousness begins with the painful realization that what we believed to be the truth turned out to be a lie,” wrote Eugene Peterson in his profound reflections on Psalm 119. This psalm is the first of the “songs of the pilgrims” (Ps. 119-133) that the pilgrims sang on the way to Jerusalem. As Peterson points out in the book Enduring Obedience in One Direction, these psalms also depict a spiritual journey to God.

This journey can only begin with a deep awareness of one’s own need for something else. Peterson says, “A man must feel a complete abhorrence of the present state of things in order to find the motivation to follow the Christian path. . . . [Man] must have his fill of the world of sin before he can feel an appetite for the world of grace.”

The sinfulness and despair we see in the world around us can be easily discouraging, and our culture often shows a callous disregard for harm done to other people. Psalm 119 frankly says: “I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!” (v. 7).

At the same time, the realization that our pain can awaken us to a new beginning provides healing and freedom. This is possible only because of the Savior, who can help us leave harmful deception and lead us to the paths of peace and wholeness (Ps. 120:2). So, as we begin this new year, let us seek God and His ways!

How did you get used to bad ways? How does the Gospel call you to the ways of peace?

Loving God, help me to strive for Your ways of peace and help them spread in the power of Your Spirit.

Author: Monica La Rose

“For I myself would like to be separated from Christ instead of my brothers, my relatives in the flesh.” — Romans 9:3

“People stood up to the most powerful monarchs and refused to bow to them,” noted the philosopher and author Hannah Arendt (1906–1975). “However, there are few,” she added, “who can really stand up to the crowd and stand up unarmed against the misguided masses and their stupidity.” As a Jew, Arendt saw this firsthand in her native Germany. It’s scary to be rejected by the community.

The apostle Paul suffered such neglect. He was a trained Pharisee and rabbi, but after meeting the resurrected Jesus, his life changed radically. Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute believers in Christ (Acts 9). After his conversion, the apostle was rejected by his own people. In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul talked about the troubles that his compatriots caused him, in particular because of them he suffered “beats” and was “in prisons” (2 Cor. 6:5).

At the same time, Paul did not show anger or bitterness because of such neglect, but wanted them to know the Lord Jesus as well. He wrote: “I have great sorrow and unceasing torment for my heart! For I myself would like to be separated from Christ instead of my brothers, who are related to me in the flesh” (Rom. 9:2-3).

God has welcomed us into His family, and may He also help us to invite even our enemies into a relationship with Him.

How did you react to being excluded from the community? Why is it so difficult to realize one’s exclusion?

Loving God, help me, despite the pain and disappointment, to care about those who have neglected me, and to point them to You and to the possibility of being in Your Kingdom.

Author: Bill Crowder

“Do not weep! Here is the Lion who from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has won.” — Revelation 5:5

For more than six decades, news reporter Paul Harvey has been a familiar voice on American radio. Six days a week, he spoke in a colorful voice: “You know the news, and in a minute you will hear the rest of the story.” After a short commercial, he told a little-known story about a very famous personality. Keeping the person’s name or other important ingredient a secret until the very end, he captivated listeners with his distinct pause and catchphrase: “And now you know… the rest of the story.”

The apostle John saw a vision of the past and the future, which is revealed with a similar promise. At the same time, his story begins on a sad note. He was overcome with unceasing sobs when he saw that no creature in heaven or on earth could explain where history was going (Rev. 4:1; 5:1-4). However, then he heard a voice that gave hope to “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (v. 5). When Ivan lowered his gaze, he saw not a victorious lion, but a slain Lamb (vv. 5-6). The unusual sight was complemented by waves of worship around God’s throne. An innumerable number of angels joined the worship of the twenty-four elders in three choirs, and then all heaven and all earth (vv. 8-14).

Who could have imagined that the crucified Savior would become the hope for the whole world, the glory of God and the finale of our history.

What fears and sorrows do you need hope in Jesus to overcome? How does meditating on the images of the victorious Lion and the sacrificial Lamb help you in your worship of Jesus?

Almighty God, You are worthy of all power, glory and love.

