 His mercies are new every morning!
Have you ever gone to a gym on the first day of a new year, or on a Monday morning? If so, you will notice it’s a bit more crowded than other days? Why is that? It’s a new day and everyone has a renewed sense of motivation and purpose. From creation to the final promises of a new heaven and earth, the Bible is full of encouragement stories to help us make new starts. During some very dark days, the weeping prophet Jeremiah found hope in the Lord’s mercies being renewed each morning. Saint Paul later instructs 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 new beginnings! The Lord is constantly providing us opportunities to make fresh starts in our lives. The ultimate fresh start gift, being His only begotten Son, sent to die on the cross for our sins. When we accept that fresh start gift, we become new creations as Saint Paul said. 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 new beginning today. Do you need a fresh start? Make today your Day of Reconciliation with our heavenly Father. Ask Him for forgiveness, repent of your sins and thank Him for the priceless gift of new life. Start your day in God’s Word and resolve to follow His perfect will for your life, after all, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psm. 118:24). Thanks be to God; His mercies are new every morning! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg
0 Comments
The Secret to Contentment Are you struggling with your circumstances today? Are you allowing your emotions to lead you to a place where you begin to doubt God’s Word and His promises? Do you believe in the uncertainty of your situation more than you believe in God’s Word? If so, listen to Paul’s powerful testimony. He says that he has “learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” The secret Paul refers to is having peace, joy, and contentment that is independent of your circumstances. Paul learned how to hold onto his peace in every situation. Every day we have the option to choose how we will respond to any and every situation in our lives. We are free to choose joy or sadness, anger or acceptance, fear or courage, hope or despair. Paul encourages us to choose peace in spite of our circumstances. Looking back on my life, I can see that I spent many years in a state of “emotional highjack” controlled or led by my emotions. I allowed my circumstances to determine my mood, thoughts, actions, and decisions. I give God thanks and praise today, that the Holy Spirit revealed Paul’s secret to me. As I grew spiritually it became easier to control my emotions, to set my mind, heart, and spirit on God’s Word, His promises, and to live by faith. I learned to look beyond immediate situations and ask, “Lord what are you trying to teach me? Regardless of what it may be or look like, I refuse to walk in fear, doubt, and unbelief.” I learned to encourage myself by going deeper into God’s Word. I resolved that I would not be moved by the way things appear. In the midst of trial, or uncertainly, I call on God’s presence and divine intervention and give Him thanks for promising to never leave or forsake us. I encourage you to trust in the Lord and His ever-present grace. Feed on His word, hold fast to His promises, learn contentment and you will discover the peace of God which passes all human understanding. Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Overcoming Our Fears!
As the virus marches on, amid fires, catastrophic storms and world unrest, we continue to see people struggling all around us. I recommend revisiting Isaiah 41:10 as a source of encouragement and hope amid all this ongoing fear and anxiety. Whenever we or others need a go-to verse in turbulent times, this is a great one to turn to. The prophet Isaiah reveals our only trustworthy source for hope and peace. 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 and successful tactics, is the art of distraction. Satan knows that continued fear can choke even a seasoned believer’s faith. He works hard to make fear and uncertainty our focus. Once our attention has been diverted from God, our natural tendencies tend to take over. In the absence of prayer and worship, doubt, fear and anxiety grow. It can be challenging to stay focused on the Lord after many months of trying circumstances. The flesh prefers to seek security by thinking through all possible angles. Our tendency is to weigh what we think could happen against what “the experts” say will happen and then evaluate possible ways of preventing our worst fears from coming true. Instead of becoming more confident, more fear is injected into our minds and we begin to feel even more powerless. Thankfully, we serve a mighty God who says, “Surely I will uphold you” we can count on Him! By choosing to only focus on what could or might happen, we are actually choosing to fill our minds with anxiety and doubt. Friends, those emotions do not belong in a believer’s life! Instead, make a conscious decision to trust the promises God has made to us. The Lord has provided promises like the one found in this passage today throughout scripture to keep us unmovable and steady in our faith. Only faith in our loving God will overcome our fears! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  For God’s Glory!
