"How to receive God's wisdom"

The Book of Proverbs of course is filled with God's wisdom for daily living. And, in chapter 13:10, we are specifically told as to how we can receive God's wisdom into our lives

But, first of all, the Lord explains to us, that our pride will cause nothing but strife. Pride hears means, to be arrogant. Pride brings about strife, or waste, or struggles, and desolation. Pride will bring a person to ruin.

However, with the well-advised, or those who will receive counsel is wisdom.

So, the way to receive God's wisdom, is to simply be someone who will receive counsel. That receptive attitude of heart and mind, is the opposite of being prideful and arrogant.

How often we might tend to think we know so much, when in fact, we may know nothing at all about a particular situation or circumstance.

Many times, it's only later, after we have acted, or spoken up about something, or been so sure about what ought to be done, that we then discover facts that we did not know, and those facts show us how mistaken we were about what we said, did or thought.

So, with the above in mind, may our prayer today be that the Lord would help us to be humble, not so sure of ourselves, but willing to receive His counsel, because that attitude of heart, is what opens the door for us to receive God's wisdom and counsel.

By the way, the word counsel in the Bible, means "good advice, guidance, direction"

Many of God's blessings to you this day.

Pastor Bob Grenier

What worry and fear will do.

Pr 12:25* Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

The word "Anxiety, comes from a word meaning fear, to be anxious, be concerned, be afraid, and it can mean, "to dread" 

When we have anxiety in our hearts, it causes depression, it causes us to be bowed down as it were, to fall down within ourselves.

"But a good word makes it glad" That's what can come to us, and that's what can happen to the heart that is depressed. 

And, of course we know of no better "word" then the "Word of God Himself" And, the blessed "Word of God" that He has given to us in the Holy Bible.

When we read the Bible we will hear many "good words" from God. Taken to heart, they become the evictor of depression, and the bringer of gladness within.

The Bible encourages us to keep our minds on the Lord, and on the beautiful and glorious truths of God. These are the "Good Words" that will bring that happiness into our souls. 

May you have many "Good Words" brought into your soul today. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

What happens if we wait on the Lord?

Isa 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

First of all, this verse teaches us about difference. That is, the difference between the fact of being weak, having no might, being weary and falling. 

That's what was described in Isa 4029-30.

But here in 40:31, we are being told as to what will happen to, and what will be given to, and what changes will take place in the lives of those who wait on the Lord.

The word wait here, means to look for, to look to, or to hope in, to believe in. So, we are promised that if we will look to the Lord, hope in Him, believe in Him, that a number of things will happen to us 

The word shall is used 4 times here. And, it means to go through, to pass by, to go from, to change, to cause to pass. to change for better, to renew.

So, "Shall" is a word of great encouragement.

There are a number of things that "shall' happen to the person who waits, hopes in, looks to, believes in i.e the Lord.

1. They shall renew their strength.

2. They shall mount up with wings like eagles.

3. They shall run and not be weary.

4. They shall walk and not faint. 

What a great promise this was from the Lord, through Isaiah to the children of Israel and Judah concerning their future restoration into the land of Israel following their captivity. 

It's also a promise for us today. These are things the Lord will do in our lives as we look to Him, and continue to hope in Him, and believe Him. 

Blessings to you..

Bob Grenier 

A Common Miracle - Are You a Jesus Freak? Part 2

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 4 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

I went back to Florida and started reading that little Bible every day and continued smoking my dope each and every day ... still dealing and still partying, but reading that Bible with the distinct impression within myself that something was happening to me from above. I would go and sit in the courtyards of a church there in Tallahassee to just think and reflect about God.
A dope deal gone bad is what led up to that gun at my head, and that is what led to something I’ll never forget for eternity. It’s the night of the gun incident. Right there, in the very house where I had stood outside that day looking up into David M.’s eyes, God brought into my life what I’ve now come to know is the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of John talks about this in Chapter 16. It has to do with God showing you what you don’t know and convincing you that it’s true. 

Coming Soon, Chapter 4 Part 3
 

A Common Miracle - Are You a Jesus Freak? Part 1

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 4 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
MARK 1:1

I REFER TO THE SCRIPTURE ABOVE, the one in Mark 1:1, because it was through that Scripture that my new life began.
I took Mr. H.’s advice and went to Negril, got some weed and went out to the beach one night to do just what the Bible said: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Well, what I was doing that night was not the best and most accurate interpre- tation/application of the Bible; but it was, in my own heart, what I thought I was to do. This is what I thought God want- ed me to do. The only way I could be still was to get myself calmed down with some good Jamaican Ganja.
As I sat on the beach that night, the moon was out, the sky was clear, and the ocean was lapping its waves up on the shore, one after the other. In my heart, I was contemplating all of this beautiful creation in front of me. I started think- ing and asking myself about how it all came to pass. “How did all this beauty come about?” I wondered.

At that moment, God spoke to my heart and told me that He was the one who created it. Not only did He speak to my heart about what He had done, but I had two other distinct impressions from Him: one, that He loved me; and two, that I could know Him. Actually there was a third, also, and that was that He wanted me to know Him. I remember being so impacted by this moment that the next morning I told one of my friends that he should come out with me that night, and we’d go and talk to God on the beach. You see, God’s Word is true; and He honored His Word in my life that night, even though I was far from truly understanding it. Like the hymn says, “I once was blind, but now I see.” Well, my eyes and heart were being opened. 

Coming Soon, Chapter 4 Part 2
 

A Common Miracle - Be Still and Know That I Am God Part 5

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 3 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

One day, I rented a car from a Mr. Oliver H., who had a car rental agency in Montego Bay. I allowed one of my Jamaican friends to use it, and he banged it up a bit. I turned the car in without any acknowledgement that it had been damaged. Well, Mr. H. had me summoned to his office; and there I sat in front of this man who was about to be used by God to change the course of my life for eternity. I don’t even remember him talking to me about the car and the damage done to it. I only remember him talking to me about the damage I was doing to myself. “If you keep this up, you will kill yourself,” he said to me. “Using this Ganja will destroy your life. Living the way you are will ruin your life,” he said. And then he pulled out the little pocket Bible that I mentioned earlier. He opened it to Psalm 46:10, read it to me and then gave the little Bible to me.

As I sat there in front of Mr. H., I started crying and sobbing. From deep inside me came this feeling of being naked emotionally and not knowing what was happening to me, except that Mr. H.’s words were piercing my soul ... hitting me life a knife ... stunning me inside. Nothing like this had ever happened to me in my life. I don’t think I had cried since I was a child. The only other time was sitting by my dad’s coffin. But now, here in this car rental office, my life was about to change. Mr. H. went on, and every word cut like an arrow into my life. There was no response from me to him, that I can remember. I wonder what he thought as he was speaking to me and after I left his office ... “no hope for this one.”
Can I tell you something I’ve found out over these years of knowing Christ? It’s about the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word to man, and He uses it to change lives, just as He did with me. I didn’t know then, when that little pocket Bible was given to me, that it would become my most treasured possession. I’ve long since lost that very Bible; but the Bible is my everyday companion, for in it I have found a relationship with my Father in heaven through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit of God. If you are in a turmoil and tailspin at this time in your life, like I was, may I direct you to that very same Scripture, Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.” May God bless it to your soul, as He did to mine. 

Coming Soon, Chapter 4 Part 1

A Common Miracle - Be Still and Know That I Am God Part 4

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 3 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

 Imagine a bunch of long-haired hippies, sitting around cross legged on the floor, listening to the Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, etc., and there is this young man on his lunch hour, wearing his three-piece suit, toking on the joint as it’s being passed around. That was me. All the while, I was thinking, “This is so cool, that I have this job; and I also have this other secret life.” The grip of sin and the devil were at work and pulling me right out of my job into what I thought was a whole new and exciting life. I started letting my hair and beard grow, met new friends and smoked more and more dope. Now it was not only on the weekends, but it was nearly every night and would soon be every day ... in fact, all day long.

Not too long after I quit my job and due to the cost of weed, I would buy a little more than I needed and sell that extra bit to help offset the cost of what I used myself. It seemed harmless ... and cool. And it worked.
Pretty soon, I met more and more people who were into this life of drugs, music and rock and roll. “Wow!” I thought, “Now this was really the very best thing that had ever happened to me.” Oh, I forgot to tell you that back in NY I had tried LSD once or twice. I remember my friends, Tony and Ted and Ben, offering it to me. “This won’t turn me into one of those hippies, will it?” I asked. “No way,” they said; “It’s cool; you will enjoy it.” And I did. We used to “drop the acid,” as it’s called, when we would drive into NYC to go to clubs. Just the acid and the joint. Nice combination ... or so I thought.
Hair grown out now to shoulder length ... big old scraggly beard ... selling ounces and pounds of weed in plain sight of the state capitol building I used to work in, I started using cocaine and then selling grams of coke — using hashish, opium and any and all other hallucinogenic drugs I could get my hands on. Not uncommon for many in that generation. A flight to Jamaica was cheap, and the pot was everywhere. So, back and forth, Tallahassee to Montego Bay, I went. Many, many times. 

Coming Tomorrow, Chapter 3 Part 5

A Common Miracle - Be Still and Know That I Am God Part 3

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 3 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

Wearing a three-piece suit, flying around the state, meeting all the bigwigs (and I mean “Bigwigs”), staying at fancy hotels, being picked up at airports by the Florida State Troopers, being given personal escorts, and so on, did not erase what I was doing. Here I was, rubbing shoulders with the top Republican political people in Florida (By the way, many of them who were young at that time are now well known and seen on TV all the time.), carrying a little bit of weed in my suitcase and smoking it in my hotel room. I used to get a big kick out of seeing the state trooper pick up my bags from the plane, put them in his trunk and then drive me and my bags to where I needed to go. All the while, he never knew what was in my bag. “What a blast!” I thought. Was I ever in the dark about what is truly cool and important in life.
Do you remember the tragedy at Kent State back in May of 1970? The ideological revolution that took place among the youth of our nation in the late sixties? Stemmed flowers being placed in the rifle muzzles of national guardsmen on college campuses? Yep, I wound up doing that very thing on the campus of Florida State University. I had “turned on, tuned in, and dropped out” as we used to say. Literally, I quit my job and joined in with what was happening around our nation.

That grip of sin was. and had been, tightening its grip on me without my knowing it. You see, as the campaign for that Senate seat wore on and I did my job, I had to find connections for buying weed. Little did I know that it was weed that, for me, was becoming the real connection into the counter culture. 

Coming Tomorrow, Chapter 3 Part 4

A Common Miracle - Be Still and Know That I Am God Part 2

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 3 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

There was a little beachfront town called Negril. Today, it’s a huge tourist area, but back then it was just for the locals and for the “in-the-know hippies” who came to Jamaica to do what I was doing. On the beach one night, something tremendous happened to me ... but more about that in just a bit. How did I get there, to Negril? Let me tell you the story.
“Bob, how would you like to work for the lieutenant governor of Florida, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat on the Republican ticket?” my friend said. Sandy and I were old friends from back in my high school years and someone I had run around with after coming home from Vietnam. He had moved into the area of state politics and was now working as the assistant for the lieutenant governor of Florida.
Sandy called and asked me to come down from White Plains and interview for the position of personal aide and traveling companion to the lieutenant governor. “What an opportunity,” I thought. “I’ll just take a break from my aviation career plans and do this for awhile. It can’t hurt me; and it will only help me,” I thought. I mean, how many people get a chance to do this kind of thing?
 With my mom’s blessing, I went down, interviewed and got the job. I moved to Tallahassee, Florida, shortly there- after. Here’s something interesting: I was using pot on weekends while in White Plains, like many use beer and alcohol... just a little bit, and only on certain days of the week. It was my little secret.

Here’s another secret that is kept hidden: Sin is sin, how- ever you may describe it or disguise it or live it.
 
Coming Monday, Chapter 3 Part 3

A Common Miracle - Be Still and Know That I Am God Part 1

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 3 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

Be still, and know that I am God...
PSALM 46:10 

SITTING IN THE WAITING AREA just in front of Air Jamaica’s ticket counter at Miami International Airport around the 5th of February, 1973, reading a small pocket testament containing the books of Proverbs, Psalms, and the New Testament, was this long-haired, bearded hippie with all his earthly possessions in a small backpack. It was me, and it was one day after the gun had been put to my head. I was on my way to Montego Bay, Jamaica, to finish the dope deal that had gone bad and to recover the money I owed my partner in crime, David M.
Traveling to Jamaica was something I did very often. The “Ganja,” as it was called (or marijuana, as quality and potency. Jamaica was also a place where many would-be, and “want-to-be big time dope dealers” would go to try to make the deal of a lifetime happen. Such was the case with me.

I knew my way around the island pretty well. I had Jamaican friends with farms up in the hills, where I would go and hang out and smoke the Ganja to my heart’s content.

 Coming tomorrow, Chapter 3 Part 2

A Common Miracle - Do You Want to Smoke a Joint? Part 5

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 2 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.
  
It was interesting that while in Vietnam, I had no interest in drugs or in smoking pot; but one day, I was in NYC for the day with a fellow line jockey from the airport. Someone pulled out a joint and said, “Hey, do you want to smoke a joint?” And I did, and did I ever like it! I wondered why I had not tried this years before. “This is the greatest feeling I’ve ever had,” I thought to myself, laughing and feeling great in the back seat of that Chevy Corvair, in the middle of New York City. This was great, I thought. And that began my use of drugs, from the weekend joint to everyday use later on.

Now, I can look back and see how temptation got the best of me. I wish Christ had been in my life, but He was not. He would have made the difference, as He does today in my life; but evil is something that destroys, and Satan is the master destroyer through temptation and sin. Sin is in each and every man, and Satan, who is the god of this world, loves nothing more than to help people sin more and more and more. He knows that it will ruin their lives, all the while thinking they are having a good time.

Well, that was me: having a good time. By the way, there’s something very interesting about sin. It’s pleasurable, but only for a season. Too bad it’s pleasurable: people wouldn’t sin as much as they do if it weren’t. It’s a lot of fun to sin; however, it’s only fun for awhile. I had not found that out yet, but I was going to find out soon. That’s common for people, isn’t it? To be going along, having a good time... only to be heading for disaster.
Looking back now, I can see where the Lord was being merciful to me. He kept me from dying in Vietnam, and at other times, as well. Perhaps God is doing that for you, right now, as you read this. Or perhaps you can also look back and say, “Hey, I have that in common with you, Bob. God has kept me, also.” I pray that He has, and I pray that He will. 

Coming tomorrow, Chapter 3 Part 1

A Common Miracle - Do You Want to Smoke a Joint? Part 4

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 2 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

Then my sergeant told me that word had come that my father was dying of cancer, and that I was being sent home to see him before he died. And he did. He died in January of 1968. When I got home, the terrible problem of cancer had all but taken my dad’s life. How kind my mom was to care

for him in his dying days. I don’t know if he ever made his peace with God or not; I hope he did. We had never talked about God in all the years he was alive. The only thing he ever said about God was the “the family that prays together, stays together.” But we had never prayed together. By the way, that is true. Prayer, as I have found out, does wonders for a family, marriage, etc.
When my dad died, my mom and I moved to White Plains, NY, to try to start over in our lives. Prior to moving, the Marine Corps took a long time to resolve my case. I had asked if I could remain stateside, so as to be close to my dying father. The months seemed like decades to me, waiting for a response from USMC headquarters. Finally, the answer came. I could either go back to my parent unit (2nd Battalion First Marine Division) in South Vietnam, or take a discharge by reason of hardship. The Sgt. Major asked me to think it over through the weekend. There was nothing to think about, as far as I was concerned, but I got back to him on the following Monday. “I’ll take the discharge, Sir.” And the process started, which led to my discharge some months later. My mother and I were all that each other had. There was no money, no estate, only bills that my only and older brother, Bill, paid. He is one of those quiet people who has sacrificed his entire life and is always ready to help someone else. It was many years later before I found out all that he did to clear up bills that were left behind. He did this for the sake of the Grenier name, and because he is a man of character. Once in White Plains, we found a little room to rent; the bathroom was down the hall, as I remember. There was a hot plate to cook on, one bed to share, a table, a chair ... that’s about it. I got a job at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, NY, pumping gas with the hope of moving up into the world of Corporate Aviation. I had used my GI bill after my discharge from the Marine Corps to get my Commercial Aviation Certificate and my Multi-Engine Rating. Starting at the airport held all the promise of moving up the proverbial ladder. 

Coming tomorrow, Chapter 2 Part 5
 

A Common Miracle - Do You Want to Smoke a Joint? Part 3

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 2 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

I got in my car after receiving my high school diploma in June of 1966 and headed for Canada to spend my last few months before going into the Marine Corps. I left my mom and my dad and rushed off headlong into more and more sin than I could ever imagine. I figured if I was going into the Marine Corps, there would be a good chance I’d go to Vietnam; so why not “live it up,” I thought.

From June to September was a blur of sin and sensual delight, as they say. Boot camp at Paris Island, South Carolina, was a wake-up call; and so was landing at Danang Airbase in South Vietnam in March of 1967. I was sure I would be sent home in a body bag, so while in Vietnam, as much as I could, I continued living it up. Down deep, I knew the things I was doing were wrong.
I couldn’t wait for Sundays to roll around, because the Catholic priest would give what is called “general absolution” for our sins. That was the point in the Mass that I would wait for. When he said it each Sunday, I was so relieved. Everything was now OK, I thought. But then I would go right back out and live like the devil. The bad thing was that my life was on the line each and every day. Somehow, that was not enough to scare me into changing my ways.


Coming Monday, Chapter 2 Part 4

A Common Miracle - Do You Want to Smoke a Joint? Part 2

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 2 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.
 

Fourth grade was finished in Ft. Myers, Florida. We moved there from Winnipeg, Canada; then very quickly moved to Clearwater, Florida, where I spent my elementary, junior high and high school years. Wow! Little did I know that I was on a downward slide, like the prodigal son. Little did I know that I would meet Jesus face to face, and that Jesus would change my life.
“Do you want to get drunk?” “Sure, why not?” I said to my friends who posed that question to me. My dad got drunk almost every night. Why not? And so I did, a number of times. I’m not blaming anyone, because I have done the same thing myself ... that is, being an influence for bad on others. My, what trouble we can bring to others in our thirst for fun and excitement and our misguided youth ... our years of no parental watchfulness.
“Have you lost your virginity yet?” That was the big question in those years. “Not yet, but I’m sure trying and hoping to soon,” I said. Sure enough, it was not too long after that it happened. Through those years, the power of sin was casting its grip upon my life, even though I thought I was having a good time. Little did I know where I was headed. It’s pretty common, isn’t it? To not know what is happening to you and only find out later — in my case, just before it was too late. 

Coming Tomorrow, Chapter 2 Part 3

A Common Miracle - Do You Want to Smoke a Joint? Part 1

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 2 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

Let no one say when he is tempted,“I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. JAMES 1:13, 14

ST. BONIFACE, TO NEGRIL, JAMAICA... from 4th grade, to age 26... from a normal kid, to running from the cops in Montego Bay and all around the island.
Let me take you back to the first time I ever smoked a joint in New York City. No one had ever asked me that question before, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Sully was my friend, and he had a friend named Fox, who lived in NYC. Sully and I worked together at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, NY. We pumped gas into private and commercial airplanes. Little did I know what I was about to get into and where it would take me. Sin, by the way, is like that. It’s deceptive; it makes promises that it does not deliver. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Boy, did I find that out!

Coming Tomorrow, Chapter 2 Part 2

A Common Miracle - A Gun to My Head Part 4

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 1 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

What brings a person to ruin? It’s simple. It’s a one-word concept given to us in the Bible. It’s called “sin.” You see, one thing that people have in common is the problem of sin. The Bible says that all have sinned — Romans 3:23 — “... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin came into this perfect world that God had created and brought ruin and destruction to man. Man created his own problems, but it’s God who will solve them, if you let Him. You see, the answer to sin is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. Here’s what the Bible says in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” And John 3:17 tells us, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
I want to tell you my story of how God took a young man who had made a mess of his own life, miraculously changed it, and is changing it and will change it more and more. It’s simply a common miracle, and I pray that you might find that miracle to happen in your life.

Coming Tomorrow, Chapter 2 Part 1

A Common Miracle - A Gun to My Head Part 3

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 1 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.

Oh yes, I almost forgot to tell you that there was another boy named David who used to sleep next to me in that dormitory; and one night I felt him pulling back the covers of my bed and getting into bed with me. I was not sure what was happening and not sure what to do. I just lay there frozen as David did what he did. No one ever knew about it ... not the nuns, the priests, or my parents. Only David and I. Not an uncommon thing to have happen to boys and girls.

