Many years ago, I had the distinct privilege of accompanying then Prime Minister, The Most Honourable Portia Simpson -Miller to the United Nations General Assembly, where she gave a major speech supporting the call for Road Safety to be included in the Sustainable Development Goals. And at a side-meeting, before the going to the UN, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, and Nelson Mandela’s grand-daughter Zoleka, and other dignitaries, issued a clarion call for road safety to be taken seriously internationally.

One of the highlights of the trip to NY was going to see Alecia Keys performing live in Central Park. Got two tickets from a friend at the UN, for a colleague and I, and so off we went. And walked miles, and miles, as it seemed like all the young people in New York had the same plan. Finally we got to the actual venue, only to hear “ standing room only”. That was too much for me, at my age then. So facing the prospects of standing for hours after walking for hours, we, well mostly me, decided to call it a day and head back to the hotel. That’s the closest I came to hearing this fabulous singer on stage. Well this week, the whole wide world got a glimpse of the prodigious talent, and great heart of this multiple Grammy Award winning artiste, as her new song and video were shown live on CNN this week. I watched the interview and listened carefully and then posted this on social media:

https://youtu.be/N63tvQBwSSw. It’s amazing that the words of the song were not inspired by the present Corona Virus crisis. But how appropriate, even prophetic they are! And the new video, just released, shot for the song now dedicated to those who were doing #AGoodJob, is just simply amazing. Thank you Alicia Keys. Good Job. Thank God for the inspiration coming deep out of the bowels of slavery, and sent to those who have risked their lives for others.

youtu.be/N63tvQBwSSw. The new video of the fabulous song by @aliciakeys #GoodJob Thank you #AliciaKeys Thank you Lord for this gift to humankind all over the world 🌍 Transcending race, ethnicity, religion and gender. Just simply wonderful

Alicia Keys – Good Job (Lyrics) youtu.be/J_5VC4E__F0 via @YouTube Last night I quoted the famous English poet Shelly : poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world. Tonight as I watched and listened to @aliciakeys on @CNN doing a #GoodJob for the Heroes in NY #Sotrue

In this song @aliciakeys is to #NewYork and #BlackandBrownPeople what #BobMarley is to the world. Just time for great compassionate America to value African Americans who are dying disproportionately in this #COVID19 Pandemic

This week also, I watched two movies about the life of a lesser known International figure, but no less a giant who demonstrated bravery and commitment to the God of all mankind when he joined with other people of conscience, in plotting the downfall of Adolph Hitler. He died a martyr’s death and the memories of his ministry lives on in his many books, Ethics and others, which have deepened the faith and helped many on their journey with the Lord.

All of this made me understand, even ore deeply, that we are, the whole world, in this thing together. Before COVID-19! And will be long after the Virus has gone. So the challenge, especially for people who place their trust in Jesus, Christians, in He who died for the whole wide world…for God so loved the world…I would suggest, is for us to learn to think Globally even as we act Locally in our particular context. For it is only in this fashion, that the great problems of : Climate Change; World Poverty; Pandemics; North South inequities …triggering mass migration rural to urban, and south to north; Institutional Racism; hegemonic ambitions…triggering the strains of of Bob Marley’s ‘war in the east, war in the west, war up north, war down south.

And for the Christian the great challenge of the 10/40 window

http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/1040.htm

How many in the world have never heard the gospel?

Most of the people groups still very much unreached by the gospel live in places stretching across the maps of northern Africa and Asia. Christian missions strategist Luis Bush started calling this rectangular area or band”the 10/40 window.” He used that easy-to-remember name because it lies across Africa and Asia from 10 degrees latitude north of the equator to 40 degrees latitude north of the equator.

This week also, I was led to write letters to my church. Three of them ( not long) are included in this weekend blog. The first one reflects our need to think and act locally.

The second and third, progressively, reflect the other message of a global concern; surely one of key the take way messages from this terrible pestilence.

FIRST EMAIL

The First Lesson

Acts 2:14a,36-41

Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, “Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

Comment:

The context is not the same, although in a sense it is, for although Jamaica is not “ the entire house of Israel”, it is a people whose grandparents and great-grandparents, for the most part slaves and descendants of slaves, who trusted God and chose Jesus over Barabbas, and now this generation has made Kartel and Spice and Bacchanal and their Political Leaders, more important in their lives than Jesus.

So, therefore, if you, “ with the eleven standing with you”, the called out people of God of this age, had an opportunity to speak to the nation in these COVID-19 times, or any other time, to a people who far too many have chosen Barabbas over Jesus, what would we say? Would we say things which would “ cut to the heart”, or would we gloss over the sins of the nation. A people who don’t even now how to blush! What “ arguments” would we put in the public sphere? Would we “ exhort a nation to save themselves from this corrupt generation”? Would we have the moral authority to do so? Or have we too, despite the external trappings, and even vestments, said to Jesus “ This is a hard teaching, who can accept it”? And turned away in our hearts and private lives, but still maintain in public, a veneer, a form, of godliness, but denying its power

Or on the other hand, having ‘denied Jesus three times’, and having wept bitterly, when Jesus “looked straight at us”, we have not yet responded to the eternal question that Jesus still poses “ Do you love me”….feed my sheep! For feeding the sheep, seeking Ezekiel’s lost, and stray, and vulnerable, and Lukes’ “ the least of those my brethren “, is a good and necessary thing. But Jesus still died for all of these people. And for Spice and Kartel, and “ I was once a good girl but now I loose”, and “ follow de leader”.

Good Friday is not a distant memory. Ask Rev. Kuck, who preached a sermon once on Easter, I remember well and reminded him recently, that “ after Easter we go back to Good Friday”. It, Good Friday, is in fact with us day after day. And who knows, that Good Friday has a message, an existential message in these COVID-19 unusual times. What then is the prophetic Word from the Church at this time?

I believe Bishop Howard had this in mind when at the end of his Easter sermon, which was viewed by some 8.7K people on the church’s Facebook site ( vs Spice and Minister Tufton on Instagram discussing COVID-19 which pulled in 227 K…hmmm), he warned the nation, that dependence on what our leaders said, and what the scientists predicted, cannot be the sole basis on which we can confidently say that “ we will get over COVID-19” one day. But rather depend on the the Power of the Risen Christ to infuse new life into us by His Spirit…in the same way God in the time of Ezekiel “ gave new life to the, ‘ can these bones live’….or words to that effect.

The existential reality though, is that the Spirit of God only comes to those who accept “ the hard teaching”. That in essence calls for repentance and to save oneself from this “ corrupt generation”. Which takes us right back to Peter and his first sermon. The First Reading for next Sunday! So what is our response? Lovely sermon! Or the essence of preaching. I am reminded of John Stott’s assertion in his seminal book “ The Cross of Christ”, at the end, that “ Preaching the Gospel is preaching the Cross.”

The only thing that can save us from this corrupt generation that continues to “ choose Barabbas over Jesus “.

For who knows, that this is the reason why COVID-19 is in the world. For as Oswald Chambers famously said: “ The Holy Spirit is often a Disturber before He is a Comforter”. A sentiment echoed by Rev. Jennings yesterday, I hope you will still find the time to watch, at lest the sermon, when he said, that Jesus often makes us feel badly before he makes us feel good.

In obedience.

Peace.

LWJ

SECOND EMAIL

A verse of Scripture which has “ kept me sane”, in the midst of the madness around me, in recent times, is, “ if you believe you will see the glory of God”. Which was Jesus’ response to Mary, before he raised Lazarus from the dead! This happening while Mary was concerned that her brother had been dead for days, and his body, in her mind, would ‘smell’.

It came to mind, as I ‘happened’ ( on my way to my early morning prayers in my Classic Devotional Bible) up another verse which speaks volumes to the lack of trust in the God who has proved Himself faithful on so many occasions. For us personally, and for this nation! As I had no intention of reading this challenging meditation by God’s evangelist, Missionary, to the China, James Hudson Taylor – perhaps there is a message there too, in this COVID-19 context.

Actually the Classic Devotional Bible assigned another powerful verse to the meditation, but for me this one, in these times, is the more contextually challenging one;

“ Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, “ How long will you go limping with two different opinions? if the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him”. 1 Kings 18:21 NRSV

Clearly this verse presents a challenge for all of us who are terrified of COVID-19. And if we are honest, all of us are, in some way, and at some time, “ filled with fear”. Even as we practice safe hygiene and social distancing! But my mind, and the mediation below validates this view, is on Spice, and others, who on the one hand, sing and behave in the most outrageous manner ( don’t even know how to blush); and then I suppose “ in the national interest”, sing gospel songs during an interview with the Minister, trying to get people to “ tan a yu yard”.

And Spice is but one example of many leaders, and people outside and inside the church ( talk de truth) who try to, ‘go limping along with two different opinions’. Like those who leave church, or don’t bother to come at all, and join the Bacchanal! Like those who have brought our country to it’s knees, in respect of the introduction of gun violence in to this “once fair and peaceful land”, and then at the end of a political speech, exhort God to “ bless Jamaica “!

Like those who, without repentance, in flagrant disobedience to the Living God, commit all kind of perversions and immorality, and then head straight to church. Metaphorically. And who knows, perhaps even literally!

For those of us then, who have been troubled about the state of our nation, and the state of God’s Church, and the state of our own faith, and why COVID-19 “won’t just go away”, I believe this meditation is a Godsend this morning. From deep within the heart of one who trusted in the faithfulness of God, and in faith and in single minded obedience, planted a seed in China, the Christian Church which has now grown into a Mulberry Tree.And is under constant persecution!

THE COURAGE OF OBEDIENCE

James Hudson Taylor ( 1832 – 1905).

Verse: 1Kings 18:24

Want of trust is at the root of almost all our sins and all our weaknesses; and how shall we escape it but by looking at him and observing his faithfulness?

The man who holds God’s faithfulness will not be foolhardy or reckless, but he will be ready for every emergency. The man who holds God’s faithfulness will dare to obey him, however impolitic it may appear. Abraham held God’s faithfulness and offered up Isaac, “ accounting that God was able to raise him…from the dead” ( Hebrews 11.19 KJV).

Moses held God’s faithfulness and led the millions of Israel into the waste, howling wilderness.

“ And what shall I more say? For the same would fail me to tell” of those who, holding, God’s faithfulness, had faith, and by it, “ subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises…and out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens ( 11: 33-34)

Satan, too, has his creed: Doubt God’s faithfulness. “ Hath God said ? Are you not mistaken as to his commands? He could not really mean just that. You take an extreme view, give too literal a meaning to the words “ (O Jesus have mercy on us…my words).

How constantly, and alas, how successfully are such arguments used to prevent wholehearted trust in God, wholehearted consecration to God!

How many estimate difficulties in the light of their own resources,and thus attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt!

All God’s giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they reckoned on his being with them.

In obedience.

Peace.

Lord renew thy church beginning with me; Lord renew the church that the church may renew the nation(s)…that go limping along with two different opinions.

THIRD EMAIL

The Epistle

1 Peter 1:17-23

…………..Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

Comment: The words at the end of the Epistle for next Sunday struck me most forcibly this morning as read it during my early morning devotions. And the old adage” Absence makes the heart grow fonder ( and the schoolboy mischief in me recalls the response of the cynic “ fonder of someone else”) came to mind. The point is that one of, if not the most important fruits of the Spirit is to have “ genuine mutual, and to love one anoter deeply from the heart”.

