Lakeside Christian Church Blog

August 28 –  Remember What Is True Psalm 103:1–5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 4:1-9 Paul’s words in Philippians 4 call us to remember what is true when life feels unsettled. He tells the church to stand firm in the Lord, rejoice, pray instead of being consumed by anxiety, and intentionally set our minds on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. Psalm 103 begins with a similar command: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Both passages remind us that our hearts are prone to forget. We can become so focused on what is wrong, uncertain, or difficult that we lose sight of God’s goo...

August 21 –  The Shepherd Who Leads Us Home   Psalm 23:1-4 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 3:12-21   Psalm 23 reminds us that we are not walking through life alone. The Lord is our Shepherd: He provides, leads, restores, and stays with us even when the path leads through the darkest valley. Philippians 3 gives us a similar picture. Paul acknowledges that he has not arrived yet; he is still pressing forward, forgetting what lies behind and reaching toward what lies ahead. The Christian life is both a journey and a destination. We follow our Shepherd through difficult valleys while keeping our eyes fixed on the hope that awaits us....

  August 7 – The Word of Life   Psalm 33:4-5 –  For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 2:12-30   The apostle Paul tells us to  hold fast to the word of life  (Philippians 2:16). He is specifically referring to Jesus who is the Word. The Greek word for “word” is  logos , which means speech, message, or argument. In the case of Jesus being described as the Word, he is the ultimate divine message of hope. Jesus said he is  the way, and the truth, and the life  (John 14:6). So when Paul tells us to  hold fast to the word of life , he isn’t just referring to an inspirational speech or sermon. He’s referring to the redemptive message that Jesus is the expression of God himself in human form, the  good news of great joy that will be for all people  (Luke 2:10).   T...