Lakeside Christian Church Blog

His Light Shines    Psalm 118:27–29 The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us…You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!   Scripture Reading – John 1:6-13 As a new year begins, Psalm 118 calls us to step forward with gratitude:  “The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us”  (v.27). We do not enter the year guided by our own clarity, but by God’s faithful light. John 1:6–13 reminds us that John the Baptist pointed beyond himself to that Light, Jesus Christ, who shines in the darkness and invites us to believe. Though many did not recognize Him, those who received Him were given the right to become children of God. The new year is not merely about fresh goals or better habits; it is an invitation to live as people shaped by the Light and grounded in thanksgiving. As we look ahead, we do so not with fear or self-rel...

Fourth Sunday of Advent — Love Revealed   1 John 4:9–10 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.   Scripture Reading – John 1:1-5 Love is not an idea God explained; it is a Person God revealed.  “ God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ”  Advent draws our eyes to the astonishing truth that God’s love did not remain distant or theoretical. It took on flesh and entered the darkness of our world. John’s Gospel echoes this truth as it opens with a cosmic declaration:  “In the beginning was the Word”  (John 1:1). The eternal Word—fully God, Creator of all things—did not remain removed from human suffering. Instead, the Light stepped into the darkness, not to condemn it, but to overcome it. God’s love is revealed not in our a...

Abound in Joy   Luke 2:10–11 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.    Scripture Reading – Psalm 100   The angel’s announcement in Luke 2:10–11 reminds us that joy is not something we generate—it is something God brings to us. The Savior comes  to  us, not because we’ve earned Him, but because God delights to give His people joy. Psalm 100 echoes this gift: “Make a joyful noise… serve the LORD with gladness.” Joy flows from knowing the Lord, belonging to Him, and entering His presence with thanksgiving. True Christmas joy is not shallow or seasonal—it is rooted in the God who keeps His promises. Christ’s birth means that joy has come down, wrapped in humility, carried in love, and offered freely to all who will receive Him.   Our Advent worship helps shape our understanding of joy.  Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ...

  December 4, 2025 – Abound in Hope Romans 15:11-13 –  And again it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Scripture Reading – Psalm 99   Hope. That is the first theme in the season of Advent. Week 1 is a time of waiting, preparation and watchfulness for the coming Messiah. In our passage this week Paul is speaking of the hope that both Jews and Gentiles have. The God of the nation of Israel had a plan for  all the peoples  (Psalm 99:2) to be able to have salvation simply by believing and putting their faith in Jesus.    Psalm 99 is a song of praise to a personal, holy God, The  King  (v. 4) came not to...

Prayer and Worship Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; thy will be done; On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power and the glory, Forever.  Amen.   Scripture Reading – Psalm 98   Have you ever asked the question: “how do I pray” or “how should I worship God?” Jesus teaches us to pray beginning with God’s character—His holiness, His kingdom, His will. The Lord’s Prayer grounds us in dependence: daily bread, forgiveness, protection, and deliverance. It reminds us that prayer isn’t about informing God but aligning our hearts with His reign. Psalm 98 calls all creation to break forth in joyful praise because the Lord is righteous, mighty, and faithful to His people. When these passages sit together, they shape us into worshippers who trust God’s goodness a...

The Light Shines   John 1:1–5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.   Scripture Reading – Psalm 97   This week’s reading in John 1:1–5 lifts our eyes to the eternal Christ—the Word who has existed from the beginning, who is fully God, and through whom all things were made. John tells us that Jesus is the Light shining in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome Him. Psalm 97 echoes this truth by declaring that the Lord reigns in radiant glory, with righteousness and justice as the foundation of His throne. When we hold these passages together, we see a stunning picture: the eternal God who reigns with majesty is the same God who steps into our darkness as the Light of the world. His ...

Anchored Worship   1 Peter 1:3–4 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…   Scripture Reading – Psalm 96   Peter reminds us that our hope is not fragile or fading—it is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and secured in an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. Psalm 96 calls all creation to worship the Lord because He reigns with righteousness and faithfulness. Together, these passages lift our eyes beyond the instability of the world to the unshakable kingdom of God. We worship not because life is easy, but because Christ has given us a living hope. When we declare His glory among the nations, we are bearing witness to a salvation that is both present and future, a gift held securely by God Himself. This hope fue...