I can’t tell you how saitisfying it been for us, and I can speak for the others, as a Fellowship Group, to meet on Zoom. To see each other, to hear about the struggles and fears and joys and all the emotions that COVID-19 brings. And all aspects of life that goes on regardless of the Pandemic. What a Joy. But that is only a small group. How we all miss seeing each other at church. No wonder the joy that emerges each time we have a chance to worship together in the live streaming services; and ‘hail up’ each other on the Facebook comments. I haven’t seen Afeef Lazarus for years, and it was heartwarming to be able to see him joining in the chat on Facebook during the service.

One of the lessons that we surely must take away from this terrible pandemic, is that we must never take for granted again the sharing of Peace with each other on a Sunday morning. The short time we spend greeting each other after service. The hugs. The kisses. The pleasant exchanges. The Joy of Easter worship with a packed church and, being lifted up together by the “ Sound of Music” which greets the Risen Lord. But the ‘mutual love’ we have for one another ought not to end with loving each other. But just start. For ultimately, the love we have for one another, must find expression in how we treat the vulnerable, the Tuesday Charity folks, the chidren in Majestic Gardens, the lonely in St. Clements, the wards of the state in the Girls Home. The stranger, the widow and the orphans in our society, who Jesus loved and died for. Just like you and I.

I miss taking pictures, and posting them on Sunday Camera. And I still get to share some, courtesy of the technology, with my Fellowship Group. But most of all, I miss seing my church family. I miss going to Majesty Gardens. And even the small congregation at St. Clements – we really need to try and find a way to renew that Ministry. But is that the genuine love that we ought to have for each other? Is that the kind of love that Christ showed by ‘washing the feet of His dsiciples’? Is that the kind of love that He showed when He restored Peter, the broken and contrite Peter, to fellowship with Him. Pure grace! Is that the kind of love that ultimately drove Him to Calvary – not just Judas, or Pilate, or the Jews?

What then, or how does Christ’ love look like in COVID-19 times? When not only our country, but the whole wide world is experiencing extreme suffering; and even world hunger is being predicted. People unable to bury their dead. People being re-infected a second and even a third time with the Novel Corona Mystery Virus. Perhaps, just maybe there is a lesson here right in front of us,

For God so loved the world………..

Question then is, do we have a big enough love, or is our love parochial and selective? Do we hunger and thirst for redemption for the Jews, as St. Paul did. Or for the peple of China, over 1.4 Billion of them, as James Hudson Taylor did?

Do we hunger and thirst for the Muslims to accept the Good News that Christ died, and was raised from the dead for them too. And for all peoples of the earth regardless of which “ unknown god”, they serve, and as St. Paul did in Athens, and tell them about the God of all Creation who died for them – their sins – and was raised from the dead. Even if some of them reject you.

Do we hunger and thirst for the great America, and the almost now atheistic England, and France and Spain and Italy, from where Christainity ‘travelled ‘ to the New World? I am reading again, first about the life of William Wilberforce, the great Abolitionist in 18th Century UK, and now his partner ( the relatively unknown) Hannah More, in Eric Metaxas 7 Men, and then the companion book 7 Women. Both of whom had on their hearts, two great things from God Almighty: The Abolition of Slavery and the Reformation of Manners – the abolition of other social ills of that day. And the judgement of at least some historians, is that their actions, working together with many others, “saved England”, from the horrors of the French Revolution.

The point is, our love for humanity, our genuine love for one another must transcend, like Jesus on the Cross, the love of a Parish Church, a Denomination, a Region, a Religion, and embrace the whole wide world. Then and only then, will we be able to truly love one another at St. Andrew Parish Church, as Jesus loved us.

Lord renew thy church beginning with me: Lord renew thy church that the church may renew the worldwide nations.

Peace.

In obedience.

LWJ

The picture above, the Headlines in the Daily Gleaner for today, worth more than a thousand words, tells a tale of a nation, with its Minister of Health, and his team of health professionals, at the forefront, struggling desperately to contain the COVID-19 Virus now ravaging the entire world.

