In Acts 20 we read about Paul’s travel to Troas where he stayed seven days, apparently desiring to be present on a Sunday (first day of the week) so he could worship with the local church. In Acts 20:7, Luke writes that Paul and those with him (we) assembled with the church to observe the …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Coming Together to Break Bread”
God is active in this world in ways we do not understand and cannot explain. God’s ways are mysterious, often invisible except in retrospect. We can see where God has been, we can see evidence of his work, but the present activity is difficult to discern with certainty. Faith is depending on the God who …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: God Is Beyond our Expectations and Understandings”
In the midst of all that is written or spoken about the church, often overlooked is the truth that the church must be defined to a large extent by its practice of assembling. The Greek word which is translated church over 100 times in the New Testament is also translated assembly three times when the …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: The Church Demonstrates Its True Nature”
Today I will assemble with the spiritual family on Baxter’s campus. Perhaps as many as 1000 Christians will gather to worship, representing different countries of Latin America and various states of the United States, and representing many different congregations. Gathering together in the amphitheater, now covered with a permanent roof, we will sing and pray, …
During my years of preaching ministry, I usually awoke early on Sunday mornings. I remember that often I wondered what God would do among his people on that day. That attitude of anticipation blessed my preaching ministry across more than four decades. As I thought about what God would do, I considered that he might …
I often evaluate the days of my life with the phrase, “It was a good day.” Yesterday was a good day. What makes a good day? Each day is different, unique, with new challenges and new opportunities. The newness of each day reflects God’s creative genius as we experience the world; newness also describes the …
The first Sunday of November–time to adjust the clocks (Fall Back, Spring Forward). This is the good time change, or at least it is the easier time change for my body. For me, changing the clock marks the seasonal transition. Summer is really over, fall has arrived. I like to look back and evaluate where …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Park Plaza IdC Seminar”
Another Sunday, worship with another congregation within the spiritual family. I have been asked to teach and preach. No specific instructions, but I know what is needed–a word of encouragement! We will focus on missions–God blesses us with marvelous opportunities to make a difference in our world. We will remember God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: A Word of Encouragement”
Today will be a spectacular day in the Lord! First, the opportunity to worship and praise the Lord is an incredible thing when one considers the human frailty and the divine righteousness. That God accepts our worship is unbelievable. That God wants relationship with us is beyond imagination. To worship and praise the Lord is …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Praising, Praying, Preaching”
I have been thinking about and anticipating today since last Wednesday evening’s Bible class. The conversation during the class and afterward, and the sweet fellowship we enjoyed as we lingered together to laugh and love, whetted my appetite for sharing time with the spiritual family. Today is the day we meet. Together we will come …
