An average two week span frequently includes trips to the YMCA, Westwood, and the airport. I know the last time I was in an airport was March 12th as the “world was changing” and Westwood’s last service prior to Covid19 was March 8th. The life patterns and routines we have built into our lives were abruptly upended. The news calls this time “unprecedented” to which I think many historians may debate the credibility of that. While I am not a historian, I do identify myself first and foremost as a Christian and from a biblical worldview plagues are not new. What is true in Exodus 7-11 with the ten plagues is certainly true in our day, God reigns on high and his sovereignty is absolute.
Psalm 2:10-12
“Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
For the Christian Covid19 disrupts our routines and life patters dramatically, but it in no way upends any of the beliefs we hold most dear. For the Christian it is a time to be strengthened as nothing about our God or his character has changed. Yet, humanism has left American culture with many unanswered questions. Our God has preached peace to those both near and far. He offers access through the Holy Sprit to the father. We are no longer strangers or alien but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God which is built upon Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. We Christians have a cornerstone that will not be upended by circumstance and offers us eternal peace.
Ephesians 2:17-20
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So, then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.”
Does my life reflect the peace I have in Christ as I lead my family by example?
Recommended Resource
This book explores Psalms & Lamentations, giving voice to pain, inviting us to grieve, struggle and tap into the rich reservoir of grace and mercy God offers in the darkest moments of our lives. This book is for any man living through a challenging circumstance.
Today's Prayer Focus:
United Arab Emirates:
Islam is the state religion, with a Sunni majority and a small Shi’s minority. There are high levels of religious freedom for an Arab state, but proselytism is still illegal.
Expatriate Christians have opportunities for discreet sharing as the nation becomes more open and international. However, arrests, imprisonment and deportation still occur for those who evangelize or distribute Christian literature unwisely. Pray that believers would demonstrate Christ in their words and deeds with discernment and confidence.
Today's Bible Study Tip:
In the last post, we mentioned the “Comprehension” stage of Bible study. Here is some more helpful information for that stage:
Looking for repeated words and phrases can help you gain a sense of the main points of the passage. If it’s repeated, it’s probably important!
Marking transition words can help you link ideas together. Click here for a list of transition words.
John Piper produces a helpful resource called Look at the Book, which consists of a series of videos demonstrating how to mark words and phrases and link them together, similar to what Pastor Dave does during his messages with his iPad. Watching these videos can help you see how repeated words and phrases and transition words help draw out the ideas expressed in a given passage of Scripture.
Today's Quote:
Circumstances never create character; they merely reveal it.
-John Blanchard
Today's Dad Joke:
A butcher accidentally backed into his meat grinder and got a little behind in his work!