What I’m about to tell you is, in fact, not uncommon; and what happened to me is indeed a miracle. Perhaps if you need to, you also can “come to yourself” as the boy in the story did in Luke Chapter 15. I was “coming to myself” looking up over the barrel of that gun. You see, the boy in the story — known to us today as the prodigal son; “prodigal” means “wasteful” — he had it pretty good, also; and he went out, leaving his father and home to live it up, only to find himself at the bottom of the barrel of life. But, he “came to himself,” realizing that what he had been doing had only ruined his life. That’s what happened to me; it’s not uncommon. In fact, it’s quite common and normal for many people.

Coming Tomorrow, Chapter 1 Part 4

A Common Miracle - A Gun to My Head Part 2

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 1 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.
 

Happy childhood memories are in my memory bank, like most kids: lots of friends down the block, spending the night at your friend’s house, and playing all day long, or so it seemed; summers that would never end; and childish, naughty things that your parents did not know about. You see, I could never have imagined, as a young boy, that my life would come to where it had come.
My parents put me in an all-boys’ Catholic boarding school called St. Boniface in a suburb of Winnipeg, Canada, where I had been born in 1947. Even then (and even though I only saw my parents once a month for about an hour), life was fun. Recess was my favorite. Playing in the sandbox every day, swinging on the monkey bars, and learning to play baseball filled my days.
The dorm was huge, as all things are for young children. There must have been dozens and dozens and dozens of single-spring, mattress-type beds lined in row after row after row. The nuns taught the classes; the priests conducted the Masses every morning and heard our confessions every week. I had lots of fun and very little trouble or sadness in my life.

Speaking French, thinking in French, and hearing the church services in Latin and in French was normal and common for me. Staring at Jesus upon the cross up behind the altar was an everyday thing for me. Little did I know that calling out to Jesus was what would happen the night when that gun was pointed at my head. “Jesus Christ” was something my dad seemed to say often (along with other words that I knew were not right to say) and meant that he was very mad about something.
In all those Masses and other religious services, I had no idea that Jesus was even alive, that He was someone I could know, who truly died for my sins and then had been raised from the dead; no idea that heaven was truly a place where a person can go once they leave this world; and most of all, I had no idea of the events that would lead up to that gun being placed right between my eyes.

Coming Monday, Chapter 1 Part 3

A Common Miracle - A Gun to My Head Part 1

Below is an excerpt of Chapter 1 from "A Common Miracle" by Pastor Bob Grenier.
But when he came to himself,... 

LUKE 15:17

I LOOKED UP JUST OVER THE BARREL OF THE .25 caliber pistol that was pointed right between my eyes and saw David M.’s eyes looking back at me. He then moved the pistol to the right side of my head and fired off a round. He moved the pistol back to the middle of my eyes and said, “If you don’t get me the money you owe me (the money was from a drug deal gone bad ... more about that later), you’re in big trouble with me; and I’m going to hurt you.” Off to the left, my friend, Russ B., was laughing as if all this was really funny. It was not funny to me. It was terribly frightening.

At that moment, I wondered a number of things. How could my friend, Russ, be so cruel as to laugh when I was so scared, and this was no idle threat? And then, more than anything else, I wondered to myself, “How did I get to this spot in my life? What had happened to me that I had wound up in this situation?” It was one of those “your life flashes through your mind” moments. I thought to myself, “How did I go from being a normal, everyday kind of kid from a pretty decent and normal family, to getting myself into this kind of a fix?” Little did I know that I was “coming to myself,” much like another young man had done many years ago.

Coming Tomorrow, Chapter 1 Part 2

"having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand" Rev 20:1-3

This is nearly the end of the things the Lord showed John, those things that he was to write and then send to the 7 churches listed in chapters 2-3.


This unnamed angel came down from heaven ( by the way, the Bible teaches that there is an innumerable company of angels that have been created. And, many of them are in heaven )
But, this angel, came down, and he had two things in his hand. 


1. The key to the bottomless pit.
2. A great chain in his hand. 
3. The bottomless pit. 


These would be similar to what we see a police officer having, that is, a key to a set of handcuffs, and a jail cell if you will. 


As far as I know there is not much else said about these two items ( other then a mention here or there in Revelation ) I just don't know much about these things. But, I do believe of course that they exist. The pit, the key, and the chain. 


But, once John sees the angel, the angel then lays hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and binds him in this pit for 1000 years. He will be incarcerated in this pit for this very, very long period of time. 


In fact, it may be like he will be in solitary confinement. Left there by himself, all alone as it were. 


Here is what John says.........

1. He is cast into it.
2. He is bound there for 1000 years. 
3. He is shut up in the pit. ( can't get out, i.e door locked, and in chains. )
4. He has a seal set upon him. ( this apparently has to do with securing Satan there )
5. He will not deceive the nations during this 1000 years. 
6. He will be released at the end of the 1000 years for a little while. 




A few additional thoughts in reflection. 


Things on earth are often a picture of things in heaven, or temporal, physical things, are often a picture of spiritual invisible things. Jails, Jailers, keys, prisons, etc.


I wonder how frustrated Satan will be during the 1000 years.?


Satan will most likely not be able to communicate with the outside world.


Satan will not be allowed any visitors, or receive mail or care packages in the pit. 


He would know that he will be released at the end.


He knows what the Bible says. 


He has a faith in the Bible if you will.


He will still do his deceiving at the end. 


He will ultimately wind up in the lake of fire.




A few more thoughts in reflection.


1. We are free in Christ.
2. We are not going to a pit, but to heaven.
3. We are not chained, but bound with cords of love to God.
4. We know the truth, and are free in a sense from deception. 
5. We have angels who help us not bind us and place us in a pit. 
6. We are in possession now of eternal life.
7. We will ever be with the Lord.
8. We are not going to the lake of fire. 


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia. 

And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Rev 20:4

This is our future. Those in Christ have this future. The future is coming, and we will live and reign with Christ. The Bible speaks so often of hope and joy. And, calls us to rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Rejocing in hope, knowing we have a future with the Lord, is the greatest blessing possible for a human being. You may be in the dumps today, you may have the blues today, you may be confused, discouraged, depressed, wondering what happened to the good old days, or will my life ever get better again etc, etc, ? One thing for sure, it will. You have in Christ the promise of being with Him forever, and of His blessing forever. One of the other wonderful and super truths if you will about God, is that since He is eternal, He is infinte, and His grace is eternal and infinite, it will take Him forever to unfold His grace to us. This means, that there will never come a time when we have come to know His grace completely. He will spend eternity revealing to us the riches of His grace. He will never say, "Ok, that's it, that's all the grace I have for you, there is no mnore " No, that will not happen. So,back to you if your down in the dumps etc. Can I encourage you to look up to the Lord, He is faithful, He will is with you, He is not going anywhere, He has a plan, He will never leave you, He is working all things according to the counsel of His own will, He loves you, He has new mercies for you today, etc, etc, etc. We are on our way to heaven. We are guaranteed safe arrival. We will ge there, He has promised that to us. And, once we arrive with Him, we will not only live and reign with Him for a 1000 years, but, will go on into the new holy city and the new earth, and all that God has planned for us, which extends beyond our ability to comprehend. May the rich blessings of God's peace and mercy be yours today. Pastor Bob Grenier. Calvary Chapel Visalia

For I will set my eyes on them for good. Jeremiah 24:6

When the Lord said what He said through Jeremiah to Judah, ( see above in the title ) it was at a point when they would be taken into captivity by Babylon.

