 Live Victoriously!
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1Cor. 15:57-58). It seemed like Satan was victorious in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and at the Cross. God, however, turned Satan’s apparent victory into defeat at the empty tomb. Knowing Jesus has overcome death and the grave provides us victory over our fear of death and should affect the way we live and serve today. Paul tells us that because of the resurrection nothing we do for the Lord is useless or ever done in vain. At times believers can become apathetic in serving the Lord because we don’t see the results we expect or hope for right away. As believers, we must not let our defeated enemy discourage us or cause us to doubt the work we do for God’s Kingdom, be it great or small. As Paul says in (Romans 12:11), you must “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” When you face challenges and obstacles, remain fixed and firm, abounding in your work for the Lord. Believe in His promises, trust Him and stand firm on His Word, He will provide you holy boldness, power and unshakable faith. Remember, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, so be steadfast and live victoriously! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+
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 Seeking in Humble Adoration
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:14-16). How satisfied are you with your prayer life? Most of us know we fall short in this important discipline. Even the most mature believers recognize their need for improvement and one method for improving is to examine the prayers of others in scripture and use them as a model. Many of Paul’s prayers are recorded throughout the epistles and they provide some very good insight on how to pray. In today’s passage, we see two fundamentals for powerful and effective prayer. First, we see Humble Adoration. Paul’s posture of bending his knees serves as a reminder of his submissive position before God. He knew there was nothing in him that would cause God to hear and respond. He knew that he had access to almighty God only through his relationship with Jesus. Of all the pictures from our childhood, today I cherish this old photo of me and my brother on bent knees humbly seeking the Lord just as we were taught. Second, we see Paul’s Focus on the Father. The foundation of his prayer life was the Trinity. Paul understood that God the Father adopts all believers into His family for eternity and that there are glorious riches found through God the Son, and that God the Holy Spirit has endless power. The prayerful petitions Paul made for the Ephesians was based on God’s unlimited abilities, resources, and power. As Gods children, we too can confidently approach His throne of grace at any time but we must also remember that we are but servants and that He is our Holy God, so always seek Him in humble adoration. Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  The Power at Work Within Us
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (Ephesians 3:20-21) Have you ever met or known someone who lives without hope in their life? Someone who feels they will never be able to overcome an addiction, never get out of a bad relationship or always be in a job they dislike, or just seem to think the world is always against them. That person could be you, a friend, a family member, or any downtrodden person searching for change. What a horrible way to live! As Christians, we have a far greater hope than we might ever think possible. That hope is Jesus Christ dwelling within us (Ephesians 3:17-19). The power of Jesus Christ which is working within us is able to do more than we could ever think possible when it comes to our circumstances. Christians are not immune to hopeless thoughts or seasons. These thoughts and seasons can manifest themselves in sins we struggle with daily or the idea that we will never overcome and grow in our relationship with Jesus. The good news is, Christ Jesus is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”. Take a moment to think about this: What is it that you feel will never change in your life or walk with Jesus? Now imagine what it would look like if it changed today. Go ahead and read aloud today’s verse once again. Our God is able to provide even more than you could imagine in our lives. Friends, there is no reason to live without hope in your Christian walk anymore. Seek the power at work within us that can provide “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”. Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Preserved by Faith
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son” (Hebrews 11:17). The spiritual realm and the physical realm both operate according to certain laws and principles. Fire or heat will raise the temperature of the water and will cause it to boil and produce steam. Stress and physical exertion will raise our heart rate, raspatory rate, and blood pressure. Our human bodies are made up of very complex immune systems designed to defend us against bacteria, viruses and parasites that try to invade our bodies and destroy our health each and every day. In a similar fashion, in the spiritual realm, our spirit is protected by our faith. As Christians, we must realize that when we are tempted, face trials or difficulties, or encounter attacks by the enemy, our faith activates our spiritual immune systems to defend and protect us. The key to having a high concentration of faith and a strong spiritual immune system is the Word of God. Think of it like this, the Word of God produces “faith cells.” Failure to plant God’s Word in your heart and mind reduces your number of faith cells. Small amounts of the Word result in a low level of faith cells. In contrast, high doses of the Word produce high levels of faith cells. Our faith cells operate like the white blood cells in our bodies. They identify and then eliminate spiritual attacks either by attacking them directly or by engulfing them and then causing them to flee. Dear friends, we must develop a habit of studying and meditating on God’s Word and spending regular time in prayer to build up and preserve a high level of “faith cells” and a healthy spiritual immune system. Ask God to diagnose the strength of your spiritual health today. Spend time in prayer and feed on God’s Word daily to ensure your faith is ready to face the endless assault of the enemy. Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  In the Fullness of Time!
