Blog https://www.concordcommunity.org Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:16:29 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ The Love of God for the Troubled Soul https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/the-love-of-god-for-the-troubled-soul https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/the-love-of-god-for-the-troubled-soul#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/the-love-of-god-for-the-troubled-soul These are overwhelming times! Death in Afghanistan. Suffering in Haiti. COVID on the rise. Vaccine mandates. Kids and teachers returning to school with uncertainty. There is more than enough to be anxious about. David said it best: "My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long?” (Psalm 6:3). Where does one go with an anxious, troubled soul? To the steadfast love of the Lord. 
God’s steadfast love is a great source of strength and peace for his children when life is going well AND when life is hard. It’s not like God turns off the spigot pouring out his mercy when trouble arrives; God is still showering you with his mercy and causing your cup to “runneth over” even in "the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4-5). Take comfort in His steadfast love to you. 
David goes on to pray, “…save me because of your faithful love” (Ps. 6:4 CSB).When David was troubled while being hunted by his enemies and running for his life, God’s covenant love was his anchor. It gave him hope and boldness in his prayers. God’s steadfast love to you should give you the same boldness to pray when you feel troubled and anxious. So when your heart starts racing, when you can’t sleep at night, when your fever is running high from COVID, let your mind land on God’s steadfast love to you in Christ (Eph. 2:4-7). And keep it there until it lulls your soul to rest; Jesus promised it would: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
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These are overwhelming times! Death in Afghanistan. Suffering in Haiti. COVID on the rise. Vaccine mandates. Kids and teachers returning to school with uncertainty. There is more than enough to be anxious about. David said it best: "My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long?” (Psalm 6:3). Where does one go with an anxious, troubled soul? To the steadfast love of the Lord. 
God’s steadfast love is a great source of strength and peace for his children when life is going well AND when life is hard. It’s not like God turns off the spigot pouring out his mercy when trouble arrives; God is still showering you with his mercy and causing your cup to “runneth over” even in "the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4-5). Take comfort in His steadfast love to you. 
David goes on to pray, “…save me because of your faithful love” (Ps. 6:4 CSB).When David was troubled while being hunted by his enemies and running for his life, God’s covenant love was his anchor. It gave him hope and boldness in his prayers. God’s steadfast love to you should give you the same boldness to pray when you feel troubled and anxious. So when your heart starts racing, when you can’t sleep at night, when your fever is running high from COVID, let your mind land on God’s steadfast love to you in Christ (Eph. 2:4-7). And keep it there until it lulls your soul to rest; Jesus promised it would: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
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We Need Not Fear Death https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/we-need-not-fear-death https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/we-need-not-fear-death#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2021 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/we-need-not-fear-death Every day we are informed of the daily COVID deaths. It is discouraging news to read. But in another sense it's a helpful reminder to us all that death is an inevitable reality that none of us can escape and we must all one day face. And yet Jesus, through His own death, offers us all victory over death. His own death and resurrection was the pivotal event that changed the trajectory of death for all who are trusting in Him. The Christian need not fear death. Jesus transforms our outlook from a grim one to one of hope. The 18th century Puritan, James Meikel, puts it best (thanks to Tim Challies for sharing this quote):

Why so much complaint of death? It is true, death is the fruit of sin, for by sin, death came into the world. But it is also true, that death is the finisher of sin to the godly—for by death sin shall be cast out forever. Sin, conveyed to us in our conception, is so interwoven with the human frame, that the tie must be dissolved between the soul and body, before a full and final separation can take place between the soul and sin. Who then, would fear the furnace, which is only to consume the dross, that the gold may come forth without alloy? What candidate for heaven would be averse to lay down mortality—in order to take up immortality; to put off this corruptible body—in order to put on incorruption? to have his body sown in dishonor—in order to be raised in honor and glory; and to have the soul dislodged from his body—that sin might be dislodged from his soul?

Why, then, should I be displeased at such a glorious exchange? To lay down frail flesh, feeble nature, all my lusts and passions, all my occasions and temptations to sin, all my infirmities and imperfections—and to be clothed with perfect beauty and eternal glory—should rather transport than perplex me. Why tremble at the ghastly gloom, that shall beam into a boundless noon; or startle at the dark step that shall usher me into eternal day? If my separation for a few years from my friends, issues in uninterrupted communion with God, is not the change most happy? If my distant views, and dim glances of the land afar off, and the King in his beauty, pass away—that the nearest approaches, most steady views, and brightest visions, may eternally take place—am not I a gainer to the highest degree?

Then, Lord, take away the sting of death, and at your appointed time, through faith, I shall fly into death’s arms, not dismayed at his cold embrace—but burning with a heavenly desire to be forever with the Lord—which is far better than all the happiness of crowns and thrones below!

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Every day we are informed of the daily COVID deaths. It is discouraging news to read. But in another sense it's a helpful reminder to us all that death is an inevitable reality that none of us can escape and we must all one day face. And yet Jesus, through His own death, offers us all victory over death. His own death and resurrection was the pivotal event that changed the trajectory of death for all who are trusting in Him. The Christian need not fear death. Jesus transforms our outlook from a grim one to one of hope. The 18th century Puritan, James Meikel, puts it best (thanks to Tim Challies for sharing this quote):

Why so much complaint of death? It is true, death is the fruit of sin, for by sin, death came into the world. But it is also true, that death is the finisher of sin to the godly—for by death sin shall be cast out forever. Sin, conveyed to us in our conception, is so interwoven with the human frame, that the tie must be dissolved between the soul and body, before a full and final separation can take place between the soul and sin. Who then, would fear the furnace, which is only to consume the dross, that the gold may come forth without alloy? What candidate for heaven would be averse to lay down mortality—in order to take up immortality; to put off this corruptible body—in order to put on incorruption? to have his body sown in dishonor—in order to be raised in honor and glory; and to have the soul dislodged from his body—that sin might be dislodged from his soul?