Author: Martin de Haan

“My God sent His Angel and closed the mouths of the lions.” — Daniel 6:23

After believing in Jesus, Taher and his wife, Donya, knew that they could face persecution in their country. Indeed, one day Thacher was arrested blindfolded and handcuffed and accused of apostasy. Even before the court session, he and Doña decided that they would not deny Jesus.

What happened during the announcement of the verdict shocked Taher. The judge said, “I don’t know why, but I want to get you out of the mouth of the lion and the whale.” Taher “understood that God was acting”; otherwise he could not explain the judge’s reference to two passages of the Bible (see Jonah 2; Dan. 6). Taher was released from prison and the family later moved to a safer place.

Taher’s surprising release is reminiscent of Daniel’s story. He was a talented leader and was to be promoted, which filled his colleagues with envy (Dan. 6:4-6). Conspiring against Daniel, they persuaded King Darius to issue a decree forbidding the people to pray to anyone but the king. Daniel ignored this decree, and King Darius had to throw him to the lions (v. 17). However, God “saved Daniel” from death (v. 28), just as He saved Taher through the miraculous decision of the judge.

Many Christians still suffer for their faith, and sometimes they are even killed. After experiencing persecution, we can deepen our faith, realizing that God has ways of salvation that we do not even imagine. Know that whatever the battles, He is with you.

What is your reaction to the story about the rescue of Taher and Donya? How to rely on God’s omnipotence?

God, help me trust You when obstacles seem insurmountable.

By Amy Buescher Pye

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you.” — Isaiah 43:1

For an illustration during the sermon, I went to a beautiful painting that the artist had created of a church scene and drew a dark line down the middle of the canvas. The church community gasped in surprise. At the same time, the artist just stood and watched as I distorted what she had created. Then, choosing a new brush, she lovingly transformed the damaged painting into an exclusive work of art.

Restoring the painting reminds me of the work God can do in our lives when we destroy it. The prophet Isaiah rebuked the Israelites for their spiritual blindness and deafness (Is. 42:18-19) and at the same time proclaimed hope for God’s salvation and redemption: “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you” (Is. 43:1). He can do the same for us. Even if we have sinned, God forgives us and restores us if we repent of our sins and turn to Him (vv. 5-7; see 1 John 1:9). We cannot create beauty out of mess, but the Lord Jesus can. The good news of the Gospel is that He redeemed us with His Blood. The Book of Revelation states that in the end Christ will wipe away our tears and make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5).

We have a limited view of our history. However, God, who knows us by name (Is. 43:1), will make our lives even more beautiful than we could imagine. If you are already redeemed through faith in Jesus, then your story, like a picture, has a glorious ending.

What a mess have you made? What has God provided for your restoration and redemption?

Dear Jesus, thank you for never leaving me. I rely on You and I ask that You please restore what I have destroyed.

Author: Glenn Packiam

“If someone … begins to preach about another Jesus, about whom we did not preach … then you would gladly tolerate it.” — 2 Corinthians 11:4

The hubbub in the room gradually turned into complete silence as the book club leader began to briefly outline the novel the group was to discuss. My friend Joana listened attentively, but could not understand the plot of the story. Finally, she realized that she had read not the fiction that others had read, but a completely different book with a similar title. Although she liked the “wrong” book, she could not join the discussion of the “right” book.

The Apostle Paul did not want the Corinthian believers to believe in the “wrong” Jesus. He said that false teachers who preached another “Jesus” entered the church, and believers accepted this deception (2 Cor. 11:3-4).

Paul condemned the heresy of these false teachers. Even in his first letter to the Corinthian church, he told the truth about the biblical Jesus. This Jesus was the Messiah, who “died for our sins… on the third day… rose again… and… appeared… to the Twelve”, and then to Paul himself (1 Cor. 15:3-8). This Jesus came to earth through the birth of a virgin named Mary and was named Emmanuel (God with us) to confirm His divine nature (Matt. 1:20-23).

Do you know this kind of Jesus? Understanding and accepting the biblical truth about Him confirms that we are walking the spiritual path that leads to heaven.

