David Bahn – Reflections

Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.
Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. – Mark 15:46-16:1

Little is said of what happened on Saturday after Jesus had died. We know his body was taken from the cross before sundown on Friday. Sabbath began at that time, and ran through sundown on Saturday. So we do see that on Saturday evening (after Sabbath ended) the women went and bought spices for Jesus’ burial preparation.

I’m thinking of what the disciples did all day Saturday. Mark 2:19-20 tells us a bit of what they did: Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. During that time of fasting they likely reflected on the events of the previous day. So much had changed so quickly. So many hopes – albeit false hopes – had been dashed. So many plans would now be changed. Life would be different. But for the day they would be silent. No witness of their activity would merit inclusion in the record of Jesus’ life and ministry. Nothing of note was done.

But God was at work…even as Jesus was resting in the tomb. God was sustaining every breath they were taking. God was upholding the universe with the might of his power. God was watching every sparrow fly and every hair on the disciples’ heads was numbered. God was preserving all of creation even as Jesus rested in the tomb.

God was allowing life to go on in preparation for something beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. Who would have thought that things would so dramatically change in 24 hours from Thursday to Friday? Who would have thought that an even more dramatic change would be revealed on Sunday morning?

Jesus must have rested in the tomb so we could know he had truly died. Jesus must have rested in the tomb on Saturday so that the women could not completely prepare his body for burial. Jesus rested in the tomb as an echo of God’s work of creation when God rested on the seventh day.

Today is a day of resting in anticipation of what tomorrow will bring. This is true both literally and figuratively. We know tomorrow’s Easter celebration will be different from past celebrations. We won’t be gathering for worship with thousands of others. So much of the normal has been cancelled due to this virus.

Even as we wait, however, we do so in anticipation of a bright and glorious day. That Great Last Day will break and we will experience the fullness of Jesus’ resurrection victory. Come, Lord Jesus!

One Day, because of Jesus’ resurrection the hymn verse will come true:

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Until then, we wait.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. – Luke 23:34

Truly, I say unto you, today you shall be with me in paradise. – Luke 23:43

Woman, behold your son. (Says to disciple) Behold thy mother. – John 19:26–27

My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? – Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

I thirst. – John 19:28

It is finished. – John 19:30

Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit. – Luke 23:46

These seven sayings of Jesus – his last recorded words before his death on the cross – each are worthy of a full meditation. They carry heavy truths that sink deep into the bedrock of our Christian faith. Jesus’ first word, “Father forgive them…” reveals not only the forgiving and compassionate heart of God, but also our blindness to the far-reaching impact of our sin. His last word, conveys not merely a resignation to the inevitable, but a peaceful confidence in God’s faithfulness and compassionate goodness.

When I consider all these words, one stands out to me more than all the others. Make no mistake: I believe that all of Jesus’ words are true, vitally important, and profoundly far-reaching in their impact. Certainly these last words of Jesus are all important to me. But when Jesus asks, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” he reveals a perfect and complete faith that no one can match. 

Jesus had done nothing wrong. He has obeyed his Father perfectly. He had taken the cup of God’s wrath and was drinking it. And in so doing, he entered into a place of total abandonment. Jesus was abandoned by God. And this agony was worst of all. It was far worse than the nails that pierced his hands and feet. It was far worse than the heavy burden of the cross he was made to cary to Golgotha. It was far worse than the thorn of crowns beaten into his scalp. It was far worse than the scourging he endured. 

God abandoned Jesus in his greatest hour of need. 

Here is what touches my heart and makes Jesus the truest hero of faith. For in that moment of utter abandonment, complete injustice, and horrific suffering, Jesus still calls God his God. “My God…” he cries. He did not abandon God in the hour of God’s abandonment of him. He continue to look to God. He called out to his God. He kept the faith.

I don’t have that kind of faith. I fail to keep faith as I should. But I have a true hero of faith, and I trust in him. I have a Savior who has perfect faith, and I trust him to be with me in my darkest hour and to reach out to me when I fail him. 