Today we live in a world where requirements and standards are the norm. They’re often communicated as conditions of employment, membership, acceptance, promotion, or status within a group. In the workplace, the standards are often applied in the form of performance reviews. Employees either exceed, meet, or fail to meet, performance expectations. Those who exceed the standards demonstrate a level of performance that approaches excellence. Most leaders would tell you the group of employees who exceeds is much smaller than the group that only meets or fails to meet required standards. Today many people are content to meet minimal standards. It’s rare to find a highly-skilled workforce that is highly motivated and highly engaged in the pursuit of excellence. As Christian leaders and employees, we must ask ourselves, “Who am I striving to please?” Paul’s letter to the church in Colosse challenged them to strive for a different standard and to serve a much higher calling. He encouraged them to see and perform their work as a task for the Lord, not for man. When viewed from this perspective, our work and the things we do at work takes on a whole new meaning. We must always remember that God is a God of excellence. Just look at the world around you and see the wonder of His glorious creation. Friends, I encourage you to serve God today with your work. Strive to please and honor Him in all that you do. As servant leaders and employees, commit to excellence and always do your very best, for God’s Glory! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  The Priceless Gift
In this world, there is valuable, expensive and then there is priceless. As true disciples, we have received the gift of peace and eternity purchased with something priceless, the blood of Jesus. The priceless blood of Jesus accomplished many things for us on the cross. The opportunity to live a fulfilled, soul nourished, abundant life, as well as a life of victory over Satan and death were all provided through the precious blood of Jesus. As true disciples, one must gradually develop in spiritual maturity in the areas of faith and obedience. But the true disciple, must also grow a deeper understanding of the power of the body and blood of Jesus broken and poured out for us, which makes spiritual maturity possible. True disciples must accept and come to realize that the blood of Jesus is: (1) the only sacrifice needed to cleanse us of our sins and restore us into right standing with our loving Father. (2) Our only source of soul nourishment which provides abundant life. (3) Our only source of dominion, power and authority over Satan gained by his defeat on the cross. (4) Our only source of connection to the unlimited blessings and power of God that enables us to fulfill His perfect will for our lives. Friends, I encourage you to give God thanks and praise today for the precious blood of Jesus poured out for us, while we were still in sin. His blood alone is our guarantee and entitlement to peace with Him and renewed eternal life in His presence that no amount of wealth can acquire. The precious blood of Jesus is ‘the priceless gift’ so for heaven’s sake, don’t squander it. Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross for us. Thank you for your love! Help us to never take it for granted, but to always be mindful and grateful for your sacrifice for us. In your most mighty name we pray, Amen. Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Taste and See!
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” This psalm is an invitation to take God at his word. A personal invitation to trust the Lord and experience His goodness firsthand, to know Him personally and find refuge in His redeeming love. That’s what David is urging us to do. He is inviting us to experience what he has personally discovered, the goodness of God’s salvation. David is celebrating how God has rescued him from his fears and troubles. Psalm 34 is a song of gratitude that we all can sing when God brings us out of tribulation. But David’s joy is only a foretaste of the future redemption God will offer to all who will trust and believe in His Son, the Bread of Life, who offers eternal life through His precious body and blood. Our loving God, promises great blessings to his people! He promises to deliver, nourish, sustain, listen, and redeem all who repent and trust in His mighty power to save. God himself also gives each of us the ability to believe and trust in Him. In response, we must seek to honor Him in all things, speak truthfully, seek peace and justice, and humbly serve Him daily. This glorious invitation is ours to receive, but it is also ours to extend! What opportunities has God given you to share His invitation with others? Whom would God ask you to include in His rescue and deliverance invitation today? Pray for the Lord to reveal those whom you can invite to come take refuge and partake of the eternally nourishing Bread of Life. Come, taste and see! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Feeding on The Bread of Life
In John Chapter 6, a massive crowd has been following Jesus, He miraculously fed them by turning a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish into enough food to feed thousands of hungry people (John 6:9-13). The crowd recognizes that a prophet like Moses has been raised up among them, and the next day they continue to seek after Him hoping to see more miracles or be fed in abundance once again. That’s when Jesus shocks them, with the first of His seven, “I am” statements by saying, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35). The massive crowd was excited thinking He could take away their hunger and save them from starvation, but they hadn’t yet thought about or processed the promise of eternal salvation through Him. Friends, we live in a world full of spiritually hungry people who are desperately searching to find purpose and meaning, fulfillment and significance in their lives. They try to fill that spiritual hunger with countless things that will only leave them hungering for more. Let us remember, that Jesus wants to do more than just fill us with daily bread and offer us earthly comfort; He wants to transform our hearts and desires. The Bread of Life which Jesus offers to us is the only way to live a spiritually satisfied and fulfilled life that will endure through eternity. As Jesus disciples we must believe in Him, feed on Him and be nourished by Him daily, as He told Satan when tempted in the wilderness “man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4.4). Jesus is the Bread of life, which provides the fulfilling, everlasting life the world hungers for! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Freedom From Your Past
