Author: Southside Church

  • The Word of God

    The Word of God

    If God’s Word is going to lead our lives, we not only ask our questions of it, but more importantly, we let it ask questions of us.

    In our spiritual lives, reading God’s Word is meant to be that landmark, a constant point of return when the distractions of life pull us away.

    The author of Hebrews wisely reminds us to “pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard, so that we do not [in any way] drift away from truth.” We’ve heard the importance of reading God’s Word, of allowing it to nourish us like food. Yet, the statistics are sobering – the busyness of life crowds out this essential practice. Corrie Ten Boom once said, “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” It’s a subtle but effective way to derail our spiritual growth.

    Our demanding schedules lead us to neglect our physical nourishment, opting for quick and often unhealthy choices. In the same way, when we’re consumed by busyness, we can neglect the spiritual nourishment that comes from God’s Word, leaving us spiritually depleted.

    But God’s Word is so much more than just sustenance. Isaiah reminds us that God’s thoughts and ways are far beyond our own, like the heavens are higher than the earth. And just as rain and snow bring life and growth to the earth, so too does God’s Word accomplish His purposes. 

    Terran Williams puts it like this, “The words of God not only nourish the living seed already lodged in our lives – they span the distance between heaven and earth, between God’s mind and ours, bringing immense life and revelation with them. They are the very means by which heaven invades earth.”

    This Word has the power to transform our minds, as Paul writes in Romans 12:2, urging us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” John Mark Comer adds that as we meditate on God’s Word, we begin to “think God’s thoughts after him” and develop the “mind of Christ.”

    So, let’s consider this vital “basic” again.

    Reflect:

    1. Reflecting on your own life, what are some of the “distractions” that tend to pull you away from consistent Bible reading?
    2. The passage mentions that God’s Word is like food for our souls. In what ways have you experienced the nourishing effect of Scripture in your life? Conversely, how have you felt when you’ve neglected this spiritual nourishment?
    3. Consider the three practical suggestions for engaging with Scripture: prayer, journaling, and asking questions. Which of these practices do you find most challenging, and why?
    4. The devotional highlights the importance of applying God’s Word, not just interpreting it. Can you recall a time when a specific verse prompted you to take action or change your perspective? What was the outcome?
    5. Tim Keller’s quote suggests that if our understanding of God never challenges us, we might be projecting our own ideals. How can we ensure that we are allowing God’s Word to truly speak to us, even when it’s uncomfortable?

    What next step do you need to take?

    “Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.”

    John Maxwell

    Closing Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Word, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We confess that at times, the busyness and distractions of life cause us to drift from this vital source of truth and nourishment. Forgive us for the times we have neglected to seek you in the pages of Scripture. We ask for your Holy Spirit to inspire us as we return to this foundational practice. Help us to be intentional in our approach, to pray before we read, to journal the insights you reveal, and to ask the right questions that lead to practical application in our lives. May your Word not only inform our minds but also transform our hearts and guide our steps, leading us into the fullness of life you have promised. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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  • The Love of God

    The Love of God

    Come to the party. Come to the feast. Avail yourselves of all He offers. This is the God to whom we bring our prayers

    Many of us have prayed lifted for children distant from God and spouses not yet walking with Him. We might blame ourselves when your children don’t follow the Lord, but God isn’t in the blame-game. None of us are perfect, nor are we perfect parents. Deep-seated failure often weighs us down, sometimes hindering our relationship with God without our awareness.

    Take a moment to sit quietly and consider: Who is God to you? Picture Jesus, look into His eyes, and see His love there for you.

    Meditate on Psalm 139:

    O Lord, You have examined my heart 
                and know everything about me. 
    You know when I sit down or stand up. 
               You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 
    You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. 
               You know everything I do. 
    You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 

    You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my      head.  You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

    You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. 

                      Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

    How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, You are still with me!  

    Reflect on this intimacy. God knows you intimately, every thought, every action. He was present in your mother’s womb, carefully forming you. His thoughts toward you are countless. This is the God who loves you deeply and personally. Consider how Jesus treated people in the Gospels – with love and compassion. Place yourself in those stories and imagine His kindness extended to you.

    Jesus told a powerful story of two lost sons and their father’s immeasurable love. The younger son, wanted independence, squandered his inheritance and ended up desperate, tending pigs. In that state he came to his senses, he realized the abundance and love in his father’s house. He recognized his foolishness and resolved to return home.

