GOD'S WORD IS ESSENTIAL FOR US TO SHARE RIGHT NOW !

5/22/2020

Here in America, Covid 19 has brought what feels to many of us like an avalanche of changes. I am sure that everyone, no matter where you are from feel much the same way. Perhaps one of the more intriguing and debatable things to come out of this whole pandemic is the definition of what things and places are deemed “Essential”. Also interesting is the assumption of power for “Who” is the “ Person or Peoples” that decide or define places, activities and practices that can be open, partially open, or flat closed for the wider population. Decision making in America comes down to executive positions ( Governors, Mayors, etc.; primarily State and Local oversight vs. Federal ). Grocery stores and pharmacies are essential and open. Hospitals are open for Covid cases, but all other medical issues are being pushed back unless an immediate emergency situation arises. Abortion clinics are open and essential. Some cities are supplying drugs and alcohol to addicts to alleviate ”suffering”. Now we get to the decision that is the most troubling. Religious activities and gatherings are deemed “ Non Essential “ and prohibited in terms of people gathering together for worship and fellowship. A few states are allowing worship, but only in very small groups, well distanced from each other. More and more we are seeing pushback on our right to gather, our right to worship, and our right to practice our faith. It can be very emotional. No one likes to feel persecution, especially in America….but the truth is that persecution has been around for a long long time. China, Africa, places in the Middle East and many others know persecution very well. Time and history show a picture of persecution for thousands of years. How do you think Jesus viewed persecution ? I think our Lord understood it very well.

“IF THE WORLD HATES YOU, KNOW THAT IT HAS HATED ME BEFORE IT HATED YOU”. John 15:18

BELOVED, DO NOT BE SURPRISED AT THE FIERY TRIAL WHEN IT COMES UPON YOU TO TEST YOU, AS THOUGH SOMETHING STRANGE WERE HAPPENING TO YOU. BUT REJOICE INSOFAR AS YOU SHARE CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS, THAT YOU MAY ALSO REJOICE AND BE GLAD WHEN HIS GLORY IS REVEALED. IF YOU ARE INSULTED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, YOU ARE BLESSED, BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD RESTS UPON YOU. 1 Peter 4: 12-14

I HAVE SAID THESE THINGS TO YOU, THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION. BUT TAKE HEART; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. John 16:33

I have shared in previous writing that much has changed since the time when Jesus came to live among mankind and bring God’s plan for our redemption. The church from it’s very beginning has evolved through many challenges, both externally and internally. There are many different viewpoints of God and His character out in the world today. Likewise, many different Gospels swirl around….just like they did in the early church as the disciples began to share the message of redemption in our Lord. I find myself more and more sure that there truly is “nothing new under the sun”. There is however one thing that I know is absolutely true, and that no amount of persecution, corruption, or evil can control. One simple truth that will outlast everything. “ Jesus died on a cross for you. He died for your sins. He died for you because He loves you so deeply it is hard to comprehend at times. He asks you to give your life to Him and be reborn. He asks us all to seek Him and His Kingdom. He asks us to surrender our lives to His control, and trust Him to guide us. “ He wants a personal relationship with you, and most essential of all, share Him with everyone you know; everyone you meet; everyone who even crosses your path !

AND HE SAID TO THEM, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO THE WHOLE CREATION.” Mark 16:15

AND THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM WILL BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WORLD AS A TESTIMONY TO ALL NATIONS, AND THEN THE END WILL COME. Matthew 24:14

We have the amazing opportunity to share our faith every day with everyone we see ! We can open our Bibles and be in God’s Word every day and grow so much as followers of Jesus ! I truly love my church, but it is not my foundation. Jesus is ! Each of the disciples knew Jesus in a very deep and intimate way, and they all revolved around personal one on one interaction with Him. Their gatherings were incredible and fellowship as a group was amazing, but at the heart of them was A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD ! I want everyone to know Jesus, and as we see the results of what has happened to our world and relationships because of this pandemic, it has made me on fire to share Jesus ! I want all the people I love to know Him. I want the people I barely know to know Him. And I can do that all by myself if I make it a passion and a priority. Catch fire for the Lord and GO MAKE DISCIPLES ! The arguments about church services being virtual, open, small or large are not the big picture about what freedom truly is. Paul proclaimed his circumstances were the best when he was in the chains of prison, because he could share Jesus with every Roman guard who came his way. Those chains were way more real than a few proclamations about our safety and new socially distanced lifestyle. Only one thing can stop the Gospel from moving in our personal world….us. If we give up. But you know what….God won’t :) He will overcome and His love will Endure forever. Make Disciples/JAA

“FOR THIS IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD OUR SAVIOR, WHO DESIRES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED AND TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4