Relax - God is In Control

Trust Him
It’s easier said than done. Believers likely know this and understand it. Yet, to truly let go with confidence, well, it can be hard. When I think of God’s presence in my life and what that means, I understand fully that God is indeed, in control. I’ve got some scripture to share that I hope will help reaffirm this for you as well.

God assured Joshua as the conquest of the Promised Land was just beginning. He told him in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” To me, that’s a strong commitment and gives me confidence that “God has my back”. God didn’t just make promises like this; He backs them up!

God’s relationship with us is well established. He makes it known throughout the history of His people that He is their God. For instance, in Isaiah 41:10, God assures us once again of His presence, His strength, and help is with us. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my Victorious right hand.” That invigorates my confidence!!

God reminds us that He has no limits and that we cannot begin to understand His thinking and planning. He clearly lays that out in Isaiah 55:8-9. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD.

“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

There are many Biblical examples of God being in control. Early in Christ’s earthly ministry, He and his disciples started out on about on the Sea of Galilee. As Mark records it, “a fierce storm came up.” This storm was intense and these men, whom many were fishermen by trade, were no stranger the storms. However, due to the intensity, they panicked! When Jesus was woken by them, He simply said “Silence! Be Still!” The disciples were surprised and asked each other “Who is this man? Even the wind and waves obey him!” I’d say that is a convincing demonstration.

I know we live in a dark world and there is evil all around us. Despite that, there is still evidence that God is in control. James, a defense contractor, and father of five, was led into a snake and alligator-infested swamp against the police and rescue officers orders. After three days of search and rescue efforts, authorities began scaling back the efforts to find Nadia, a fifth-grade girl with an autism-related disorder whoa wandered off! Hope was all but lost when James started out. He felt it, it was a call to find Nadia. He didn’t know Nadia or the family, but he was being led by the Lord. James was praying scripture from Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.” James could feel the Lord nudging him toward the rising sun. He would call out for Nadia but heard no response.

Two hours had passed and James came to a dry patch. He called out “Nadia”! The reply came! “WHAT!” James followed her voice and found her surprisingly well - considering she had spent 4 days and nights in a swamp.

James directed the rescue workers to their location. All was well and Nadia emerged from the swamp and found a cheering crowd. James was treated as a hero. But James quickly gave the Lord the credit for leading him to Nadia. He even announced that while she was alone, she was reciting the same scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6, that aided him during the search. Do you see that James was an instrument used by God? 

He is in control and rules over all things. God is sovereign. He loves you and nothing will ever separate us from God’s love!

Special note: I had completed this post prior to the school tragedy in Florida last week. I've not changed the post except to add this recording at the end. Be encouraged by what you read and hear! No matter what, God remains in control!

Listen to "Our Awesome Lord".

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

The Good Shepherd - Part 1

No Want Shall I Know 

The shepherd played a major role in our recent celebration of our Lord’s birth. Have you ever thought much about why? Why the lowly shepherds? These men were low on the food chain. They weren’t exactly a town’s elite citizen.

Throughout the Bible, there are many references to the ‘shepherds’. Today I am talking about David, the shepherd who became a KING. David knew about the role and responsibilities of a shepherd. He had experience! Sheep are totally dependent on the shepherd for everything. The sheep are clearly defenseless.

David’s psalm that is so well known, Psalm 23, describes the Lord as his shepherd. That makes us His sheep, however, we aren’t frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers. David says that the Lord leads him beside the peaceful streams, and guides him along the right paths. We can be content!

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.” v 1-2

We can be confident as the Shepherd is the only one that can walk with us through death’s dark valley and bring us to the other side. Our God of Life, our own shepherd has a rod and staff to protect and comfort us. Thankfully, as believers, we will dwell in the House of the Lord forever! Our God is the perfect shepherd and host. He promises to guide us and protect us throughout our lives!

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” v 4

Remember this: God loves you. No matter how you may be hurting, no matter the burdens you are carrying, no matter how you feel about your sins…..He loves you.

Romans 8:38-39….. And I am convinced that nothing can ever operate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Pro Athletes: Walking the Walk

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 (NLT)


It can’t be easy for high profile athletes to resist the temptations that are thrown at them in ways most of us will never understand. The easy thing for them to do is to go along with the crowd! So, isn’t it satisfying to hear (the days following Super Bowl 52) about the players who were demonstrating their faith? There has been a lot of attention on several Philadelphia Eagles players as they spoke up during the week prior to the big game and immediately following their win! Nick Foles, who went from backup quarterback to Super Bowl Champion - Super Bowl MVP, wants to be a pastor after his football career. I’ve been following the Eagles this year and these statements are the real deal. This is not new! This was not a put on. These players you heard have allowed the Holy Spirit to transform them! 

New England Patriot’s Brandin Cooks was injured in the 2nd quarter of the game and missed the remainder of the Super Bowl. His Tweet after the game reads “Whatever you are up to God I know it's for your glory! #thankful” If you were to go to Twitter and follow Brandin, a number of other professional football players whose profile has some reference to being Christian will pop up to possibly follow. 

There is a significant number of pro players who love Christ and work to be good Christ followers. As difficult as that must be, I pray that they will all let God transform them into new persons!

There have been others throughout the years. Yes, Tim Tebow attracted a lot of attention during his days playing college football and in his NFL days. But there were others. David Robinson was a tremendous NBA superstar. He won the 1998 Championship with the San Antonio Spurs. In an article in Sports Spectrum Magazine, he described their special season. “So I was relaxed going in. I enjoyed the season, I enjoyed the guys, I was faithful to what God asked me to do, and by the end of the season we had a team that was on one page praying together.” Robinson said some new players on the team that year shrugged off those who were praying together. “But by the end of the year, every one of them, to a man, felt that prayer and God was the strength of our team.” Robinson summed it up like this, “To me, that was the glory of the Lord shining through.” He understood the championship was a blessing because he was faithful to the Lord.

Reggie White was known as the “Minister of Defense” even before he reached the NFL. He was an ordained Baptist minister before he left the University of Tennessee following an outstanding college football career. He went on to star in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and finally the Carolina Panthers. He was an outspoken Evangelical Christian in a high profile career surrounded by tremendous temptations!

Other professional sports figures also demonstrate their Christian beliefs faithfully. I grew up in Augusta Georgia and lived near Larry Mize, winner of the 1987 Masters. He is known as a faithful Christian. Over the years he has often spoken openly about his faith in Christ. 

There are many other examples of athletes who are walking the walk! They don’t just talk about their faith, but they put it into action. Organizations like FCA, Cru, and The Increase give these athletes numerous opportunities to share with others. They know they have a tremendous platform for Christ and are not afraid to use it.

If you’d like to read more about athletes and their walk, I suggest two websites. First, www.theincrease.com is an online community of Pro Athletes striving to live in the Decrease of self and the Increase of Christ. 'He must Increase, but I must decrease' John 3:30. Secondly, sportsspectrum.com is a magazine that “seeks to highlight Christian athletes of all sports and levels to help motivate, encourage and inspire people in their faith through the exciting and challenging world of sports.” Both of these have frequent updates and stories from the world of sports! 

So, here’s the question. Will you conform to the behavior and customs of the world and be molded from without? Or will you be transformed and allow Christ to change you from within? Don’t be fooled! You can ‘avoid’ worldly customs but still be proud, covetous, selfish and arrogant. However, the Holy Spirit can renew our minds and transform the way we think! 


Dear Lord, please give me the strength to resist the world’s attempt to mold me and instead, change me by transforming the way I think. Allow Christ to change me from within. I seek to know your Will, which is good and pleasing and perfect. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray