I am used to being at church a couple of hours before the service starts on Sunday mornings. I love spending some quiet time with the Lord before the praise team shows up for a run through before church. These past few years have been a time of tremendous growth in my relationship with Jesus. So, does this time of sheltering in place put a strain on that relationship?
I can see why someone who doesn’t have a relationship with Him would ask that question. But, no, if anything it brings me even closer. I don’t like not being able to go to church and lift praises to Him and be filled with the word of God from our pastor, Jon Porter. But, don’t you see God at work in all of this? I sure do!
We have taken everything we have for granted. We seem to think God owes us or something. But we don’t deserve what he provides for us. Do we give back to him like we should? It’s all His, remember? So thankful for the option to give online now! I miss the fellowship with others, but look at what’s happening on the churchfronts across the world.
You can tune into a number of local sermons to stay in touch. I see churches and communities reaching out to help their neighbors. They are providing food, clothing, and more to those in need. Churches didn’t need to provide online sermons because most of their congregation could come each Sunday. But now, because of this pandemic, we’ve been forced to find another way to get the message out. The beauty of it is that now, the unchurched can be reached. Maybe people haven’t heard that there is a Savior who will forgive them of their sins.
If you have found a message online that resonates to you, when this is all over, I hope that you will not slip into your old habits. I hope you choose to seek out the church that you’ve connected with or find one to visit. I don’t believe in chance. Everything happens for a reason. Don’t let this all be in vain.
Jon’s sermon today is refreshing in that God is there for us. One thing in 3 beings: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Spend time with Him in prayer, in reading the Word and contemplating what it means. It’s okay to ask God questions. He knows that we have them. Be honest and talk to Him and be aware that his answers come in many different forms.
I’m not going to write my normal blog post about the sermon today. I’m going to do one better. Follow this link to listen to Jon’s sermon yourself. You’ll be blessed by it!
I pray that you’ll take some time as you are sheltering in place to spend some time talking to God and that you’ll get into His Word.
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 