Lakeside Christian Church Blog

June 19 – A Compassionate Father and a Faithful Son   Psalm 103:1, 13–14 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.  Scripture Reading –  Hebrews 12 Psalm 103 reminds us that God is not distant or harsh toward His children. Like a loving father, He has compassion on those who fear Him because He knows exactly how we are made. He remembers that we are dust: frail, weak, and dependent upon Him. Hebrews 12 builds on this truth by describing God as a Father who lovingly disciplines His children. His discipline is not punishment meant to drive us away but training designed to draw us closer and shape us into His holiness. Because God understands our weakness, He does not abandon us when we struggle. Instead, He sent His Son to be the faithful representative to all who believe. Through the finish...

  June 12 – Confidence in The Steadfast Love of the Lord   Psalm 13:5–6 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Scripture Reading –  Acts 6:1-15; 7:1-60 Psalm 13 ends with a declaration of trust: “But I have trusted in your steadfast love.” David's circumstances had not yet changed, yet his confidence rested in God's character rather than his situation. Stephen demonstrates this same faith in Acts 6–7. Though falsely accused, opposed, and ultimately martyred, Stephen remained steadfast because he knew God was faithful. As he recounted Israel's history, he reminded his listeners that God had always been present with His people, even in seasons of suffering and rejection. Facing death, Stephen fixed his eyes on Jesus standing at the Father's right hand and entrusted his spirit to Him. Both David and Stephen teach us that faith is not the absence of hardship but ...

  June 5 – Remember the Living God Psalm 42 [42:1-2, 11] –  As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. … Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Scripture Reading – John 11:1-44 Hope can be defined as “a desire for a positive outcome, combined with the expectation, or belief, that it is attainable.” The psalmist expresses that his soul is downcast (sad, dejected, or without hope). Yet he says  Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God  (vv. 5, 11). How does he shift from despair to praise and hope? He  remembers  (vv. 4, 6). He remembers that he is part of a community of faithful followers (v. 4]. He remembers that his God is one who  by day commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with him  (v. 8). This must have helped him to recall God’s faithfulness to Israel when he led them through the wilderness out of Eg...

May 29, 2026 – Abide   Psalm 92:1–2 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night… Scripture Reading –  Luke 10:38-42, John 11:17-37 Psalm 92 reminds us that it is good to praise the LORD and proclaim His steadfast love in the morning and His faithfulness at night. Worship is not meant to be occasional; it is meant to shape the rhythm of our lives. In Luke 10, Martha was distracted by many responsibilities while Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Jesus did not condemn service, but He showed that abiding with Him must come first. In John 11, we again see Martha and Mary grieving the death of Lazarus, yet Jesus meets them with compassion, truth, and tears. These passages remind us that Jesus desires both our worship and our trust. Whether in busy moments or painful ones, we are invited to slow down, draw near to Christ, and rest in His faithful presence. ...

May 22, 2026 - Broken Stories Redeemed Acts 1:8 –  “ You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Scripture Reading – Hebrews 12:1-3 This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday when Christians traditionally celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit. The correlation in OT times is the celebration of the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-22). This Feast was associated with Israel receiving the Law at Mt. Sinai. A tradition for modern Jews is to read the book of Ruth during the holiday since, for them, she is considered to be the first convert to Judaism, thus embracing the Law of Moses for herself. However, most Christians think that Rahab was the first convert. Why the discrepancy? The Bible leaves no room for doubt about Ruth’s conversion.    After Naomi’s husband and two sons (who were married to Ruth and Orpah) died, she urged them to re...

  May 15, 2026 – Rend Your Hearts Joel 2:12-13 –  “Yet even now,” declares the  Lord ,   “return to me with all your heart,   with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;   and rend your hearts and not your garments.”   Return to the  Lord  your God,   for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;   and he relents over disaster. Scripture Reading – Luke 5:27-32, 6:12-16, 6:27-36 In the gospel narratives, we often see Jesus going toe to toe with the Pharisees. The Pharisees were Jewish religious leaders who held strict adherence to the Law, and also to the oral traditions passed down from the elders. Jesus described them as hypocrites, a brood of vipers, whitewashed tombs. He accused them of seeking their own public admiration for strictly following the Law, while at the same time neglecting mercy and justice, and burdening people with the demands of the traditions.   The Pharisees ...