Greater Than

We is greater than me!

We are taught to seek companionship, not isolation throughout scripture. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT says “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

This is just one example of how cooperation has its advantages. Here’s another example seen in history time and time again. The phalanx formation was a close-rank, dense grouping of warriors armed with long spears and interlocking shields. It was a very effective formation used by armies for thousands of years. They can protect an asset located within, and they can defend themselves by the close-rank to many attacks.

Let’s work together. We were not created to be isolated and we are not here to serve just ourselves. We are to serve others and to serve God. So, if someone is hurting, being taken down by health issues or despair, we as Christians can close rank, be protective, erect a defense! We are all part of the body of Christ. We each have our own special work! 

Remember, Paul instructs us and the Galatians “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2



"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

Unity - Working Together with One Mind and Purpose

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

Here’s a wonderful story about Jimmy Durante, one of the great entertainers of a generation ago. He was asked to be a part of a show for World War II veterans. He told them his schedule was very busy and he could afford only a few minutes, but if they wouldn't mind his doing one short monologue and immediately leaving for his next appointment, he would come. Of course, the show's director agreed happily. But when Jimmy got on stage, something interesting happened. He went through the short monologue and then stayed. The applause grew louder and louder and he kept staying. Pretty soon, he had been on fifteen, twenty, then thirty minutes. Finally, he took a last bow and left the stage. Backstage someone stopped him and said, "I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?"

Jimmy answered, "I did have to go, but I can show you the reason I stayed. You can see for yourself if you'll look down on the front row." In the front row were two men, each of whom had lost an arm in the war. One had lost his right arm and the other had lost his left. Together, they were able to clap, and that's exactly what they were doing, loudly and cheerfully. 

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter of thanks and encouragement to his friends in Philippi. He wrote about teamwork when he encouraged believers to be unified. He longed to know that they were “standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith…” Philippians 1:27

He again urges his brothers and sisters to “stay true to the Lord” (Philippians 4:1). Finally, Paul stressed spiritual unity. He asked if they had fellowship with one another in the spirit. He told them he’d be “truly happy” if they loved one another and were “working together with one mind and purpose.”

Paul wrote in Romans 15:5-6, “May God, who gives patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We sure live in a society where issues divide us. Sometimes it's a very bitter division. Sometimes we find that we can simply agree to disagree. Yet, we do often come together as the Body of Christ, focus on those things we believe in common and work to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.  As believers, scattered across the globe, we are truly bonded across many cultural, economic and social walls. Remember, we are brothers and sisters in Christ and we should be living like God’s family. Support one another by offering intercessory prayer, share words of encouragement with those who are going through a challenging time and don’t be afraid to ask for help because God considers it a blessing for us to help one another. 

Who can you reach out to today?

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray