A Miracle Ignored

Good Morning! 

Passion week is upon us!  Obviously, our celebration of the events of Passion week are going to be much different than in times past due to the pandemic.  We have been asked (and in some instances, restricted by ordinance) to keep at a distance from each other. While I don’t like it, I do believe we should do as asked so that the disease can be limited.  I just checked the website for the Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park … and cannot tell whether or not it is still on.  Perhaps, since the events are outside and people can distance themselves, a sunrise service is feasible.  I do miss my brothers and sisters in Christ and long to see them and to know how they are faring during this crisis.

Whether we can get together or not, we can still celebrate the events of Passion week.  This morning, I am drawn to the story of Lazarus of Bethany, whom Jesus raised from death. Join with me as we look at the whole chapter of John 11:

John 11 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Death of Lazarus

11 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus[a] was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin,[b] said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Pausing for a moment, let’s consider these two points:

1.       Jesus knew what was going to happen to Lazarus.  I believe He already knew that Lazarus would die … but that He would raise Lazarus from the grave.  He knew that His raising Lazarus would complete the fulfillment of prophecy … and He also knew how the religious hierarchy would respond. 

2.       Jesus knew what His future was.  He was aware that the Jewish leadership wanted to get rid of Him.  When I consider verses 9 and 10, I see Jesus telling His disciples that all of us have to walk in faith and not in fear.  Jesus knew that His time was drawing near … but He also knew that He must face it for our sakes.

Continuing …

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles[c] off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[d] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Notice that Martha had faith … but it was limited.  Sometimes I wonder how limited my faith can be.  One of the “benefits” of trials in this life is learning to trust God for those things we see as impossible.

Jesus Weeps

28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved[e] in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”

Mary’s faith was also limited by her understanding of the physical.  What Christ was going to do went beyond her faith.  A second thought is the Monday morning quarterbacking of some.  We still do that today.

Jesus Raises Lazarus

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Jesus reminds Martha that she will see God’s glory performed before her eyes.  Lazarus was DEAD and decomposition had begun.  She knew what the process was.  I am sure she had tended to her mother and her father after their deaths and knew how quickly the body would decompose. 

A couple of questions to ponder:

1.       Why did Jesus pray to the Father? Being God Incarnate, couldn’t Jesus just tell Lazarus to come forth?  Absolutely!  BUT the purpose of Lazarus’ death was two-fold … to bring glory to God and to demonstrate to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. Unlike Moses, who struck the stone rather than speak to it, Jesus made sure that God was central to the resurrection of Lazarus.

2.       What did Jesus pray to the Father? His word clearly indicates the purpose.  Amongst the mourners were religious leaders.  This ultimate sign should have revealed Him to them. 

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

I don’t whether to use the word “unfortunately” or “fortunately” at this juncture.  Would it not have been better for the religious hierarchy to embrace Jesus as the Messiah … and become the nation of priests that God had intended? Or, was their rejection of the Christ a part of God’s plan for all of us?  They chose to reject Jesus … and sought to crucify Him. 

54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.

While the time was close, it still was not at hand.  My thinking is that this all occurred a week or so prior to the Passover week.  He controlled the time.

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for[f] Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

Footnotes:

a.     John 11:6 Greek he; also verse 17

b.     John 11:16 Greek Didymus

c.     John 11:18 Greek fifteen stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters

d.     John 11:25 Some manuscripts omit and the life

e.     John 11:33 Or was indignant; also verse 38

f.     John 11:56 Greek were seeking for

The religious hierarchy began looking for Jesus … hoping to arrest Him.  They thought He wouldn’t come boldly into Jerusalem.  But He did … and Passion week began.

Our thought for today is my need to trust God even more in all situations.  This is especially true during this pandemic.  Seek the Lord with all our strength.  Trust in Him.  Expect to see God’s glory.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, reveal Your power to us this good day.  Help us to believe even more as we endure this life trial.  This I ask in Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: John 11

Follow

Good Morning! 

I was shopping at the Cleveland Ingles Saturday when “they” came over the loudspeaker to tell us that Cleveland had passed an ordinance requiring shoppers to maintain a six-foot distance between one another.  I usually do anyway – except when checking out – but I wonder how the ordinance could be enforced – if we came to that point.  Listen, good common sense tell us to pay attention to the CDC instructions – wash hands; don’t touch your face; keep one’s distance.

But … we humans are essentially gregarious.  I told my virtual Bible study group that I missed the face-to-face contact we have. Virtual teaching, for me, is challenging because I desire input from those I am teaching. Perhaps that will change after a few more lessons … but right now, everyone seems to be cautious about chiming in.

Still … the fact that we have the opportunity to gather virtually is a blessing. And we remain confident that the time is coming when we can gather together once again.

If you have been reading a chapter from one of the gospels each day, we have come to the end of John – the last of the four gospels.  We can start over tomorrow or the next day (I am going to begin again on April 1).  So, let’s take a look at the last part of John 21 as our Scripture for this morning …

John 21:20-25 English Standard Version (ESV)

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

John ends his narrative with a conversation between Peter and Jesus.  Jesus has just told Peter what the ultimate cost to him will be as a leader of Christs followers.  Peter reacts as most of us would … avoiding the prospect by trying to change the subject.  What about these other people? Why are you focusing on me? Jesus brings the subject back to where it needs to be … what might happen to another is not relevant to Peter’s following Him. 

Does that not apply to each one of us?  My responsibility for following Christ is mine alone.  If Christ decides to send me to another place or another ministry, my response must be “yes, Lord” and I go.  One of my many weaknesses is doggedness. I tend to try to stay in a situation even when it is obvious I should move on.  I have found this to be true at several points in my life – staying beyond the time I should.  The point Jesus is making to me is that I am to focus on His leading and not worry about His choices for other folks.  Instead, I am to encourage my brothers and sisters in their work.

And that is what I want to do for you this good day.  God is still on His throne.  He still rules over all of creation – even the tiniest of viruses that might impact our lives.  He still has His will for each one of us individually.  Hear His voice.  Do His will.  Trust His love.

God bless each of you this good morning …

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, it is so amazing how something as small as a virus can bring our whole world to a standstill.  Father, I ask in the blessed Name of Jesus, my Savior and my Lord, that You intervene in this crisis – altering the virus to be less invasive and less deadly.  Remove from us the fear we are feeling in this day.  Give us wisdom and strength as we face this challenge.  Allow our faith in You to be manifested as You bring us back to you.  This I ask in Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: John 21:20-25

Justified

Good Morning! 

Our Bible study for this coming Lord’s Day will be in Romans 5.  As I mentioned before, we are having virtual church … church and Bible study over the internet.  If you would be interested in joining the study, please send me an email at jim.gant@gmail.com and I will send the link to you.  Our study starts at 9:00 (prayer and praise time) with Bible study beginning around 9:15 or so.  I would love to “see” you Sunday morning.

We have been walking down the Roman Road in our Bible study.  Paul made this journey because he felt compelled to present the gospel to the people in Rome.  His very first point is the depravity of human … so much so that God gave them over to a reprobate mind.  I believe this is what we have witnessed in our culture over the last few decades.  And it isn’t getting any better.  Men and women are committed to hedonism … the worship of self.  God is omitted from many lives … and, worse – in my mind, placed on the “back burner” in many others. For many, God is treated as a convenience … there for when I need Him, but don’t bother me at other times. 

Thus far in our study, Paul has pointed out that there isn’t anyone who is righteous … not even one.  We cannot claim ignorance of the existence of God because He is revealed in all things around us.  We cannot claim to be in a right relationship with God because we refuse to honor Him as God.  We want to be on an equal plane … to have the RIGHT to determine our destiny.  Well, folks, the only destiny of any human is death … period. That is … unless you have the promise of eternal life found only in Christ Jesus.

Paul also points out that humans are incapable of earning righteousness because all of us have sinned. One has to realize that the basis of sin is the attitude displayed above … the desire to be god of one’s life.  Sins are the actions and attitudes that spring from that base desire … and that is what separates us from God Almighty who is the giver of life … both on earth and for eternity.

Therefore, we are at war with God because of our sin nature.  The only way we can find peace with God is to be justified before Him.  But there isn’t anyone who fits that bill … or, wasn’t anyone until God took off the mantle of holiness and became as we in the person of Jesus. As Paul writes in 2^nd Corinthians 5:21 … “21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 

Romans 5 tells us that it is our faith in the blood of Jesus that justifies us before God. No other means of justification is given for humanity … only Jesus.  Paul recalls the actions of Adam in the Garden of Eden when he and Eve chose to fall prey to Satan’s ploy … where Satan promised that they could become as God if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That one act of disobedience permeates throughout humanity … each of us being born with the desire to be in control.  But the blood of Jesus rectifies all.  Listen to Paul’s final statements on that in Chapter 5:

Romans 5:18-21 English Standard Version (ESV)

18 Therefore, as one trespass[a] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[b] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes:

a.     Romans 5:18 Or the trespass of one

b.     Romans 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one

Why is this the subject of today’s Good Morning?  Like Paul, I feel compelled to share the gospel message to all people.  I know that many – if not all – of you have placed your trust in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior.  But what if someone stumbling over this blog did not know Christ?  Would the words of encouragement given lead him or her to faith in Christ?  I hope so.