The scriptures tell us that “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). There is a time to speak and a time to be silent; a time to wait, and a time to act. But as God’s children how do we know when the time is right? God demonstrated that He knows the right time for every purpose. He sent Jesus into this world at just the right time. He has a plan for this current season and He will not act too soon or too late…but in the “fullness of time.” Friends, God acts in this world and in our lives when all His preparations are complete and ready. We all have prayed about troubles and uncertainties, physical or financial problems or any number of needs in our own lives. We all, likely know numerous people who need God’s help at this moment and when we don’t receive answers, it may seem like God is doing nothing. But we must not be impatient or give up hope! Instead, we must be persistent, keep praying, keep seeking, keep obeying, keep trusting and have faith. We must always remember; God answers prayers and provides for our needs in the “fullness of time.” Only He knows the right time for the fulfillment of His purposes. We must also remember there is a right time for us to act. When God opens the doors for us, seize those moments. When He gives us opportunity, sow seeds from the time, talent, and treasure you have been given. Seek to live your life according to the rhythm and season God prepares for you, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Gal. 6:9). Folks, the Lord always fulfills His promises, in the fullness of time! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Our God of All Comfort!
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2Cor. 1:3-4). The dictionary defines comfort as, “a state of physical ease and freedom from pain, grief or distress.” The Bible tells us, when comfort is needed, the solution is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He is called paraklētos in Greek, which means “advocate; helper; intercessor; comforter, who stands at one’s side; and comes to one’s aid.” As believers we need not rely on outward remedies to ease our troubled hearts and minds, because our help is available from the ultimate Comforter. Even before the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell within us. Scripture identified God as the one who comforts His people (Isa. 49:13). The Lord himself provides consolation and reassurance for us because no one knows our deepest hurts and pains the way He does. The Lord stays by our side through our trials and grief, allowing them to last only long enough to accomplish His perfect will. I love this anonymous quote: “When we have gone into the furnace of affliction, God’s hand is on the thermostat and His eye is on the clock.” Friends, God will never leave or forsakes us! Those who don’t know the true source of comfort try to escape life’s pains, through pleasures, hobbies, drugs or alcohol. But only God can offer lasting relief from life’s pains and heartaches. When you face difficulties, remember God’s Holy Spirit is always at your disposal. While we suffer, God comforts! As we heal, God uses us to comfort others who need a listening ear, an encouraging word, wise counsel or simply a hug. Praise be to God, our God of all Comfort! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Let go and let God!
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes (Matt. 6:25)? You may say, "But I can't help feeling anxious; I’ve always been a worrier!" I have heard that said countless times. My response is always the same, "Yes, you can!" Your ability to choose is part of God's gift of free will to us all. It isn't God’s desire for us to be controlled by our worries. The Lord may allow difficult situations to deepen our faith, stimulate spiritual growth, change a bad habit or attitude, but He doesn’t want us to be anxious. We must be careful not to confuse concern with anxiety, it is normal for a Christian to care. Concern motivates us to intercede and to take godly action; it’s positive, it’s constructive and it makes us look ahead. Anxiety is the opposite; it’s negative, it’s counterproductive and it keeps us looking back. Simply said, concern motivates us to take action and anxiety paralyzes us. Concern can be accompanied by tears and deep reflection but in the end, concern leads us to make decisions. It should prompt us to trust in God and to seek His purpose and plan. Anxiety tends to be marked by uncontrollable emotions, crying, sleeplessness, nervous disorders, or endless pacing. Worry is a treadmill that tends to keep one in a state of fear and negativity. The choice is always ours! We will occasionally be blind-sided by unsettling events like last week. At those times it's normal to react emotionally. But as God's children, we should not remain in that condition for long. Instead of falling into a downward spiral of anxiety over our circumstances, the healthier response is to pray. "Dear Lord, I lay my problems at your feet. This situation is beyond my control and I feel helpless. Lord, you alone have the power to change my circumstances. I know You love me and whatever You have planned for my good. Dear Heavenly Father, show me how to respond! In faith, I look forward to seeing how You will reveal Your love, wisdom, and power." My dear brothers and sisters, this is the way to find peace and freedom from paralyzing anxiety in this life. So, let go and let God! Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  Love One Another