So, from the people's perspective, they were in a very difficult and horrible situation. Imagine being taken out of your own land by an enemy, and being relocated in a strange land. Hard to imagine.

But, there they were in this situation and the Lord is saying, "I will set my eyes on them for good etc. "

The next few verses in Jeremiah 24 detail what the Lord would do for them.

One of those is, giving them a heart to know Him.

We do know from the NT, that God is always working all things according to His own will. Eph 1:10-11, and that He is working all those things together for our good. Rom 8:28

In other words, God is always with us, carrying out His plan, even in the darkest moments, the most difficult times, the times when we wonder where God is, and think that He has given up on us, etc, etc.

During those times God is doing what He always does. Which is to carry out His plans in our lives
Our God is faithful. He always does what He says He will do without fail

He never says anything that He does not intend to do, and eventually does do,

So, today, may the Lord fill you with His comfort. He intends to do good to you, and for you.
It's a work He does in your heart, and it is centralized in your knowing Him.

You are His people. In Jeremiah 24 He repeatedly uses the term "My people" That's how He regards you. You are His

Blessings to you today from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Revelation 18:5-8 About God's Judgement on Commercial Babylon

In explaining the judgment of God upon Babylon, ( commercial Babylon ) sins and iniquities are mentioned.

Two things are said.....

1. For her sins have reached to heaven.
2. And God has remembered her iniquities.

These two things describe the earth in the very last part of the 7 year tribulation period. These two things are clear and understandable.

The earth will be covered with sin if you will during the tribulation period, ( except for those who come to faith and are saved ) but, for the most part sin, darkness and evil will cloud and envelope the earth. Reaching up to heaven, that is, stacking up as it were and going all the way to heaven so to speak. And remembered by God or in His mind.

Also, we are told about the way the judgement will take place.

1. Render to her just as she rendered to you.
2. And repay double according to her works.
3. In the cup she has mixed, mix double for her.
4. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously.
5. In the same measure give her torment and sorrow.
6. For she says in her heart, I sit as a queen and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.
7. Therefore her plagues will come in one day.
8. Death and mourning and famine.
9. And she will be utterly burned with fire.
10. For strong is the Lord God who judges her.

In reflection upon the above description, it's unmistakably clear that God will repay, and will repay double if you will.

This is something we see in the OT as well. God's long-suffering is very long, and very patient. But, if after a very long period of time, where people continue in their stubbornness and rebellious attitude towards the Lord, then this double payment principle comes into play.

Judgement will be rendered to the earth by and from God. Just as the earth ( the people of earth have done ) so, God will do back to them. Rendered and repaid in double. Judgement that is mixed double for her is how it's put.

Measure for measure. And, the fact of man's prideful rebellion against God is mentioned in Rev 18.
Man will be sure during this time that no trouble will come to them. This has been the pattern also in the OT with those who refused God's prophets and simply would not relent of their ways.

Finally, it's stated that the plaques will come suddenly, in "one day" Death, mourning and famine will come upon the earth

The reason for this is, "for strong is the Lord God who judges her"
God has the power to do this. And He will.

What terrible days are coming to the earth. Whatever trouble we see now, is nothing compared to what is coming.

The day we live in, is the day of salvation. Now is the time for people to be saved, and now is the time for believers in Jesus Christ to be available to God to be used by Him.

I pray that today, the Lord might use us in some way to communicate Jesus Christ to someone, or to some group of people.

May God open the doors for this to happen, and may it happen day by day.

Lord we know You want to minister to people, and we want to be vessels through whom You can minister. Make it so Lord.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

God calls His people to separation ......Rev 18:4-5

This is the second voice that John hears in Rev 18, the first being an angel, this one may be the voice of God Himself. Because, the voice says, "Come out of her, my people" etc.

Those who come to faith during the tribulation period, are like we are today, we are "His People"
We belong to Him. He has purchased us, we are not our own, we are His.

The call to those who belong to God during the tribulation is the same as it is today to God's people.
Come out. Very simple.

It's a call to separation.

God has always done this, right from the start, and will do it right till the end.

We are near the end at this time. So, not much longer and we will be with Christ.

Even if Jesus does not rapture the church during our lifetime, we are still nearer then when we first believed. And, our life is still just a vapor etc.

But, God's call during the tribulation to separate will be more distinguished, or more significant, or more highlighted, or more intense, etc, etc. Why?

Because there will be more evil around.

The anti christ will be in full swing and sway at this point. Being worshipped by multitudes.

So, the the Lord calls His people to come out, "lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues."

Those are the two reasons for the call. To avoid sharing in earth's sins, and to avoid the consequences which  are the plagues she will receive.

God then describes the sins of earth's people at this time. "For her sin's have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities"

So, again there are two things said here. Sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her inquiries. Sins are stacked up as it were. Or their voice is heard in heaven. Or they make an impression in heaven. They insult heaven. They assault heaven, etc, etc.

And, while the sin's of God's people are both forgiven, and not remembered, these iniquities are remembered by God. And, they will be punished as this chapter reveals. That's what the chapter is really all about.

In fact, God's payment for sin, is going to be along the line of "just as she has rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her"
More about God's payment in a moment.

But, this "just as" aspect, or in light of, or sewing and reaping, or pay back for what's been done, there is also this, "pay double " method. This is seen frequently in the old testament. Usually as the point where the long-suffering of God is now over, and the time for judgment has come. This pay double principle is seen.

That's what's going to happen in Recv 18.

Interesting to see the difference. God's mercy, and long-suffering, are so abundant now, but, His wrath will be so abundant during the tribulation period.

I thank God that I am saved, and pray that others will come to Christ now.

In Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

A cage for demons......Rev 18.

After these things, ( the things in chapter 17, which is God's judgment on Spiritual Babylon )
John sees another angel coming down from heaven, who had great authority or power, and the earth was illuminated with his glory

The angel cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become the dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! "

Satan has been active since before the creation of the world, and known specifically by us as recorded in Gen 3.

Down through history, satan has been telling lies, deceiving people, murdering people, hating them, and so on.

He wants to be like God, that is, being worshipped and the center of man's attention and object of his love. He has not ever been satisfied, and will not ever be. In fact, quite the opposite will happen to him as seen here in Rev18:1-2. He will actually wind up in an eternal prison called the "lake of fire" That's where he is headed.

The final area of judgement, apart from the great last battle when Jesus returns, is the judgement that is recorded for us here in this 18th chapter of Revelation.

Please notice and consider the following

1. It's God's great power and authority through one of His angels that shows this to John,

2. The earth ( the entire earth ) is illuminated with his glory. ( That's a lot of glory )

3. You wonder what his voice sounds like when he cried mightily?

4. The message will be. Babylon the great is fallen, etc, etc "

5. Satan's regime is coming to an end.

6. Man's regime apart from God's involvement in his life is coming to an end

7. Man's ungodly efforts wind up with demons in a cage.


A few more thoughts to consider.

