Categories
Church Crisis

Rwenzori School of Preaching Update

The school in Uganda remains closed due to COVID-19 pending authorization from the government to reopen. There is still no word as to when that might happen. Even in the midst of the ongoing lockdown, God is not locked down.

Mbusa, our director has planted a new congregation in the village of Kidodo with 15 members. The faculty and students in their dispersion continue to evangelize aggressively. One of the students has converted five souls in the mountain village of Nyambuko. Work on the farm continues, and the crop continues to feed the workers and those in need around the school.

Categories
Attitude Church Devotional

What Eats You Up?

John chapter two ends with an abrupt account of Jesus cleansing the Temple. This whole process occupies many hours of His time. He made a scourge (John 2:15). No doubt, He spent much time in thought and prayer as He sat and braided the small cords.

His actions were not a brief fit of rage but calculated deliberate actions. Jesus was passionate about the way that people approached the place of worship, and what they did while they were there.

The disciples watched with wide eyes as Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple with the whip that He had made. They called to mind Psalm 69:9, and David’s words about suffering shame and ridicule, even from family because of his dedication to God.

That day Jesus demonstrated in vivid fashion the care and thought that should go into approaching God in worship. He demonstrated that it matters what we do, how we do it, and the motivation that is in our hearts.
Others around us may never know why we are in worship, but Jesus certainly does, and he cares.
So, what east you up? Is it a passion for serving God, or something else?

Categories
Attitude Church God Heart Restoration

Five Reasons to Come to Church

 

How long has it been since you have been to church? Friend, that’s too long! There are several reasons why you may not be going as often as you could. Maybe you’ve just gotten busy. Maybe you just don’t see the value. Maybe something has been said or done that turned you away. Whatever the case may be, please consider these five reasons you may want to make plans to attend this Sunday:

Because You Want To

That’s right, you want to. We all have those occasions where we know we should go somewhere, but we don’t feel like it. Yet, after having gotten out of the house and gone, we’re glad that we did. Sometimes that’s the way it is with church. It is an opportunity to gather with other people who are focused on doing good, and everything that is right. It is an opportunity to encourage and be encouraged. It is an opportunity to bring your prayers before the God of Heaven and Earth. It is an opportunity to pause and reflect on what really matters in life. It is an opportunity to show your thankfulness and love for God.

You may not feel like going to church, but do it anyway. You’ll be glad you did. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1)

Because Jesus Invited You

Jesus is amazing. And He has done some amazing things for you. He left Heaven and came to earth to be poor, ridiculed, mocked, tortured, and mercilessly killed; all so that you could be in Heaven with Him (John 1:10-12). He left us an example and showed us how to live an abundant life here on Earth (1 Peter 2:21; John 10:10). In Heaven He now stands at the right hand of God, pleading on your behalf (Romans 8:34).

He thinks the church is special. He died for it (Ephesians 5:25). He built it (Matthew 16:18). He wants you to be a part of it (Revelation 22:17). When you think about all the awesome things Jesus has done for you, it is worth considering that maybe there is something to the church you might have missed. It is also worth considering that since Jesus has done all those things, it’s the least we can do to accept his invitation as a sign of gratitude.

Because A Friend Invited You

Christians have amazing blessings to be excited about. So, it should come as no surprise when somebody invites you to church. They want to share the wealth. When Philip found Jesus, the first thing he did was go tell somebody he cared about (John 1:45). If a friend has invited you, it is because they care. If not, then consider this that very invitation.

Because Your Soul Needs It

The pressures of life are real. The struggle is real. God knows what you are going through, and He cares. That is part of the reason why He asks us to go to church. It is an opportunity to take a step back from the grind of life and see things from an eternal perspective. It is an opportunity to drink deeply from the water of life and learn valuable information from Scripture.

Have you ever taken a drink of water when you didn’t feel particularly thirsty, only to find that when you tasted the water you couldn’t get enough? Your body needed water, but you didn’t realize it. Our souls can be the same way with God’s Word. You may not notice anything missing in your life, but your soul still craves to be fed from Scripture.

Because You Learn More About God

We can know certain things about God by observing the world around us (Romans 1:20). We can tell that He is powerful, that He is thoughtful, and that He cares about His creation. Beyond that, we can know very little unless He tells us. What does He want? Will we see Him again? What happens after we die? What can we expect from Him? All these questions can only be answered by studying what God has revealed about Himself in Scripture. Going to church is a great opportunity to study those things together and to learn things you might not learn on your own.

This list is by no means exhaustive. There are lots of great reasons to go to church, but you’ll never know what you’re missing until you do.

Categories
Church Comfort Evangelism Relationship

An Invitation To Belong

Recently, I was visiting with a member of our community who expressed that she was thinking about moving away because since coming to town she had never really felt a part of our town. I can’t help but think that she’s not alone in that feeling. These days everybody stays so busy, it is hard not to get wrapped up in your own schedule, and if a person isn’t already a part of that, you just don’t see them.

That is one of the reasons why the church is so important. The church brings people together who otherwise would never have anything in common. It isn’t so much about us, though. It’s about Jesus. He is the one who left his “comfort zone” in Heaven and came to Earth so that we could be a part of His family. He invites us to come to Him for the rest, comfort, and home that we need.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30).

From the very beginning, the church has been a group where anybody can belong because of the love and grace of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41-47). It could be that you feel like an outsider. We all do from time to time, and the truth is that we all would be outsiders to Heaven were it not for Jesus. Consider this our invitation to you to be a part of something greater than any of us.

Categories
Church

Three Reasons I Love the Church

Three Reasons I Love the Church

The fastest growing religious group in America today is the “nones;” those that don’t identify with a religion at all. Maybe you fall into that category. There are a variety of reasons why people choose not to seek out a group of Christians on Sunday, and many of them represent valid concerns and problems that shouldn’t exist. But have you considered what you might be missing out on?

1. It Gives Me A Chance to Reflect

Our lives are increasingly busy these days. The average American works forty-seven hours a week. When we’re not at work, we spend our time rushing from one after-school activity to another. On top of that, social media provides a constant pressure to live up to the “perfect lives” that our friends portray in their posts and pictures. All this is exhausting!

The church is a way to stop for a couple of hours and regain my focus. It helps me to remember what is truly important in life, and what will truly matter after I die. It gives me an opportunity to remember that God is in control, and that thing I’m worried about really isn’t such a big deal. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10).

2. The People That Truly Care

I know that the people in the church aren’t perfect. Sometimes they do things that are unkind. Sometimes they say one thing. But do another. That’s part of the reason I love the church. It’s not a collection of perfect people. It’s a group of broken people who struggle with sin and realize that they NEED a Savior. They understand my struggles, because they struggle, too. At the end of the day, they love me and want to help me grow as a person. They want to see me win, and ultimately, help me get to Heaven. And they crave that same love and help for themselves, too.

Jesus didn’t say that the true disciples would always have their act together. He said they would always care. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). That is something that makes the church truly special.

3. Jesus Loves the Church

I saved the best for last. The Bible is clear that Jesus loves the church. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25). He loves the church so much, He died for it. He shed His own blood for the church (Acts 20:28). If Jesus loves the church that much, then it is clearly something special. It is something that I should love, too because I love Him.

I don’t know all the reasons why you may be staying away from the church, but I do know that the church is a special place because it was designed by God, and built by Jesus. Don’t miss out on one of the greatest things on earth. We may not have all the answers, but we know the One who does.

Categories
Church God Praise Psalms Uncategorized Victory

City of God

City of God


Source: Convictions of Honor

Website design, hosting, and management provided by Azimuth Media.