“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matthew 9:15, ESV Jesus says his disciples will fast as we wait for his return. Scripture gives several different reasons why we fast. Fasting helps … Continue reading Why Do We Fast
“Be Careful, Little Eyes, What You See”
Turn my heart to your decreesand not to dishonest profit.Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless;give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:36-37, CSB Fasting almost universally means abstaining from food — either all food or certain kinds of food — for a set period of time, for the purpose of prayer and … Continue reading “Be Careful, Little Eyes, What You See”
How to Fast
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12, NIV Fasting can be a challenging practice to begin, so it takes some planning. Choose a day (or one meal) when you will fast. You might experience faintness or fatigue, so make sure there aren’t … Continue reading How to Fast
Feasting on God
“But when you fast,…wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18, ESV During the season of Lent, disciples of Jesus practice fasting to connect with Jesus, who fasted for 40 days … Continue reading Feasting on God
#WorshipWednesday – “Christ Be Magnified” (Cody Carnes)
O Christ be magnifiedLet His praise ariseChrist be magnified in meO Christ be magnifiedFrom the altar of my lifeChrist be magnified in me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjGMlYywK9M All of the Christian life is an exercise in gratitude. We are always, in every way, with every breath, invited to give thanks to God for His great care for us. … Continue reading #WorshipWednesday – “Christ Be Magnified” (Cody Carnes)
#WorshipWednesday: “Graves into Gardens”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJTl2vnF3SE In light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, consider this Question & Answer from the Heidelberg Catechism: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45Q. How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us?A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness he obtained for us by his death.1 Second, by … Continue reading #WorshipWednesday: “Graves into Gardens”
#WorshipWednesday: “It Was Finished Upon That Cross”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUGQNYm44hk This song perfectly sums up the sermon series we just completed, considering the "voice of Jesus / On the cross of Calvary." What, in particular, has stood out to you this Lent/Good Friday/Easter season? For me, it was a new appreciation for all that Christ actually accomplished for us: the forgiveness of sins, yes, … Continue reading #WorshipWednesday: “It Was Finished Upon That Cross”
#WorshipWednesday: “God So Loved”
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him" ~ 1 John 4:9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq5URsXbKXs This song celebrates God's power, God's goodness, God's love shown to us in the giving of Jesus Christ. And, I think, it asks … Continue reading #WorshipWednesday: “God So Loved”
#WorshipWednesday: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ--HwWc4Ms Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23) Son of God (Matthew 16:13-17) Dayspring (Malachi 4:2, Luke 1:78-79) Rod of Jesse (Isaiah 11:2) Desire of nations (Haggai 2:6-7) This hymn uses all these names for Jesus, to inspire adoration and expectation. Adoration, because we sing these names to "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name" … Continue reading #WorshipWednesday: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
#WorshipWednesday: “Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy)”
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV - Paul makes God's will sound so simple: Rejoice, Pray, Give thanks. But if you're like me, these practices have been elusive this year. Thanksgiving calls us back to this, … Continue reading #WorshipWednesday: “Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy)”
Emmanuel Reformed Church 