Monday, October 25, 2010

waiting patiently

seeing the invisible

"The invisible attributes of God are clearly seen being understood
by the things that are made." Romans 1:20
Jesus talked a lot about the invisible world. His presence clearly convinced
people of the presence of God.
In the nature we see His power, wisdom and provision.
Jesus pointed to these invisible characteristics of God by calling himself
with terms that were familiar to people. I am the Light. (John 8:12)
I am the Truth. John 14:6 I am the Bread. John 6:48
The visible things had distracted people from the invisible, even in their worship.
They were tempted to pay attention to the visible idols and call it worship.
Jesus himself worshipped the invisible Father.
The more we get to know God and his character the more his omnipotence, omniscience and
omnipresence are seen to us.
Things don't just "happen" in this world. God works. God leads. God protects.
People's need for salvation is often invisible.
It looks like people are fine. They are just living a "normal" life.
Don't let that deceive you.
Even though man has succesfully locked the mentally handicapped people in
institutions, thrown the criminal to the prisons and silently continues laying down the dead
in the cemeteries far from his daily routine, he cannot escape the voice of eternity
in his heart.
Time is for eternity and eternity remains invisible without faith.
"For the things which are seen are temporary, but
the things which are not seen are eternal." II Cor.4:18

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Pastor Schaller's visit


quality matters

A person who lives his earthly life without faith and grace is a very poor
creature. Fatalism, understanding that eveything has been decided by God
or by mere fate without man's part in it whatsoever, robs man's quality in life.
God chose to give man a choice. The privilege of choice in a large scale brings
to the relationship a quality that matters. Agreement is one of the high goals
in relationships. As equal as that relationship is the more meaningful the relationship.
Man has clearly demonstrated that he can have a relationship with dogs and cats,
but these "good" friendships are not based on equality.
God brought man so close to himself for the sake of a meaningful relationship.
Blind obedience with no choice to disobey will always fall ashort of that quality.
Fatalism leaves no room for a quality relationship with God.
The amazing definitions for a spiritual life such as sin, forgiveness,love, mercy,
holiness, justice and hope mean nothing for a fatalist because these are not
machine-like functions.
However , there should be a difference made between things that we can influence
and the ones we cannot.
We`cannot 1. change God's character.
2. determine our own birth (parents, nationalty, features).
3. save ourselves from eternal destruction.
4. change the laws of the physical nor the spiritual world.
These are too big questions for us to decide.
But we can 1. believe or not believe.
2. choose and influence our destiny.
3. influence the work of God by our prayer, obedience and availability.
4. Influence other people and the world around us, both physical and spiritual.
"If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God
or whether I speak on my own authority." John 7:17

Monday, October 4, 2010

Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.

Pastor Mihail Obrecht promoted to glory!

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15

October 3, 2010, Pastor Mihail Obrecht, a loving husband, godly father
and a mighty Russian pastor full of faith, joy and vision, was
promoted to be with the Lord in Heaven. He died from the injuries he
suffered in a car accident September 30, 2010, on his way to a Bible
study.

Please be in prayer for the comfort and support for Olga, his wife,
their three children, Daniel, Samuel and Mihail and the Greater Grace church
of Kaliningrad, Russia.

Contact Missions Office Baltimore if you would like to help support
the family.

Pastor Scibelli
GGWO
Missions Office