Lakeside Christian Church Blog

Day 8 – Bethlehem and Israel’s Heartland   Today we visit Israel’s “heartland.” What is a heartland? Geographically it’s the central, or most important part of a country, area, or field of activity. It can also mean the center of support for a belief or movement. Yes, we will be visiting some very important locations central to the land of Israel. But I think the second definition is also quite fitting since we will stand on the ground where the Tabernacle once stood, then the foundation where the Temple was erected and later destroyed, and finally Bethlehem where David was anointed as king and Jesus was born! These are quite central in both location and meaning to our faith and belief as Christians.   Our passages will take us on a progressive journey through prophecy, promise and anointing, covering about 2,100 years of history!   Micah 5:2   This single verse from Micah for our morning reading and prayer doesn’t just prophesy the coming ruler of Israel, but in man...

September 25 – Remember the God Who Saves Psalm 40:1–3 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.   Scripture Reading – Joshua 5:10-6:27 Psalm 40 begins with David remembering how God met him in a place of waiting and trouble: “I waited patiently for the LORD.” God lifted him from the pit, set his feet on solid ground, and gave him a new song. Joshua 5–6 gives us another picture of God’s faithfulness. Israel celebrates Passover, remembering how God rescued them from Egypt, and then watches God give them victory at Jericho—not through their strength, but through obedient faith.   Communion gives us a similar opportunity to remember. As we take the bread and cup, we remember that our salvation rests not in what we have acco...

September 18 – A Refuge In God   Psalm 62:7–8 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.   Scripture Reading – Joshua 2:1-24   Psalm 62 reminds us that our hope and salvation are found in God alone. He is our rock, our refuge, and the One in whom we can safely trust. Joshua 2 gives us a picture of that refuge in action through Rahab. Surrounded by uncertainty and danger, Rahab chooses to place her trust in the God of Israel. She recognizes that the Lord is the true God and acts courageously because of what she believes about Him. Her story reminds us that trusting God does not mean that we will always know what is going to happen. It means we know  who holds us when we don't know what happens next . Like Rahab, we can respond to uncertainty with faith rather than fear. God invites us to pour out our hearts before Him because He is our refuge. Wh...