Blog: August 2021

Let’s talk about pressing issues.  What key topics are on the front burner of your life and our world today?  What are the things that provoke or energize you, disturb or thrill you? Many people would answer by naming topics like:  *current geo-political events, and in particular the situation in Afghanistan; or *Covid-19 vaccines and case counts and mitigation strategies; or *sex and gender; or *race and racism; *or financial markets… Every day there’s a rush of breaking news in these cate­gories, so if such things are “pressing” to you, ...

Here at Goshen, in our devotion to Jesus, we practice believer’s baptism by immersion. Baptism is for believers—that is, it’s an expression of one’s personal trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins and gift of eternal life.  In the New Testament the practice of baptism is consistently associated with a person’s faith, with believing in Jesus (see Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 16:14-15, 31-33; 18:8; 19:4-5; Galatians 3:26-27). So we don’t get baptized based on someone else’s faith, but to express our own faith in Christ.  And we ...

Every day we get more news of the tumult and tragedies unfolding in Afghanistan.  I'll avoid getting into the specifics of the situation, and instead let me call you to join in PRAYER for the Afghan church and for all the people of that nation. Pray for a powerful, gracious, hope-giving, gospel-driven work of God!  I appreciate the prayer guidance provided by Interserve.  See also this article by a Christian writer serving in ministry in Central Asia.  Let us pray! Also, if the Lord is prompting you to help assist Afghan refugees fleeing ...

Please join us in our newly renovated Sanctuary on Sunday, September 12, at 9:00 or 11:00 a.m., for our rededication worship services. We’ll commit ourselves to God, each other, and His mission as we rededicate our sanctuary for the cause of Christ in our community. Light refreshments will be served in Fellowship Hall at 10:15 a.m. There will be opportunities to learn more about our fall ministries including: Children's Programs, Youth Ministry, Young Adult Gatherings, Small Groups, Bible Studies, and Sunday Classes for all. Nursery will ...

John was on the island of Patmos when he had a vision. Jesus appeared to John and showed him what will happen before the end of time. John wrote about what he saw in the Book of Revelation. John saw a vision of the future. John saw a throne in heaven and the Lord was on the throne. John saw a scroll in the Lord’s right hand. A mighty angel asked, “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” But no one in heaven was worthy. No one on earth was worthy. No one under the earth was worthy either. John began to cry loudly because no one was worthy! Then ...

A text without a context is a pretext for making the Bible say what you want it to say!  But sincere, humble faith in God respects the meaning of a biblical passage in its context.  Consider an example. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Just think:  mercy is available to sinners who confess their dis­obedience to God.  And if we try to wiggle out of the charge that we’re guilty of sin, verse 8 pins us down: “If we say we have no sin, we ...

The apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation from the island of Patmos. Patmos was a small Greek island where the Roman emperor often exiled prisoners. John was likely sent to Patmos as a prisoner, arrested for preaching the gospel. With this session, introduce your kids to the Book of Revelation—the last book of the Bible. Other Bible books tell us about things that happened in the past, but Revelation tells about things that will happen in the future. A glimpse of the future kingdom of God gives believers hope and encourages them to ...

Even though the Letter of Jude has only 25 verses, the message of this small Bible book is massive in terms of its importance.  Notice: “Keep” yet “Kept” (vv 1, 21, 24):  Believers are commanded to “keep” themselves in God’s love (i.e., cling to Christ, trust God’s promises, flee from sin, obey biblical teaching)—but NOT as an exercise of self-will.  Keep yourself because you know you are kept in the Good Shepherd’s strong, loving arms (John 10:28). “The Faith” (v 3):  Already in the mid-first century there was a known, established body ...