Based on the experience of other countries we were doing reasonably well with the number of positive cases, until this week when, largely on account of a controversial sequence of events in the BPO ( Business Process Outsourcing ) centres, the numbers spiked from just over 70 to now 163

Thus spawning further drastic action, and the inevitable lampooning of the government’s efforts, above, which to be fair, were hitherto, very commendable; attracting kudos from “ foreign’ , including the World Health Organization.

One of the ‘silver linings’ which has emerged during this otherwise ‘ill wind’, is the joined-up approach to fighting this crisis, as shown above with the Minister of Culture and her team, and the Jamaican entertainers, ‘stepping up to the plate’, and raising funds to purchase PPE’s ( protection) for the health care workers and others in the frontline like the police and the army. Add to Minister Grange, the hard working Attorney-General ( a lady who is not for turning ) the redoubtable Minster of Local Government, the affable Minister of Foreign Affairs, with the ‘man-in-charge’, the Prime Minister leading the team. And of course in the center of it all, the very cool under pressure, Minister of Health.

This team approach has been impressive at the many press conferences held to inform the pubic about the latest developments. Makes one wonder, and even dare to hope, if such an approach to dealing with other national crises, like the spiraling out of control homicide rate, and the ( interest declared ) other source of violence death -road crashes, along with other social ills -urgently needed urban renewal – in Kingston from #BullBayto SixMiles – and poverty reduction, couldn’t benefit from such a sense of urgency. Especially if you add members of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition; if they are willing, and the Government wise enough to offer them a role, even temporarily, in order that as a nation we may together, find the will and resources to help us, escape from the moral and social abyss, now being revealed in the glaring light of COVID-19, into which we have fallen. As some of us fear nether God nor COVID-19, and are prepared to carry out their evil deeds regardless of the circumstances. And fleeing one lockdown parish to another, thus helping to spread the Virus, is but one of them:

The Denham Town Police are probing the deaths of three males and the injuring of a woman in two incidents today.

They report that about 2:30 a.m., a team was called to Torrington Park, Kingston 5 after residents heard explosions.

On arrival, a house was reportedly seen ablaze.

Members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade were summoned and the blaze extinguished.

According to the police, the bodies of 30-year-old Romario Raymond and 20-year-old Clifton Grant, both of Torrington Park addresses, were found inside the house and were subsequently removed to the morgue.

Hours later, 16-year-old Dave Tyrell of Drummond Street, Kingston 14 was shot dead and a woman injured by an unknown assailant about 9:45 a.m. on Bond Street.

The police report that Tyrell was standing along the roadway when he was approached by a gunman who opened fire hitting him.

The woman, who was in the vicinity, was shot and injured during the incident.

WHERE DO WE LOCATE GOD IN THE STRUGGLE? AT THE PERIPHERY OR LEADING THE TEAM

For me, however, and I would imagine for many other children of God who are praying without ceasing for the rescue of this nation, long before the advent of COVID-19, despite the Team Approach exhibited by the GOJ in bringing a sense of urgency to the almost existential threat which is COVID-19, insufficient attention has been paid to the Eternal Father, bless our land. Yes, the now almost de rigueur call for Prayer and Prayer Vigils have been made, but Jesus, our Saviour has not been placed, by a desperate nation, at the center of the battle. And this is a war. For anything bug that can kill so many people across the world, and bring the entire world to its knees, in three months, with the potential to make mankind extinct, cannot be something ordinary. But in fact extraordinary! And for that kind of struggle we need supernatural resources.

So what do we do as the “ called out “ people of the Living God. The Creator of Heaven and Earth and al that is within it! The Church mandates to be Salt and Light to a dying world, A Fallen World because of Sin. Which is the genesis ultimately of all that despoils the earth, all that leads to inequity among men, all that spawns homicide and road deaths, all that produces greed and envy and pride and immorality and disobedience to God’s commands to love Him with all our heart, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

LIFTING UP THE NAME OF JESUS

The first and most important action that the Word of God points us to is to Lift Up the Name of Jesus. For that Name has Power in Itself. The essence of a Message posted on Facebook this week:

FACEBOOK

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Ps 37:1 #COVID-19 surge. So let us lift up the Name of Jesus, yes hand washing and physical distance and masks, but now more than ever, lift of the Name of Jesus. For at His Name every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In every circumstance. To the glory of God.

