Unlike many of the other Penitential psalms, we want to spend the entire week focused on this one passage of Scripture. Psalm 51 contains some important truths for us to consider. This well-known passage is perhaps the most difficult to expound of all of these special psalms. The Words of an Expositor Charles Haddon Spurgeon…
Confess – Saying the Same Thing
When we hear the word “confess” during the days of the season of Lent, the image that comes to mind probably includes recounting sins in a private session with a priest. The Sacrament of Penance – or Confession – is one of the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. In the New Testament, James…
Psalm 38 – The Way David Must Feel About Sin
How do you feel about sin? You may be tempted to answer, “I feel guilty” or “I am filled with remorse.” Certainly, we should feel badly or negatively about the fact that we have been lured into Satan’s snare. Reading Psalm 38 gives a peek into how David felt. Though he does not actually name…
Psalm 32 – Overwhelmed
Has there ever been a time – maybe even right now – when you have so much going on that you are struggling to cope with it all? Perhaps you don’t have too much going on, but one thing is so stressful that you are having a difficult time making decisions or functioning. What are…
Lent | Reading 5
The season of Lent provides a time for us to contemplate the depth and passion of our commitment to Christ as we approach Holy Week and Easter. Forty days are set aside as a sacred time to remember the forty days of fasting and prayer that Jesus spent in the wilderness before beginning His earthly…
Holy Week | A Chance to Step Closer
Articles in this column over the last several weeks have considered ways that Christians can confirm their calling into the faith. Tangible actions and attitudes contribute to affirmation and confidence in the process of maturing as a believer. Christianity’s cornerstone doctrine, and foundation of one’s calling, is the resurrection. Paul calls the resurrection of…
Raise a Hallelujah
Palm Sunday celebrates the commemoration of Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem before His crucifixion. Remembering the day in worship can be traced back to the late third century. [su_quote align=”right” cite=”Johnathan Edwards”]To pretend to describe the excellence, the greatness or the duration of the happiness of heaven by the most artful composition of words would…
Raised to Walk
Raised to Walk This Easter, let’s look at the resurrection in a little larger context than we normally view regarding this important Christian doctrine. It is easy to focus attention on the immediate setting of the crucifixion of Jesus to the degree we miss the bigger picture the Bible portrays of the context and contrast…
Before the Resurrection
The resurrection is arguably the most unique and yet, critical, doctrine of the Christian faith. The resurrection changes our understanding of our future. It alters how we perceive our value and purpose. The resurrection validates the truth of Christianity’s teachings and claims, as it motivates and moves each step we take. Even though all four…
The Season of Celebrating Lent
A couple of years ago I was with a fairly non-religious group of people on Ash Wednesday and the conversation turned in a way that surprised me. “What are you giving up for Lent?” the older, curmudgeonly gentleman asked. “Cheese” was a young lady’s quick reply. “I am giving up cheese. The doctors suspect that…