Friday thoughts to end the week

I am writing to you from our new normal.

Russ has been sent home with a computer to set up shop at our kitchen table. For now the food industry is being allowed to continue to be up and running. But we don’t know from day to day, do we?

I ran some fairly essential errands this morning to the bank and to pay a bill, but Russ said some states are limiting even that.

We have those near and dear to us who are working frantically in health care to try and provide services as they can and to stay healthy.

Our pastors and church leaders are trying to figure out how to minister over the internet and our schools and children are trying to figure out how to e-educate.

While many are doing all that they can, there are homes and places where financial strain, unhealthy addictions and/or a history of dysfunction and abuse are now being enhanced.

Prayers are abounding from around the world, but as I drove today I thought how our track record throughout all time is to cry out when we are in trouble and then to return to our old ways and forget when things settle down. There are those who will use this terrible time to leverage for their own gain, either during the crisis or after it ends.

As people of faith, we have to be diligent to turn to God’s word for our guidance during this time and in the aftermath.

I cannot offer you any better words than those I am taking to heart:

You are all sons and daughters of light and of the day.

Therefore be alert and watchful.

Put on the breast plate of faith and love and wear over your mind the helmet of the HOPE of salvation.

God has not appointed us to wrath, but He has appointed us to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ.

In light of this, comfort each other now with this truth.

Remember those who are laboring for the gospel and for those who are in authority over you. Pray for your leaders and give them respect for the work they are doing.

Warn those who are being disobedient, comfort those who are growing faint, take care of the weak, be patient with everyone.

Do not return evil when evil is done to you.

Chase hard after what is good for both you and for everyone.

Rejoice always.

Pray without ceasing.

Be filled with gratitude, looking for ways to be thankful.

Do not do things that quench the Holy Spirit’s activity in you and around you.

Do not despise the prophesies. Test things against the truth of God’s word and turn from every form of evil.

(My paraphrase of 1 Thessalonians 5:5-22)

And here is the prayer of blessing at the end:

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, mind and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you IS faithful, who also will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 23 NKJV

Praying the peace of Christ to rule over your hearts and minds, bodies and souls and in your homes. If you are in need of contact with someone, please know I am here for you. Reach out.

I love what one person posted on social media – “This too shall pass, and I don’t want to be the same person on the other side of it.”

Blessings friends! You are loved <3

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