 See Beyond the Seed!
Whether you're a gardener or not, you've probably planted seeds. It's fascinating to see the first tender sprouts poke through the soil and reach for the sun. The daily growth is magical to watch, until at last, the fruit is ready to be harvested or the flower blooms in brilliant color. So, what can gardening teach us about growing our faith and the kingdom of God? Jesus says, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it (Mark 4:30)? The parable of the tiny mustard seed provides a glorious example of kingdom growth potential. Though the mustard seed was the smallest of seeds known to Jesus' listeners, what could it teach us today? Jesus then said, "yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants" our faith, like the kingdom of God, can be compared to the tiny mustard seed. Although it starts small, its growth potential is remarkable. Friends, the same growth potential God places in the tiny mustard seed exists in every believer. 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 in you. Never be discouraged or intimidated if your kingdom efforts seem small or insignificant. Remember, God's kingdom has other faithful followers all around us. Your faith, no matter how small, can join with the faith of others to accomplish far more than we could ever imagine or expect. So, remain faithful, and see beyond the seed! Let the SON shine upon you and keep nourishing your faith by His life-giving promises! Onward and Upward, Fr. Greg+
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 Humble Submission!
What are you white-knuckling in your life today? Is there something in your life that you're still clinging to? Something that you are afraid to submit to the Lord. It could be some past hurt, hang-up, habit, or maybe your finances. Are you still puzzled and amazed by some believers' perseverance and confidence in all of God's promises? We often sense the spiritual abundance that many long for in our lives with such people. One of life's most essential questions becomes how do we get that? One can only obtain all the lavish promises of God by humbly and fully submitting every part of your life to Him. Many find it difficult to humbly and fully submit to the Lord because they like being in charge. That's been humanity's problem since the fall, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. That brought about death, thorns, and thistles for us all. Like them, at times, we prefer to ignore God's wisdom. Another reason many will hold back is fear! Many think maybe I won't like what God wants for me. What if He asks me to give up that one thing that I’m not ready to surrender? Friends, only by surrendering total control of every aspect of your life will you experience God's complete love and abundant blessings. Only then can your usefulness in His service be fully maximized. Our total submission and unconditional surrender glorify God! So, humbly submit and surrender your all to Jesus and begin knowing His abundant blessing today! Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+  Eternally Enduring!
Have you ever heard it said, “Nothing last forever?” Today, many manufacturers make bold promises proclaiming the longevity or durability of their products. Many products are also designed and built with an expiration date or a "Best if used by date." In today's high-tech world of electronic gadgets, the lifespan of cell phones, software, and other products is often only months. We also know many people today spend millions of dollars annually on extended warranties on products that won't last. I find it comforting to know there is one thing that will never pass away. Jesus reveals to us in this passage today that God's Word will never disintegrate, won't ever get stale, and has no expiration date. Friends, our Bible is fully alive and filled with the living Spirit of God. Whenever I open my Bible, I see something new that I have missed in countless hours of reading and studying. Every day the Holy Spirit reveals something new and says to me, "Now that you are ready, let me show you a deeper level of truth." I praise God that His Word is alive and new each time I read it. God's Holy Word is more than just words written on a page about people and places that faded away like grass long ago. The Bible contains God's presence, character, truth, will, and power. Reading, studying, learning, and inwardly digesting God's Word isn't passive. It's an intimate, ongoing conversation with our Creator, who said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." So, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:1). Those are eternally enduring promises with no expiration date! Onward and Upward, Fr. Greg+  Shadow of the Almighty As I reflected on my memories of 911 yesterday, 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 and collapse. When that occurs, we often cry out, where are you God? 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 of the emergencies in our lives, we know help is readily available by dialing 911. But sometimes, when the towers of our lives collapse, we must seek our heavenly first responder. Sadly, many often try to navigate those monumental events in their own strength. In the heat of a crisis, we can 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 9-1-1. Seek God's divine assistance and assurance found in Psalm 91:1. In this reassuring Psalm, often referred to as the Soldier's Psalm, we are reminded that God is our refuge. So, Never Forget, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+  Rest For Your Soul!
Today, millions of people will be off celebrating Labor Day. Today countless souls will seek rest through recreation and other activities as summer comes to an end. 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. Unlike anyone else in human history, Jesus alone offers himself as the solution to all our burdens. What does come to Jesus mean? When you read the context of this promise made in (Matthew 11), the meaning becomes clear. The meaning is revealed in Jesus' rebuke of those who witnessed his miracles which demonstrated who he was, yet they refused to believe in him. When Jesus says, "come to me," he's saying, "believe in who I claim to be and what I alone can do for you." That is where our weary souls get tested. Will we believe in him; will we trust him? We tend to only find rest in knowing exactly how and when our burdens will be resolved. Jesus doesn't provide those details. But he does promise that he will address them. Friends, if you are weary today, Jesus invites you to come to him! He says, take up the light yoke of believing in me. So come to him, be yoked to him, then believe, abide and follow his example, and you will find rest for your soul! Happy Labor Day! Fr. Greg+  Stay The Course!
