Lakeside Christian Church Blog

  July 25, 2025 – A Love that Restores   (John 15:1-11) John 15:9-10:  9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.   10  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.   Scripture Reading – Psalm 80   The writer of Psalm 80 is asking God to restore the nation of Israel, His people (vv. 3, 7, 19). Asaph uses imagery to recount their history and present situation, including that of a vine planted by God himself (vv. 8, 9, 14).    The Gospel of John also gives us similar imagery portraying Jesus as the true vine, his Father as the vinedresser, and the disciples as the branches. The emphasis is on the necessity of branches abiding in the vine and bearing fruit. But here’s a curious question: Is verse 2 talking about a warning and judgement or a loving restoration? Interestingly, verse 2 specifically says that both branches are “in”...

  July 17, 2025 – Flip the Script   Lamentations 3:22-24:  22  The steadfast love of the  Lord  never ceases;   his mercies never come to an end;   23  they are new every morning;   great is your faithfulness.   24  “The  Lord  is my portion,” says my soul,   “therefore I will hope in him.”   Scripture Reading – Psalm 79   Life in this world can be difficult. Tragedy, illness, sin, seasons of many kinds of suffering can lead us to despair. But as believers, children of God, we have hope even in the darkest of days.   Lamentations is widely believed to have been written by the prophet Jeremiah who was witness to the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians. God used the Babylonians to bring judgement to the nation of Israel for their rebellion and unrepentant sin. However, the prophet also knew that God was a covenantal God, one who would keep his promises despite ...

July 11, 2025 – Tell The Story Matthew 28:18-20:  And Jesus came and said to them,  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   Scripture Reading – Psalm 78   What’s your story? What is God’s redemptive story? Do those intersect for you? This week is a good time to reflect on those questions. The writer of Psalm 78 is recounting the lessons from Israel’s past. Asaph is doing this to remind them of who God is, the mighty and faithful acts he’s done, and that Israel (the tribe of Judah, v. 68) are God’s chosen people. The psalmist’s desire is that they not only repent of their sin and unbelief (v. 32), but that their transformation and turning back to...

Remember and Rejoice   Psalm 105:1–2 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!   Scripture Reading – Psalm 77   Psalm 105:1–2 calls us to give thanks, call on God’s name, and make His deeds known. In Psalm 77, the psalmist wrestles with distress, but finds peace by remembering God’s mighty works. When we face doubt, fear, or weariness, worship and remembrance shift our hearts. We are called not only to recall God’s faithfulness but to proclaim it with our voices. Praising God in the storm isn’t denying hardship—it’s declaring truth in the midst of it. Worship reminds our souls who God is, what He’s done, and what He promises still to do.   Each of these songs helps us live out Psalm 105.  Come, Christians, Join to Sing  invites joyful, communal praise, lifting our eyes to God together.  Thank You Jesus for the Blood  centers us in gospel...