On that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: Ours is a strong city! God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates and let a righteous nation enter, a nation that keeps faith. Those with sound thoughts you will keep in peace, in peace because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is a rock for all ages. (Isaiah 26:1-4, CEB)
Just a few hours ago, Governor Cooper issued a three-phase plan for reopening North Carolina. A few months ago I would not have known what that meant. Reopen the state? How do you close a whole state? Little did I know then, what I am living now.
Closed. The nation is closed; the state is closed. Nearly all the stores are closed. The neighborhoods and parks are closed. The churches are closed. Wait… what? The churches are closed? Is that even possible? As it turns out, not really. The buildings may be empty for a time, but the Church isn’t going anywhere!
The prophet Isaiah was looking ahead to a time when the New Jerusalem – a strong city built through salvation – is open to all who keep faith. Those who keep their minds on Jesus Christ will experience peace. Actually, the original writing said “shalom, shalom” meaning “peace, peace.” For those of us who continually focus our minds on Jesus and keep our faith concentrated on the will of God, we will experience more than just peace. We get a sort of double portion of peace, peace or perfect peace.
In other words, we sing our praise for the strength of God’s city of salvation, and we open it up to all who keep their minds soundly locked on God and are receiving perfect peace. Sure doesn’t sound like the Church will ever be shut down. No amount of government restrictions or virus or even unthinkable amounts of evil can undermine or destroy God’s Kingdom. Isaiah encourages us to “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is a rock for all ages.” (Isaiah 26:1-4, CEB)
I propose we stand firm in our trust of God with our own three-phase plan.
Phase one: We open our hearts. Keeping our hearts vulnerable to the movement of the Holy Spirit is paramount to being God’s people. The only way we enable this phase to be productive is sacrificial hospitality which welcomes Jesus with a spirit of purity.
Phase two: We open our minds. Focus, focus, focus. This is the most difficult part of our homework. With the uncertainty of health, careers, supplies and economy, our minds are easily distracted by earthly needs. Intentionality in prayer will be key during this phase.
Phase three: We open our doors. Even though we have no concrete timing in place, this will be the easiest part of the plan. When the time is right, we will come together in praise and prayer worshiping our Lord and Savior like never before with hearts and minds completely focused on the Kingdom of God which will never be destroyed.
Our timeline may be uncertain for a bit, but be assured that phases one and two are obtainable immediately. I’m sure because I trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is a rock for all ages.
Trusting,
Pastor Beth
Just a few hours ago, Governor Cooper issued a three-phase plan for reopening North Carolina. A few months ago I would not have known what that meant. Reopen the state? How do you close a whole state? Little did I know then, what I am living now.
Closed. The nation is closed; the state is closed. Nearly all the stores are closed. The neighborhoods and parks are closed. The churches are closed. Wait… what? The churches are closed? Is that even possible? As it turns out, not really. The buildings may be empty for a time, but the Church isn’t going anywhere!
The prophet Isaiah was looking ahead to a time when the New Jerusalem – a strong city built through salvation – is open to all who keep faith. Those who keep their minds on Jesus Christ will experience peace. Actually, the original writing said “shalom, shalom” meaning “peace, peace.” For those of us who continually focus our minds on Jesus and keep our faith concentrated on the will of God, we will experience more than just peace. We get a sort of double portion of peace, peace or perfect peace.
In other words, we sing our praise for the strength of God’s city of salvation, and we open it up to all who keep their minds soundly locked on God and are receiving perfect peace. Sure doesn’t sound like the Church will ever be shut down. No amount of government restrictions or virus or even unthinkable amounts of evil can undermine or destroy God’s Kingdom. Isaiah encourages us to “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is a rock for all ages.” (Isaiah 26:1-4, CEB)
I propose we stand firm in our trust of God with our own three-phase plan.
Phase one: We open our hearts. Keeping our hearts vulnerable to the movement of the Holy Spirit is paramount to being God’s people. The only way we enable this phase to be productive is sacrificial hospitality which welcomes Jesus with a spirit of purity.
Phase two: We open our minds. Focus, focus, focus. This is the most difficult part of our homework. With the uncertainty of health, careers, supplies and economy, our minds are easily distracted by earthly needs. Intentionality in prayer will be key during this phase.
Phase three: We open our doors. Even though we have no concrete timing in place, this will be the easiest part of the plan. When the time is right, we will come together in praise and prayer worshiping our Lord and Savior like never before with hearts and minds completely focused on the Kingdom of God which will never be destroyed.
Our timeline may be uncertain for a bit, but be assured that phases one and two are obtainable immediately. I’m sure because I trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is a rock for all ages.
Trusting,
Pastor Beth