Category: What do you think?

Listening to God and Planting Seeds for the Future Church

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CHERYL QUIGG

Psalm 78 reminds God’s people to listen carefully and remember what He has done. The psalmist speaks about passing on God’s truth to future generations so that children yet to be born will know His strength and faithfulness. It’s not only about memory, but about responsibility. We need to teach, live, and show God’s word so it will continue to shape lives long after us.

Today, this call still matters. Many believers find it easy to focus on comfort, careers, and personal interests while the mission of the church slowly slips into the background. The truth of Psalm 78 calls the church to return to obedience, to listen again to the voice of God, and to make His name known through faithful living.

Some of us older folks like to remember “the good old days,” when pews were full and music filled the sanctuary. But simply wanting the past back is not enough. The deeper question is what changed in the hearts of believers. In so many cases, service and ministry have become less of a priority compared to other pursuits. The question for the church today is whether we still put God’s work first or if we have allowed busyness to take its place.

True growth in the church is not just about numbers. It is about fruit. It’s about the kind of fruit that shows a heart has been changed by God. The Bible tells us that the fruit of the Spirit includes love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not achievements but signs that God’s word has taken root in a believer’s life. Jesus said that His followers glorify the Father by bearing much fruit, showing that they are His disciples. A healthy church is one where lives are being transformed, not just where attendance increases.

But not all fruit is good. A heart that does not live in repentance cannot produce the kind of fruit that pleases God. True repentance means turning away from sin and letting the Holy Spirit bring new life from within. In Romans, Paul explained that believers were saved through Christ so they could bear fruit for God. This is the goal of every Christian life.

Churches measure attendance and activity, but numbers alone do not prove faithfulness. Ministry must be measured so that it stays focused on its purpose, but measurement should serve love, not pride. Every person represents a soul that matters to God, and every act of service should point toward helping people grow closer to Christ. The foundation of all this is the Word of God. Psalm 78 teaches that God’s word must be planted deeply, just like a seed in good soil.

Families play a major part in this work. Deuteronomy 6 teaches parents to talk about God’s commands throughout daily life. When sitting at home, walking on the road, lying down, and getting up, we should pass on our faith. This begins at home, not only in the church building. Many past ministries focused on excitement or large events but lacked teaching and follow-up. True discipleship must include steady guidance, helping people grow in understanding and obedience.

Spiritual growth also depends on community. Gathering for small groups or Sunday school builds connection, accountability, and learning. It gives people a place to belong, to share their struggles, and to be cared for.

No matter where, teaching God’s Word faithfully also requires preparation and humility. Those who lead must be learners themselves. Even experienced teachers should continue to grow, to stay sharp, and to stay true to Scripture. And as the church looks to the future, it must ask: are we planting seeds that will bear good fruit? Are we helping people grow in faith, obedience, and love? Are we investing time and energy into the next generation? The future of the church depends on how we answer these questions today.

Faithfulness begins with listening to God and planting His Word in good soil. Growth will come when His people live out the message they teach.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17

The promise of a place beyond death

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AMY TURNER

Many people live with fear when they think about death. It is seen as a mystery, a place that no one can describe with certainty. You cannot sit down with those who have passed away and ask them if their faith gave them hope. For many, this leaves an uneasy question about what really happens after life ends.

Yet the Bible gives a clear answer. In John 14:1–3, Jesus speaks words of comfort. He tells his followers not to let their hearts be troubled. He assures them that in his Father’s house there is room for all who belong to Him.

What sets this hope apart is the truth that Jesus himself rose from the dead. His resurrection shows that death is not the end. Because he lives, those who trust in him can believe that his promise is sure.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 3:20

The Care of a Rescuer

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NELSON NOLAND

The twelfth chapter of Romans describes what Christian life should look like after receiving God’s mercy. Paul begins his letter by describing how God rescues us through grace. Then, in the later chapters, he explains that those who have been rescued are called to live as rescuers. People who take the mercy they have received should pass it on to others.

Faith, according to Paul, is not a feeling that stays inside. It is something that moves from the heart into real action. Love begins as compassion but must grow into care that can be seen and felt. The goal is not to appear spiritual or sound religious, but to live with genuine love that expresses itself in daily life.

From Rescue to Responsibility

Paul teaches that God’s mercy is never meant to stop with us. When we have experienced His forgiveness and kindness, we are to let that same mercy flow through us toward others. You could think of it as God recycling our pain and past struggles into compassion for people who face similar difficulties. If you have been encouraged, you can now encourage others. If you have been comforted, you can now comfort others. God uses the things that once hurt us to make us more useful to others. Isn’t this what it means to live out the gospel?

Christianity is not just about believing the right things. It is about behaving in a way that shows what we believe. The world does not need more people who can talk about faith; it needs people who can live it.

Caring Through Generosity

Paul begins this section with a simple instruction: “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Caring for others begins with generosity. Faith is not meant to be passive; it must take action.

I hope this doesn’t seem repetitive: To care is to give. It is to offer our time, our resources, and our presence to others. I hope to drive the point home here. Christians are not called to consume what the church provides; they are called to contribute to its mission. The original word Paul uses, koinonia, means partnership. It describes believers working side by side, sharing what they have for the sake of others. Our generosity reveals the condition of our heart. A healthy church is one where people are quick to share and slow to hoard. Hospitality, in particular, is a powerful form of generosity. Opening one’s home is an act of love that says, “You belong here.”

