Easter 20/20

The Corona Virus has

shut down just about

everything except…

THE POWER OF GOD!

Walk by faith not in fear!

“Jesus didn’t die because He had to convince a begrudging God to be merciful to us.  Jesus died because God loved us so much, He willingly gave His only begotten Son.”

~ Grant Castleberry

This Easter will not be what we envisioned.  We will not gather to worship corporately in the church building with family and friends.  The service may begin at a different time and the choir and orchestra will not be singing and playing in person.  All of our puzzle pieces may not be in the correct spot, but worship will happen because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” and is worthy of our love, devotion and worship.

During these days, I want to see, with perfect vision, what God wants to show and teach me.  I desire to view this day with new lenses and not just the way Easter has been in the past.  I want to slow down, stop, ponder, and experience the freshness and reality of what the Almighty can do.

Because we cannot worship corporately, people are reaching out in amazing ways.

This past Sunday, people placed green branches on their front doors as a reminder of what happened to Jesus on Palm Sunday.

Children either found palm branches or made them out of construction paper to wave. 

Scriptures and encouraging messages have been written in chalk on sidewalks, driveways, and fences.  One child in our subdivision wrote a scripture and then left a box of chalk and encouraged others to write their favorite Bible verse, too.

People are making stain glass designs, with a heart or cross in the middle, either on their front door, windows, or sidewalk.

Two streets in our neighborhood have set up the stations of the cross.  They also provided a guide to print out with a description and things to pray for at each stop.  People can either walk by or ride by in their car.

People are encouraging friends, neighbors, and co-workers to livestream worship services for Easter.

We are learning new ways, and going back to the basics in other ways, to minister and keep up with friends and family.

Because of technology, people are able to participate in Bible studies, worship services, choir practices, and group connections.

The church isn’t empty; the church has been deployed!

“How the Virus Stole Easter”

By Kristi Bothur

With a nod to Dr. Seuss

The world stared around, popping its eyes.

Then it shook!  What it saw was a shocking surprise!

Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small,

Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!

It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming!  It came!

Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine

Stood puzzling and puzzling.

“Just how can it be?”

“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,

It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”

Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before.

“Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store.

Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

And what happened then?

Well…the story’s not done.

What will YOU do?

Will you share with that one

Or two or more people needing hope in this night?

Will you share the source of your life in this fight?

The churches are empty – but so is the tomb,

And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.

So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,

As the virus rages all around, everywhere.

May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.

May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.

May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection,

May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.

May 2020 be known as the year of survival,

But not only that –

Let it start a revival.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

1 Peter 2:24

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

COVID - 19 #2 - Thoughts for These Days

God is continuing to provide comfort, peace, encouragement, and hope these days through scriptures and the words and writings of others.

Begin each day with a grateful heart.

Each day we must choose whether we will be bitter or better.

What comes out of us depends on what is inside of us.  Empathy, compassion, grace, patience, courage, and hope are what is needed more than ever!

“Although our building is closed, the church is open, alive and well, and doing ministry.”

~ Dr. Ron Lyles

Happiness depends on happenings.  Joy depends on Jesus.

~ Dr. Travis Lunceford

Faith alone didn’t save Noah.  He also had to build the ark.

We need to focus on Jesus and not the storm.

“If you look at the world,

you'll be distressed.

If you look within,

you'll be depressed.

But if you look at Christ,

you’ll be at rest.”

~ Corrie ten Boom

No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all.

Faith is not an emotion.  It’s a decision to stand on God’s Word.

“I don’t want to get back to normal, I want to get back to new.”

~ Nic Allen

“I believe that as we follow Jesus through this crisis we will emerge on the other side to a place that may look like normal, but will be altogether new because we will be.”

~ Kelly Minter

Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space.  Let’s invite one to stay.

~ Maya Angelou

“It’s not the absence of storms that sets us apart; it’s the one we discover in the storm.”

“You see, the truth of the matter is fear will always knock on our door, but the truth of Christ is we don’t have to open it.”

“And could it be that all that stands between you and courage is a prayer to your Heavenly Father.”

~ Max Lucado

Make sure you stock up on compassion.

ALSO HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS IS –

Kindness, Patience, Love, Enthusiasm.

and a Positive Attitude

Don’t wait to catch it from others.

Be the Carrier.

You’re not ‘stuck’ at home…you get to be ‘safe’ at home. 

Mindset matters.

In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.

And the world came together as the people stayed apart.

Walk by FAITH, not in FEAR!

May these days, and the years to come, remind us that life is precious and we should not take the things we dearly love for granted.

Satan: “I will cause anxiety, fear and panic.  I will shut down business, schools, places of worship, and sports events.  I will cause economic turmoil.”

JESUS:  “I will bring together neighbors, restore the family unit, I will bring dinner back to the kitchen table.  I will help people slow down their lives and appreciate what really matters.  I will teach my children to rely on me and not the world.  I will teach my children to trust me and not their money and material resources.”

~ Written by C.S. Lewis in 1942

“When this ends,

may we find

that we have become

more like the people we wanted to be

we were called to be

we hoped to be

and may we stay

that way – better

for each other

because of the worst.

Laura Kelly Fanucci

Because of the Lord’s great love

     we are not consumed,

          for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

     great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself,

     “The Lord is my portion;

      therefore I will wait for Him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

     my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

     my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:2

I waited patiently for the LORD;

     he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

     out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

     and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

     a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the LORD

     And put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:1-3

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

     that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Romans 12:15

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:  Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:19-20

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

Titus 3:14