Lakeside Christian Church Blog

Joyful Worship   Psalm 95:1–3 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Scripture Reading – Luke 8:1-3; 24:1-12 Psalm 95 calls us to joyful, reverent worship, “let us sing…let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” He is not distant; He is the great King and our Shepherd. In Luke 8 and 24, we see this truth embodied in the women who follow Jesus. They support His ministry, remain near in suffering, and are the first witnesses to the empty tomb. Their worship is not confined to words, it is expressed in devotion, generosity, and faithful presence. Even when confused and afraid, they run to the disciples with resurrection news. True worship, then, is both  exalting God’s greatness  and  walking in faithful response . We sing because He is worthy, and we follo...

  April 17, 2026 – What Are You Seeking? Ephesians 1:4-5 –  Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him – In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Scripture Reading – John 1:29-50 What are you seeking? A typical worldly response has often been “wealth, health, and happiness.” In recent years, “to become an influencer” might also make the short list.    It’s interesting that this is the question Jesus asks two of John the Baptist’s disciples (v. 38). He doesn’t ask “Who are you seeking?” They seem to be pretty clear on who the “who” is –  Lamb of God, Son of God, Rabbi, Messiah/Christ, him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote of, Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph, King of Israel . Knowing who they were seeking, and encountering him, the disciples of John answered “Where are you staying?” What a cur...

  April 10, 2026  – Worship in Every Circumstance   Psalm 96:1–4 Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.   Scripture Reading –  Mark 9:2-13; Acts 12:1-5   In Psalms 96:1–4, we are called to “sing to the Lord a new song,” declaring His glory among the nations. This call to worship is grounded in who God is—great and greatly to be praised. In Gospel of Mark 9:2–13, the disciples glimpse that glory in the transfiguration of Jesus. The veil is pulled back, and Christ is revealed in radiant majesty. Yet in Acts of the Apostles 12:1–5, we see a different scene—persecution, imprisonment, and suffering. Together, these passages remind us that God is worthy of praise both in revealed glory and in hidden...

April 3, 2026  – From Sorrow to Celebration   1 Peter 1:3–5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.   Scripture Reading – John 20:1-23   Our Good Friday reading, Isaiah 53:5-6, reminds us that Jesus was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities—our sin laid fully upon Him. Good Friday invites us to sit in the weight of that truth: the cross was not accidental, but deeply personal. Yet the story does not end in sorrow. In 1 Peter 1:3-5, we are told that through the resurrection, we are given a living hope and an eternal inheritance. As we read John 20:1-23, we see grief turn to astonishment and fear tr...

March 27, 2026 – The Act of Communicating His Word – Serving Others   Psalm 68:19–20 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.   Scripture Reading – Matthew 28:16-20, Matthew 25:31-46   Psalm 68 declares that God is not distant, He is actively saving, sustaining, and delivering His people. In Matthew 25, Jesus shows that this saving work has visible expression. Those who belong to Him care for the hungry, the stranger, and the hurting. In doing so, they reflect His heart and reveal His kingdom. Communicating the Word of God is not only spoken but also lived. As we proclaim the gospel to the world, our actions give credibility to our message. When we care for others, we demonstrate the reality of a God who saves and restores. The gospel we share is the same gospel we embody. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to declare His salvation and display His compassion ...

  March 20, 2026 – Who Do You Say That I Am? Isaiah 43:9-10 –  All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true. “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. Scripture Reading – Matthew 16:13-23; 27:45-56 Isaiah 43 is prophesying Israel’s only Savior. Israel was God’s chosen people, the ones whom he literally saved when he brought them out of Egypt. We see throughout the Old Testament that God continually reminded them of this truth, that he alone offers redemption and is worthy of their fidelity and devotion. However, Israel’s actions often fell short of worshiping the great I AM (Ex. 3:14). “AM” is the translation of the Hebrew word,  hayah , meaning “to ...