God's Display

I’m pretty fortunate. I’ve traveled some here in the US. I’ve seen some spectacular places. For example, in Western North Carolina, there is a state forest and just a short hike from the visitor center is what is called High Falls. This water slides down 120 feet of granite in a wonderful cascade. 

West of the Dallas - Fort Worth Texas area is a lake called Possum Kingdom Lake. There is a resident camp there on the shore and directly across the lake is this high granite wall. It’s an amazing view any time of the day! 

In the high country of North Carolina, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are pull-offs where you can take in majestic views of the mountains and the valleys below. Each of these is created by our Heavenly Father! This is His work on full display.

So, the big day has arrived. A total eclipse of the sun will race across the US and millions of people will be watching. Many will gather in the path of the total eclipse while others will witness a partial eclipse of the sun. 

The spike in the economy of towns and cities in the path of the total eclipse will be evident. Viewing parties, sales of souvenirs, extended stays in hotels, motels and lodges will all add to the local flavor of the event. This will be talked about for years!

Let’s not forget that this ‘event’ we will witness is the creation of the Heavenly Father. Read Psalm 19:1-6. This event will be a fantastic display of God’s craftsmanship!! On this day, the heavens will once again ‘proclaim the glory of God.” God made a place for the sun in the heavens and we’ll see “it bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.”

This reminds me of another blackout that occurred 2000 years ago. As Jesus suffered on the cross, the skies began to darken. As He took His last breath, it is recorded that total darkness came over the land for nearly three hours. During that significant event, the veil in the temple was torn down the middle, because there was now a way for all the people to approach God directly through Christ. What happened three days later when Christ has risen is the pinnacle of our faith! Are we talking about these events with as much excitement as we should? 

Let us enjoy the wonderful display of the Creator’s craftsmanship. And let us also remember the significant events that are recorded in His Word for us so that we can spread the Good News of Salvation in Christ Jesus.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matt 28:19

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Father, The Hour Has Come

As noted in last week’s post, I was drawn to the Gospel of John Chapter 17. At least one part of the chapter was very familiar to me, but God’s Word is filled with messages, wisdom, and encouragement. At the same time that I felt the significance of Jesus spending so much time in prayer at this particular time, I had several other key insights. I think this prayer of our Lord is very significant and I am so thankful to have really read it more thoroughly and learned more about my Lord.

We know from the first verse that Jesus was aware of what lay ahead. “After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so He can give glory back to you.” V1. Other than the prayer that follows this scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, this seems like the most intimate, passionate prayer from the Son to the Heavenly Father! 

Here are four key insights that I was excited to come away with.

Jesus declared how we are to have eternal life very clearly in verse 3. “And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” This means we have a relationship with Christ, and Christ’s love will live in us through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus confirmed in verse 5 once again that He and the Father are one, even before the world began! “Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.” (John 17:5) This comes during such a crucial time, it was just very convicting for me. The statement seems to be said with such authority. It should leave no doubt that the Father and the Son are One.

A third message I see in this chapter is that there has now been this tremendous transfer of mission, knowledge, and understanding. In verses 7-8 Jesus gave His disciples the message the Father have Him. “They accepted it and know that I came from you and they believe you sent me.” 

(John 17:8b) And now Jesus has tasked the disciples with taking the message into the world. “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.” (John 17:18) Not only did Jesus pray for the disciples but He was also praying for all who would believe their message!! To me this is a powerful affirming statement: “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” 

(John 17:20)  I’m directly connected to my Lord and savior through this prayer! That is remarkable! Then comes the very familiar verse to all my YMCA friends. “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 17:21) Jesus had a burning desire that His disciples would become one. Unified, they would be a powerful voice telling of God’s love. 

He’s not done yet. Affirming, connecting statements complete His prayer : 

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” 

(John 17:22-26)

This is “all in”, “solidarity”, and “unified” all wrapped in one!! If we are following His commands then we will continue to ‘transfer’ the Good News to those around us. His Kingdom will multiply again and again before His return!

Lastly, verse 13 really grabbed my attention as well. “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.” (John 17:13) The idea of being filled with His immeasurable joy is very exciting. If the disciples were filled with that joy, then believers can also be filled with that joy. Isn’t God good? He is a God of such joy!!

Remember, this is no ordinary prayer, even for our Lord. He is about to leave the Upper Room and head to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane where the betrayal takes place. This is Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, Immanuel, God is with us.

Praise be to God. He has given us a source of immeasurable joy in His Son!

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Leaders Time in Prayer

I recently was brought to the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. While I have read verse 21 many, many times, the Lord was telling me that this chapter was very significant and that I needed to dig in. Wow, did He open my eyes and bless me with multiple messages. One of the most convicting lessons that day was about Jesus’ significant time in prayer. 

Jesus’ example of prayer at this crucial point is huge. Remember, the disciples and Jesus have just finished what we now call “The Last Supper”. John’s gospel contains what is sometimes called the “high priestly prayer.” Jesus knows He has little time remaining before His death. Chapter 17 is a series of prayers that no doubt were very emotional for the disciples. (There will be more about the content of the chapter in an upcoming post.)

I am convinced that our leaders (YMCA and others) need to spend more time in prayer preceding important decisions, critical conversations and time in front of an audience. 

In examining the chapter, Jesus doesn’t start some new initiative at this late hour. He doesn’t address a large crowd one last time. He simply spent a significant amount of His last hours in prayer. 

We know that throughout His ministry He would seek time alone to pray. The disciples had returned from a ministry tour and told Jesus about all that had been going on. He suggested that they retreat to a quiet place to rest awhile. (Mark 6:31, NLT) Jesus knew His team needed rest and renewal in order to be effective in their ministry. Jesus also retreated into the wilderness in Luke 5:16. In Luke 6:12 He prayed all night prior to ‘calling the 12 apostles’. He taught us in Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Prayer before a big decision is important and it is to be done in private. So, there really should be significant leadership that no one sees. Could this be more important than what we do in public? 

The Apostle Paul understood this and speaks frequently about praying for those under his leadership. We can learn a lot from his prayers. Writer Cheryl Fletcher examined all of Paul’s prayers and made these four observations: 1) pray constantly - this is an ongoing conversation with our God, 2) pray with great affection - Paul likes those he leads, he is often speaking of his prayers of thanksgiving for them and he is genuinely grateful for them, 3) pray for an experience of love and greater Christ-likeness - Paul is praying over and over that those he leads will know the deep, wide and limitless love of Christ and that they will grow, becoming more Christ-like and finally 4) don’t be afraid to ask for prayer - Paul asks! 

Legendary YMCA leader John R Mott said in a speech in 1948 that the “discipline of prayer is essential.” He even recommended to the YMCA leaders gathered at that time “I need only to say that we must make prayer one of the primary objectives of this brotherhood.” 

It seems to me that prior to a big decision, a critical conversation or an appearance in front of an audience that today’s leader must find a way to spend more time in prayer. Perhaps it can be done “out of the office” in some sort of retreat, or maybe just uninterrupted time in an office alone, or with a chaplain or their own pastor. We should follow the example of Christ and make this a priority. 


Would you agree that many leaders are “too busy not to pray”? Are you willing to set aside more time in prayer as you lead? 

James 5:16b The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.



"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...


Chaplain Gray