Scripture at Sunrise 01.25.2021

^“10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” -Hebrews 12:10-11

Discipline comes into our life for better or for worse. When trials come, it is up to you if you are going to get better from it and learn a lesson or if you are going to get worse.

-Pastor Steve Wainright (excerpt from Sunday Morning Sermon
“For Better or Worse” from Hebrews 12:7-11)

Scripture after Sunrise 2.3.2020

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.” -Joel 2:12-13

God is fighting for your whole heart. He disciplines those He loves to turn us from trusting in self to being dependent on Him consistently. God uses different things as tools to punish His people if there is no repentance.

-Steve Wainright (excerpts from Wednesday evening sermon from Joel 2:1-32 — “Fighting for Your Whole Heart“)

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Recent SERMON AUDIO

• • Sunday Morning 2/2 – Philemon 13-17
    The Providence of God in Philemon
  • Sunday Evening 2/2 – 1 Chronicles 28
    David’s Reign Transitions
  • Wednesday Evening 1/29 – Joel 2:1-32
    Fighting for Your Whole Heart

Scripture at Sunrise 8.14.2018

“And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.” -1 Kings 11:39

In the family of grace there is discipline, and that discipline is severe enough to make it an evil and a bitter thing to sin. Solomon, turned aside by his foreign wives, had set up other gods and grievously provoked the God of his father; therefore, ten parts out of twelve of the kingdom were rent away and set up as a rival state. This was a sore affliction to the house of David, and it came upon that dynasty distinctly from the hand of God, as the result of unholy conduct. The Lord will chasten His best beloved servants if they cease from full obedience to His laws: perhaps at this very hour such chastening is upon us. Let us humbly cry, “O Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me.”

What a sweet saving clause is that—”but not for ever”! The punishment of sin is everlasting, but the fatherly chastisement of it in a child of God is but for a season. The sickness, the poverty, the depression of spirit, will pass away when they have had their intended effect. Remember, we are not under law but under grace. The rod may make us smart, but the sword shall not make us die. Our present grief is meant to bring us to repentance that we may not be destroyed with the wicked.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]

Scripture at Sunrise 11.24.2015

“He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever.” -Psalm 103:9

He will chide sometimes, or He would not be a wise Father for such poor, erring children as we are. His chiding is very painful to those who are true, because they feel how sadly they deserve it and how wrong it is on their part to grieve Him. We know what this chiding means, and we bow before the Lord, mourning that we should cause Him to be angry with us.

But what a comfort we find in these lines! “Not always” will He chide. If we repent and turn to Him with hearts broken for sin and broken from sin, He will smile upon us at once. It is no pleasure to Him to turn a frowning face toward those whom He loves with all His heart: it is His joy that our joy should be full.

Come, let us seek His face. There is no reason for despair, nor even for despondency. Let us love a chiding God, and before long we shall sing, “Thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me.” Be gone, ye dark forebodings, ye ravens of the soul! Come in, ye humble hopes and grateful memories, ye doves of the heart! He who pardoned us long ago as a judge will again forgive us as a father, and we shall rejoice in His sweet, unchanging love.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]

Scripture at Sunrise 8.14.2012

“And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.” -1 Kings 11:39

In the family of grace there is discipline, and that discipline is severe enough to make it an evil and a bitter thing to sin. Solomon, turned aside by his foreign wives, had set up other gods and grievously provoked the God of his father; therefore, ten parts out of twelve of the kingdom were rent away and set up as a rival state. This was a sore affliction to the house of David, and it came upon that dynasty distinctly from the hand of God, as the result of unholy conduct. The Lord will chasten His best beloved servants if they cease from full obedience to His laws: perhaps at this very hour such chastening is upon us. Let us humbly cry, “O Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me.”

What a sweet saving clause is that — “but not for ever”! The punishment of sin is everlasting, but the fatherly chastisement of it in a child of God is but for a season. The sickness, the poverty, the depression of spirit, will pass away when they have had their intended effect. Remember, we are not under law but under grace, The rod may make us smart, but the sword shall not make us die. Our present grief is meant to bring us to repentance that we may not be destroyed with the wicked.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]