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Grieving with Hope: A Christian Response to the Death of a Believer

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This morning I learned of the Home going of a man I held in great respect.  Not only because of the multitude of works he performed on behalf of his community and the young people in it, but there was so much more.  He was a steadfast father, grandfather and great grandfather providing support to his family with a quiet presence.  He mentored the young people in the local 4-H program and always checked in on them when he saw them whether they were long adults or a new "Mini" 4-Her excited about their chicken or rabbits.  First and foremost he was a Christian and that showed in all the above and so many other ways. John, good rest my brother and we'll see you soon. We come together today mindful of the reality of death—a reality that touches every life and every community. As Christians, we face the sorrow of losing those dear to us, yet we do so with a unique perspective. Our faith teaches us that death is not the end but a passage into eternal life with our Lord Jes...

Trust In The Lord – Proverbs 3:5-8

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 Today, we turn our hearts to the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-8, a passage that calls us to a life of unwavering trust in our Lord: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. ” This is God’s Word, and it cuts straight to the core of what it means to live as His faithful people. Let’s unpack this truth together and see how it challenges us to walk humbly and obediently before our Creator. 1. Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart The first command is clear: trust in the Lord with all your heart. Not half your heart, not part of it, but all. This is a call to surrender every corner of your life to God. In a world that tempts us to trust in money, power, or our own cleverness, this verse reminds us that true security lies only in the One who made us, redeemed us...

Singing to the Lord as an Expression of Worship

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Beloved in Christ, have you ever been so moved by a hymn that your heart swelled with joy or tears filled your eyes? Music has a profound way of touching our souls, lifting us closer to God. Today, we turn to the Holy Scriptures, to Isaiah 12:5, where the prophet declares, "Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth". This verse calls us to lift our voices in praise, not just as a ritual, but as a heartfelt expression of worship. Let us explore how singing glorifies God, strengthens our faith, and proclaims His marvelous deeds to the world. Understanding Isaiah 12:5 Isaiah 12 is a song of praise, born out of God’s promise to deliver His people. In verse 5, the prophet urges us to sing because of God’s "excellent things"—His mighty works that reveal His sovereign power and grace. For us, as believers in Jesus Christ, these works include the creation of all things, where "He spake, and it was done" (Psalm 33:9, KJV)...

Letting the Word of God Dwell Among Us

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Today's scripture text Colossians 3:14-17 Today, we gather to reflect on the words of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:14-17, a passage that calls us to live in the transformative power of God’s love and Word. Let us hear the Scripture anew: “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 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. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This passage is a blueprint for Christian living, a call to let the Word of God not just visit us but dwell among us—taking root in our hearts, shaping our lives, and guiding our community. Let us unpack what this means for us as faithful follow...

True Worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23-24)

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Today, we turn to John 4:23-24, where Jesus declares to the Samaritan woman, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” From a fundamentalist Christian perspective, this passage is a clarion call to abandon worldly distractions and embrace a pure, biblical form of worship that honors God alone. First, let us understand the context. Jesus speaks to a Samaritan, a people despised by the Jews for their mixed heritage and false worship. Yet, He reveals a profound truth: the time of true worship has arrived through Him. As fundamentalists, we believe Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17), and His words here establish a new covenant where external rituals—whether on Mount Gerizim or in Jerusalem—are secondary to the heart’s devotion. “Worship in spirit” means our wo...