This Sunday at Church I want to encourage you to do the following: Pray for recovery after Hurricane Ian. I realize news of the Hurricane is past; our news cycle only cover a certain time; our social media age also mean most people’s attention span is short before the next news story gets its fame […]
This Sunday at Church: Pray for recovery after Hurricane Ian
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
2 John 1:6, ESV
We show our love for God by obeying His commands – not mere rules, but ways our Creator has told us is best and right.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16, ESV
We like to think good things we do make a difference.
If we are not doing things to bring glory to God, they are ultimately meaningless.
My our thinking change too want to give God all the glory and honor.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16, ESV
One of the strongest means of turning our minds from the thinking of this world is encouraging and teaching each other in God’s Word.
Let us help each other in the Spirit to have our minds conformed to Christ.
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.
Micah 7:18, ESV
We must get over our ideas of a God who loves completely unconditionally or lets all people “in”.
Our God forgives and loves, but it came at a great price. And what other god has ever done that? Only our great God!
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you“
Matthew 6:14, ESV
We must change our thinking.
If we are unwilling to forgive others, why should God be willing to forgive us?
Evidence of our forgiveness will be the grace given to us that we share with others.
“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”
1 Samuel 2:2, ESV
We must get over ourselves and this world. We are not in control nor able to save ourselves.
There is one God, our sovereign King, Creator, and Savior.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24, ESV
What is our mindset?
Are we basing our worldview on what the world tells us, that we can know truth and earn our own way based on “what feels right”?
Or do we see the world through the lens of Scripture, accepting God’s truth and that Jesus is our only way to righteousness and eternal life?
I have thought about this recently. My last biological grandparent (my mom’s mom) passed on January 1 this year (in her 90’s). This past week, my wife’s last grandparent has given us all a ‘scare’ (89 years old), and may be on her way (or may last another few years). This is the grandma whose husband was a Lutheran pastor for years, and when I was ordained I was given his ordination cross (3 years after he passed).
We have all had good relationships. Yeah, this has not been a great year in terms of death in the family, but everyone has been found in Christ so far, giving us that comfort.
Daniel
This Sunday at Church I want to encourage you to do the following: Pray for those who lost someone in their family this year. This week I learned that the person that discipled me when I was 18 years old has just passed away. He had a lot of health issues the last few years. […]
This Sunday at Church: Pray for those who lost someone in their family this year
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8, ESV
Honestly, this world is scary and evil, and it can be easy to be overwhelmed and become cynical.
God wants us to focus on the good things – not ignore the bad, but focus on God, His goodness, and the goodness spread by His Church and goodwill.
a simple man of God 