Hospitality also reaches beyond comfort zones. It means showing kindness to people who are different from us. Real love does not stop at the people we know. It crosses boundaries. And this is exactly what Jesus did. He came to those who were far away, not to those who already knew Him. He pursued people who were lost and hurting. In the same way, believers are to reach out, not wait to be asked. Love takes the first step.

Acting with Grace

After speaking about generosity, Paul moves to a harder subject: responding with grace to those who treat us badly. He writes, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

This command challenges the natural human reaction. The world teaches us to get even. Grace teaches us to let go. When someone wrongs us, the easy response is anger or revenge. But Paul reminds us that Christians live by a different standard. We do not fight evil with evil; we answer it with good.

To bless someone means to speak well of them, to pray for them, and to wish them good rather than harm. This requires strength that only God can provide. It is not weakness to forgive; it takes deep courage.

Jesus lived this out perfectly. When He was insulted and beaten, He did not respond with hatred. Instead, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” Stephen, one of the first followers of Jesus, did the same when he was killed for his faith. He asked God to forgive his attackers. In this we see that grace is not just an idea. And when we refuse to take revenge, we trust God to handle justice. We make space for His work instead of trying to control outcomes ourselves. Grace allows us to live in peace even when we are treated unfairly.

Sharing in Joy and Sorrow

Paul then writes, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” When someone experiences success or happiness, love celebrates with them. When someone is grieving or struggling, love does not turn away, it sits beside them and shares the pain. There is an old saying: “A joy shared is a joy doubled, and a sorrow shared is a sorrow halved.” When believers share one another’s experiences, the church becomes more than an organization, it becomes a family.

Seeing People Through God’s Eyes

Caring for others often means stepping toward people the world overlooks. A mature believer learns not to chase influence but to look for those who are missing. Every person you meet carries eternal value. There are no small lives in the eyes of God. When we see people as image-bearers of their Creator, we no longer treat them as interruptions or burdens. We see them as opportunities to reflect Christ’s love. We are called to run toward people in need, not away from them.

The Work of Restoration

Part of our calling as the church is to make broken lives whole again. This does not mean fixing people on our own but helping them encounter the One who can. A caring church is not focused on fame or influence. It looks for those who need love and welcomes them. It replaces pride with service, and judgment with compassion. It remembers that no one is too far gone for grace.

Choosing Grace Over Payback

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NELSON NOLAND

The twelfth chapter of Romans ends with a call to live differently from the world around us. Modern culture celebrates revenge. From movies to online conflicts, payback is often seen as justice. But the gospel offers another path. We should follow a way that turns away from hate and chooses love, even toward those who have wronged us.

The teaching of Romans 12 is not easy. It asks us to love people who mistreat us and to answer harm with kindness. This is hard work, like putting on heavy gloves to do a tough job. Yet this is the kind of life Jesus calls His followers to live. It is not natural to forgive. I’ve come to believe it is something that grows from knowing that God first forgave us. The Bible says that while we were still His enemies, Christ died for us. When we understand that, we begin to see how to love others the same way.

To love enemies means to act with grace where the world expects revenge. It means refusing to return evil for evil. Across the world, there are real examples of people who have lived out this truth. A widow in Arizona forgave the man who killed her husband. Amish parents in Pennsylvania prayed for the driver who caused the death of their children. A retired judge in Michigan forgave the teenager who crashed into his car and even paid for the boy’s education. These moments show the kind of love that can only come from God. It is a love that brings healing instead of hate.

Such forgiveness is not weakness. It is strength that comes from faith. It does not excuse evil but hands justice over to God. The Bible says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Trusting that truth frees us from bitterness. Holding on to anger only poisons the heart. Letting go allows peace to enter.

Jesus also taught that we should love our enemies, pray for those who hurt us, and greet those who dislike us. These are not feelings but actions. Love is shown in what we do, choosing to bless instead of curse, to speak well instead of gossiping, to do good instead of seeking harm. Even small acts of kindness, like a word of peace or a shared meal, can change hearts. When we do this, we not only reflect God’s character but also find freedom for ourselves.

There is beauty in mercy. When we show grace, we rise above anger and become living examples of Christ’s love. In a world where outrage and division are common, forgiveness is a quiet revolution. It points people to a kingdom not built on pride or payback but on compassion and peace.

We live out our faith when we choose mercy over revenge.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13

Jesus made one new humanity

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AMY TURNER

Ephesians 2:15 explains that Jesus made one new humanity through the cross. In the world today, people are often divided. Race, wealth, and gender can all become reasons for conflict. In the time of Paul, there was strong tension between Jews and Gentiles. He wrote that Christ’s work on the cross ended that separation.

Through Jesus, a new community is formed, called the church. It is not built on human divisions but on peace with God and with one another. In this body, differences remain, but they do not create walls of hostility. Instead, there is a unity that honours diversity and a fellowship that shows the power of the gospel.

Isn’t this message especially important in a time when the world struggles with division?

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

Ephesians 2:14