First Church of the Nazarene

Pastor’s Note April 2020

“Shelter in Place”… That’s the mandate from the CDC and our State Government. And so, except for essential services, we are all sequestered in our own homes.

Some are going stir crazy, some are stuck doing schoolwork, some are working from home and some have been cut back at work, furloughed, or laid off. All are trying to adjust to a different routine, being around each other constantly and re-discovering those things we love or not so much about each other. We endure a constant barrage of negativity with the latest statistics of COVID 19 cases or deaths. Add to this the politicizing of the issue with all those conspiracy accusations or fear-mongering accusations.

What a recipe for discouragement, depression, giving up or giving in to temptations or backsliding on the spiritual progress one has made.

But really, nothing has changed. Not in most of our lifetimes have we ever experienced this level of worldwide pandemic, but it has happened before. We have experienced worldwide challenges that were mortal threats before COVID 19. Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Hurricanes, World Wars, Cold Wars, War on Terrorism, Communistic oppression or outright religious persecution have all happened and yet God’s kingdom still endures! Jesus is still Lord, and He still defeated and defeats sin, hell and the grave! He still is in the salvation / life transformation business, and not even all of Hell can prevail against Him or His Kingdom.

If you belong to Jesus, “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the World”! God did not change His mind from being with us even to the end of the world. He still IS!

Romans 8:35-39 (NLT)

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Stay connected!... To God through prayer, to, the Word of the Lord through Bible reading, To your family by intentionally checking up and in on each other, To the Body of Christ through ZOOM, Facebook, Facebook Live, calls & cards. Staying connected is key to actively experiencing the Love of Jesus Christ in tangible, touchable, knowable ways.

Let’s modify the opening statement…”Shelter in place with God!” That changes everything!

-Pastor David