How about your words with others?  Do you feel the same compulsion that Paul had?  I hope so.

God bless each of you this weekend.  Stay safe … and separate.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, You know my heart. And I know how often I fail to honor You with my life. As David said in his psalm to You so many years ago, create in me a clean heart, O God.  And renew a right spirit within me.  Caste me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of my salvation. This I ask in Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Romans 5:18-21

Time to Pray

Good Morning! 

Last night, approximately 70 people gathered to hear God’s Word and pray … in spite of the Coronavirus. And we did not go against Governor Kemp’s direction to not gather … because we did so virtually. We all ZOOMed in to hear our pastor share about how Jesus chose His disciples. Of course, I want to share my notes with you this good morning.

Luke 6:12-16 English Standard Version (ESV)

12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

The preacher posed these questions: How do you make your decisions?  Do you take time to do any research or consult with other people?  Do you just decide as you go along?  Do you seek the wisdom of God in prayer?

Jesus was at the beginning of His ministry.  He had more than twelve people following Him … but He knew that His earthly journey was limited … and that the message would have to go forward.  Who would He entrust with the message and the ministry?  So … as we look at verse 12 and 13, we see these four points …

1.      His action was intentional.  Jesus chose to pray to His Father about His choice.  He didn’t just look around at the people following Him. He considered each person carefully.  I wonder … when He came to Judas, did He see what Judas would do in the future and choose him because He knew OR did His Father direct Him to make that choice?

2.      He went to a specific location.  Luke records that Jesus went to the mountain to pray.  Now I don’t know which mountain it was … but I do know that Jesus was choosing to get away from others as He was making this consideration.  Sometimes we can get too much input from others. In our study of God’s Word, we find that the mother of James and John was concerned about where they fit in the hierarchy of Jesus’ work … not realizing that those who were most prominent would be the ones most vulnerable. Jesus went to a place where He could be alone with God.  Our lesson is to get away from the “noise” … to get alone with God to seek His will.

3.      Duration … Jesus prayed all night.  The decision Jesus was making would have impact throughout the entire world.  Eleven of these men would carry God’s message to all of the known world during their lifetime.  Ten of these men would become martyrs … beginning with James. I can almost hear Jesus speaking to His Father … “Father, what do you see in Simon?  I know he is quick to speak but he also has the potential to lead all. Should I choose him?” Our prayers for guidance should take time.

4.      Revelation … when Jesus returned from His night of prayer, He quickly chose the men who we know as disciples. But note … Jesus empowered them … naming them all apostles.  There is a difference between being a disciple (follower) and being an apostle (leader).  Later, Jesus would send all of these men into Israel to proclaim Him – even Judas. 

This morning, as each one of us is beginning this good day, can we slip away and ask God for His direction for our day.  If there is a decision that is burdening, each one of us should spend time asking God to give us the most appropriate answer.  It may take some time … but that is okay … we want to know what God wants for us.

Hey, listen … I love all of you as my brother or sister.  I pray that each one of you will have a great day today.  Blessings to each of you this good, good day.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, far too often my prayers are “drive by” prayers, just a quick few words … and no listening.  Help me realize the value of time spent with You, seeking Your solutions to my many needs so that I might be a glory to You. In Jesus, Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Luke 6:12-16

Abide

Good Morning! 

Yet another rainy day at our Cleveland Georgia home. I did go out to WalMart for a few supplies early … but otherwise sequestered myself.  Oscar, my little wiener dog, is enjoying cuddling time. Oscar was Miss Norma’s dog when she was living. He was her constant companion … needing her attention 24/7.  Since her death, Oscar has gravitated to me.  When I am home, he is right beside me wherever I go.  And, to tell the truth, I really like having him close.

If you haven’t been out to see the sermon on Facebook, I would encourage you to do so.  The preacher talked about abiding in Christ … giving five benefits.  Let’s take a look at the Scripture …

John 15:1-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

The preacher pointed out five benefits of abiding in Christ:

1.      Abiding in Christ produces Spiritual fruit.  Paul points to this “fruit” in his letter to the churches in Galatia (Galatians 5:22).  Love, joy, peace, patience and so on come from a close relationship with Christ.  

2.      Abiding in Christ changes my desires. Instead of the “me first, me only” attitude, I realize that God wants me to be in a relationship with both Him and my neighbors.

