Church Blog (Page 202)

Church Blog (Page 202)

A Warm Welcome

A Warm Welcome June 10, 2018 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9 “Who will hug everybody?” That was one of the questions our friend Steve asked after he got the news that he had cancer and realized he would be away from our church for a while. Steve is the kind of man who makes everyone feel welcome—with a friendly greeting, a warm handshake, and even a “holy hug” for some—to adapt an application from Romans…

The Perfect Father

The Perfect Father June 9, 2018 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Psalm 27:10 Standing in the crowded store aisle, I struggled to find the perfect Father’s Day card. Although we had reconciled after years of a strained connection, I had never felt close to my dad. The woman next to me groaned and shoved the card she’d been reading back into the display. “Why can’t they make cards for people who don’t have…

Verse of the Day – Isaiah 54:17

no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.

Faces

Faces June 8, 2018 We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18 When our granddaughter Sarah was very young, she explained to me what happens when you die: “Only your face goes to heaven, not your body. You get a new body, but keep the same face.” Sarah’s concept of our eternal state was a child’s understanding, of course, but she did grasp an essential truth.…

Verse of the Day – Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

And in Truth

And in Truth June 7, 2018 In his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 Years ago, I attended a wedding where two people from different countries got married. Such a blending of cultures can be beautiful, but this ceremony included Christian traditions mixed with rituals from a faith that worshiped many gods. Zephaniah the prophet pointedly condemned the mixing of other religions with faith in the one true God (sometimes…

Side by Side

Side by Side June 6, 2018 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. Ecclesiastes 4:9 In ancient times, a city with broken walls revealed a defeated people, exposed to danger and shame. That is why the Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. How? By working side by side, an expression that can well describe Nehemiah 3. At first glance, chapter 3 might appear to be a boring account of who did what in…
A Blind Man’s Plea June 5, 2018   A Blind Man’s Plea Read: Luke 18:35–43 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 23–24; John 15 Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Luke 18:38 Some years ago a traveling companion noticed I was straining to see objects at a distance. What he did next was simple but life changing. He took off his glasses and said, “Try these.” When I put his glasses on, surprisingly my blurred vision…