We pray…

Dear Father in Heaven, We thank you for Jesus’ perfect faith, his great love for you and for us all, and for the forgiveness and salvation he won for us by his innocent suffering and death, and his perfect obedience in our place. Give us good faith and complete courage so that we may face whatever troubles and challenges that lie ahead. Relieve us of this scourge. Grant us healing and hope; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

– Luke 22:14-23

They came into the office and needed a room for the night. There were three of them, and they seemed friendly enough. In fact, in retrospect, they became over-friendly. I was running the motel that weekend, and I was happy to have more guests registered. They signed a traveler’s check for the room, and I gave them the change. Later that evening they came back to the motel office and asked if they could cash another traveler’s check. I failed to look at the signature – a rookie mistake – probably because the distracted me. Before I knew it they were in the living quarters. They insinuated themselves right into the area reserved for the live-in managers!

The next week the Traveler’s Checks were returned “UNPAID: SIGNATURE DOES NOT MATCH.” You might know how Travelers Checks work. They are no longer in use, but back then they were thought to be fool proof. You could accept a Travelers Check without fear…as long as the two signatures matched. These two signatures did not match at all. My trust was betrayed. We were left holding the bag for about $100.

Jesus was betrayed by Judas for 30 pieces of silver, arrested by the Jewish leaders, abandoned by his disciples and friends, falsely accused, and sentenced to death by the Roman authorities.

And what did he do that night? He washed his disciples’ feet, taught them about loving one another (John 13), celebrated the Passover, instituted the Lord’s Supper, and went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.

Maundy Thursday is not a typo for Monday as though someone didn’t know how to spell. Maundy is connected to the mandates (commands) of Jesus: “Do this in remembrance of me,” and “Love one another.”

How shall we truly obey Jesus’ command? We come to this day of Holy Week, recalling Judas’ betrayal, reflecting on Jesus’ prayer, and remembering Jesus’ gift of His body and blood under the bread and wine of this Holy Meal.

And we wait. Friday is coming: a stark day of darkness and death.

Saturday will follow: a day of waiting in fear and disappointment.

Sunday will come. Jesus will rise from the dead. But today we recall the betrayal, reflect on Jesus’ prayer, and remember his commands: “Do this in remembrance of me” and “Love one another.”

Let us pray…

Dear Father in heaven, give us your Holy Spirit so that we may truly remember Jesus’ gifts, recall his betrayal and obey his commands. Help us as we experience the events of Holy Week, to remember that Jesus did that out of his love for you, in perfect obedience and faith, and in anticipation of the joy that would be his, seated at your right hand. Thank you, also, for his love for us that now calls us to believe in him and find hope for today and for all eternity. Give us courage as we face the troubles of this pandemic, and heal our world, for the sake of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

⁴ Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. ⁵ “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

⁶ But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? ⁷ You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. ⁸ She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. ⁹ I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. ¹¹ They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

– Mark 14:3-11

During these pandemic days things we take for granted become so very precious. Who would have thought that a roll of paper towels would be worth more than a week’s wages? OK, perhaps I exaggerate just a bit. But paper towels, toilet paper, and eggs are in high demand. I understand eggs, but paper towels?

An even greater disconnect comes as we look at the events of Spy Wednesday – the traditional name for this day of Holy Week. Perhaps it ought to be called Price Wednesday. For on this day, Judas was concerned about the cost of two things: the ointment being used on Jesus by the woman here, and his pay for betraying Jesus. 

So just how much is Jesus worth to you? What price would you put on his head? What would it take to betray him? Before you answer too quickly, consider the little betrayals we do daily. We use Jesus’ name in vain: a betrayal of his true identity. We hold a grudge: a betrayal of his forgiveness to us. We lash out in anger against our spouse: a betrayal of his love for all people. We give into temptations of lust: a betrayal of Jesus’ honor of all people. 

