Posted By: Steve
Devotional for March 26, 2020
Dear Friends and Family of Anchor Point,
I hope this finds you having a great day today. First off, Pastor Rob and I would like to thank you for allowing us this opportunity to share our thoughts with you during this time of uncharted waters. I must say we were beyond thankful for all of you that tuned into the online service last Sunday on Facebook. It was such a delight to see we had 65 households watching at one time. God is good. As far as this Sunday we are still weighing our options on what we will be doing so we will keep in touch with you through emails, our website, and our Facebook page. And now for a quick thought:
Essential- of the utmost importance : BASIC, INDISPENSABLE, NECESSARY (Dictionary.com)
As we all know, Monday the Governor put into effect the “stay-at-home” order to try to curb the spread of the Coronavirus. The only stipulation in the order was that “essential employees” were allowed to work. This caused a lot of confusion of over what essential means, and who is considered an essential employee. I had a friend who was pulled over on Tuesday and given a ticket because he delivers equipment parts privately. That is deemed un-essential. That delivery is made to one of our friend’s small company, which has been deemed “essential”. Without this equipment part, my small company friend can’t manufacture an important valve that gets sent to yet another company who then completes the tool, which, when finished is used in the medical field. Confusing right? Let me say it this way. Without the equipment part my first friend delivers (non-essential guy), there would actually then be 3 companies that wouldn’t function in helping fight the coronavirus. Every person in that scenario is an ESSENTIAL piece of the cog starting with the delivery driver.
So it is with God’s plan with us from the beginning. Consider these ESSENTIALS:
1. God creates us perfectly in His image
2. We chose to sin against God
3. He Promises Christ the Savior
4. Jesus is crucified on the cross, put in a grave, and then is raised from the dead
5. Our relationship with God is restored through our faith in Jesus
6. Christ will return and we will spend eternity with Him
Now you may be asking, “what does this have to do with the word ‘ESSENTIAL’”? Let me tell you, “absolutely everything”. Without this plan that God has set up, we would be separated from God forever. It is all ESSENTIAL, or as the dictionary puts it “of the utmost importance”.
Do you think that this virus, and the affects that it is having on the whole world was a surprise to God? Do you think when Satan approached Eve and she ate of the fruit God was shocked? Do you think that when Israel rebelled against God it made His jaw drop and scratch His head? Do you think when Israel rejected Christ as the coming Messiah and crucified him on the cross God was speechless? The answer to all of these questions is no. If it would have been any other answer, Christ wouldn’t have told the disciples that He was leaving to go to His Father. That’s another ESSENTIAL. He arose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and death and Satan were defeated.
Do you see now how this is all ESSENTIAL? It is all “of the utmost importance”! This is something that can we cling to in times like these. Will we get back to the way “we were before the virus”? I’m not sure. Maybe not. But I do hope that through this difficult experience God will bring revival in the church, in our community, in our nation, and in our world!
I also hope we are using this time to share who Jesus is and the good news that He gives to all who believe and trust in Him. The time is now! The time is ESSENTIAL for all believers to share the love of Christ.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house In the same way, let your light shine before others, so thatthey may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV)
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to you in this trying and uncertain time in our world and ask that you would be glorified and honored in our words and actions. Lord, that we would show who you are and your genuine unconditional love for all humanity in these times. Lord, that we would see that we are an ESSENTIAL part of your plan to spread the gospel of your Son Jesus Christ. May we put away all things that hinder us from loving those around us. We love you and thank you for your grace. Please heal our community, our nation, and our world. And may you receive all the glory! It is in your Son’s name, Christ Jesus, Amen!
We love you all and pray for you daily!
Pastor Steve
