 God's Transforming Glory!
At some point in life, almost everyone will ask themselves, why am I here? Some worldly theories suggest we merely take up space and return to nothingness when we die. Some believe they are masters of their own destiny. Both are untrue! The Lord has placed us on this earth to fulfill His divine purpose for His Glory. God has a unique plan and purpose for every living thing. As Christians, we all share one divine common purpose: to be conformed more to Christ's likeness. That process begins here on earth and is completed when we reach heaven. Friends, most of the Lord's work in us on earth centers on our character. He shows us how to be loving, compassionate, and kind like Jesus. It may be difficult at times and even seem impossible, but the indwelling Holy Spirit empowers us as believers and lives the life of Christ through us. We must only submit daily to His guidance. We should respond to all the seasons of life with one question; "How can God use this to make me more Christ-like?" The Lord is behind everything that happens to us. The Lord either directly instigates or allows everything to take place. All our trials and triumphs are part of God's transforming glory. They are used to fulfill and reflect His love and glory to an ever-transforming world. Onward and Upward Fr. Greg
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 Renewed Every Morning!
Do you or someone you know need a new start in life? If so, get up early tomorrow and watch the sunrise. There is an unspoken beauty at the dawn of each new day. Why is that? Because every sunrise provides a divine reminder that our God is faithful! The dawn of each new day offers a renewed sense of motivation and purpose. From the dawn of creation to the final promises of a new heaven and earth, the Bible is full of stories encouraging us to make fresh starts. During some very dark days, the prophet Jeremiah found hope in the Lord's mercies being new every morning. We can do the same! Friends, the Lord provides us opportunities to make a new start every day. The ultimate new start gift, being His only begotten Son, sent to die on the cross for our sins. We become new creations once we embrace that "Son Rise" gift. But the fresh start story doesn't end there. We must begin each day by dying to self, to live in Christ. We can be freed from yesterday's losses, hardships, and burdens and make a fresh start today. So, if you need a new beginning? Remember, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24); after all, His mercies are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness! Onward and Upward Fr. Greg  One Step at A Time!
How many of us today are living the lives we planned? How many of us feel like this world and our lives are moving faster with every passing day? In today's Proverb, Solomon reminds us that God's hand is involved in every detail of our lives. It reveals how His divine authority reigns over this world and every single step we take on this journey. It also encourages us to know that everything in this world and our lives are part of God's divine plan and purpose. As good stewards, we must be prepared, plan well, trust the Lord, and walk with humility and obedience. Friends, as we know, many of our best-laid plans have often led us astray on this journey. As God’s children we must seek His will daily and walk by faith in the light of His Holy Word. Scriptures tell us, "His word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Paul's letter to the Ephesians also provides wise counsel on how believers should walk. It tells us to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called" (Ephesians 4:1). We must never forget that this earthly journey is not a sprint but a marathon! As God’s children, we must prayerfully move forward at His pace with His grace, one step at a time! Onward and Upward Fr. Greg  Shadow of the Almighty
As I reflected on 911 this morning, I remember people asking where God was on this day. The short answer is that God was right where He has always been, reigning and ruling from Most High. The truth is, long before and since that fateful day, there have been, and always will be 911 moments in our lives. The towers of our health, wealth, and emotional stability can, and often do, come under attack. When that occurs, we often ask God, where are you? The answer is always the same. I am here, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isa. 41:10)." For most emergencies, we know help is readily available by dialing 911. But there are also times when our towers collapse, and we must seek our heavenly first responder. Sadly, many try to manage those events on their own. But in a crisis, we can quickly forget our God is with us. Friends, God's protection, provision, and presence are always available when we seek Him. So, the next time a tower collapses in your life, call a different 911, call for God's divine assistance and assurance in Psalm 91:1. In this reassuring old Psalm, often referred to as the Soldier's Psalm, we are reminded that God is our refuge. Never Forget, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the, Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Onward and Upward Fr. Greg  Soul Rest!
Today, millions of people will be off work celebrating Labor Day. Today, countless souls will seek rest through recreation and other activities as the long summer days get shorter. Where do you find rest for your weary soul? Where do you find rest from the labor and toils in your life? Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." The simplicity of Jesus's promise is both striking and refreshing. Friends, Unlike anything or anyone else in human history, Jesus alone offers himself as the solution to our weary souls. What does come to Jesus mean? The meaning is revealed in Jesus' rebuke of those who witnessed his miracles yet refused to believe and follow him. Unbelief and wrong belief were causing great burden and weariness. When Jesus says, "come to me" he is saying, "believe in who I claim to be and what I alone can do for you." That’s where our weary souls are tested before they can be rested. Will we believe in him? Will we trust him? We often remain tired and restless until we know how our burdens will be resolved. Jesus doesn't provide those details, but he does promise the rest we seek. So come to Jesus and find soul rest from your labors today! Happy Labor Day! Fr. Greg  Trusting Through Transition!