    The father, filled with love, watched for his son. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming.” He didn’t wait; he ran, embraced him, and showered him with affection. He called for the finest robe, a ring symbolizing restored authority, and sandals marking him as a son. He ordered a lavish feast to celebrate his return.

    The older son, who had stayed home working, heard the celebration. Learning the reason, anger consumed him, and he refused to join. His father pleaded with him. The older son’s reply revealed a heart distant from the Father: “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!”

    Notice his disrespect: “This son of yours.” He saw his brother as an outsider undeserving of grace. His obedience lacked love and joy; he lived like a slave, not understanding his inheritance as a beloved son. This mirrored the Pharisees Jesus addressed, who criticized His association with sinners.

    “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

    Many of us, like the older brother, have been in church for years yet fail to grasp God’s immense love and generosity. We might see Him as exacting, feeling unworthy and resenting others’ blessings. Criticizing others can mask our insecurities and distance from the Father’s heart. We miss the truth: “Everything I have is yours.”

    Today, the Father invites each of us: Come to the party. Come to the feast. Avail yourselves of all He offers. This is the God to whom we bring our prayers – a Father who welcomes us and rejoices in the return of His children. As John Newton wrote, 

    “Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring, for His grace and power are such none can ever ask too much.”

    Reflect:

    1. How do you see yourself in the younger or older son?
    2. Have you ever resented others’ blessings? How did that impact your relationship with God?
    3. Do you believe “everything” the Father has is yours? What hinders you from embracing this?
    4. How does understanding God as this loving Father change your prayers for distant loved ones?
    5. What one step can you take this week to embrace the “feast” the Father offers?

    Closing Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, thank You for the powerful reminder of Your unconditional love in the story of the two lost sons. We confess times we’ve wandered from You and times we’ve remained close yet distant in heart. Forgive us for doubting Your generosity and allowing resentment to grow. Help us truly grasp the depth of Your love, knowing all You have is ours in Christ Jesus. We lift our distant children and spouses to You, trusting Your compassionate heart to draw them home. May we watch with hope and celebrate their return. Strengthen our faith to believe no one is beyond Your reach. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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  • Building a Legacy of Faith and Belonging

    Building a Legacy of Faith and Belonging

    The church is more than just a Sunday gathering; it’s a family, a place to belong, share experiences, and support one another.

    There is power in community and therefore it is important to create spaces where faith can flourish and connections can deepen. The church is more than just a Sunday gathering; it’s a family, a place to belong, share experiences, and support one another.

    Just as Nehemiah envisioned rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem to create a secure place for God’s people, we too are called to contribute to building spaces—both physical and relational—where faith stories can unfold. Our contributions, whether of time, talent, or treasure, become the “bricks” that construct a legacy for future generations, fostering an environment where individuals can encounter faith, even in profound, personal ways, as people in the past have done. 

    This is an investment not just in buildings, but in the continuation of faith and blessing through our families and communities.

    Reflection Questions:

    1. How can you more intentionally cultivate a sense of belonging within your own faith community or family this week?
    1. In what ways (beyond finances) can you contribute your unique “bricks” to building up your community and creating spaces for others to connect with faith?
    1. Reflecting on the prayer for generational blessing, what legacy of faith do you hope to leave for those who come after you, and what steps can you take towards that vision?

    Closing Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of community and the places where we can gather to worship and support one another. Like Nehemiah, give us vision and purpose to build spaces where Your presence dwells and where faith can be nurtured. Bless our efforts, big or small, as we contribute our “bricks” to Your kingdom work. We pray for a generational blessing upon our families, asking for Your favour, covenant faithfulness, righteousness, and peace to flow through us and to those who follow. May we build a lasting legacy of faith and love. Amen.

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  • Who am I?

    Who am I?

    For those who follow Christ, our truest identity lies not in fleeting external realities but in our relationship with Him. The cross of Christ ushered in a new reality for us, granting us a new identity rooted in Him.

    “Who am I?” It’s a query that resonates deeply within each of us. Often, we mistakenly anchor our identity in external markers – possessions, social standing, or even past hurts. We might introduce ourselves by our struggles or perceived limitations, defining ourselves by what we lack or what has wounded us.

    However, for those who follow Christ, our truest identity lies not in these fleeting external realities but in our relationship with Him. The cross of Christ ushered in a new reality for us, granting us a new identity rooted in Him. While we may not yet fully grasp the fullness of this inheritance, our position in Christ is a gift laden with both privilege and responsibility.

    As John 10:10 reminds us, Jesus came to bring us abundant life, a stark contrast to the thief who seeks only to steal, kill, and destroy. Our possessions and worldly achievements do not define us; our identity emanates from within, established by the transformative act of Jesus’ sacrifice.

    Think of the old identification booklets – they contained the essential details of who a person was. Similarly, the Bible serves as the testament to our identity as followers of Jesus. Within its pages, our past is redeemed, our present is empowered, and our future is secured in Him.

    Yet, there is a constant battle for our minds. The adversary, skilled in deception, whispers lies of inadequacy and constantly parades our past failures before us. In these moments, we must stand firm and remind him of his ultimate defeat. Proverbs 23:7 wisely states, “For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” This aligns with Philippians 2:5-6, which encourages us to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.”

    Consider the poignant story of the elephant calf. Bound by a rope, it learns a false limitation. Even when it possesses the physical strength to break free as a grown elephant, the ingrained belief of its inability holds it captive. Similarly, the enemy seeks to shackle us with limiting beliefs. But 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

    Ultimately, it is not the opinions of others that define us, but God’s perspective through the lens of Jesus. Some of us may identify with the man in Luke 5:17-24, paralyzed and unable to move forward until encountering Jesus. Jesus’ powerful words, “…Rise up and walk,” speak to the potential within us to break free from the paralysis of our past and step into the new life offered through the cross, as Romans 6:4 beautifully illustrates.

    Our Position in Christ:

    • I am a new creation, made in God’s image and dependent on Him. (Genesis 1:27; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
    • I am in Christ. (Ephesians 2:10)
    • I am justified. (Romans 8:33; Colossians 2:12)
    • I am adopted into God’s family. (Ephesians 1:5)
    • I am part of God’s royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2:9)
    • I am not yet perfected, but I am being transformed. (Philippians 3:12)
    • I am the head and not the tail, destined for progress, not regression. (Deuteronomy 28:13)

    Therefore, when we stumble, we rise, adjust our perspective, and continue our journey forward.

    Our Responsibility:

    Even as we live on earth, we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, granting us access to spiritual blessings and privileges (Ephesians 2:6). This elevated position carries responsibility:

    • To be witnesses of God’s love and grace. (Acts 1:8)
    • To serve others. (Mark 10:45)
    • To build up fellow believers. (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
    • To be generous. (1 John 3:17; Galatians 6:2)
    • To pursue holiness. (1 Peter 1:16; 2 Peter 3:11)
    • To care for the vulnerable. (James 1:27)

    As 2 Corinthians 9:8 assures us, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

    While understanding who we are is important, knowing whose we are is paramount. Let us hold onto these three key concepts:

    • Awareness: Be mindful that the world often offers counterfeit peace, a peace that only God can truly provide.
    • Contentment: Cultivate contentment in your present circumstances while simultaneously striving for growth in Christ.
    • Intention: Purposefully engage in the process of discovering and living out your identity in Jesus Christ.

    Reflect:

    1. In what areas of your life do you find yourself seeking validation from external sources rather than your identity in Christ?
    2. What past experiences or limiting beliefs continue to paralyze you from fully embracing the new life you have in Christ?
    3. Which aspect of your identity in Christ (as listed above) resonates most deeply with you right now, and how can you live more fully in that truth?
    4. How can you more intentionally step into the responsibilities that come with your identity in Christ, such as serving or being generous?
    5. Where do you need to acknowledge that you haven’t fully taken hold of the power you have in Christ Jesus? What specific aspect of your identity do you need to work on intentionally?

    Closing Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of our identity in Christ Jesus. Forgive us for the times we have sought our worth in fleeting things and allowed the voices of the world and our past to define us. Help us to truly grasp the depth of Your love and the new creation we are in You. Empower us to walk in the fullness of our position, embracing both the privileges and the responsibilities that come with it. Strengthen us to resist the lies of the enemy and to fix our minds on the truth of who we are in You. May we grow in awareness, contentment, and intention, living lives that reflect Your glory. Amen.

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