The Rev. Thomas Nibbe
“…the One who is in you is greater than the one in the world…” (1 John 4:4)
I invite you to pray with me…
Lord Jesus, by faith, we receive your unconditional love and acceptance in this time of world pandemic, this time of curtailment of activity and overabundance of hurt, and as well, great human loss, and we trust you to meet all our needs, and as well, those we pray with and those we pray for. We take authority over the Enemy, and in the name of Jesus, we take back the ground we have allowed Satan to gain in our lives because of our attitude at times in the midst of really tough days…Right now, we give this ground back to the Lord Jesus Christ to whom it rightfully belongs. We pray for abundant grace, patience, and peace. In your magnificent, holy name…
Amen.
“…humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time…cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you…be self-controlled and alert…your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your sisters and brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering…”
1 Peter 5:6-9
The message
A thought …
Grace and peace to you in a time when we all really need both grace and peace in abundance! As a matter of fact, considering, a monumental overload of spiritual gifts are available for us just for the taking. I want—right now—to minister to others and feel good about myself. I assume you’re feeling much the same. I find myself lacking the practice of the faith disciplines I would have daily practiced in former years…a positive attitude…a good word to a partner, a neighbor, a friend, and even, an enemy. I’ve said things with these lips I really thought were behind me long ago. I’ve made up my mind that I’m not going to let the Lord take a “back seat” in my life after nine months of pandemic. Are you with me?
“…for everyone born of God overcomes the world…This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith…” (1 John 5:4)
I’m in a frame of mind to focus on good, positive attitudes and make them work. How about you? I’ll bet you’ve run this thought through your mind recently…at least once. Have these times taken their toll upon your life? I’ll confess it…they have mine. I’ve been surprised at what’s been showing up. I’m ready to allow the Lord to make a stark change in me, to work a work within me, to make me an asset rather than a liability…for others…and myself. This is a time for us to be revived…to be refreshed…to know and trust the Lord will make a difference. Come, Lord Jesus!
Another thought …
I’d been thinking about Covid-19 and the virus’ effect upon our lives. It is extremely pernicious, yes, dangerous. It’s a killer. Our hearts are filled with dreadful thoughts when considering the terrible symptoms that millions have had and continue to have. It’s a fact we all know and live with at all times each day that goes by. We are prohibited from living a normal life. We are confined in a multitude of ways. We can never be sure we’re totally safe. Imagine what those go through who don’t have the Lord in their life. We don’t really know when this trying time will decisively end, if ever, it seems at times. We frequently think of what Covid-19 does to our life every day…and of course what it could do. I keep thinking of the great multitude of coronavirus patients who die totally alone lest they give someone they love the virus. What a difference it makes, I would imagine, to have the Lord make that journey with you. Furthermore, we know what coronavirus can do…for a moment today, also, I paused to think of what Covid-19 can not do to women of faith and men of faith:
It cannot cripple our LOVE…
It cannot shatter our HOPE…
It cannot corrode our FAITH…
It cannot take away our PEACE…
It cannot destroy our CONFIDENCE…
It cannot kill our FRIENDSHIP…
It cannot shut out our MEMORIES…
It cannot silence our COURAGE…
It cannot invade the SOUL…
It cannot reduce ETERNAL LIFE…
It cannot quench the SPIRIT…
Our greatest enemy in these days is not Covid-19…It’s DESPAIR…
Don’t let it get the better of you! Keep trusting in the Lord as also you take every precaution to maintain good health and as you practice safety no matter what the circumstance you are in. And will you recognize — as the Lord bestows His blessing of peace, joy and safety on each of us!
“…make every effort to add to your faith — goodness, and to goodness, knowledge — and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance — and to perseverance, Godliness, and to Godliness, brotherly kindness — and to brotherly kindness, love…for if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ …but if anyone doesn’t have them, that person is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that she or he has been cleansed from past sins… therefore, my sisters and brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure…for if you do these things, you’ll never fall…you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…” 2 Peter 1:5-11
As we sometimes fall into apprehension and fear, we wonder regarding the great things the Lord God is silently doing in our present-day world!
“…to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence, without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now & forevermore…” (Jude 5:24-25)
(The Rev. Tom Nibbe is a Bay Area Lutheran pastor who shares his weekly sermons with Marin readers in this time of COVID-19 pandemic. You can reach him at nibbet@yahoo.com.)
Love that list, Tommy! Thanks for your helpful, faithful reminder at this time! AM forwarding it to my sisters and Mark’s family as well.
GOd’s Blessings and my love to you and your dear ones!
Lynn P
Thanks, Lynn!
Is it DESPAIR or FEAR or WORRY? Maybe all three.