 Liberating Truth!
How can we discern the truth today in a world of lies and deception? From the first lie in the garden of Eden, man has assumed defying God's word is the best way to control his destiny. From that first lie long ago till this very moment, the opposite has always proven true. Nothing enslaves man like the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Lies, like sin, corrupt our thinking, control our actions, and eventually erode our peace. Worst of all, they can eternally separate us from God and condemn us to an eternity of loneliness, suffering, and shame. Friends, God has given us free will to ignore, refuse, or to know and embrace the truth even when the truth isn’t what we want to hear. We can't expect to make wise decisions when operating under a lie. Only by abiding in Jesus and his word can we find and know the truth that sets us free from the bondage of deception and sin. The choice is ours! So, seek the truth in God's Word and develop a personal relationship with Jesus. His words to his disciples long ago are his words to all truth seekers today. "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Let the liberating truth of God’s word wash over you and set you free! Onward and Upward, Fr. Greg+
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 Hope and a Future!
Where are you placing your hope today? Amid all the uncertainties in this life, these encouraging words from the Prophet Jeremiah are timeless! God’s children were preparing to go into exile in his day, and many were filled with fear and doubt. God, however, reassured them that He was already looking ahead to their future. Instead of being afraid or worried, God wanted them to go forth in confident peace. He promised that He knew where they were going and that He had not abandoned them. Friends, even amid the unknown, while they were in exile, God encouraged his children to call upon Him, and He promised to listen. But God also told them there was a condition. They had to seek Him with their whole heart. We need to hear and heed those words today as never before! God’s promise of His presence and provision is still valid, but we must humble ourselves before Him and fully surrender to His mercies. We must thank Him for His ongoing promise to provide and protect. So, make a commitment today to seek Him with your whole heart! Amid all the uncertainties still before us today, God's promise of “hope and a future” will always abide if we seek Him wholeheartedly. Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+  Conviction or Compromise?
Remaining blameless to our faith convictions has never been easy! Have you ever wondered what you would do if practicing your faith, witnessing to others, or attending church resulted in persecution or death? Today, Christianity remains the world's most persecuted religion on earth. Centuries ago, the prophet Daniel faced a life-or-death situation due to his faith convictions. Still, Daniel remained blameless and never compromised, even when praying could have cost him his life. Friends, Daniel's confidence in the Lord remained firm when He was placed in the lions' den. Daniel's steadfast conviction to prayer and his confidence in God's deliverance had a powerful impact on the pagan king, who decreed all the people should fear Daniel's God. Today we face similar choices daily: to live by conviction or compromise. Fortunately, it's not always a matter of life or death, but sadly many will compromise to avoid ridicule, conflict, or just to fit in. Compromise may bring temporary contentment, but we forfeit our witness and the opportunity to influence others. Friends, we must remain blameless and trust in the Lord; He has promised to never leave or forsake us! Onward and Upward, Fr. Greg  Testing Our Faith!
Faith can be fragile early in a believer's faith journey. It's easy to have strong faith when the seas are smooth, but it's also easy to start doubting God's promises when the waters get rough, the waves get high, and they keep crashing against us. We must remember that doubting and questioning God is not necessarily the same. To question God is to seek additional information to help better understand what He said. Doubting, however, involves believing what we think, see, hear, and feel rather than what we know God has promised. Friends, it's natural to occasionally question God when we are blindsided or overwhelmed by storms in life. God understands our struggles and wants us to come to Him in our confusion. Sometimes, God must churn the waves to remind us of His promises and faithfulness through our past storms. Even though we may not fully understand what God is doing in our lives today, we can always rely on what He has revealed in the past. Testing our faith produces perseverance and spiritual maturity. Once we know that, we can trust God through all life's storms. So "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His faithfulness is everlasting (Psalm136.1)." Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg  Change and Transition!
Change and transition are rarely easy! They usually mean something is ending and something new is beginning. Our faith is generally tested in those interim seasons, and fear always fights to creep in. As we struggle to accept change and transition, it's often hard to see what's ahead, so we tend to focus on the change rather than the outcome. As I thought about this, I reflected on Jesus telling his disciples what was to happen in the garden of Gethsemane and why. They listened but never heard him! Then when the change and transition occurred, like us, they became confused, frightened, and questioned where God was in the process. Friends, God speaks to each of us daily. He often says things we ignore or do not want to hear, so we tune Him out. Jesus said, "He has ears to hear, let him hear (Matt 11:15). The disciples were listening, but they weren't hearing! Fear often accompanies life's changes and transitions. The passing years have taught me that change is often necessary for our spiritual growth. It stretches our faith in God's perfect plan for our lives. We must never forget that God has promised us something far greater beyond this world's never-ending changes. So, hold fast to your faith, listen carefully, and trust God through life's changes and transitions; He has promised to make all things new! Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg  Defeating Temptation!
