ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 30, 2020Prayer for the Week: You hear our voices; you know our concerns; you feel our anxiousness. There is nothing we can hide from you, Merciful God, yet too often we try to disregard what is happening with in us. We attempt to ignore the very emotions that are swirling around inside of us, those tormenting whispers that enjoy the darkness of night. Come and announce
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 29, 2020Scripture: Psalm 23:4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me Thought for the Day: In my sermon this morning from Esther 4, there is a section when I talk about being sucked into other people’s anxiety. It has been said that most of us have enough anxiety for
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 28, 2020Scripture: John 20:26After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Thought for the Day: This was one of the recommended passages during our 24-Hour Prayer Vigil (concluding this morning), and for some reason, it caught my attention during my time
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 27, 2020Scripture: Esther 1:1This happened in the days of Ahasuerus, the same Ahasuerus who ruled over one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia. Thought for the Day: Is that not a really good start to a story? In just a few words, we are made to feel as if we know this character (even if we don’t) and to sense his power. It connects to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 26, 2020Scripture: Psalm 23:1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Thought for the Day: Yesterday, I did an online Bible Study and Prayer Time. Besides a few glitches, my hope was to connect people with the beauty of these opening words from Psalm 23. Too often we breeze right past these words without allowing the necessary time to absorb what is being suggested. In
CLICK HERETo Watch Bruce’s Devotional ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 25, 2020Scripture: Hebrews 4:16Finally, let’s draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help. Thought for the Day: So often we have made prayer into the Holy Vending Machine where we drop in our prayer coin, punch in what we want, and expect to receive exactly what we
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 24, 2020Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:25Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Thought for the Day: This sounds like a genuine request from the Apostle Paul. We don’t know all that he is dealing with in this moment, but we can assume it’s a lot. This coming Friday and Saturday, Cypress Creek Christian Church is organizing a 24-hour Prayer Vigil. We are hoping to have at least one
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 23, 2020Prayer for the Week: When there is nothing but joy, it is easy for my heart to break open with a prayerful song of gratitude. When there is a single person who is suffering, it is easy for me to bring that name to your ears with a prayer of intercession. When I am the one who is scared, it is easy for me to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 22, 2020Scripture: Psalm 133:1How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Thought for the Day: What does it mean to live in unity when we are not to be interacting in our usual ways? I believe this moment provides one of the great opportunities for us to rediscover a sense of unity that begins with appreciation. You may believe you are
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 20, 2020Scripture: Philippians 4:15-16You Philippians know from the time of my first mission work in Macedonia how no church shared in supporting my ministry except you. You sent contributions repeatedly to take care of my needs even while I was in Thessalonica. Thought for the Day: What is it like to be dependent upon the generosity of others? The Apostle Paul expressed his true appreciation for