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34) Jesus said these words to his disciples on the last night of his life before dying, for OUR sins. After Judas had gone off into the darkness to betray him, Jesus turned to the other disciples and referred to them as his children. He went on to tell them, he would be with them only a little longer and then told them how they should relate to each other after he was gone. “Love one another,” he commanded them! In this command, Jesus didn’t focus on the feeling of love, but on the decision to love. This command is a decision which each of us must make and walk out daily. The Lord Jesus knew that we would not always feel like loving one another, so he commanded it. Love must be a decision, not only an emotion! But as we all know, this command to love is not always easy to obey. That’s why it’s good news, to hear this is a “new command.” What makes it new, is Jesus provided us a model of love through his own life and death. We are called to love, Jesus says, “as I have loved you.” In his perfect love for us, Jesus was willing to surrender his life daily and even die for us. Through our own intimate relationship with him, we too discover the power to love sacrificially. Jesus went on to say, that when we love as he has loved us, we will become a powerful attraction to all others who do not yet know him and his love. Friends, the best sermon on love you will ever hear, is the one you see! We are called to walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us. The world will know, we are his children, “if we love one another,” so, walk in love and love one another as our Savior commanded, today and every day. Love in Christ always, Fr. Greg+  How Foolish Can You Be?
“How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort” (Gal. 3:3 NLT)? Years ago, I learned a valuable lesson from a wise old servant of the Lord, that I have never forgotten. In describing my disappointment with my best efforts on a program I was working on, I told him that my intention was to work harder in the future. I have never forgotten his response; “you won’t ever be any better than you are, but the Holy Spirit who resides within you can and will empower you if call upon Him. Never forget we cannot improve our flesh.” Those words deeply resonated with me! Until then I had always been taught, if you worked hard enough, you would be a better person. It was an eye-opening moment for me to realize our heavenly Father doesn’t want or even need our best self-efforts. They can neither earn us salvation, nor enable us to live an effective or holy Christian life. The Apostle Paul said basically the same thing to the Galatians when he wrote, ““How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort.” Friends, in our own strength, we are unable to do anything of lasting eternal value. To become the effective servant God wants us to be, we must rely upon the Spirit to direct the work of our hearts and hands. It is also important to never forget, that dependence on the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean we can remain idle or inactive. Saint Paul described it like this “I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col. 1:29). God wants us to depend on His Spirit, who can empower us to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or ever think. Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg+  That We May Understand
“What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us (1Cor. 2:12).” Sadly, many people today don’t read the Bible, and one of the main reasons they don’t, is they don’t understand it. We might expect that from someone who doesn’t know the Lord, but why do so many of God’s own children fail to comprehend Scripture? Could it be because they simply haven’t asked for help from the divine Teacher? One of the Holy Spirit’s chief responsibilities is to enable believers to understand the things that God has freely given us. Sometimes we look at other Christians who know more than we do and it’s easy to think that we will never reach their biblical level of understanding. The real issue isn’t how much knowledge we have but whether we are growing in our understanding. The Holy Spirit will teach each of us what we need to know, not necessarily what others know. The Holy Spirit wants each of us to become more Christlike, so He will reveal truth and wisdom to help us better understand how God’s Word applies to our lives and circumstances. The Holy Spirit’s goal is not to fill our minds with information but to bring us into a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father. He wants us to understand the truth of Scripture so we can know the love of Jesus. In turn, the depth of Christ’s love motivates us to know Him more intimately, to spend more time in His presence, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest God’s Word. The priceless treasures of God’s Word could remain out of reach if you never ask the Teacher for guidance. Whenever possible, try reading the scriptures out loud, and before you begin, ask the Spirit for understanding and wisdom. An intimate relationship with our Savior awaits anyone who listens and allows the Holy Spirit to reveal the thoughts of our Creator. Grace and peace always, Fr. Greg + |