Bonded by Belief

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a profound joy to share with you today from the wellspring of God's Word, as pastor Sam Merigala so powerfully illuminated in his sermon on January 22, 2023, titled "The Path of Wisdom and Life." This message, part three of his "Wise Living" series, calls us to consider the crucial journey of life we are all on and the choices we make along the way. The Foundational Choice: Two Paths to Two Destinies Pastor Sam began by reminding us of a universal truth, beautifully illustrated by a cartoon of a car precariously balanced on a cliff edge: the only way to reach the right destination is to choose the right road. This profound lesson resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of life as a journey, a metaphor found throughout Scripture and even in classical literature like Homer's Odyssey and Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress . However, in our contemporary world, many voices suggest there are "many ways ...

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a joy and a privilege to open God's precious Word together, particularly as we embark on a profound pilgrimage through the book of Proverbs, as Pastor Sam Merigala so aptly described it. This isn't just about making a living; it's about discerning how to truly make a life, a life rich in God's wisdom. Let us prayerfully consider the deep insights Pastor Sam has laid before us, which will prepare our hearts for this divine journey. The Sacred Penmen: Who Gave Us Proverbs? First, Pastor Sam guides us to understand the authorship of this remarkable book. The inspired writings tell us plainly that King Solomon is the principal author, as seen in passages like Proverbs 1:1, 10:1, and 25:1. What an incredible gift God bestowed upon Solomon, giving him such great wisdom that people journeyed from the far corners of the earth, returning utterly amazed by his understanding (1 Kings 3:5–15; 4:29–34; Matt. 12:42). While Solomon uttered ...

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, what a joy it is to gather today and delve into the profound depths of God's Holy Word. Pastor Sam Merigala, in his inspiring sermon, "Pursuing God's Wisdom: Lessons from Solomon and Proverbs," opens our eyes to a crucial truth that resounds through the ages: true wisdom is not merely about what we know, but about what we do with that knowledge in obedience to our Lord. This message is a beacon of light, guiding us to live lives that truly honor and please God, making a profound difference in a world so desperately in need of divine wisdom. Let us first turn our gaze to the life of King Solomon, a man uniquely blessed by God. Pastor Sam reminds us that Solomon was indeed the wisest man who had ever lived. When God appeared to him, Solomon humbly asked for a "discerning heart" and the ability to "distinguish between right and wrong" to govern God's people. The Lord was so pleased with this unselfish requ...