Why, then, should I be displeased at such a glorious exchange? To lay down frail flesh, feeble nature, all my lusts and passions, all my occasions and temptations to sin, all my infirmities and imperfections—and to be clothed with perfect beauty and eternal glory—should rather transport than perplex me. Why tremble at the ghastly gloom, that shall beam into a boundless noon; or startle at the dark step that shall usher me into eternal day? If my separation for a few years from my friends, issues in uninterrupted communion with God, is not the change most happy? If my distant views, and dim glances of the land afar off, and the King in his beauty, pass away—that the nearest approaches, most steady views, and brightest visions, may eternally take place—am not I a gainer to the highest degree?

Then, Lord, take away the sting of death, and at your appointed time, through faith, I shall fly into death’s arms, not dismayed at his cold embrace—but burning with a heavenly desire to be forever with the Lord—which is far better than all the happiness of crowns and thrones below!

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Who are you waiting for? https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/who-are-you-waiting-for https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/who-are-you-waiting-for#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2020 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/who-are-you-waiting-for But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). 

As we wait on the results of America’s presidential election, our hearts vacillate between a mix of emotions: anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and weariness. What will the future of our country look like? None of us knows what the result will be. And as important as the office of president is, even more important is the royal office of heaven and earth. We already know Who holds that office. And no election, coup, or term limit will remove God from that office. He holds it in perpetuity not because we placed Him there but because He is God who made heaven and earth (Isa. 37:16). While we wait for an earthly ruler to be appointed and begin his temporary reign, we await the Lord's return when He will usher in the fullness of His eternal kingdom that we are currently seeking and anticipating (Mt. 6:33). Therein lies our ultimate hope. We have certainty and confidence that He is reigning now and will return to make all things new (Rev. 21:5). This means we don’t have to wait in fear—regardless of the election's outcome—and we can wait with confidence knowing that He will make us rise like the eagle. Until then we keep-on living in this world as citizens of heaven, which means, we keep working, loving our neighbors, and yes, we even vote—all the while heralding the good news of God's "kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Mt. 6:9-10).

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But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). 

As we wait on the results of America’s presidential election, our hearts vacillate between a mix of emotions: anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and weariness. What will the future of our country look like? None of us knows what the result will be. And as important as the office of president is, even more important is the royal office of heaven and earth. We already know Who holds that office. And no election, coup, or term limit will remove God from that office. He holds it in perpetuity not because we placed Him there but because He is God who made heaven and earth (Isa. 37:16). While we wait for an earthly ruler to be appointed and begin his temporary reign, we await the Lord's return when He will usher in the fullness of His eternal kingdom that we are currently seeking and anticipating (Mt. 6:33). Therein lies our ultimate hope. We have certainty and confidence that He is reigning now and will return to make all things new (Rev. 21:5). This means we don’t have to wait in fear—regardless of the election's outcome—and we can wait with confidence knowing that He will make us rise like the eagle. Until then we keep-on living in this world as citizens of heaven, which means, we keep working, loving our neighbors, and yes, we even vote—all the while heralding the good news of God's "kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Mt. 6:9-10).

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Entering God's Furnace https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/entering-gods-furnace https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/entering-gods-furnace#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2020 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.concordcommunity.org/blog/post/entering-gods-furnace “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts” (Proverbs 17:3) 

Precious metals like gold and silver are refined and purified under intense heat and fire. The worthless dross and impurities are burned away. God does the same to the human heart. He uses the heat and adversity of life like a furnace, to test our hearts and refine us. This current global pandemic feels like a crucible and furnace; there is hardly one person on this planet or reading this post who is not feeling the intense heat of this situation. It has affected us all in a variety of ways. What is God doing? He is refining his children; he is purifying us so His “graces are even more resplendent” (Bishop Sanderson). He is burning away, through adversity, those idols of our hearts that we cling to so easily and leaves only Christ for the Christian to cling to. Just as Christ entered the furnace of suffering and came out more glorious than we could have imagined, so too the saint enters this furnace knowing God has His good and purifying purposes at work in us. He is testing your heart: What do you worship? What or whom do you love? What do you value most? In this fiery trial God is not destroying us, He is building us into the image of His Son. May your tested heart come out of this crucible clinging more to Christ!

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“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts” (Proverbs 17:3) 

Precious metals like gold and silver are refined and purified under intense heat and fire. The worthless dross and impurities are burned away. God does the same to the human heart. He uses the heat and adversity of life like a furnace, to test our hearts and refine us. This current global pandemic feels like a crucible and furnace; there is hardly one person on this planet or reading this post who is not feeling the intense heat of this situation. It has affected us all in a variety of ways. What is God doing? He is refining his children; he is purifying us so His “graces are even more resplendent” (Bishop Sanderson). He is burning away, through adversity, those idols of our hearts that we cling to so easily and leaves only Christ for the Christian to cling to. Just as Christ entered the furnace of suffering and came out more glorious than we could have imagined, so too the saint enters this furnace knowing God has His good and purifying purposes at work in us. He is testing your heart: What do you worship? What or whom do you love? What do you value most? In this fiery trial God is not destroying us, He is building us into the image of His Son. May your tested heart come out of this crucible clinging more to Christ!

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