1. We will be in heaven when this happens

2. We no doubt will be able to see all of this in real time.

3. The glory of heaven will be greater then the glory of the angel on earth.

4. We will be with the risen Christ, while man's efforts are falling.

5. We will be dwelling with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit.

6. We will also be dwelling with angels and all the redeemed in heaven

7. We will be experiencing eternal bliss and freedom from sin, death, evil etc.

8. While on earth demons and foul spirit's are in a cage together.

9. Yikes.......

10. Every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird.

11. Birds in the Bible, ( except for the Holy Spirit/Dove ) are a symbol of evil.

12. Evil will come crashing down to it's end and it's doom. Yea, yea, yea.....


Well, more about all this tomorrow. But, for today, those of us in Christ, are free. We are free now, and will continue to be so, all through eternity, where there is no end to God's grace, love, mercy, and peace. What a glorious hope we have in Jesus Christ. We may have lot's of trouble now, but it will not be that way forever. Only a short time and we will be home with Christ in heaven. Can hardly wait.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

God's final judgement during the tribulation period. Rev 17

The beast here is of course the anti-christ, a demon directed, if not demonized or possessed human being, linked with, ruled and fueled by hell and satan himself.

Those who marvel at him, are those who have believed the lie of satan through the anti christ, and they have come now to the place of worshipping the beast.

The mind that has wisdom takes what's said here in this chapter and understands that God is describing a false and ungodly religious system, that will have global effect, and is in direct league with the anti christ.

Harlotry, fornication and such, are used in the Bible to describe spiritual defection from the true and the living God. It's when people leave the truth of Christ, and give heed to doctrines of demons, departing from the Bible etc, etc.

Satan has been at work, even before the world began, dividing through deception, and drawing angels away from God and into darkness. He has worked through men down through time to accomplish his jealously driven goals, and will find his ultimate pleasure and hope in the revelation of the anti christ and the anti christ's affirmation of this spiritual defection.

What will this spiritual Babylon actually be, and where is it centered, and who is also supported by etc, etc?

Great questions. It has been proposed by some that perhaps there will be some general agreement to let all religions live in peace and harmony, ( to the exclusion of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, that is Christianity in it's true Biblical form ) being outlawed.

So, perhaps Spiritual Babylon is not one religion, as much as it is one agreement by many religions to tolerate and appreciate one another's beliefs. But, all coming together in league with the anti christ.

I really don't know. But, there is going to be this global unity of spiritual thought and belief in concert with anti christ.

And, there will be it's destruction by God. It will come to a crashing end.

Satan's hopes and plans will fail under the hand of God's judgment.

The next chapter deals with commercial babylon. And we will see it coming to and end also. We see the world this very day and in this very period of time teetering on the edge of disaster right before our very eyes. Security is no longer a reality. But, worry and stress have replaced the financial peace and prosperity that man has known.

Finally, it is interesting to see that God will once again accomplish his purposes through men, by putting His will into their hearts and then let them do what they will do.

17:17 tells us this truth.

"For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are full filed"

God is the potter, and God will superintend the affairs of this world, all the way through till Jesus comes to rule upon the earth, and beyond into eternity, just as He has from eternity past.

One thought I've been encouraged with, is that I can say to God, "here's my heart Lord, and will You please shape and mold it according to Your will, and guide me to do Your will, and give me understanding of Your Words and of Your way, and Your will"

God take a heart and works in it.

May He take our hearts and work in them.

May it be at the end of our lives, that it can be said, "God was at work in that man or woman's heart"

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Marveling at a lie, or Believing the truth of God's grace?

Those are the two mind sets at this point in the tribulation period.

We know from the last couple of chapters in Revelation, that the final wrath of God is being poured out at this point in chapter 17, through 18.

Then, Jesus will return to reign and rule on the earth for 1000 years.

When the rapture of the church takes place, the world will be left with no christians. But, throughout the tribulation period, multitudes will come to faith in Jesus Christ and be saved. Many will be martyred for their faith, and many will will survive, and be welcomed into the reign of Christ when He establishes His kingdom on the earth.

During the reign of the anti-christ, there will be a global unity both economically, and spiritually. Spiritual and commercial Babylon.

Both of these will be brought to an end by the Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 17 deals with one of these Babylon's.

But, the thing that I would like to focus on from this chapter this morning, is the fact mentioned in 17:8 that says, "And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of life from the foundation of the world,"

So, what we see is the power of satan, through the anti-christ, is so powerful, to deceive unbelievers, that instead of being able to marvel at the wonderful grace of God, they are instead, marveling at the signs and wonders of hell through a man.

Instead of marveling at the wonder of the cross through a man from heaven, it's marveling at the man from hell as it were.

How powerful is sin and satan. But, as the Bible says, "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" Rom 5:21b.....

So, we do know that God is greater then sin and satan of course. How wonderful to know this truth.
Unfortunately, for multitudes during the tribulation period, they will remain in their blinded condition, and perish under the wrath of God as recorded for us in these very chapters.

For believers, their names are to be found in "The Book of LIfe" There are many names in this Book.
Mine is there, and I rejoice with you if your's is there also.

May God bless you today.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Bursting with blasphemy, or blessing. ? Rev 17

As we move towards the completion of the tribulation period here in Revelation, John, is carried away in the Spirit into the wilderness.

God's Holy Spirit ( in a way that we cannot explain ) took John away to the wilderness. We do not know exactly what wilderness this is other then it was a wilderness. It may well have been the one the children of Israel were taken into following their deliverance from Egypt, we simply don't know.

Upon his arrival there, he saw what is recorded for us in 17:3-6. A woman ( by the way, later in this chapter, the Lord explains in great detail who this woman is ), but, John saw her there sitting on a scarlet beast, and the beast was full of names of blasphemy, it had 7 heads, and 10 horns.

She was arrayed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. More is said of her in the next few verses.

But, for now can we just look at the phrase, "names of blasphemy" for a moment today.

To blaspheme is to speak against someone or something in a derogatory and inappropriate way, deriding them, and essentially cursing them etc.

Jesus spoke of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, as being the unpardonable sin. That is, to speak against the work of the Holy Spirit, in His work of conviction, seeking to bring someone to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and upon that knowledge being brought to them, for them to resist that witness of God, and deny the truth as it is in Christ, and thereby refuse salvation.

That is unpardonable. Because, God cannot forgive a person who will not believe. Believing is the way that a person comes to faith. This is the way God has chosen to save people. By their believing in Jesus Christ as their savior.


This woman John sees is full of names of blasphemy. In other words, not just one, but rather being full of it. This woman, believed to be a religious system, of global reach, under the power of, or in great cooperation with the antichrist, is full of these names.

Hard to believe that a religious system could be so adverse to the truth, so much so as to blaspheme it. We will learn more about this woman as we go through the chapter.

But, the simple thought this morning, is that the devil, working through the man of sin, the antichrist, will explode with opposition to the true and the living God in the last days of man's governing of the earth as we know it.


What a change takes place in a person who receives Christ, and becomes a person who is in love with God. Haters of God can become lovers of God. That may have happened to you already. I hope it has. It's happened to me. Well over 39 years ago.

