DAILY DEVOTION, June 23, 2022

Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” Matthew 16:18).

There are movements within the church from time to time to try to make the church “more relevant.”  Well, you don’t need to do a thing to the church to make her more relevant to me.  Some of the attempts to “make the church more relevant” make it less relevant for me.  If the church will simply be what God created her to be; if the church will follow the pattern God has laid down for us in Scripture, the church will be relevant to those who seek after God.  The attempt to make the church relevant to impenitent sinners will only destroy the church.

I believe in the church because the church has the answers to life’s biggest questions.  Where did I come from?  Why is the world such a mess?  How can I find forgiveness?  Is there any hope of eternal life?  Those are very relevant questions in my life and only the church gives meaningful and satisfactory answers.  We have come from God, our Creator.  The world is in a mess because we humans live in rebellion against God.  Forgiveness and eternal life can be found in Jesus Christ. The church has meaningful, sensible answers to the ultimate questions of life, and that is why I believe in the church.

Father, I thank You for the church. It was through the influence of the church that I finally came to faith in Jesus. Use this church to reach out to the lost so that they too may come to know Jesus. In His name,  pray. Amen.

hen Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

DAILY DEVOTION, June 22, 2022

Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

I  believe in the church because the church proclaims absolute truth in this relativistic age in which we live.  Allan Bloom, in his book The Closing of the American Mind, writes:  “There is one thing a professor can be absolutely certain of: almost every student entering the university believes, or says he believes, that truth is relative.” 

Do you grasp what this intellectual environment means for us as Christians?  We must either deny the basic truths of our faith and agree that religion is a matter of opinion, or we are enemies of society.  I am one of those dangerous people who does not accept the relativity and openness of today’s society.  I am glad there are still some churches around that are not afraid to go against the grain of modern society and declare, “Thus saith the Lord.” 

The God of the Bible is a God who loves us, and in His love tells us precisely what will please Him, and what will provoke His wrath. Since I believe the God of the Bible is the only God who exists, I appreciate the fact that there are still churches around who proclaim the absolute truth of God — and who do so without compromise. I believe in the church.

Father, I thank you that You have spoken absolute truth to us. Help me to hold tightly to Your Word in this age of relativism. Thank You for loving me and forgiving me through Your Son, in whose name, I pray. Amen.  

 DAILY DEVOTION, June 21, 2022

Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

I could share so many things about times when the church ministered to me. I was serving this church when Joan died of cancer in 2009. It was a very difficult time. This church surrounded us with love and prayers. While we lost Joan I know how much she appreciated this church. I believe that when we arrive in heaven Joan will want to thank everyone for their support and prayers. I wonder how people without faith survive when tragedy comes their way.

The fellowship of the church means everything to me.  And I know that if I allowed others the opportunity to share, we would hear many stories about how the church has supported you with love and prayers when you were hurting.  I sometimes imagine what our town of Warsaw would be like if all the churches were removed. Would it be a better place? I don’t think so. I believe in the church.

Father, thank You so much for the presence of the church in my life. There is so much of Jesus present in our little church. Yes,  I seek to minister to this congregation, but they have ministered to me in so many ways. Thank You for our church family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Just a reminder that our Wednesday Bible study is on hold until the fall. 

On Thursday Sandy Schmitt will continue her grief counseling group. 

 A reminder that our baby bottle fund drive to support Crossroads Ministry ends Sunday. If you haven’t filled a bottle yet grab one when you come to church on Sunday and insert money! 

Warm House is looking for donations of cereal, Ramen noodles, sugar, and bread. 

On Sunday I will continue the series of sermons from the Book of Romans. I will finish the summary of Chapters 9-11 with a focus on “The Kingdom of God.” 

On July 3rd the focus will be on America with special emphasis on Patrick Henry. 

Last but not least, remember the church picnic following church this Sunday. We are holding it at the church rather than our house for several reasons – – – the weather (heat? Rain?) and the price of gasoline to drive to our house. We (Richard and Marie) will provide burgers, dogs, and buns. Bring salads, veggies, or dessert to share. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). 
Pastor Bowman

DAILY DEVOTION, June 20, 2022

Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

I believe in the church. It has been an integral part of my life since infancy. The first reason I believe in the church is a pragmatic reason which has nothing to do with the truthfulness of the church’s message.  Of course, I believe that message to be true, but setting aside the truth question for a moment, look at what the church has accomplished.  It was the Christian church and Christian people who began public education in this country.  Our own Christian church sponsors Bible Colleges and seminaries all over the country. Christians believe all truth comes ultimately from God, and have been leaders in the educational field.

Hospitals, orphanages, homes for old folks — have you ever seen such an institution founded by an atheist?  Christians believe life is God-given, and that we should care for one another, and again it is the church that has taken the lead in founding institutions devoted to the care of other human beings. 

And what would happen in the world today if the influence of Christian missionaries were magically withdrawn from history?  Would the world today be a better place, or a worse place if Christianity had not spread to every nation?  The world is certainly no utopia, and there is much need for progress, but think where we would be if Jesus had not established a church, and the church had not spread its influence around the world.  I believe in the church.

Father, I thank You for the church of Jesus Christ. I thank You that I came to know Jesus through the church. I thank You for the good work done all around the world by the church.