Countless people feel haunted by their past. They’re filled with regret about opportunities missed, things done and things left undone. In fact, according to a well-known Church Survey Group, more than 70 million Americans feel “held back or defined by something in their past.” Everyone has a past! Unless you deal with it, your past can become a chain around your neck and an anchor to your soul. Those ghosts from your past can keep you enslaved if you don’t break free. Those ghosts can make you feel like a failure and can push you into depression. One can easily feel trapped in negative or unhealthy circumstances that will anchor you in fear and doubt, thinking you can never escape, that things will never change or get better. The Scriptures tell us God can provide us freedom from the past. The Psalmist tells us God can remove our sins “as far as the east is from the west.” Yet, one must accept God’s amazing forgiveness. How? By confessing our sins and accepting His gift of grace. Then we must declare His Word and put it into practice in our own lives. We must become confident that we’ve become “a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). To live in victory and freedom we need to believe and accept Jesus finished work on the cross, then take up our own cross and follow Him. One must never delay or put off this decision, for the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation! So, don’t be haunted by the ghosts of your past or spend time fretting over missed opportunities. Seek to obey God’s Word! Ask Him to help you live boldly, expectantly, confidently today. And Remember: You are forgiven and cleansed! Make today the first day of the rest of your life to celebrate your new freedom as a new creation in Christ. Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Do You Need Directions?
Our journey in this life is not always simple, straight or serene. At times life seems like a complicated maze of sharp turns and sudden stops, steep climbs, and quick drops. Navigating our earthly journey to eternal glory is by no means an easy task. But how blest we are to have a loving God who is personally interested in each of us, and is always willing to give us detailed directions. We must however be willing to seek Him, trust Him and then obey His directions. Not only is God willing and able to redeem us when we ask Him, but He is also willing to guide us, guard us and give us what we need for the journey if we will allow Him. David said to God “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.” He didn’t seek direction and say, “Lord, if You promise me an easy path, I'll follow it and cooperate with You.” David went to God before he started his journey like many go to our GPS’s today. But then David said, “Show me and teach me,” and then I will make my next move. By seeking God for help before he started, he could expect God to be with him and protect him on the journey. David however didn’t stop there, he asked God to “teach him His path.” Friends, when David asked God to show him His way, he wanted more than directions. He wanted God to be his teacher, his personal guide through life. Let’s face it, it’s easy to ask God to show us where to go and what to do. It’s another thing to open our hearts and minds and allow the Lord to teach us His ways. What a beautiful picture of surrender! Show me where to go God, and teach me what I need to know, so I might better understand what You are doing in my life. Friends, if you need directions today, pray for the Lord to fill you with an attitude of humility and then trust Him as your leader and teacher. Trust God to be your GPS when you need directions on life’s journey! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Honor Their Calling
In this passage, Jesus had come to Nazareth to share the Gospel and perform miracles. While the crowds were amazed at His teaching, they questioned and found it hard to believe and accept. Their reasoning, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? We know his mother, brothers and sisters. Where did he come up with all this wisdom and power?” Rather than accept Jesus with praise and thanksgiving, they were offended and put off. They had become stuck in their earlier understanding of Jesus. Even worse, their unbelief set a limit on the miracles Jesus was able to perform in His own hometown. As a Pastor and someone who carries my vocation into my profession daily, I have seen this scene play out countless times with many individuals. They, like Jesus, heard a calling on their life and they wanted to pursue their passion and purpose. Unfortunately, those closest to them, often their family members, coworkers and childhood friends took offense and rejected their dreams, ridiculed their passions, refusing to believe in them. As a result, they became stuck in jobs that did not affirm their spirit or fulfill their passions. Over time, many of them became filled with despair and dissatisfaction, finding themselves stuck in life. When Jesus was rejected, He went right back out and then He sent his followers out two by two to prevent them from becoming stuck in their callings. Dear friends, pastors, leaders, managers and supervisors play a critical role in this human drama. All leaders have a personal responsibility for the growth and development of others. I beseech you to listen to those under your leadership, coach and mentor them, believe in them, and honor them with honest feedback and prayerful support. Do all that’s possible to help them to become all God has called them to be, that they might honor their calling and glorify Him. Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+ |