Philippians 4:12

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Zoom – Prayer – Preparation

We are going to join with Evangelical Fellowship of Canada [EFC] and the World Evangelical Alliance [WEA] and many churches across Canada and around the world to pray for our Orillia and area, Canada and our world in this time of COVID-19.

We are going to try a Zoom Room Prayer meeting.
Here are the details you need:
Date: 29 March 2020
Time: 6:30pm

  • Click on this link. [The link is now available]
    If it asks for details (I don’t think it will) they are:
    Meeting ID: 539 607 853
    Password: 015390
  • It will take you to the Zoom Room.
  • If you are participating while in a busy room, mute your microphone until you want to pray.
  • Specific prayer items will be added in the Chat Box
  • Join Zoom Meeting

     

     

Introduction

Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said,
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. (2 Chronicles 7:12-16 New Living Translation)

God’s promise to God’s people is that of restorative response to humble prayer. God’s people are now scattered worldwide in-Christ, yet wherever we are, there Jesus is in the midst of us (Matthew 18:20). Wherever we are, we are individually the temple of the Holy Spirit and collectively the temple of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:16).

What was promised in the temple of Solomon can be fairly appropriated by those of us under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. Our very lives are the living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) acceptable to God, as we lay them down in service for others (Romans 12:3 onward; Philippians 2:3-11 onward). So we can rest assured that God will be attentive to our cries for help when we come with the attitude of Christ, in humility and dependence, committed to obedient service, even unto death. For wherever we are, it is set apart as a holy place, for we are God’s holy people in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:18, 2:19; Philippians 4:21; Colossians 3:12; Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 2:9; Jude 1:3 among many other passages). Wherever we are, with the attitude of Christ, empowered by the Spirit of Christ, God’s name is, and will continue to be, honoured.

With that assurance, let us join our hearts and our focus before God on this day set aside to pray and fast in faith and hope for God’s mercy and grace in the midst of COVID19 virus troubles. Pray with expectancy that God will indeed hear from heaven, forgive our sins and restore our lands, and all who dwell in them.

Preparing Yourself to Pray

The Apostle Paul, encouraging Roman believers, wrote,

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 New Living Translation)

The world is full of fear and anxiety right now as people struggle to make sense of the potential threats to their physical and economic wellbeing. The best comfort secular governments can offer is an assurance that they are working on the problem and an encouragement to remain calm, rational and kind to one another. Yet, human nature being what it is, people are too easily consumed by self-preservation. Panic purchasing at grocery stores reveals how little we are naturally concerned about the needs of others.

This should not be so with followers of Jesus. We do not copy the behaviour and customs of this world (Romans 2:2). Instead, we have an opportunity to shine like bright stars (Philippians 2:15) as we respond to our circumstances like Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit—living and serving in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).
That begins with coming into and remaining in the presence of God,

  • With belief — the prerequisite for calling on God (Romans 10:14)
  • With humility — in weakness, confessing our need of God and sins that separates us (Isaiah 59:1-2)
  • With desperation — earnest prayer is powerful in its effects (James 5:16)
  • With expectation — that God will hear and rescue (Micah 7:7; Zechariah 10:6)
  • With confidence — that God will hear and respond positively (1 John 5:14)
  • With awareness — that we are not alone, but part of “all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18 for example)
  • With gratitude — alert and thankful for the goodness of the Lord (Colossians 4:2)
  • With peace — not anxious for anything, but trusting God in all things (Philippians 4:6-7)

As we come to this dedicated time of prayer and fasting for God’s intervention in the COVID19 pandemic, let us come in faith and hope. Let us hold fast to the promise of God to servant Israel,

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).

This is true for us because he has chosen us in Christ Jesus and will not reject us (1 Thessalonians 1:4).

Psalm 36:5-7

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths…
How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

Now is not a time to binge on Netflix

Yesterday I posted on Reading and Studying. I want to follow that up today

Panic is more contagious than calm.
The more “news” you absorb right now, the more you’re inclined to panic.
All you need is 10 minutes a day to get informed. No more. Not by Facebook or Twitter or whatever social media platform you use. Find an informative news source you trust.

Despite what some Christian people are saying, I don’t believe the current pandemic is a sign of the end times. I’m not expecting the four horsemen of the Apocalypse to show up anytime soon. Nevertheless, kingdom-first seekers stay calm during this pandemic because we are learning to live in Psalm 23 and Matthew 6.

We have the peace of Jesus. Real peace. Something the world lacks.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 2:7

Every crisis gives us an opportunity to make something new.
So what does the current virus crisis make possible in your life?
According to Facebook, it’s an opportunity to binge on Netflix and other streaming platforms.

Let me suggest a few things that kingdom-first seekers can do instead:

  1. Make this a time to deepen your relationship to Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
    • Personally, I’m spending more time with the Lord. I’ve also created a “prayer” list, and I’m regularly reminding the Lord about each item on it. If you are part of OCC, you are on it.
    • I’m reading. Not that that is new for me!
      • Reading the Gospels.
      • & reading both some theology and a novel.
  2. Calling and texting family and friends. Checking in on them.
    • Janice & I have had some skype calls & last Sunday we met with my parents over the phone.
  3. Being wise.
    • Not being around others. Practising physical distancing. Janice is being careful even while she works at The Home Depot
  4. Looking to meet the needs of others. Especially those who are part of the family of God.
    • I’ve done some grocery shopping for those who need it.

Be careful about the amount of time you spend on Facebook. It’s a time vampire and very often a viper pit. This is why I am not posting everything on Facebook. Instead of going down that rabbit hole, why not tackle one of those projects that you have been putting off.

A friend of mine, recently posted: “I finally did that job I have been putting off for 6 months. It took me 15minutes. I will learn nothing from this.

To remain calm and use the current crisis for game-changing opportunities is a paradigm shift compared to what the world is doing right now (along with many “Christians” who’ve hit the panic button).

We can’t control what’s happening on the national and international scene. But we can control our reaction to it all.

One of the posts on Facebook that was circulating earlier this week contained the words of Martin Luther about The Black Plague death of his day. I think they apply well right now.

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

 

 

Praying – at risk

As we pray today, pray for those at risk:

  • families who live in poverty
  • those who are homeless
  • children and youth who live in poverty
  • children and youth who are at risk of abuse
  • women who are at risk of abuse
  • those in nursing and seniors homes are feeling cut off
  • those whose medical needs have been put on hold
  • those with COVID-19.

Ephesians 5:15-16

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

OCCKids

A little help for you this week.

As we begin to settle in for what could very possibly be a long haul of physical isolation I just wanted to pass along some resources for you and your family. Hopefully, you got my email last week but if not I have included some resources to help you lead your family spiritually and I am including some ideas so that you can have a little fun at home as well.  You can see a list of resources here on the OCC website.
Each week I will continue to send you a bible story and activity you can do at home and let you know about other resources that you can use at home.
Today I have included some activity ideas that you can do together as a family.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you are need of help of any kind at brent@occweb.org

Praying for you!
Pastor Brent

 

Songs of Worship

What songs are ministering to you… sustaining you… helping you remain focused… in these days?

Post your song in the comments, along with why that song is meaningful.

Reading & Studying

A month ago,

  • many said they didn’t have time to read and study the Bible.
  • many said they didn’t have time to pray.
  • many said they didn’t have time to call someone.
  • many said they didn’t have time to practice stillness.

Let’s not waste this time

What new or renewed habits are you practicing?

 

Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.