Because the people had rejected God and had turned away from His Word they were exiled out of Jerusalem and out of all the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Psalm 147 is a song the people sang in the days of Nehemiah. They rejoiced and were in awe of their God who brought the nation back to the Promised Land and to Jerusalem. God did not just bring them back but built them up again as seen in the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, in spite of many enemies and obstacles. God did it!
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In these final words of Paul in his letter to the Roman church he summarizes his message in an exultation of praise to God that the mystery of Christ has been made known to the nations and that this mystery foretold in the Old Testament prophetic writings results in their faith and obedience and “… glory to the only wise God.”
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Isn’t it amazing how God hears the cries of His Church and answers prayer? God be praised! I’ve seen God faithfully answer prayer in my own life and in so many lives at Mercy Hill. He is faithful to His Church. But how does He do it? How does God chose to answer those prayers many times? Sometimes it’s through the miraculous and unexplained, but more often it’s through the stirring of His Church that needs are met...
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Our focus today is on ministries. All too often, ministries in churches can just be seen as departments in an organization. To some degree, this is true. Usually a ministry has a leader, a team, and a specific focus that serves as a branch to a larger organization.
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Today we are continuing our week of focused prayer by praying for governments and authorities. At times, praying for those in governmental authority may feel pointless, especially when those we are praying for don’t know God or share our personal political views. But regardless of what our own feelings may be, Scripture directs us to be in subjection to the governing authorities...
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The word “leadership” brings with it a fascinating dichotomy in perspective. There is the classic idea that leadership is about bringing rescue to those in need, demonstrating courage in the face of danger, or taking charge of a desperate situation. That view brings to mind names like Abraham Lincoln, George Patton or Aaron Rodgers. And while no one would argue that, in their given contexts, these men demonstrated tremendous leadership abilities, the passage above hints at a very different view of leadership altogether
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The practice of repentance is a central discipline of the Christian life. One of the most consistent messages of Jesus Christ throughout His ministry was to call people to repentance. In fact, imploring people to “repent or perish”. As followers of Christ this isn’t an odd call because to come to our salvation one of our first acts of faith was to repent, but so often we do not make the act of repentance a consistent discipline of our Christian walk, which is a pity...
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Join us for a Christmas concert featuring various Mercy Hill artists performing traditional Christmas favorites and new classics in an array of stylings. We will enjoy dessert and coffee and will collect non perishable food donations for some local food pantries.
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Often in life, circumstances beyond our control, can cause us to feel unhinged, ungrounded and grasping for hope. In the midst of a struggling relationship, financial insecurity or health issues the ability to see a brighter future that is rooted in a secure present is a life skill that is essential for simple survival.
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If you would like to follow be baptized, sign up at the Welcome Table or email Pastor Jonathan at jonathan@mercyhill.org.
We will have a cookout at Bay View Beach Park and then walk down to the lake and baptize those making a declaration to follow Christ in water baptism.
Read MoreI know this is going to sound a lot like "the dog ate my homework" excuse but honestly I had planned a blog post for this week entitled "What Marriage is Really For" and it was meant to be a response to what appears to be a popular blog post that has been going around entitled "Marriage Isnt For You" by Seth Adam Smith.
Read MoreAs I have been writing this blog series I am keenly aware of how rare it is that I have ever been taught or even heard this topic addressed in all my years of church attendance.
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The most conclusive identifier of a wolf is revealed in the very imagery of the term wolf as it is used by Christ and repeated by Paul.
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I went deer hunting. Once. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Before I tried it I always thought, “It can’t be that hard.” Deer are docile and non-threatening and honestly they seem a little… slow. Not slow as in they can’t run fast (because I know they can) but more like they’re not real quick on the uptake. I mean, they see headlights from an oncoming vehicle and just stand there. How smart can they be? And so I figured finding one and shooting one shouldn’t be that tough. I was wrong.
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Pastor’s conferences are kinda weird. Over my years of ministry I have been to a lot of these conferences and I have noticed an odd dynamic. Quite often these events consist of pastors telling pastors how pastors are really important or how pastors are under-appreciated or how pastors need to be respected or how pastors have a hard job. The whole thing, at times, can seem self serving. Don’t get me wrong, I understand there are unique challenges to a pastor’s life and spending time talking, sharing and even, on occasion, commiserating can be deeply beneficial but at times this exercise can move from being supportive and affirming to misguided and destructive. (if you’re not a pastor keep reading, this is ultimately about church-goers not pastors)
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