COV LIFE BLOG

James 1:1-4 – The Purpose and the Glory Found In Trials

We cannot be tested without the knowledge and watchfulness of God. Just as the refiner of silver sits in the presence of the furnace, and with skilled eye watches until the fire has done its work, and then withdraws the precious metal; so God, in infinite care for His own, governs the heat, and the […]

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Posted on: March 12, 2020 - 10:00PM

Ephesians 4 – The Church Building Up One Another

The goal that we are headed towards, the final end, the destination of all the equipping and the building up of the body of Christ is three-fold. First of all, it is unto the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God. That is number one. Number two, it is unto a mature […]

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Posted on: March 6, 2020 - 6:00PM

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

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