Are you struggling through some transition today? Transitions are rarely easy! They mean one part of your life's story is over, and a new one is about to begin. Our faith is tested in transition as fear fights to creep in. Life is full of temporary peaks and valleys we must journey through to mature and grow in our faith. The territory is unknown, so we often focus on the transition rather than the destination. We often question God's providence during these trying seasons. As I thought about this, I was reminded of God's directions to His people in this passage. They listened but didn't seem to hear. Friends, God often says things we ignore or don't want to hear. The disciples heard Jesus tell them what would happen to him, but they didn't hear. If the passing years have taught me anything, life's occasional transitions are necessary for our spiritual growth. When we fight them, we fight the future God has in mind for us. Life's transitions help prepare us for change! They stretch and grow our faith and trust in God's plan for our lives. These passing seasons may take longer than we want, but we must forge ahead! So, hold fast to your faith and trust and obey God through life's transitions; He is with us and promises never to leave or forsake us! Onward and Upward, Fr. Greg  God’s Unfailing Love!
Are you struggling with hardship, sorrow, or loss today? If so, these words from the apostle Paul should provide encouragement and hope! They will keep us steady in our struggles, reassure us when we are weary and fearful, and comfort us when we are suffering. Paul knew we would be tempted to think God had abandoned us in our most difficult struggles. He said earlier in verse 35 and reminds us again in these verses that nothing or no one can separate us from the love of Christ. Scripture makes it clear we will all suffer difficulties, sorrows, and losses, but that doesn’t mean God has abandoned us or no longer loves us. How can we be confident of God’s love when we are tempted to doubt? Paul’s words in verse 39 provide the answer. God’s perfect love for us is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord! God showed His unconditional love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners. Friends, when we are tempted to doubt God’s love for us, look to the cross. On the cross, we see the love of God poured out for us! God’s love for us empowers us to live boldly for the sake of His Kingdom! Knowing His unfailing love is with us should inspire us to persevere through all things! Never forget God’s promises, His love endures forever, and His mercies are renewed each morning. Onward and Upward Fr. Greg  Facing Our Fears!
Are you battling a storm in your life today? Whenever we need a go-to verse in the storms of life. I recommend turning to Isaiah 41:10 as a source of encouragement and hope. In this verse, the Lord promises strength, help, and protection. He also makes two commands: "Do not fear" and "Do not anxiously look about you." Among the enemy's subtle tactics is the art of distraction. Satan knows continued fear can choke even a seasoned believer's faith. He works hard to make fear and anxiety our focus. Our natural tendencies tend to take over once our attention is diverted from God. Without fervent prayer and worship, doubt, fear, and anxiety grow. We must remain focused on our Savior in the storms of life. Friends, staying focused on the Lord in the middle of the storm can be challenging. We tend to rely on our strength and abilities, but soon fear is injected into our minds, and we begin to feel even more powerless. Thankfully, we serve a God who says, "Surely I will uphold you," we can count on Him! We tend to fill our minds with fear and doubt by focusing on what could or might happen. Those emotions do not belong in a believer's life! Instead, we must make a conscious decision to trust the promises God has made. The Lord has provided promises like those in this passage to keep us unmovable in our faith. Only faith and focus on our loving God will overcome our doubts and fears! Onward and Upward, Fr. Greg  Gaining Wisdom and Insight!
Who among us couldn’t use some additional wisdom and insight? In two words; no one! Fearing the Lord becoming the first step in gaining wisdom and insight is often tricky for some to grasp. Many may ask how can fearing the Lord make me wise. First, one must understand what it means to fear the Lord. Fear of the Lord describes a reverence for God, which helps us acknowledge Him as the Holy One, the sovereign ruler of heaven and earth. The result of that response begins the acquisition of wisdom. To fear the Lord isn’t about being afraid of God; it’s about having the desire to love, trust, and be in awe of Him! Friends, when we surrender our wills to God’s purpose rather than our own, we gain greater insight and understanding of Him and His ways. The Holy Spirit can then enable us to see things more from God’s perspective. That kind of wisdom goes beyond our human perception and provides us discernment to make decisions that fit God’s will for our lives. That, along with the knowledge of God working for our best interests, enables us to walk confidently through good times and bad. Those who won’t fear the Lord will never know real wisdom! Only if you genuinely revere God will you listen for His directions, heed His warnings, and go through life at His pace with His grace. So, reverence the Lord and start a thirty-one-day journey through the book of Proverbs to gain wisdom and insight! Onward and Upward Fr. Greg  From Small Beginnings!
The well-known parable of the mustard seed provides a powerful example of Kingdom growth from small beginnings. Though the mustard seed was the smallest of seeds known to Jesus’ listeners, what could this tiny seed still teach us today? The answer is revealed when Jesus says, “yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches (Matt. 13:32).” Like the Kingdom of God, our Christian faith, once matured, could be compared to a mighty oak. Although it starts small, its potential is remarkable. Friends, the same growth potential God places in the mustard seed exists in every believer’s heart. When you feel alone in your stand for Christ, never forget that the power of God at work in the tiny mustard seed is the same power at work within you. Stand tall and never be intimidated! If your Kingdom efforts seem small or insignificant, remember that God’s Kingdom has faithful followers around us all the time. Your faith, no matter how small, can join with the faith of others to accomplish far more for the Kingdom than you could ever imagine or expect. So, let the SON shine upon you and through you, and keep nourishing your faith in God’s Word through His life-giving promises! Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg |