Like you, I am listening to all the clamor and argument about "re-opening" our state, our society, our "fill in the blanks". With fewer reported victims suffering from COVID-19, it appears the worst of this pandemic may be past us, at least in some places. It is right to plan for all kinds of "re-openings", and if you are like me you say; YES, YES, YES! Add in the warmer weather and the conversation becomes frantic, and urgent, and loud! But there are many who still say...go slowly. We don't want the virus to start spreading again. We don't want to give up what we have accomplished. We must keep our guard up!
In a similar way, I noticed something about myself this past Sunday, and I wonder if you are feeling this also? On Sunday morning, I found myself getting used to eating a late breakfast, starting on the day's projects, reminding myself that this was really Sunday, the "Lord's Day". Are you losing the habit, the joy, the feelings of love from being with your Open Arms family on Sunday morning? Recently, the number of times our online worship service is viewed has been declining each week. Which has led me to the subject of this message:
We must "KEEP OUR GUARD UP"!
Thinking back to our pre-pandemic lives, for many of us, Sunday morning worship is really the only time we read God's word, and consider what it means to us, how Jesus comes alongside us through it. For many of us, Sunday morning worship is the only time we confess our sins and hear God's forgiveness spoken to us. For many of us, Sunday morning worship is the only time we may think about our baptism, where the one, true God of the universe has named you and claimed you and given you faith in Him.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, make sure you don't get so comfortable in your new, pandemic schedules, that you lose these habits. Make sure you keep receiving these great gifts God gives to you! If you don't watch/listen on Sunday morning, that's perfectly OK. Our services remain available for you anytime at vicarmarksblog. God's word is proclaimed, you can join in confession of your sins and hear God's forgiveness spoken to you anytime.
When we wander away from God and His word, like sheep without a shepherd, we always get into trouble. We not only give the devil free reign for his mischief, but we even strengthen and multiply his mischief. I pray you stay close to your Good Shepherd. Read and pray over His word regularly, so you can keep your minds on the right things.
"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,
but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
[Romans 8:5]
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit
of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons,
by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [Romans 8:14–15]
Dear Father in heaven,
Thank You for loving me so much, that You gave Your only Son Jesus, so that I will not die, but have eternal life! Forgive me when I wander away from trusting You, when I wander away from Your word and from Your will for my life. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Give me renewed passion to study Your word and draw me closer to You in faith. In the blessed Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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