Blasphemers, become Blessers of God. Speaking against and denying to believing and receiving.
Grace alone, love alone, mercy alone, Jesus alone, does this in a person's life.

May God's Holy Spirit work today in our lives to fill us with such an appreciation of who He is, that we are bursting with blessing today. Imagine that , "Bursting with blessing"

He can do it.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

The Coming Judgement of the Great Harlot...Rev 17:1-2

This chapter opens with the word, "Then".....that is, it's a chapter in a sequence of previous judgements that God will bring upon the earth during the great tribulation.

This 17th chapter deals with what is called the Judgement of God on Babylon.

Is it a city, is it a system? Well, there is a city by that name, but, it most likely is referencing a system. In other words, at the end of the worlds as we know it, ( before Christ comes to reign on the earth ) the system of man's invention, empowered in the tribulation period by satan through the anti-christ, will come to an end, as God pours out His judgement on it.

We will look at this more in-depth through the week. But, let's begin today with just the first two verses of chapter 17.

John tells us that one of the 7 angels who had the 7 bowls of judgment came to him, and invited him to come and see the judgement of the great harlot as it is called, who sits on many waters, ( most likely referencing many people's )

So, this chapter gives us a very detailed look at this specific aspect of God's judgment during the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. We see it here in advance in a very graphic way.

A harlot of course is a term used to describe an immoral woman, and harlotry is used to describe both men and women who involve themselves in something beyond the bounds of what God has given to men. Fidelity in relationships is what brings blessing, and infidelity, brings destruction.

Also, harlot's are known for their seduction, and seductive ways. Seduction and deception go together, and those 2 terms truly mark the effect of satan through the anti-christ.

The sitting on many waters, seems to speak of the fact, that anti-christ's reign and influence will be global, affecting all people in one way or another. It's unheard of in human history to see the loss of life that will take place during the tribulation period. Perhaps as much as two thirds or close to it of earth's population will die at this time.

Chapter 17 goes on in verse 2, to describe what men will have been doing.

The kings of the earth, or perhaps the leaders of nations are being mentioned here.

They have committed fornication, a term used to speak of sexual immorality, is used to speak of the way they led and how they misused their positions of authority.

Going on, we are told about the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So, the actions of the leaders are spoken of as the wine of fornication. That is, their leadership caused men to become drunk as it were. Drunk, morally.

So, the judgment of God is coming to the earth.

The Bible is filled with times of Judgment from God upon men.

Jesus spoke of this coming judgment, saying that there never has been anything like it in earth's history, nor will there ever be again. It will be the worst that has ever taken place.

I'm not sure we as Christian's spend much time really thinking about what is coming, and what it will be like when it does come. It's not a pleasant subject to say the least. But it is true, and it will come quickly when it comes. It will be over before men know it as we say. Very quickly, like a thief in then night.

In the meantime, we are here now, in Christ, with the good news of Jesus Christ, and have the opportunity to share that good news even today. God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but He sure does delight in men coming to salvation.

I'm currently having the great blessing of watching someone come to Christ. They by their own admission are not quite there yet, but, are about as close as one could be. I fully expect to see this friend of mine become born again any day now. He told me that when he is ready to pray and give his life to Christ, he would like me to be involved with him in that prayer. If you remember, will you please pray for him, and ask for this work of God's grace to come to it's full and complete end.

Thank you so much.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"On earth as it is in heaven"

This is part of what Jesus said in Matt 6:10 concerning how we can pray.
The first part of this section of the prayer, was, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" and then, to finish this thought off, He said, "on earth as it is in heaven"

So, in heaven, God's will is being done. And our prayer, says Jesus is to be along this line, that God's will would also be done on earth as well. In fact, that just as it is in heaven, that it might be that way on earth.

We can only try and imagine, based on our understanding of Scripture as to what it is like in heaven with respect to God's will being done.

We do know that there is nothing evil, sinful, etc, going on there ( short of the mystery of Satan having access there, until he is cast out during the tribulation period ) But, even satan's access to heaven, does not mean there is anything less then the most holy, blessed, glorious, pure, just, merciful, loving, gracious, wise atmosphere anywhere in all that exists going on there.

God's will, that phrase, the best that I understand it, means, "that which is pleasing to God"
So, what's pleasing to Him is what happens in heaven..

What's pleasing to God is what God wants to have happen on earth, and in particular in our own personal lives.

So, what's pleasing to God, that can happen in our lives?

Here are some suggestions........

1. Loving Him with our lives.
2. Loving others with His love.
3. Following Jesus Christ today.
4. Fellowshipping with Jesus Christ today.
5. Meditation in God's Word today.
6. Being a light to others today.
7. Seeking to do whatever God leads us to do today.

I'm sure you can add to the list when you stop and think about it.

But, to close this out, this part of the prayer model given to us, is an encouragement. God wants His will to be done in our lives, and we can pray for it to be done in our lives today.

Finally, "what do you think the Lord might be calling you to do?" May what He wants, actually happen in your life today.

In Jesus name

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

About God's Will.........and prayer.......

See Matt 6:10 "Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven"

In giving us a patter for prayer, Jesus deals with His kingdom coming, and His will being done on this earth, just as it is in heaven.

Yesterday, we looked slightly at the "Your kingdom come" portion, and also a little bit about "Your will"

Today, I just wanted to focus a little more on the "Your will" part, and especially the two things that are said about it. One being in heaven, and the other being on earth.

First of all then, in heaven, God's will is being done, continuously, and without interruption. It's simply being done all of the time, pardon the pun. There is no time in heaven, only eternity, but, in that eternal place called heaven, where God dwells, the 24 elders, the four living creatures, and the angels, and the multitude of redeemed saints, it's a place of all that is pleasing to God. His will is being done there. Imagine that. What a place heaven must be like.

Secondly, the pattern for prayer given to us by Jesus includes this request on our part, for God's will to be done also on earth. Imagine that for a moment. What exactly does this mean, and when does it apply etc, etc? When will this happen, and how does this work in our lives now? These are all questions that come to my mind as I think about this part of the prayer shown us by Jesus.

Some application then.........

1. God's will can be done in my life.
2. I can pray for God's will to be done in my life.
3. God's will is always in sync with His Word.
4. God wants His will done in my life at this time.
5. God's will means, what pleases Him.
6. God's will is the best there is.
7. Nothing is superior to God and God's will.
8. God's will is to be embraced.
9. God's will is shown us in His Word.
10. God's Spirit helps us know and do God's will.
11. God's will is not always easy to walk in.
12. Am I in God's will today?
13. Am I resisting God's will today?
14. Lord help me to walk in your will today.





Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

More teaching by Jesus on how to pray. See Matt 6:9-15

Jesus is giving us a pattern for prayer.
He is not saying that we are to necessarily repeat this prayer word for word, ( although I do not believe that that would be out of line ), but rather, He is giving us the things that go into prayer, what to pray about, how to pray, etc, etc.

Let's look today at just a couple of the things that He lists for us.....

