Posts with the category “devotional”
To live is Christ and to die is gain
by Paul Veerman on December 14th, 2024
For some reason, Philippians 1:21 has been on my mind; "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain."I understand what the apostle Paul is saying. He was a champion for the gospel, and he had every right to say it. Because of his passion and brazen rhetoric, it led to beatings, jail time, mocking crowds, constant threats…and souls coming to Christ. Certainly, I do what I can, but my efforts pale ... Read More
How Do We Measure Success?
by Paul Veerman on December 14th, 2024
How Do We Measure Success?I’m proud of my successes. I don’t have many in comparison to others at CMPC, but they are worthy achievements. Let me give you one example. Just after I turned 30 years old, I decided to lose weight. I weighed 230 pounds. Over the next few months, I lost 40 pounds, slimming down to 190. It’s a meaningful achievement, even though some of that weight is back after 40+ yea... Read More
Dead Grass and Flowerless Plants
by Paul Veerman on December 11th, 2024
Early every winter I notice the trees are like sticks, the grass a light brown, and the plants have no blooms. It’s not attractive, but that’s the nature of changing seasons. Every year vibrant summer colors fade into grays and browns. The grass grows dormant, trees shed their leaves and plants die or go into hibernation.Every week in our church’s morning worship service, we recite Isaiah 40:8 aft... Read More
Washed in the Blood of the Lamb
by Paul Veerman on December 9th, 2024
Revelation 12:11 “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Read More