Dear Brothers and Sister,
It’s time to buckle up, for the times of testing are upon us!
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 NASB
Now I want to put somethings in perspective regarding the current crises with the CORONA-19 pandemic:
1. We are all (believers and non-believers) in this together. This current crisis effects most humans on the planet; this is a truly Global predicament. Here lies the opportunity for the Christian to demonstrate the truth to our claim that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are sufficient to sustain our needs. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be Glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21 NIV).
2. It is a great time for believers to let their light shine. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV). Here is where we can differentiate ourselves by: being calm in the storm, staying positive toward others, reaching out to others, praying with others, sending notes of encouragement to others, letting others have the last roll of toilet paper in the store, asking can you pick-up items for others at the store, reconnect with persons who are particularly vulnerable, the list goes on. Most importantly we want to point out the believers and unbelievers the vital point that none of what is going on is by accident or its beyond God’s ultimate control. In times like this, we like first responders, are run into the storm, not hide or run away.
3. It is a great time to do some house-cleaning. I mean this literally and figuratively. Some of you will be spending a lot of extra time at home. See this as an opportunity to take inventory of the things around the house that have been neglected in the past. Keep your normal schedule; by keeping busy around the house or even volunteering to help your elderly neighbor or a single mom who can use a helping hand. What would Jesus do during a time like this. We need to have a Christ-like conscience and think of others as well as ourselves. “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone take what belongs to your, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:30-31 NIV).
4. It is a great time to give God Praise. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12 NIV).
May God Richly Bless You My Beloved
Pastor Brad
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