How do you know you believe the truth about Jesus? What do you need to research to make sure you really understand what the Bible says about Jesus?

Dear God, help me to stand in the light of Your truth.

By Jennifer Benson Schuldt

“In all this we win through Him who loved us.” — Romans 8:37

When my husband coached our son’s basketball team, he would reward the players with a holiday party at the end of the year and celebrate their achievements throughout the season. One of the youngest players, Dustin, came up to me at a party and asked, “Didn’t we lose today?”

“Yes, we lost,” I answered. “However, we are proud of you because you made the best of your efforts.”

“I know,” he said, “but we lost, didn’t we?”

I nodded.

“Then why do I feel like a winner?” – asked Dustin.

Smiling, I answered: “Because you are a winner.”

Dustin thought that losing the game made him a failure, even though he tried his best. Our battle as believers in Jesus is not limited to the sports field. However, we often tend to perceive a difficult period in life as a reflection of our dignity.

The Apostle Paul confirmed the connection between present suffering and our future glory as God’s children. Having given Himself for us, the Lord Jesus continues to help us in the battle with sin and make us like Himself (Rom. 8:31-32). Although we all experience hardships and persecutions, God’s steadfast love will help us endure everything (vv. 33-34).

As God’s children, we still sometimes allow difficulties to define our worthiness. However, we are guaranteed final victory. Despite the obstacles in life, we will still be victorious (vv. 35-39).

When has confidence in God’s love helped you persevere? How has God confirmed your worth as His beloved children, even after a significant setback?

Heavenly Father, thank you for helping me to sing victorious praises despite my difficulties.

Author: Sosheel Dixon

“He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?'” – Acts 9:5

At the age of sixteen, Louis Rodriguez was already going to prison for selling drugs. Now, arrested for attempted murder, he is back in prison and awaiting a life sentence. However, it was there that God spoke to him. While behind bars, young Louis remembered his childhood and how his mother always took him to church. And now he felt God’s call. Eventually, Louis repented of his sins and came to Jesus.

In the book of the Acts of the Apostles, we meet a zealous Jew named Saul, who was later nicknamed Paul. He brutally persecuted Christians and lived by these murders (Acts 9:1). He was also present at the execution of Stephen (Acts 7:58). Despite Saul’s guilt, God literally spoke to him. On the way to Damascus, Saul was blinded by the light from which Jesus addressed him: “Why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4). Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” (v. 5). And that was the beginning of his new life. He came to Jesus.

Louis Rodríguez served some time, but was later granted parole. Since then, he began to serve God, devoting his life to serving in prisons in the United States and Central America.

God specializes in restoring the worst of us. He speaks to our guilt-ridden hearts and lives. Perhaps it is time for you to repent of your sins and come to Jesus.

What guilt do you feel or have felt? How does God call or has called you to Himself?

Lord Jesus, I have moved away from You, but I feel Your call in my heart. Forgive my sins.

By: Kenneth Petersen (guest)

“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, possess it.” — Genesis 1:28

I recently made an amazing discovery. Walking down the path to a clump of trees near my house, I discovered a hidden playground: a ladder made of sticks that led to an observation deck; a swing made from coils of old ropes hanging from branches. There was even a suspension bridge located between the branches. Someone turned old wood and old rope into a creative adventure!

Swiss physicist Paul Tournier believed that we were created for adventure because we were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). God created the universe (vv. 1-25), risked creating people who can choose between good and evil (Gen. 3:5-6), and called us: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, subdue it” (Gen. 1:28). And we also have an incentive to invent, take risks and create something new, fruitfully managing the earth. Whatever these adventures are, big or small, they are best when they benefit others. I’m sure the creators of this playground would enjoy it if people found this place and enjoyed it.

Making new music, exploring new forms of evangelism, or rekindling a marriage that has gone cold are all adventures that make the heart beat faster. What new task or project do you feel compelled to do right now? Maybe it’s God leading you to a new adventure.

Where else in Scripture do you notice God’s proactive nature? How do His adventures inspire you to do your own?

God, send me to a new adventure out of love for You and others!

Author: Sheridan Voysey