Flying in poor conditions requires pilots to keep their eyes focused on the instruments before them to arrive safely at the desired destination. What are your eyes focused on today? It’s easy to lose focus in this dark world, obscured by sin, and miss our desired destination. In today’s psalm, David boldly declares and has decided to set the Lord in front of his eyes. The enemy places countless distractions, enticements, and obscure visions before us on this earthly journey. To reach our heavenly destination, like David, we must keep our eyes focused on the Lord as our only source of guidance, regardless of what our eyes often see. That is where obedience and faith must kick in, for scripture tells us, “the just shall live by faith!” Friends, the secret to a confident, secure journey on this side of the veil requires us to keep our eyes focused on the Lord, not the storms and circumstances on the horizon. David said, “I shall not be shaken!” The secret to peace and unshakable faith is found in Christ alone. We can find confidence and divine peace in His presence. His presence is always available when we seek Him in prayer and obey His Holy Word through the power of our co-pilot, the Holy Spirit. So, trust the Lord and keep your eyes fixed on Him. He alone is the one who provides strength and confidence that will enable you to stay the course and persevere the challenges of our earthly journey toward eternity. Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+ 
His Grace is Sufficient! Are you battling pain or emotional trauma today? Are you asking the Lord to remove some hardship or difficulty from your life or the life of someone you love? The Apostle Paul was a man that the Lord loved and used in a powerful way, yet his life wasn't easy and was often full of pain. At one point, Paul's pain was more than he could bear and he pleaded for God to remove it. Friends, there's nothing wrong with pleading for the Lord to relieve our pain and suffering, but what should our response be when He doesn't? Paul likely had no idea that his pleading with God would provide comfort for believers throughout the ages. God's words to the Apostle Paul still apply: "My grace is sufficient for you" (v. 9). Friends, God's grace might be best defined as His provision for us at our time of greatest need. The problem is sometimes, it seems like the Lord isn't meeting our deepest needs. But the truth is, the Lord can see things we can’t see. His goal for us is always our personal and spiritual growth. The pain and hardships of this life play a critical role in achieving that growth. If all you seek is solace, you could easily respond with anger, bitterness or doubt. But if you desire to become the person God wants you to be, you will see each hardship you face as an opportunity for Christ to display His character and strength in you. So, trust in the Lord and always know God's grace is sufficient, for when we are weak, we are strong! Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+  Be An Overcomer!
There are very few guarantees in this life, but there is one we can all count on; trouble! It might creep up on us or blindside us when we least expect it. Either way, it causes anxiety, fear, and uncertainty when it looms before us. We sometimes must make difficult decisions, often without all the answers to our questions. Although occasional trouble and disappointments are part of this life, discouragement is always a choice. Whatever the hardship, there is always one choice we all must make. Either to move toward God or away from Him. There is no standing still! There is no neutral ground! Adversity and trouble often cause our path to split before us, and we must walk with the Lord or trod the road without Him. Friends, walking with the Lord isn't always easy either. At times, it can look ominous, causing us anger and frustration toward Him. Sometimes we may cry out, beg, or barter in desperation. But we must always walk with Him! We must always acknowledge that the Lord gives and takes away. That He alone is still Lord above all, and if anyone can redeem us or our situation, it is He alone! Never forget we have a loving God! Turning away from Him is to deny Him what is rightfully His, which only adds to our hardship if we choose to walk alone without hope. So, walk with our Lord Jesus, who has overcome the world. He alone enables us to be an overcomer in this life! Only He can make something good from our troubles, and He alone promises to be with us to the end of the ages. Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+  God’s Regenerating Grace
High anxiety, sorrow, and grief define many of the people I encounter as a front-line, spiritual first responder. Two years of isolation, the loss of jobs, the loss of loved ones, and growing financial insecurity have created a mental crisis all around us. God’s ability to restore the soul amid the anxieties and grief of these trying times can be overwhelming even for faithful believers. Today’s psalm is a song of hope for anyone struggling with emotional hardships. This psalm of hope encourages us to wait expectantly on God’s regenerating grace. It reveals a promise for all believers who shed tears in trying times. This psalm reminds us our mounting sorrows will not endure forever, that God’s grace will sustain us and restore us and our joy will one day be complete. Friends, before our seeds of sorrow, can become sheaves of joy, time must pass! Just as a farmer sows seeds in the spring and then must wait to harvest crops in the fall, we too must toss our mustard seeds of faith into the tear-stained soil beneath our feet and trust God to bring about sheaves of joy. We must endure as those roots of faith are watered and nourished daily. We must place our hope and trust in the One who makes our deserts like a garden. In the fullness of time by God’s regenerating grace, when it seems like nothing is happening, sprouts of new life begin to emerge, and we know that our weeping, which provided the watering, was not in vain. So, trust in the Lord and remember that this drought shall pass, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Grace and Peace! Fr. Greg+  His Mercies Are New Every Morning!
Do you or someone you know need a new start today? 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 dark days, the prophet Jeremiah found hope in the Lord’s mercies being renewed every morning. Saint Paul later instructed us to forget what lies behind us and reach forward to what lies ahead. Jesus said, “I don’t condemn you for your past. Go and sin no more.” These verses and many others point to the opportunity for a fresh start with each new day. 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. Once we embrace that “Son Rise” gift, we become new creations. 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 the losses and burdens of yesterday and make a fresh start today. So, if you need a new beginning? Make today your dawn of Reconciliation with our heavenly Father. Ask Him for forgiveness, repent of your sins and resolve to follow His perfect plan for your life. Never forget, “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 |