But at least we know better. And when we realize this, we think of something else: the price Jesus paid to redeem us. For we were not purchased and won from sin, death, and the power of the devil with gold or silver, but with the holy precious blood of Jesus, and his innocent suffering and death. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us and for our salvation.

Perhaps that will move us to extraordinary gifts in honor of him. A large offering to our local church, the local social ministry, or an important national or international mission effort.

To get really specific, some of us will not need the government stimulus money that will soon magically arrive in our bank accounts. I’m not sure how much of a sacrifice it would be to give that up. But I know that hearts that have been claimed by the one who paid the ultimate sacrifice will want to share the wealth in such a way to bring honor to Jesus.

We pray…

Lord Jesus, thank you for your ultimate sacrifice for us and our salvation. We ask now that you would remind us of this great gift and its great cost. Help us to honor you in everything we do, think, and say. Help us, also, in this battle against this brutal disease. Restore our health, we pray. We will continue to honor you through these difficult times, knowing that you love us and have us fully in your care. Amen.

You may know the riddle: What is Greater than God, worse than the devil, the poor have it, the rich require it and if you eat it you die? The answer: Nothing. The answer to the question, “Who or what can separate us from the love of Christ?” is also, Nothing. 

These are challenging days. We have moments of delight: a funny YouTube video, a phone call from a friend, a beautiful sunset. Then come the jarring intrusions of discouragement: a major appliance breakdown, a newscast with dire predictions, word of a friend’s diagnosis, a meltdown with your spouse. The pendulum swings back and forth with little rest in the middle. Normal is a setting on your dryer; so goes the saying. It certainly does not describe life as we know it now.

How does Paul come to the conclusion that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord? Certainly Paul knew discouragement. He was beaten and left for dead on one of his missionary journeys. He had to have a lengthy discussion with the church leaders (Acts 15) about whether new Gentile converts could legitimately lay claim to being part of the body of Christ. He wrote at least two – possibly as many as four – letters chiding and correcting the church in Corinth. Paul knew discouragement.

He also knew hardship, nakedness, peril, and sword. He experienced all these things in service to the gospel he is proclaiming to the Romans here. It was likely these experiences that shaped his conviction about God’s love, and moved him to write so eloquently about it. Every other comfort had been stripped away. What else is there than the eternal, unchanging, rich, and gracious love of God.

But we must not mistake this nothing-else-than-love conviction as a matter only of settling for it in resignation. This is not merely a surrender to God’s love because nothing else will sustain you. It is that, true. Nothing else will sustain you. But this gift of God, this attitude, action, posture, and commitment of God is the power that changes hearts. It converts sinners. It comforts the bereaved. It quiets the troubled. It centers the scattered soul. It heals the broken heart.

There is nothing like it at all. There is nothing else in all creation that stands up to God’s love. And nothing can separate us from that love in Christ Jesus our Lord. I want to learn what that really means. Yes, I want to learn what that means.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

³¹ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 

– Romans 8:26-32

Imagine a greedy person: one not only greedy but brutish and imposing, ruthless and lawless. He breaks into your home. In terror you ask, “What do you want?” He replies, “Everything. I want everything.” A chilling thought to be sure. We would never wish to be like that person. 

Look closely, however, at the invitation of God in these verses: “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32). Everything else. We can lay claim to every good thing that God has to offer. 

This is not a call for us to be greedy. But it is a call to abandon a spirit of fear and timidity. There is never a need to be fearful in approaching a throne of grace. And while, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God,” (Reference), we are called to approach the throne of God’s grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). So which will it be?  

Martin Luther, in explaining the 10 Commandments, begins every explanation with, “We should fear and love…” So perhaps it is both. We approach the throne of God grace with humble faith and bold meekness.

God opens the door to the richness of his storehouse of grace and offers us everything. There is nothing off limits that isn’t immoral, illegal, or ungood for us. I realize those are some limits, but do we all really want everything – including the bad, evil, and harmful things – this world has to offer.