1. Your Kingdom come.

God does have a kingdom, and He does intend to bring it to the earth ( this is the 1000 year reign of Christ that is coming ) and here, Jesus is telling us we can pray about this, and ask Him to bring His kingdom. That it might come to the earth, that Jesus might come to the earth once again.

When you begin to look at Scripture, you very quickly see that it is filled with prophecy. The plans and intentions of God given to us in advance. Most prophecies in the Bible have a dual aspect to them. That is, there is first of all the immediate fulfillment during the time of the people to whom it was given, and then a future aspect to it's fulfillment. A contemporary and future aspect.

Your kingdom come is surely in regards to the future. However, there is something in this petition that can be applied to us today and each day in our walk with the Lord. Your kingdom come, means, "might You rule now" So, we can apply this to our own lives day by day. Lord would You please rule in my life today.

Our part would be to come under His authority and seek to honor Him, and do His will. In fact, He is going to speak about His will be done in this prayer also. So, Lord, Rule in My LIfe. That's one very good application, Rule in my personal life, my family, my work, my church, etc, etc. Let me come under Your rule in all of this areas


2. Your will be done.

There you have it in black and white. Very clear. A petition for God to do His will. A request on our part for the will of God to be done. He goes on to add, "on earth, as it is in heaven"

It's interesting to do a study on the meaning of God's will. When you do, you find out, that God's will means that which is pleasing to Him. Isn't that interesting. It puts the phrase and the concept in a whole new light as it were.

To do God's will is not just to obey rules or regulations that He has put forth in His Word, but rather to yield my life and will to that which pleases Him. Think about that for just a moment. God pleased.
Yes, God is pleased when my life is in sync with His will

Why would He be pleased about that? I believe it's because He knows that our lives will be the most blessed that they can be. When we go His way, we are going in the way of blessing, and nourishment. I also believe that being in His will, means that our lives become transformed into His image, so that we are then more useful for His purposes and plans, It makes us useful instruments.



Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray. See Matt 6:9-15

Jesus, having already laid some ground work about prayer in the previous verses, ( Matt 6:5-8 ) explaining what not to do, and what to do when praying. It's so helpful and very encouraging, because it includes a promise about prayer. Jesus now continues to give further teaching on how to pray.

Here is how to pray says Jesus. There are five things I wanted to deal with this morning in this prayer.

1. This is a pattern for prayer.

 Or, a way to pray, it's a guide, it's given to us to help us know what to pray about, how to pray, etc, etc. This teaching from Jesus helps us to know various things to pray about, and how to pray about them.

2. This prayer starts with the words "Our Father"

"Our" it means, we, and us. So, our,  speaks of others besides ourselves. We are one part of God's family. There are others like us. They have a relationship with God just as we do. So, the first thing here in this prayer, is that there are others who know Him, and walk with Him, and belong to Him.

3. This prayer is addressed to Our Father.

This is who we are praying to. It's our Father. By the way, this does not mean that we cannot talk directly to Jesus, or address our prayers to Jesus, or even to the Holy Spirit. But, Jesus is giving us a pattern for prayer. Generally, in the Bible, prayers are addressed in the way Jesus is explaining it. We pray to our Father.
And, in calling God, our Father, it speaks of the fact that we belong to Him as it were, and He belongs to us. We are in a relationship with Him. We were not always in that relationship, but now, having put our trust in Jesus Christ to save us, we now are God's children, and God is our Father.


4. This prayer teaches us that our Father is actually in heaven.

He is of course everywhere, He is omnipresent. But, His visible presence as it were, is in heaven. He is there, in that place, on His throne. We are here on this earth, in this physical dimension. The prayer brings to our minds that there is a heaven, and that we are not there yet. Even though God is in heaven, and we are here on earth, we can still communicate with Him. God does hear our prayers.


5.This prayer recognizes the greatness of God

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Hallowed, means consecrate, sanctify, be holy, dedicate, or to be kept holy. There is no one like God. God Himself in the book of Isaiah, repeatedly, spoke to Judah, asking them this question, "Is there anyone like me?" Of course the answer is no, there is not.
So, in this patter for prayer, Jesus is helping us to acknowledge the greatness and the supremacy of God in our lives. And, it can also be seen as a request, and that is, that God would help us to keep Him holy in our lives It's speaks of who God is, and where He belongs in our lives, and is in a sense asking that He be kept there in our hearts and minds.


Well, many blessings from God to you today. May the Lord help us understand how to pray, and might we then be people of prayer. Jesus anticipates that we would pray, and is here teaching us how to pray. May it be very, very helpful to you.

Pastor Bob Grenier.

A few additional thoughts for reflection and application.

1. You can pray.
2. Even if you don't pray, you can start now.
3. God wants you to pray.
4. God will hear your prayers.
5. God answers prayer.
6. God loves you so much.
7. You can grow in your prayer life and understanding of prayer.
8. May we all grow together.

What not to do in prayer, and a wonderful truth about God and prayer

See Matt 6:7-8


In teaching about prayer, there is this second thing that Jesus says not to do when praying ( the first was do not do it for show, so that other people will see you praying, but pray privately to God alone, and He will reward you openly )


Here Jesus, and again, ( He seems to be anticipating that we would pray, or expecting that we would pray ) says, "do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words" Matt 6:7 


What does this mean?


First of all, He is talking about what heathens or unsaved, or pagan peoples did and do even today in their saying many words to their deities or gods. Jesus says, do not follow this example of thinking that you must repeat over and over for effect, and with the hope of somehow pleasing God, and of getting Him to do what you want Him to do. Simply, don't do that. 


Secondly, He explains the false belief the heathen have, which is not true in any way, and of course is not true when it comes to our praying to the one and only and true living God. Don't use vain receptions, you don't have to do that, it's not needed, nor does it work. 


( By way of explanation......this is what the heathen thought. That if they can just be actively saying certain things, that they can by the repeated use of certain phrases, and or certain sentences etc, etc, they can cause to happen that they want to have happen )


Thirdly, Jesus repeats Himself, and says, "Therefore do not be like them . 


Fourthly, and here is the tremendous blessing for us about God and prayer. "For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him" Matt 6:8


There are a couple of things here. First of all, prayer is in large part, an expression of our need. That's far from the only reason or part of prayer, but it's a very, very real and important part. 


Also, God knows everything, and He particularly knows what we have need of before we ask Him. Isn't that wonderful.


And, we can see there then, that prayer is not designed to "inform" God of what our needs are. Why? Because He already knows what they are. So, we are not letting Him in on anything. 


I must say, that I think we often do pray like He does not know what is going on. 


So, this is a mouthful. What Jesus has said is worth just thinking about for awhile. ( Anything Jesus says is worth thinking about awhile ) But, as we consider prayer, this is very helpful.


Some final quick thoughts for application.


1. Let's try to pray today.
2. Get alone and pray to God.
3. Expect that God hears you.
4. Believe that He hears you.
5. Look for His reward because He promises to reward you.
6. Pray for God, not for others to see you.
7. Remember, God knows what we need,
8. He knows before we say what we need
9. We are not informing Him of anything.
10. What comes to your mind to pray about?


Pastor Bob Grenier 
Calvary Chapel Visalia 

Matt 6: 7* “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Matt 7: 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.