This morning devotional reading took our small group through Psalm 14. It starts like this: The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who … Continue reading Psalm 14 and the Miracle of Your Salvation
Psalm 12 – When the Faithful Vanish
Psalm 12 teaches us what to do when the faithful vanish and when vileness is exalted among the children of man.We naturally tend to become fearful, self-righteous, angry, harsh and judgmental. All you have to do is to first of all notice the dominant emotions in your own heart when you see this happening. Then, … Continue reading Psalm 12 – When the Faithful Vanish
Confessing & Forsaking Sin
Proverbs 28:13 - Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Charles Bridges (1794-1869) was well known as a prominent leader of the Evangelical Party in the Church of England. Here are a few nuggets on the above verse from his commentary on Proverbs. What a … Continue reading Confessing & Forsaking Sin
Four Movements in Corporate Worship
Corporate worship contains four basic movements: Glory, guilt, grace, and gratitude. The wonderful hymn of praise “God, All Nature Sings Thy Glory” beautifully illustrates this. Glory: The radiant beauty of our God is seen in all that He has made, especially the pinnacle of His creation – man. The only fitting response is to worship … Continue reading Four Movements in Corporate Worship
A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine
Proverbs 17:22 - "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Lord, free us from an anxious, discouraged spirit that would weigh us down today. Keep a brooding spirit of despondency far from us that always looks at the dark side. Deliver us from a discontented, unbelieving sadness that … Continue reading A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine
We Love God’s People
Membership Vow #5 Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church, promising to promote its purity, peace, and unity? Core Value: CONNECT Core Value: We believe that the gospel creates a nurturing community where love rules every relationship. Outcome: All who come into our church family will experience genuine friendship and … Continue reading We Love God’s People
We engage God’s Mission
Membership Vow #4 Do you promise to support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability? Core Value: ENGAGE Core Value: We believe that the gospel makes us a people for others and that our mission centers on actively extending the gospel of grace in word and deed to our … Continue reading We engage God’s Mission
We Delight in God’s Worship
Membership Vow #4 Do you promise to support the church in its worship to the best of your ability? Core Value: WORSHIP Core Value: We believe that the gospel liberates and compels us to worship and cherish the one, true, living God. Outcome: We will be spiritually renewed and refreshed by regular, transforming encounters … Continue reading We Delight in God’s Worship
Getting Practical about Your Spiritual Gifts
"When one really becomes practical about spiritual gifts, they spell out responsibility and sacrifice. The identifying of gifts brings to the fore... the issue of commitment. Somehow if I name my gift and it is confirmed, I cannot 'hang loose' in the same way. I would much rather be committed to God in the abstract … Continue reading Getting Practical about Your Spiritual Gifts
A Prayer to Pursue Peaceful Relationships
God, our gracious, heavenly Father, you are our dependably steady and warmly personal God. Those qualities so frequently elude us. Show us the path of self-denying, sacrificial love. Grant us endurance and encouragement to love those who are different than us. Those who disappoint us and even those who hurt us. Show us how to … Continue reading A Prayer to Pursue Peaceful Relationships