So let us pray…

Father in heaven, we thank you for your goodness, love, and promises about providing us everything for our good. Because of your promise, we come to you in prayer, asking for help, relief, courage, and healing. We need your almighty power to quell this terrible virus. Put an end to its spread. Heal those who are suffering from the disease. Bring our country back to normal, rid the whole world of this illness. Grant us relief, we pray. This is our “everything” prayer to you today, according to your word and promise; through Jesus Christ whom you gave for us. Amen.

Freedom: A Bible Study on Romans 8

David Bahn | St John Lutheran Church | Cypress, TX

Palm Sunday | April 5, 2020

What is your biggest hope once we’re free from the immediate threat of the COVID-19 virus? 

Freedom from Judgment Romans 8:1-4

We’ve been freed from:

• The law (principal) of sin and death
• The guilt of sin
• Our personal weaknesses and human limitations
• The coercion of the Law
• Through Jesus Christ

Freedom from Defeat Romans 8:5-17

Where does the Holy Spirit lead us?

• He leads us into truth (John 14:17)
• He leads us to remember his teachings (John 14:26)
• He leads us to Jesus. (John 15:26)
• He leads us to testify about Jesus. (John 15:27)
• He leads us to  (John 16:5-10)
• He leads us to confess our faith. (1 Corinthians 12:3)
• He will lead us and others to acknowledge and bring glory to Jesus (John 16:14-15)
• He leads us to a deeper conviction of our status as children of God (Romans 8:16)

Freedom from Discouragement Romans 8:18-30

We’ve been saved!

• We have been saved (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• We are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 2:12)
• We will be saved (Romans 8:24-25; 10:9, 13)

Freedom from Fear Romans 8:31-39

We are more than conquerors through Christ.

• He overcomes with a greater power, the power of Jesus
• He overcomes with a greater motive, the glory of Jesus
• He overcomes with a greater victory, losing nothing even in the battle
• He overcomes with a greater love, conquering enemies with love and converting persecutors with patience

A riddle: What is greater than God, more evil than the devil? The poor have it. The rich need it. If you eat it you will die.

Answer: Nothing.

Question: What will separate us from the Love of God in Jesus Christ? NOTHING. Thanks be to God!

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

– Romans 8:22-25
(See below for verses 26-39)

I’ll be reflecting on Romans chapter 8 for these next few days. It seems to me we need some very clear and positive good news, encouragement, and assurance during these increasingly-alarming days.

I spoke with a few people today who needed these words. They are facing cancer treatments in addition to all the other pressures of these days. Their spouses are right along side of them in this battle as well. Their family members are helping as much as possible. But the stresses and challenges of these times loom large.

Maybe you need them as well. We are reminded in the words above that we are groaning as a woman in the pains of childbirth. I don’t know about this personally, but I’ve been there four times and do know about it up close and personal. It’s a challenge! But there is good reason to face the challenge and endure during it: A child is born when it’s all over. What a joy! What a blessing! What a relief!

I believe the same to be true of our present groanings. For we’re not just groaning against the difficulties of the COVID-19 virus. We’re groaning in anticipation of redemption, rescue, and (ultimately) eternal glory. These are difficult days to be sure. But the goodness of God and the hope of our redemption is the anchor for our souls during these difficult days. God doesn’t expect us to say all is well when it is not. But God does expect us to look to him during times of distress and to hold onto the hope of our calling in Jesus Christ.

Let us pray…

Dear Father in heaven, we are groaning these days. The challenges of this present age, the press of physical distancing and isolation, the threat of illness, the worries of finances are relentless. Help us to see these as the groanings and pangs of childbirth. Help us to hope for something more true and real that a mere turn back to normalcy. Help us to see your hand, and remember your love, and hope in your deliverance. Until then give us your Holy Spirit so that we may wait in hope, faith, and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, one with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

– Romans 8:22-39

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

– 2 Peter 1:3-8 [ESV]

I don’t know how she does it. A certain wonderful person who is very close to me likes only food that is good for you! She isn’t easily tempted by gooey sweets, or cheesy fried things. I’m not sure that’s what Peter means when he speaks of adding virtue to our faith, but at least part of being virtuous has to do with loving things that are truly good.

