Corona Virus epidemic

As we have seen this last week we certainly have an epidemic on our hands within our country. Many people, families and communities are face with trying circumstances. One that we didn’t ask for but nonetheless are confronted with. I am no medical professional and do not seek to be one, nor do I wish to give my opinion of the situation that we are in. Many of you wouldn’t care anyways.

What I seek to provide for our church is what is our response will be to this mandated law by government that includes our local gathering. God has set our governing leaders in place within our country and tells us to obey as long as it doesn’t conflict with biblical values. You Know me of all people am willing to rebel against government in order to obey God but at this time I do not believe this to be a necessary step. I believe that it would be appropriate to abide by the governing law for the love of those within our congregation and within our community as God does command that we are to love our neighbor as ourself. I don’t believe by responding in this way we will be compromising our moral standard or weakening biblical truth. This should not be a mandate that silences the mouth of preachers nor weakens the faith of Christians but all the more should strengthen us by making our eyes gaze heaven ward to the throne of God.

So for our church this is what it will look like moving forward We will be momentarily canceling our worship services and all ministries for the next two weeks while this is supposedly at its highest contagious rate.

As

I know many churches are going to livestream their worship services instead of gathering. Due to our technology not being up to par in this arena I encourage you to tune into other churches online services who preach biblical truth. I will also encourage heads of households to step up to the plate during this time to lead your family privately in worship unto the Lord. I will release a lesson that you can walk through with your family on Sunday morning. I believe this will be a great time for us to strengthen the bonds and relationships on the home front.

Then moving forward assuming that things begin to clear up after these two weeks we still plan on being law abiding citizens but slightly changing how we would carry out a normal Sunday morning. I am a firm believer in the good that the Lord has ordained in the local gathering and always long to worship with my brothers and sisters corporately. for this reason I desire to resume worship services for the strengthening of one another that we cannot receive via online. The law mandates no more than 50 to gather at one time. So what we plan to do is host as many services as necessary to be law abiding but also allow corporately worship. This will not be difficult due to the size of our congregation but also want to open it up to anyone that would long for this type of worship as well.

Assuming that the sickness begins to

We will begin with two services and then if need be move to three and more as opportunity arises. we will have a sign up sheet for each service once one service reaches 49 then we will begin to fill the other worship services and so on until no further people sign up. We will be very rigid on only allowing those who have pre-registered into the service. It would be my delight to exhaust myself for the needs of Gods people during this time. What satan may seek to use for evil i know that the Lord can use for good. once again we will ask that you use common sense during this time. IF you are sick please do not come. IF you are very high risk know we are not judging you if we do not see your face during this time.

Let us be encouraged as Paul told Timothy, The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, of love and of a sound mind.

Now what satan may seek to use for evil i know that the Lord can use for good.

As Paul was sitting in prison he desired to instill in Timothy the reality of the war we are in and how persecution against Gods people is only going to get worse the closer we get to the Lords return. So let us not walk in fear but rather in hope of the Glory that awaits Gods people for He is a faithful God. During perilous times men will turn their affection towards other men, and likewise woman towards other woman. Children will be disobedient to parents and people will make evil good and good evil. HE strengthens timothy to know the Word of God is able to equip us to fight against all these things. You may say well how does this apply to the corona virus. Very much so in this way.

When trials and persecutions arise people begin to take their eyes off of God and set them upon themselves. In doing so we forget the faithfulness of God and his strength to see us through. If God is our refuge we have nothing to fear but if he is not we have all the reason to fear. We must remember that God is still on his throne and this event didnt take him by surprise.

In light of Gods faithfulness and the context of this passage let pauls words as he brings his letter to a close remind us of the God we serve.

2 Timothy 4:14–18 NKJV

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

2 Timothy 4:17–18 NKJV

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

2 Timothy 4:14-

He was defamed by a coppersmith, deserted by men, delivered by the hand hand of God from the mouth of lion.

He said the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.

So friend if the Lord who breathed all that we know into motion do we not think that He will be able to do the same in us who are called by his name?

So friend what paul is telling us it doesnt matter what may befall us if it is persecution, if its lions, or the coronavirus our Lord is able to preserve us until He had completed the work that he has appointed for us and then call us home. that may be today, that may be tomorrow, and it may be 40 years down the road nevertheless WE rest in the mighty hand of God! Amen.

“for me to live is christ and die is gain.”

In light of this truth we now say

Philippians 4:4–7 NKJV

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:

I know many churches are going to livestream services that worship services may continue. Due to o