To open our service, we sang a song with a line saying, "in times like these we need an anchor." That is so true. We are facing situations that we have never even imagined. This country is absolutely, as the Bible says, in perilous times. The virus, rioting and even the government is unstable. Is Jesus our anchor or just someone you go to in times of trouble? He will not settle for that and He must be our all, the center of our life.
Pastor Bob took us to the writings of Paul who was a very devout man. First Corinthians 2:1-12 is a picture of what God is to his people. First, he said, "I was with you in weakness, and in fear and when you were trembling I was there to comfort you." Paul preached not with enticing words but in demonstration of the spirit and power. In verse 9, Paul tells of the great place God has prepared for his children. He said, "'Eye hath not seen, nor heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for them that love him." In verse 12, he explains that we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us.
See, God never leaves us unaware of the future. If we search the word we will find wisdom and knowledge that will cause us to draw closer to our Father. We have to be doers and not only hearers of the word. In the book of James, chapter 1, there are verses that tell us our ways should be ways of truth and kindness toward others. Verse 19 tells us to be swift to hear and slow to speak also slow to wrath. Verse 20 says, "For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God."
So, again Pastor asked, "What is Jesus to you?" He is your protector but he is also our instructor. Our teacher and his love reaches into the very depths of our soul. Because of the fear brought to us by the virus, we see many churches closed. Hebrews is known as the book of faith, but don't miss a very important point made in verse 25 of the 10th chapter. It says, "That we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but come together to exhort one another: and so much more as you see the day approaching." What day? I believe he is speaking of the day that Jesus comes to catch His bride away.
Now I want to be ready for that day and the only way is that straight and narrow path. You ask how? Read Psalms 11:1-7 and you will find that you must put your trust in the Lord for the wicked make ready their bow that they may shoot at the upright in heart. If we give up our foundation, which is God, what can we do? You see the Lord tries the righteous but the wicked who loves violence, his soul hates.
Verse 6 is where we find the punishment of the wicked. Upon them he will rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest; this shall be the portion of their cup. If you think these 100-plus degrees are hot just think of being in the midst of fire and brimstone. My God loveth the righteous and he doth behold the upright.
By now, I feel that you get the point of Pastor's title. Where will you stand in the day of the coming of our Lord? Can you say I have been a follower of Jesus and have lived by his word? Or will you be as Peter and deny him when times get rough? We are to grow in the ways of the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 13:11, we are instructed that, when we were children, we spoke as a child, understood as a child; but now we have become adults and are to put away childish things. It is time for us to take our place in the calling that God has placed upon our lives. Many say I don't have a calling. Wrong, we all have work that we must do for the Lord. It might not seem like much to you but, just as a button missing from a garment, so is the person who leaves a gap in the hedge.
The outcome of all this is found in Revelation 3:18-22, He tells of his rebuke of those whom he loves. We are taught to repent and be about the Father's business. Verse 20 reads, "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and I will sup with him." Paul said, I die daily to my sins. This is the forgiveness that only Jesus can give. That is why he died, so we can be saved. Verse 21 says, "To Him that overcomes the trials of this life, I will grant that he will sit with me in my throne, even as also I overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." The last verse says, "That to him who hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit says unto the churches." Now, do you have an answer as to where you stand with Jesus and what he means to you?
In closing, Pastor reminds us that we are to be strong against the obstacles that Satan puts in our path.
We would love to have you worship with us on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. and at 6 p.m. We also have Bible study at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening. We are in Lanagan, Mo. Just go through town and, at the top of the hill, you will see Cove Mission of Hope.
Opinions expressed are those of the author.