3.      Abiding in Christ brings glory to God. The new life in Christ should be reflected in the way I act towards others.

4.      Abiding in Christ deepens my obedience to God. I no longer think of God’s Word as being a list of “thou shall not” commands but rather a guidepost for me to live more fully with God and my fellow human beings. In doing so, I realize His ways are better than my ways.

5.      Abiding in Christ results in a fullness of joy.  We can live our lives with a positive attitude, knowing that this life is not the end but the beginning of eternity.

In these times of uncertainty, abiding in Christ takes on much more importance.  I believe humans have the need to feel secure.  What better security can we have than to know that we are Christ’s and He is abiding with us.  Like Oscar, I need to be close to the Lord – seeking to please Him.  I know it when I fail to do so. 

Abide in Jesus and allow Him to abide in you this good, good day.

God bless you all this morning.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, in the Name of Jesus, my Savior and my Lord, teach me to abide in You more and more each day.  Amen.

Scripture for today: John 15:1-11

The Earth is the Lord's

Good Morning! 

A rainy day in Georgia meant a day of playing with my four year-old great-granddaughter.  Her attention span is pretty good … we actually got through 20 minutes of Monopoly. I didn’t suggest the game … she wanted to play that game.  We also played UNO for three hands before she got enthralled with “Paw Patrol”.  We were in our first game of checkers when her daddy came in with food.  I am impressed with her ability to pick up on the basics of each game we played … and stick with the game as long as she did.  But I was exhausted by the time she went back home. Pictures of the little imp and Pop playing UNO are on both Facebook and Instagram if you are friends with Heather. 

Thinking of kids … Psalms 24 contains an old VBS song of my childhood …

Psalm 24:7-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And lift them up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory! Selah

Do you remember that song?  Well, right now it is ringing in my ears.  Hey … the first part of that Psalm is great too …

Psalm 24:1-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

24 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,[a]
    the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
    and established it upon the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob.[b] Selah

Footnotes:

a.     Psalm 24:1 Or and all that fills it

b.     Psalm 24:6 Septuagint, Syriac, and two Hebrew manuscripts; Masoretic Text who seek your face, Jacob

We are reminded by this Psalm of David that God is still in control.  The impact of the Coronavirus will come and will go … God will still be on His throne and will continue to look after His children.  You and I can take refuge in Him and live with hope for tomorrow.

God bless you all this morning.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, in the Name of Jesus, my Savior and my Lord, I praise Your Holiness and Your provision for me and my family. Thank You for watching over me in this time of trouble.  Amen.

Scripture for today: Psalms 24

Tribulation

Good Morning! 

Yesterday was a significant day for many of us who are accustomed to attending Bible study and Worship.  As we attempt to “flatten the curve” on the increase of Coronavirus pandemic, our church body went virtual … Bible study being on Zoom; Worship on another platform. If you are friends with Helen First Baptist on Facebook, you can see yesterday’s worship service. It is a forty minute service. (I really enjoyed it as I saw two of my fifteen grandchildren singing praises to God!!!)

While social distancing is important, there are ministry efforts that must go on.  Every third Saturday of the month, Helen First Baptist distributes food to families in need in White County Georgia. We are not alone … there are several other churches that do the same thing in our county on different days … so that families in need can have food to eat.  The amount of food we distribute is based on family size and fixed on number of units … one, two or three units. Normally we distribute around 100 units of food … but Saturday we distributed 159 units to needy families.  Our distribution included chicken, pork, tuna, frozen eggs, yogurt as proteins; orange juice and canned vegetables and soups.  God has blessed this ministry for over five years.  Each of us donned gloves to handle the goods; elbow bumped with each other; and stayed at distance.  The point is that people in need got food to help them get through the week … in the blessed Name of Jesus.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV

No doubt America is under trial with the Coronavirus and its economic impact.  We, who have placed our trust in Christ Jesus as Lord, have been given an opportunity to “put deeds to words” as we respond to the impact of this trial.  While we remain obedient to those in power, abiding by the call to distance ourselves, we must remain steadfast in meeting the spiritual needs of all around us.  We must remember that ALL things work together for GOOD for those who love the Lord and are called to His service.  And that is a pretty universal commitment for all of us.

One thing all of us can do is to pray for one another.  And I encourage each of you to do so as we face the challenge of today.  God bless each one of you.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, in the Name of Jesus, my Savior and my Lord, I appeal to You to help me and all my Good Morning friends trust in You during this fearful time in our world.   Amen.

Scripture for today: James 1:12