Blog articles

God Cares for You

Dear CPC Flock,

In 1 Peter 5:7, Peter called his readers to cast “all your anxieties on [God], because he cares for you.” The Apostle Peter wrote these words to a struggling church. In addition to the difficulties of living in the 1st century—plagues, barbarians, and recessions—Believers were also being persecuted. Death and despair was everywhere. And Christians were not immune. Their anxieties were many. In the face of trying times, what did Peter tell them to do? Literally, throw their cares upon God. Like you might heave a saddle on a horse’s back, that’s what these struggling Christians were to do with their concerns. Let them rest upon the Lord and not themselves.

Pushing Pause: Starting Up

Pushing Pause; Starting Up

For the next several weeks, we are going to push pause on the sermon series in both worship services. We will pick back up with Luke and 1 Samuel mid-August. In the meantime, we will look at various OT texts in the morning and some NT passages in the evening. Also, during this time Trey and I will be gone July 22-29 with the Honduras mission team. Pray for us that we will be an encouragement to the Presbyterian church in Tegucigalpa and ask God’s blessing upon the ministry of the Word. I will be preaching several times, and the team will be doing a VBS with kids, along with engaging in mercy ministry. I will also be on vacation for two weeks in August.

Doctrine Matters

Doctrine Matters

Some will say, “Doctrine divides,” and from one perspective they are right. In Mat. 10:34, Jesus said, “Don’t think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” The doctrines of the faith separate those who embrace them and those who don’t. Right theology can tear families, friends, and churches a part, because Christ and his Word is to have no rival in our hearts. In no way is this an excuse for harsh rhetoric in communicating the doctrines of the faith. Instead, the offense is to be the Gospel and not us. Our language is to be full of grace and seasoned with salt (Col. 4:5-6). It is to be gracious and charitable, while also seeking to preserve biblical truth.

1 Peter 5:7

Dear CPC Flock,

In 1 Peter 5:7 Peter called his readers to cast “all your anxieties on [God], because he cares for you.” The Apostle Peter wrote these words to a struggling church. In addition to the difficulties of living in the 1st century—plagues, barbarians, and recessions—Believers were also being persecuted. Their anxieties were many. In the face of trying times and uncertain futures, what did Peter tell them to do? Literally, throw their cares upon God. Like you might have a saddle on a horse’s back, that’s what these struggling Christians were to do with their concerns. Let them rest upon the Lord and not themselves.

Hospitality

Romans 12:13—“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Easter Prayer

Dear CPC Flock,

Easter week is filled with activity. There is time with family and friends, a Good Friday service (6pm at CPC), and then morning and evening worship on Sunday. As you approach these things make the following prayer yours …

Singing and Studying Hymns

Some Observations About Singing & Studying Hymns

For a couple months now in Sunday School, we have been teaching through some of the finest hymns that the church has produced over the centuries. Clif addressed this from the outset, but one looming question might still be in your mind as we continue through this study: “Wait – why are we doing this again?” Maybe you realize the benefit of singing hymns, but don’t necessarily find hymns the most exciting thing to study. Well, a few remarks about singing and studying hymns:

The Fight of Faith

The Fight of Faith 

Once a month on a Friday night, we have a men’s gathering at my house. About a dozen or more guys get together for fellowship and study. When we started this group, we did one of my favorite books—JC Ryle’s Holiness. However, one fateful week, I came home to find one of my dogs had taken a bite out of the book. The dog is now nicknamed ‘the Antichrist’ or ‘Satan’s Beast,’ especially given the chapter he devoured. It was entitled ‘The Fight.’ 

Judges 12:8-13

8After him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel … 11After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel … 13After him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel—Judges 12:8, 11, 13

Hospitality

Romans 12:13—“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”