As a future pastor, this question bugs me. I come across Christians from all different walks of life who somehow get it in their heads that since they’re Christian, church isn’t required. Actually, the opposite is true. Church is required because you’re Christian! If you’re not Christian, obviously church isn’t required. After all, why would an unbeliever…
Psalm 31:14-15a, But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand… Trusting God isn’t always easy, especially when we’re in ill health. When a loved one is suffering from cancer, it is easy to recite this psalm to them, but it’s not as easy for them…
Psalm 34:18, The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. There’s an extremely talented young musician named Anna Graceman. At just the age of 9 (now 17) she wrote a beautiful song with strong lyrics called Broken Hearted. Some of the lyrics go like this: Have you ever felt alone? Have you…
John 19:25, …but standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. As Jesus hung on the Cross, beaten to a pulp, the Roman soldiers and citizens mocked Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of God, His…
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law.” I believe the following words of Jesus best reflect His gentleness: “Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you,…
Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” First of all, Jesus is using emphatic language here. My next blog entry after this…
Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Last time, Jesus said the poor in spirit are blessed because the kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Now He says people who mourn are blessed because they will be comforted. When we grieve, others grieve with us. We receive comfort from those who have…