How is it that virtue is an adornment of faith that brings us to a more effective and fruitful life? What does virtue do for us that allows us to have a greater impact for the reign and rule of Jesus? One thing’s for certain: We’re not talking about some holier-than-thou self-righteous prude. Virtue has as much to do with the heart from which it comes as the appearance it makes when it shows up in people’s lives.

When true virtue shows itself you are more likely to experience grace, kindness, love, and mercy. You are likely to experience less judgmental is and self-righteousness. You are likely to be blessed. You are likely to be drawn to that person – unless your heart is dark and your intent is evil.

Virtue is a goodness that comes from within. That goodness is a reflection of God’s goodness, and is a product of the Holy Spirit who touches and changes our hearts. From the goodness of God to us and from us to others virtue comes.

So we pray…

Heavenly Father, we turn, not panic, in response to this pandemic. We praise You as our Almighty Creator and sustainer. You are the Author of our days, our refuge and strength.

Lord we humbly ask you to push back and remove this virus from us; glorify Yourself in this national and global emergency. We cry out to You in unified prayer.

We pray that this unprecedented time in our generation would be used to draw nearer to You and our families. Turn our attention to the many times we have thought or said, “we don’t have enough time to _________” Help us to use this time to rightly reset and prioritize our relationship with You and our family. Let us draw near to You in faith as our Father and fortress.

Deliver us from this disease, we pray, and let your glory fill the earth as you respond to our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

– From the National Day of Prayer Committee

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

⁵ In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

⁸ The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

– 2 Peter 1:3-9 [NLT]

What’s your favorite movie? That was the question we were to discuss during dinner one night at our neighborhood group. I had several answers: Shawshank Redemption; Men in Black; Hunt for Red October; Star Trek. I didn’t buckle at the issue of choosing one favorite. I am a rule-bender afterall. But another person at the table made a big deal of choosing her favorite…or rather, not choosing a favorite. We had quite a fun discussion about it. And to this day, I’ll ask her, “What’s your favorite _______?” And she’ll smile knowingly.

Having said that, what’s your favorite of the list offered here? We are to add these to our faith:

• moral excellence
• knowledge
• self-control
• patient endurance
• godliness
• brotherly affection
• love

Which of these would be your favorite? And why is that so? The obvious answer (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:13) is love. Love is one of the big three, along with faith and hope. Without love there is no real good benefit to anything we might do for God or our neighbor.

I notice, however, it is the last on Peter’s list here. That might be because love is the most important and final Christian virtue. Whether or not that is the case, these Christian virtues are to be added to one another – stacked upon one another if you will be active and productive and useful in your knowledge of Jesus Christ.

During these days of tumult, terror, dread, and disease, we may easily forget that God has given us all we need for our eternal salvation and wellbeing. It is now our time to leverage the gifts he has given in such a way that we serve others and become a source of blessing to them. So, what’s your favorite? Don’t stop there, keep growing and adding these jewels to your life of faith in God and love toward him and your neighbor.

Let us pray…

Heavenly Father, we turn, not panic, in response to this pandemic. We praise You as our Almighty Creator and sustainer. You are the Author of our days, our refuge and strength.

For those who are making decisions about closures and cancellations, we ask that You guide them to consider what is best for people not for profit. Lord that we may trust You and make the safest decisions for the populations they serve, teach, entertain and employ. Continue to pour out your creativity on us in the methods of staying connected and  productive through technology.

Deliver us from this disease, we pray, and let your glory fill the earth as you respond to our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

– From the National Day of Prayer Committee