“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: “O Love Divine”
~ written by Lawrence Namminga, Jr. Have you ever had a thought or heard a song just prior to falling asleep, and then not have a clue as to what you were sure you would remember? That is the story for me behind this song. I listen to Christian radio prior to falling asleep, and … Continue reading #WorshipWednesday: “O Love Divine”
#WorshipWednesday: “The Broken Beautiful”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpOXrY4BHMA ~ Written by Ginger DenHerder In the New Testament we see many people bringing all kinds of sickness and suffering to Jesus to be healed and restored. Jesus even redeemed people from death. Jesus transforms the broken of this world into beauty. He can perform this miracle for all of us who confess our … Continue reading #WorshipWednesday: “The Broken Beautiful”
#WorshipWednesday: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
*This post is reprinted from Amazing Grace: 366 Daily Devotionals, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, copyright 1990. It would be enlightening if the people in the pew could stand on the platform and observe the congregational singing during an average church service. One would soon concur that there are many who appear to have attended church … Continue reading #WorshipWednesday: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
Emmanuel Reformed Church 