COV LIFE BLOG

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 – The Difference Between Worldly Grief and Godly Grief in the Hope for Change

The prodigal son saw that he not only had made a mess of his life, but he had sinned against his father, then one who loved him the most and gave him everything. This is exemplary. Too often we are simply sorry we got caught. Sorry we have to live with the consequences.  Sorry we […]

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Posted on: February 27, 2020 - 10:00PM

Ephesians 4:20-24 – The Process of Change

This idea of exchange permeates Paul’s discussion on change. Not only must the sin cease, but righteousness must fill its place. If you thought change was hard only when it demanded you to stop the wrong, try adding the right as well. The job just got a ton harder. When is a thief not a […]

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Posted on: February 20, 2020 - 10:00PM

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Jesus is the Hope for Change

Somewhere along the line, we have individualized the gospel. We said it was just about “you and Jesus.” We forgot that the gospel doesn’t just change eternal destinies; it changes everything. The gospel transforms societies, renews families, and heals relationships. That’s why Jesus called it “the gospel of the kingdom” (Luke 16:16). The gospel is […]

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Posted on: February 13, 2020 - 10:00PM

Mark 6 – Who Is This Jesus?

In the conflict between supernaturalism and naturalism, between miracles and rationalism, few stories draw the “line in the sand” more clearly than Jesus walking on the water. For example, you can go online and consult “Christian Biblical Errancy Debate” whose web page states, “If you are tired of having Bible-quoting friends and relatives throw Scripture […]

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Posted on: January 30, 2020 - 10:00PM

Prayer for the Men’s Retreat

Our Father in Heaven…  We need to remember that our primary identity is that we are your beloved sons. Remind us this weekend that we are loved by You. Thank you for your grace that has made us your sons. Teach us to submit to your headship in new ways this weekend. You are the […]

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Lamentations 4 – God’s Goodness Through Suffering

We find, [in verse 22], a joyous fact. Read it with glistening eyes ye to whom it belongs—”The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion.” In the case of the kingdom of Judah, the people had suffered so much in their captivity that their God, who in his anger had put them […]

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Posted on: January 23, 2020 - 10:00PM

Lamentations 3 – Hope in God in the Midst of Your Lament

As Jeremiah reflects upon the hope-giving and hope sustaining attributes of God, he first speaks about God to others: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” Then he speaks personally and directly to God: “great is your faithfulness.” Finally, in verse 24, […]

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Posted on: January 16, 2020 - 10:00PM

Lamentations 2 – How to Cry Out out to God

First, from our text we gather—that it is never too soon to pray. “Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord.” You are lying on your bed; the gracious Spirit whispers—”Arise, and pray to God.” Well, there is no […]

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Posted on: January 9, 2020 - 10:32PM

Lamentations 1 – Learning to Lament

On a frigid day in February, I lowered the tiny casket of my daughter into a newly dug grave. A few days earlier, my wife had given birth to our stillborn daughter, Sylvia, after carrying her for nearly nine months. Her due date was just a few days away. And then Sylvia’s heart stopped beating […]

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Posted on: January 3, 2020 - 9:04AM

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 – Grace-Driven Generosity

A prayer from the Gospel Coalition for grace-driven generosity: Heavenly Father, we come before you today encouraged and challenged by this picture of radical grace. This one story alone underscores why we can never emphasize your grace too much. Grace is never to be counterbalanced with law, only multiplied with more grace. Indeed, through Jesus […]

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Posted on: December 26, 2019 - 10:00PM