1 minute read
Heart Smart
from The Shopper 4/5/2023
by The Shopper
JOSH BOOTSMA
On this week leading up to Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to think of two simple words. These words are found in Ephesians 2.
Advertisement
The chapter starts with this, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world…” And then comes the two words: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ … and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Think of where we’re at at the beginning of Ephesians 2 — dead in our sins. Lifeless. Unable to save ourselves. And later in the chapter? We’re saved. We’re made alive with Christ. We’re raised up with him and seated with him in heaven. What a transformation!
And the hinge that makes this possible are those two simple words: “But God.”
This Holy Week is all about those two words. We were dead, but God. We fall short, but God. We were without any hope, but God.
Whatever heaviness burdens you this week, know that God is there. He’s proved that he’s a turn-it-around God as Jesus made his way to the cross. Jesus lived a perfect life, but God willed for Him to die, so that God’s people would be saved.
COVENANT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
1130 East 154th St., South Holland 708-333-5955 www.covucc.org
PASTOR REV. DR. PATRICK L. DAYMOND WORSHIP SERVICES
RECONCILIATION CHURCH
833 East 168th St., South Holland 708-331-7755 www.reconciliationchurch.org
PASTOR GLEN MCCARTHY WORSHIP SERVICES
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
651 East 166th St., South Holland 708-331-4100 redeemer-lutheran@sbcglobal.net
WORSHIP
FIRST CHURCH (PCA) 3134 Ridge Rd, Lansing 708-474-9610 www.firstchurchpca.org
ASSISTANT PASTOR DANIEL MILLER
FIRST ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH OF SOUTH HOLLAND
16248 South Park Ave., South Holland 708-333-8211 www.firstchurchsh.org
PASTOR REV. DANIEL SVENDSEN WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday 9:30 a.m. &
ESPIRITU DE DIOS
16400 S. State St., South Holland 708-439-1220 sogfchurch.com
PASTORES Jose & Paula Lopez
SERVICIOS:
Grupo de Oracion de Hombres Jueves ........................................... 7:30 p.m. Sabado Alabanza y Predicacion.....6:00 p.m.
UNITY OF NORTHWEST INDIANA
Plum Creek Center
2138 Moeller Street Dyer, IN 46311 (219) 931-5284 www.unitynwi.org ALL WELCOME
MINISTER: REV. GERALDINE COLVIN SUNDAY SERVICE.......................10:00 AM
Jesus’ “but God” was filled with rejection and sacrifice so that ours might be filled with forgiveness, love, and resurrection.
You were dead. You were forsaken. You were lost. You were helpless. And maybe as you read this, you’re still feeling those things. BUT GOD, because of his great love, has offered you the free gift of salvation. He offers you life.
May God bless your Good Friday and Easter observances this week.
Josh Bootsma Member, Covenant Fellowship Church cfcsh.org
