March 27th Devotional

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March 27, 2020

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Devotional – March 27, 2020

Hello dear friends,

Amy looked out the window this morning and said: “There’s a duck in our yard!”  I hurried to find my phone to snap a picture out the sliding glass door as his female mate flew in to join him and together wandered around our backyard.  I suspect they were looking for a safe place to lay some eggs, as it is that time of the year. It made me think of our own collective situation that we find ourselves in, as we all are looking for safety, but we seem to wander around, hoping to land somewhere that is safe, to get on with the normal seasons of life. I’d like to remind you of a few “safe places” that you can find rest and peace for today.

  • God is with you right now!

This virus didn’t surprise God. He will walk through every bit of it with us. We may feel alone at times with our self-isolation and stay at home directives from our government leaders. But we will never be alone.  I remind you of the great promise that God gave to Israel in Isaiah 43: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God.”  If He would do that for His chosen nation, how much more for His Body, which is the Church? I encourage you to focus on the safe place of God’s presence with us and not all the noise on the TV and Internet right now. It will replace your worry with worship as a place to rest.

  • God never changes!

It’s safe to say that we don’t even know all the changes this pandemic will have on our church and community.  We need to be flexible going forward, but also remember what hasn’t changed. The Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb.13:8). In the midst of all the changes around us, you can count on this truth.

  • This is not the end of the story.

The Bible says, “In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again . . . because we know that God raised the Lord Jesus to life” (2 Cor.4:8, 14 CEV). No matter what happens, the Resurrection that we celebrate not only on “Easter Sunday,” but also every single day of this life, reminds us that we win no matter what happens! Even if this virus takes our lives, we will go straight into the presence of God (2Cor.5:6-10).  And on that day, all of our pain, sickness, and sorrow will be over. There won’t be a COVID-19 virus in heaven.  In fact, there won’t be any disease, hurt or tears,“and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

What safe havens those great truths are!  Remember as it has been famously said: we don’t know what the future holds, but we know WHO holds the future!

Beloved, you don’t have to wander any more.  Find your rest in Jesus Christ and His salvation. It’s free for receiving by faith, confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart (Rom.10:9-10,13). And It’s complete in every way.  Hear Him today:  “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Land in His arms as He sings gently to you, “take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light”(Matt.11:28-30).

Because He Lives,  Pastor Rob

P.S.  We hope and still plan to have a 10:00 a.m. Livestream mini-service this Sunday.  Watch our Facebook page and emails for more details soon.

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