“A scared world needs a fearless church.” D.L. Moody
*Note: Fearless is not the same thing as careless.
Simply stated, our church is beautiful. Next week it would have been our second home for 19 years. Our children were literally raised there. It is homey, cozy, and comfortable. I feel the presence and peace of God when I enter. While I love to rest in the familiar and security of what I know, sometimes I must be reminded that God’s people that have become family that we love and serve are the church, not the building.
**“For where two or three gather in My there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
There aren’t many of us at Circleback, but we are mighty in spirit. The last two Sundays we were able to stream our service online. Most of our members were able to join in and connect with us. It was so nice to be gathered as a church body again. Not only were we able to meet together, but others were able to join us who normally cannot.
My gift is encouragement. When Benny was studying for a promotional test, I wanted to figure out a way to help keep him uplifted and motivated. So I started sending him a Bible verse each day.
Little by little, other people were added to my list over a span of years. I’ve continued this practice for over 10 years, now and send to many. When I started, I knew I would be encouraging Benny and he would be thankful. But let me tell you, I’ve been almost apologetic at times when asking if loved ones would like to be added to my daily verse list. I feared the reactions of those who might not be as receptive. To be totally honest, I feared rejection.
**All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
My Uncle David and I were talking about it one time, and he said, “I never think sharing about the LORD is a bad thing. He’s the Only One who can make a bad day into a good day.” Since that conversation, I have tried to be bolder and more open to sharing my faith, whether that is one verse a day or writing On the Porch and posting online.
While scrolling through Facebook, I saw a picture of an empty church with the caption, “THE CHURCH ISN’T EMPTY, THE CHURCH HAS BEEN DEPLOYED.” I love that! Our pews being empty will not be a waste. God will use them for His glory. I have had times lately when I don’t feel like I have as much of a purpose. I am accustomed to revolving my schedule around visiting and ministering to others. I can’t hug my people. I can’t hold their hands while I pray for them. I can’t even visit them. So, this post spoke to me. During this time, as God’s family, we have been deployed to share His gospel outside our four church walls.
**But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NASB
As a church, I believe we are doing what we can during this time to “be witnesses in this world.” Through a book I was reading this week, God reminded me that He is the main character. He should take the center stage. With so many changes daily, it is easy to turn inward and think only of ourselves. Even in these times, though, we are still called to be the church, a hospital to the hurting.
**For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5
As the body of Christ, we all have talents to use to share the gospel. Benny shares his gift of preaching and teaching. One of our members and her husband have made a couple hundred cloth medical masks for nurses and those who need one. Another friend has organized a network of needed supplies. She keeps track of people’s needs and relays those requests to others who may have a better chance at finding those particular items. We have several nurses in the congregation that have the knowledge, compassion, and experience to be a calm in this storm. Some work with animals, some work with vehicles, some with computers. Several are involved in the music that streams on Sundays. Others are like Barnabas. They are the encouragers. They brighten my day when I speak to them on the phone and always seem to smile. I count down the days until our church family can meet in person again!!
As you can see, we don’t have members in our pews. We are all on deployment and trying to be a light in a world of darkness.
**Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
Churches all over the nation have been deployed. From the East Coast to the West Coast, God’s people all over the United States are using their talents to spread the gospel and to be His hands and feet. God has called each of us as members of His body to “Go ye therefore into the world.” No matter what building you attend to worship on Sundays, please realize you are a vital part of God’s church. We all make up His body of believers and have a tremendous impact on the world around us. This is a great time in history to sow into other people’s lives. As a whole, people are seeking answers. And we, as God’s people, have them. We must meet their physical needs before they are ready to listen to settle in and discuss the spiritual.
LORD, thank You for our beautiful church. Thank You for bonding us together as a family as only You could have. Make us a fearless church as we go into the world. Let us not worry about what others think, but only consider what You think. Thank You that even in this world of chaos, Your Word is still a light for our path, and we have a choice whether we want to take it or stand still. Thank You for allowing each of us to use our individual talents to minister to the hurting and needy. Even when this is over and we congregate again, help us to remember the great commission. Remind us that our sphere of influence reaches further than we know. During the days ahead, protect, lead, guide, and direct us. If there are ways we can reach out as a church, show us, LORD. May we be your hands and feet. In Your Precious name, Amen.
WE ARE HIS HANDS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0WtTvXamKQ
**Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
**Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! Psalm 90:17
**For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Colossians 3:15
ON THE PORCH 