Do you ever struggle with temptations? Of course, you do; everyone does! As we know, the world, the flesh, and the devil tempt us all daily. We must learn to claim God's promises if we are serious about overcoming temptations. Over the years, I have heard countless people say to me, "I couldn't help myself; the temptation was more than I could resist. "If we say that, we are calling God a liar! God's Word tells us He will always provide the way of escape from our temptations. It may not be easy, it may be painful, and it may even be embarrassing, but God has promised us a way out. Friends, when the enemy tempts us to step out of God's will, we should reach for our weapons! Our weapon of choice against Satan is the mighty word of truth found in scripture. Truth is our antidote for temptation! Joshua tells us to "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Josh.1:8)." Satan isn't afraid of our opinions, but he is terrified by the truth. Satan knows God's Word is sharper than any two-edged sword and it will provide our escape. So, arm yourself with the truth found in God's Word; it's our weapon in defeating temptation! Have a Blessed and Holy Lent, Fr. Greg+  One Step At A Time!
How many of us today are living the lives we planned? How many of us today 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, our best-laid plans have often led us astray on this journey. As children of God, we must seek God's will daily and walk by faith in the light of His Holy Word. The 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 are not to walk "as unbelievers do, in the futility of their minds" We must never forget that this earthly journey is not a sprint but a marathon! As God’s children, we must always move forward one step at a time, by God's grace, at God's pace. Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg  Speak To Me Lord!
Is God speaking to you today? Do you expect to hear from God when you read your Bible? Is reading your Bible daily just something to cross off your to-do list, or do you expect to hear from the Lord when you open it? Sermons, Bible studies, and personal quiet time in Scripture are all means the Lord uses to speak to us, strengthen us, comfort us, and encourage us in our walk with Him. But God’s Holy Word will only influence a faithful believer who’s ready to receive and respond to its message. Friends, to get the most of our time in God’s Word, we must first prepare our hearts to receive. That means we come into His courts ready to listen with a prayerful attitude. This passage today tells the story of young Samuel’s encounter with God. Eli the old Priest, instructed young Eli to say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” Those are valuable words of wisdom for us as well. Before you open your Bible, consider praying those words; then, ask God to help you understand His message and apply it to your life. God’s Word is an amazing gift! It comforts the mourner, strengthens the faint-hearted, convicts the sinner, gives peace to the repentant, and brings joy to all who read and obey it. Listen and let God speak into your life today. Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+  Take Refuge In Him!
Where do you seek refuge from this life's numerous storms? This psalm is a personal invitation to trust in the Lord and experience His goodness firsthand, to know Him and find refuge in His redeeming love. That is what David is urging us to do. He is inviting us to experience what he has already personally discovered. David is celebrating how God has rescued him from his storms and fears. Psalm 34 is a song of gratitude that we can sing when God brings us out of life's storms. But David's joy is only a foretaste of the future redemption God offers to all who will believe in the eternal refuge found in His Son, our Savior. Our loving Father promises great blessings to his children! He promises to deliver, nourish, sustain and redeem all who repent and trust in His power to save. In response, we must honor Him in all things, speak truthfully, seek peace and justice, and humbly serve and obey Him. This glorious invitation is ours to receive, but it is also ours to extend! What unique opportunities has God provided you to share His invitation with others? Who would God ask you to extend His refuge and rescue invitation today? Pray for the Lord to reveal those whom you can invite to find refuge and partake in the abundant blessings He offers both today and eternally. Invite them to come, taste, see, and take refuge in Him! Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+  Great Is His Steadfast Love!
What fears are you wrestling with today? Could it be an upcoming doctor's visit? Could it be our crumbling economy or a crumbling relationship? Today fear abounds all around us. Yet, the Lord says, over and over in Scripture, do not fear! David tells us in this Psalm today that the Lord has unfailing love for those who fear and reverence Him. This Psalm is an excellent example of how the Scripture uses the concept of "fear" differently from the world. This fear is not an abject terror or a panic-inducing dread. Instead, this is a healthy and humble respect that comes from recognizing that God is God, and we are not. Proverb 9:10 tells us. "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This Psalm clearly reveals David’s wisdom and God's love! David knew the Lord's love was as high as the heavens are above the earth. It would have been common for David to gaze up at the heavens. After all, much of David’s life was spent in the outdoors, both as a shepherd and as a fugitive from Saul. He could not fully understand the distance from the earth to the stars, as we do today. Yet David could recognize them as extremely distant, and he knew God's love for him and us stretched even further. Friends, nothing can separate us from God's love! So, fear not! Let us boldly rejoice and reverence our God, whose steadfast love and mercies are renewed each morning! Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg |