Church Blog (Page 9)

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city,” Proverbs 16:32. It might not be the exact wording that first comes to mind, but the thought behind the words of Solomon in this verse is exhibiting self-control. Have you considered that controlling yourself is equal to ruling your spirit? Sometimes when we look at things using different words, it can help us to grasp what is…

Although there is some disagreement among experts as to precisely why, there is an abundance of evidence which indicates young people are experiencing a seemingly unprecedented level of stress. Psychologist Daniel Keating noted: “Depression, anxiety and feeling overwhelmed are not all the same thing, but they do share a common feature: experiencing a level of stress that is beyond an ability to cope, with a negative impact on health and on the ability to function well in many situations” (Keating,…

God is a God who blesses! He knows how to give good gifts and provides for the cares we all need in life. God allows His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). He is a good who blesses all people with physical needs because He is gracious and kind (James 1:17). However, Ephesians 1:3, tells us that spiritual blessings are only found in one location, “In…

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Our familiarity with these words should not cause us to become complacent or negligent. The words of our Lord are ever applicable. The “Therefore” (NKJV and others) or “So whatever” (ESV) links the thought of this verse to what immediately preceded in verse 11. Just as God gives “good gifts,” so His children should seek the…

It is one of the most graphic displays of human suffering in all of the Bible! You can read about it in 2 Kings 6:24-7:2. In the end, it is also one of the greatest displays of God’s power in all of the Scriptures, as well. The nation of Syria had come against the city of Samaria and cut off all food supply entering the city. The people within the walled city were starving. The Bible says that they were…

Psalm 51. In this well-known psalm of repentance, David comes clean before God concerning his sin with Bathsheba and his having Uriah killed (read 2 Samuel 11 & 12). The words of David are especially appropriate from another occasion: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Few passages anywhere in the Bible resonate with such truth and emotion regarding confession of sin. This psalm deals with 12 words that will change anyone’s…

What a terrible mistake it is to assume that a person is too evil to have hope of salvation. The blood of Jesus must not have a limit put to its cleansing power. The self-proclaimed ‘chief-of-sinners’ knew of the grace of God made available through the blood of Jesus and understood he was able to stand in a right position with God (1 Timothy 1:12-17; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). While Jesus walked this earth, He was welcomed by and welcoming to…

When we come together as God’s family it’s so important to keep in mind the purpose of worship and the assembly. The fact that worship can and should occur in other contexts (e.g. private or family) must not lead anyone to the conclusion that the “assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25) can be minimized or neglected. It’s fitting to note that the expression “Lord’s” occurs only twice in the New Testament – once in reference to the Lord’s Supper (1…

Perhaps we never say more about our Lord, our faith and our relationship with God than by the way we respond to criticism (cf. 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-19). The following quotes on dealing with criticism are well worth thinking about by Christians- “If you are not big enough to stand criticism, you are too small to be praised.” “It’s just as much a Christian’s duty to avoid taking offense as it is to avoid giving offense” (see Romans…

Psalm 91 is a powerful reminder that REAL safety and security are ultimately only found in God. It is a psalm of trust that, along with Psalm 46, is in a class all its own. The story of our faith is written in the names of God in the first two verses of Psalm 91. He’s the “Most High” (Genesis 14:18-22; 17:1; 43:14 ). He is the God greater than all – the God of the Patriarchs! He’s also the…

There are many great quotes that have come from various leaders and soldiers over the course of history that were meant to encourage those under their leadership. It has been said that during World War 2, there was one Marine Sgt. that looked at each of his men before leading them into enemy fire, he said, “Come on men, do you want to live forever?” He was telling them that life was going to end at some point. The question…

Everyone has priorities and values; the real question is- in whom or what do we place them? It’s so easy to believe like a theist and to live like a deist. It’s easy to believe in the real and personal God of Scripture yet to live our life, at least at times, as though He’s distant, aloof, uninvolved and uncaring. In thinking like this worry can run rampant. Worry is a subtle temptation for so many of us, but it…