Growing up can be challenging, but the Lord offers us helpful insights in Proverbs that guide both parents and children. Here we learn the responsibility of parents in the instruction and discipline of their children, as well as the admonition to children of all ages to heed their parents’ teaching. The wisdom they gain in so doing will prove to be of great value to them throughout their lives.
Read MoreWhile the world’s perspective often casts aging in a negative light, Scripture teaches us to view it as an opportunity for growth in godly wisdom. As the inevitable process of aging unfolds, believers have the joy of reflecting on the Lord’s covenant faithfulness throughout the years and expressing gratitude for a lifetime of walking with Him. Let us be encouraged by Psalm 90 to recount God’s goodness to us and look to Him for wisdom.
Read MoreThe psalms provide a lens through which we discern God's nature and actions. Psalm 86:5, for instance, reveals God's inherent goodness and forgiveness, offering comfort to sinners. His steadfast love isn't just a promise but an overflowing reality for those who seek Him, guaranteeing that nothing that can separate us from Him.
Read MoreDeuteronomy 6:8-9 teaches us that every aspect of life, from actions to worldview, should align with God's commandments. As we engage in family worship throughout the new year, let’s seek to instill in the next generation a commitment to wholeheartedly love and serve the Lord with our whole being, that our entire lives would be lived for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom.
Read MoreThe author of Ecclesiastes warns us against a relentless chase for knowledge devoid of our created purpose to glorify and enjoy God. As we consider our reading plans for 2024, let's ponder whether our endeavors are rooted in a genuine desire to know and fear God or merely in the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.
Read MoreIn addition to the lowly shepherds, the Magi from the East were guests at the Messiah’s birth celebration. These dignified pilgrims were most certainly surprised to discover that the King of the Jews was born in the humble town of Bethlehem. Their journey over such a far distance and their gifts of immense value ought to cause us to consider Jesus’ worthiness to receive our best worship.
Read MoreIn the extraordinary story of the Messiah's birth, a remarkable and unexpected detail emerges: the deliberate inclusion of humble shepherds in the celebration. Often marginalized in society, these men were purposefully selected to witness the arrival of the Son of God. Their presence, set against the backdrop of a modest setting and their societal status, serves as a powerful testament to Christ's mission: to save the lowly, the ordinary, and those who recognize their need for grace.
Read MoreReflecting on the seemingly endless wait for Christmas during childhood, we imagine the anticipation felt by those Old Testament saints awaiting Christ’s first advent. Their expectation was fueled by God’s promises throughout the years, as they waited for their fulfillment in the coming Messiah. This Christmas, let’s not only celebrate Christ’s first advent, but allow the anticipation of His return and our eternal future with Him to be the greater joy of our hearts.
Read MoreThe unexpected birthplace of the Messiah challenged the conventional expectations of the Jews, who were anticipating a majestic king to rescue them from their political enemies. Instead, God sent forth His Son in humility from an obscure, unremarkable town, in order to bring salvation to a world in need. We would be wise not to judge Him by His humble origins but to thank Him for coming to live among us so that we might live eternally in His heavenly city.
Read MoreAs we begin the season of Advent, we consider today one of the names of Jesus: Immanuel, meaning 'God with us.' This name embodies the essence of Christmas: God’s presence with mankind. It represents the restoration of a lost intimate connection with God since Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden, extending its promise beyond Christ's birth to encompass the ongoing presence of God among His people.
Read MoreAs we revel in the abundance of Thanksgiving, let’s take time to not only acknowledge the provision we see but to embrace the promise of His eternal care. Our Hymn of Praise this Thanksgiving Sunday, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come," expresses a deeper gratitude for God's promise of a final harvest, a gathering where we'll be forever in His presence, free from sorrow and sin. It’s a hymn of anticipation for the ultimate gathering of God's saints in His heavenly embrace.
Read MoreThis week’s Hymn of Praise, "O Worship the King," adorns our Lord with the splendor He deserves. It eloquently highlights God's abundant benevolence toward us, while also humbling us in our frailty and reinforcing our dependence on God's mercy. As we reflect on this hymn, may it inspire gratitude for His care, even in the seemingly mundane aspects of life.
Read MoreIn this reflection on the hymn "Crown Him with Many Crowns," we ponder the praiseworthiness of Jesus in His exaltation. The hymn serves as a poignant reminder of the matchless majesty of Christ as the sacrificial King, the Lord of love still bearing wounds for humanity, and the sovereign ruler over time.
Read More“For the Beauty of the Earth” is a classic hymn that expresses praise for the beauty of God's creation and the abundance it provides. It encourages us to give thanks to the Creator as we observe the splendor of His handiwork in nature, in our own bodies, and in our relationships. Finally, it culminates in a call to respond with praise to God for His gifts, especially the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Read MoreThis week we consider Martin Luther’s great Reformation hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” written to encourage and equip believers in their battle against the schemes of the Devil. While acknowledging the intense hatred and fierce wrath of the Enemy, the song’s lyrics encourage us with reminders of God’s power, help, and victory in the fight. The Lord is on our side and, therefore, we have nothing to fear!
Read MoreWe turn our attention this week to the well-known hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" by Joachim Neander. In this hymn we find a three-dimensional exhortation to praise the Lord: to ourselves, to fellow believers, and to all of creation. Our worship becomes joyful adoration as we remind ourselves and others of God’s abundant blessings and benefits.
Read MoreWe focus our attention this week on the hymn "Holy God, We Praise Your Name," which celebrates God's sovereign rule and invites worshipers to acknowledge His lordship over all time and space. It also emphasizes the unity of believers across history and geography and highlights the glory of the Trinity. As you consider the words of this magnificent hymn, envision yourself standing before the heavenly throne, united with believers from all nations and eras, raising your voices in eternal praise.
Read MoreOur third in this series of meditations on worship songs is the hymn “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” written in the 18th century by Charles Wesley to commemorate the first anniversary of his conversion to Christ. As he reflected back on the Lord’s marvelous work in his own life, Wesley was overwhelmed by the magnitude of God’s glory and understood the limitations of human language to praise Him. This hymn serves as a reminder to consider our own conversion and inspires joy and gratitude in our worship.
Read MoreWe continue today with our series of meditations on hymns and psalms that we sing together in worship. This week’s song is Psalm 98, “O Sing a New Song to the Lord.” In it we recognize two distinct realities that ought to guide our worship: who God is and what He has done. Meditating on these two realities helps us to embrace the joy and privilege of praising Him.
Read MoreToday is our first of several brief introductions to the Hymn or Psalm of Praise that we will sing together in worship on the upcoming Lord’s Day. Our goal in doing so is to prepare our hearts for worship in the Lord’s house, with the Lord’s people and the hosts of heaven. This week’s Hymn of Praise is “Come, Christians, Join to Sing,” which celebrates the great privilege we have to come into His presence with praise.
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