Church Blog (Page 17)

When You Can’t Sleep

Some of you couldn’t sleep last night because of worry. You had an argument with a co-worker, perhaps, or with your spouse or child. Maybe you’re worried about your health, your debt, or your job. David had those nights, like we all do. During one of them he wrote this: “O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God” (Psalm 3:1-2). Satan loves…

Resources for Discussion Class Hour on December 6, 2017

Sermon Title: Please, Lord. When, Lord? Text: Isaiah 64:1-12 Click here to review the sermon Download tonight’s complete study guide. Tonight’s Discussion Questions In what areas of life do you find it most difficult to wait on God to act? Below are a few possibilities: In the life of your child (faith struggles, rebellion, etc.) With health problems in your life or in someone you love In response to evil in the world (terrorism, violence, etc.; Why doesn’t God punish…

Mud pies in a slum

I remember taking the kids to the store back when they were young. I’m pretty sure that by the time we left, one of them had asked for everything the store sold, and probably a few things it didn’t. At some point, I would say something like, “Look, please don’t ask for anything else today. You’ve got everything you could possibly need, and you don’t need everything you see.” If you’re a parent, you’ve probably had similar experiences. I wonder…

The Sword

The sword is often used as a symbol of death or destruction in God’s word. Paul wrote, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:35). Then we see a sword listed as part of our spiritual “equipment” in (Ephesians 6:17), and maybe we feel a sense of power. But, what is the purpose of the “sword of the Spirit” (Word of God)? “Therefore…

Cup of cold water

Have you checked today’s headlines yet? Several college students got drunk and started a fight, two of everyone’s favorite celebrities filed for divorce, and the coach is “very excited” about the next game. “We hope to be competitive,” he said. There was a murder downtown, a meth lab exploded, and police are looking for a suspect in a string of convenience store robberies. A professional athlete feels disrespected and unappreciated by his $8 million-per-year offer, so he’ll probably ask to…

Afraid of God?

Should we be scared of God? The quick and easy answer is no, of course we shouldn’t. He’s a God of love, grace, and compassion. But that answer would be too quick and superficial. What are we supposed to do with passages like this one? Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,…

A Laughing God

I get mad when I hear that a shooter has inexplicably killed more than twenty innocent people. Again. In a church, no less. It’s becoming all-too-frequent: concerts, schools, churches, other public spaces. These atrocities remind us that evil pervades our world, and we’ve got to be careful that we don’t develop a jaded attitude. We might even lose confidence in the power and sovereignty of the God we serve. Listen to the psalmist: Why do the nations rage and the…

Spoiler Alert

I don’t like for someone to tell me how a movie ends before I watch it, and I’d never read the last chapter of a book before I’d read the rest. So I hope I’m not spoiling the end for you when I let you in on a Bible secret. We win. Big. Or maybe I should say, “God wins . . . so we do too.” He’s dropped some huge hints along the way . . . here’s one…