Cornerstone Presbyterian Church

08/27/2026

08/27/2026

Why does God allow suffering?

When life brings grief, hardship, disappointment, or pain, it can be easy to wonder where God is—or whether suffering means He has abandoned us.

In 1 Peter 1:6–7, the Apostle Peter gives us a radically different perspective. For the Christian, trials are not meaningless. God uses them to test and refine genuine faith, like gold being purified by fire.

Why does God allow suffering?When life brings grief, hardship, di...

08/11/2026

The world offers empty noise. Christ offers lasting hope.
Jesus deserves our love because He is our rock, our redeemer, and our absolute truth. "Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice..." — 1 Pet 1:8
Cut through the confusion of today's culture. Worship the One who is truly worthy this Sunday morning in Branford, CT.☀️ Sunday Worship: 11:45 AM
📍 811 E Main Street, Branford, CT (Renting space inside United Methodist Church)
🌐 cornerstonepresbyterian.church
________________________________________
Updated Hashtag Stack

07/24/2026

Perkins: Infants of believing parents are likewise to be baptized. The grounds of their baptism are these. First, the commandment of God, “Baptize all nations” (Matt. 28:19), in which words the baptism of infants is prescribed. For the apostles by virtue of this commission baptized whole families (Acts 16:15, 31–33). Again, circumcision of infants was commanded by God (Gen. 17:14), and baptism in the New Testament succeeds in the room of circumcision (Col. 2:11–12); therefore baptism of infants is likewise commanded. The second ground is this. Infants of believing parents are in the covenant of grace. For this is the tenor of the covenant: “I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed” (Gen. 17:7). It may be said that this promise was made in this sort only to Abraham, because he was to be the father of the faithful. Answer. It pertains to all believing parents. God promises “to show mercy to thousands of them that love Him” (Ex. 20). Peter says to the Jews that heard him preach, “The promises belong to you, and to your children” (Acts 2:39). Paul says, “If the parents believe, the children are holy” (1 Cor. 7:14). If holy, then are they in the covenant. Now they are holy because we are in the judgment of Christian charity to esteem them all as regenerate and sanctified, secret judgments (in the mean season) left to God. Now then because infants are in the covenant, they are to be baptized. For this is the reason of St. Peter. To whom the promises belong, to them belongs baptism. But to you and your children belong the promises. Therefore you and your children are to be baptized (Acts 2:38–39).

William Perkins, ed. Paul M. Smalley, Joel R. Beeke, and Derek W. H. Thomas, The Works of William Perkins, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2015), 230–231.

07/24/2026

The Difference Between Legal & Gospel Mortification, by Ralph Erskine, https://tinyurl.com/32637mnb

Ralph Erskine distinguishes between legal mortification and gospel mortification, arguing that while both seek to restrain sin, only the latter truly destroys its power. Legal mortification arises from fear of punishment, self-righteousness, the desire for human approval, or a troubled conscience, and relies upon personal resolutions, the demands of the law, and outward reform. Gospel mortification, however, is the work of the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ, flowing from the believer's union with Him, His atoning death, and the constraining love of Christ. It aims not merely at external sins but at the root of corruption itself, opposing sin because it dishonors God and grieves the Spirit rather than merely because it brings guilt or consequences. Whereas the legalist fights to earn God's favor, the believer fights because he already possesses God's favor in Christ. Though the believer may lose many battles, grace ensures he ultimately wins the war, because true mortification is the fruit of a new heart and the indwelling Spirit, not merely the product of human effort or outward religious reform.

07/23/2026

Sovereign Lord, Righteous Judge of the world,
We come before your awesome power. You guided the founders across the ocean to build a community that would reflect your light and truth. Instead, this nation has abandoned its spiritual foundations. The United States has become a place of pride, selfishness, and open rebellion against your moral laws.
We speak out not from hatred, but to see your holiness defended. Rise up, Lord, and scatter the forces of evil!
Look at the corruption in the high places of this country. Where leaders pass unjust laws and normalize corruption, confuse their plans. Let their own traps catch them. Pour out your judgment on the systems of greed, violence, and exploitation that crush the poor and mock your justice.
Break the power of the wicked, God! Bring down the systems of war and arrogance that trust in human might instead of the Almighty. Strip away the false security of this nation’s wealth. Stop the schemes of the corrupt so they cannot succeed. Let this proud superpower realize it is only human.
Yet, in your anger, show mercy to those who follow you. Test this nation, but protect what is good. Shake everything that can be shaken, so that only your permanent kingdom remains.
For the honor of your name, we leave this judgment to you, the one true judge.
In Jesus Name ! Amen