The second, and seemingly simple, but very profound message that I was inspired to write about this week was the effect of Prayer. Which according to the Word of God, “can move mountains”. A message about it was posted on facebook and also sent to my church:

PRAYER TO A SUPERNATURAL GOD

After the “ Great Rumour” about #Lockdown in Kingston yesterday, which resulted in a run on the supermarkets, and untold stress, we need to fill our hearts with prayers, and “ bid the unruly throng “ of fear and panic and selfishness and irresponsibility that attends #COVID-19, ‘depart’. Along with “ a thievish swarm” that we know well. Perhaps! Or, on the other hand, don’t fully appreciate their danger; and for which our Savior died. This wonderful poem by the famous Englishman William Cowper, which touched my heart, again, last night, will help:

THE HOUSE OF PRAYER

Verse: Matthew 21:13

Thy mansion is the Christian’s heart,

O Lord, thy dwelling-place secure!

Bid the unruly thong depart,

And leave the consecrated door.

Devoted as it is to thee,

A thievish swarm frequents the place;

They steal away my joys from me,

And rob the Savior of his praise

There too a sharp designing trade

Sin,Satan, and the world maintain;

Nor cease to press me, and persuade,

To part with ease and purchase pain.

I know them, and hate their din,

Am weary of the bustling crowd,

But while their voice is heard within,

I cannot serve thee as I would. ( this, perhaps the take home message from this wonderful poem)

Oh! for the joy thy presence gives,

What peace shall reign when thou art here! ( Thank you Jesus…and the doors were locked for fear of the Jews, and Jesus came and said “ Peace be with you”).

Thy presence makes this den of thieves,

A calm delightful house of prayer.

And if thou make thy temple shine,

Yet, self-abased, will I adore;

The silver and the gold are not mine,

I give thee what was thine before.

PREACHING THE CROSS

Finally, last night, this: To preach effectively is to preach about the Cross of Calvary and what took place there. Which is in effect the Gospel. The Good news. Otherwise we are seeking popularity with no power to make a difference in this dying COVID-19 stricken world. Despite what may appear to be a form of godliness, but has no power to fight against evil:

PREACHING ABOUT THE CROSS

Stott – According to Galatians 5:11, Paul is being persecuted because he preaches the cross; according to 6:12 the false preachers are avoiding persecution by preaching circumcision instead of the cross. So the alternative for Christian evangelists, pastors and teachers is to preach either circumcision or the cross. To preach circumcision is to preach salvation by the law, that is, by human achievement . Such a message removes the offense of the cross, which is that we cannot earn our salvation; it therefore exempts us from persecution. To ‘preach the cross’ is to preach salvation by God’s grace alone. Such a message is a stumbling block, because it is grievously offensive to human pride. It therefore exposes us to persecution……

There are of course no Judaizers in this world today, preaching the necessity of circumcision. But there are plenty of false teachers, inside as well as outsider the church, who preach the false gospel ( which is not a gospel) of salvation by good works. To preach salvation by good works is to flatter people and so avoid opposition. …….All Christian preachers have to face this issue. Either we preach that human beings are rebels against God, under his just judgment and ( if left to themselves) lost, and that Christ crucified who bore their sin and curse is the only available Saviour. Or we emphasize human potential and human ability, with Christ brought in only to boost them, and with no necessity for the cross except to exhibit God’s love and so inspire us to greater endeavour.

The former way is to be faithful, the latter the way to be popular. It is not possible to be faithful and popular simultaneously. We need to hear again the warning of Jesus: “ Woe to you when all men speak well of you “ ( Luke 6:26).

Some thoughts as we ponder what next after COVID-19. What are the real lessons to be learnt and what is of little account! For the focus of our attention nationally, after COVID-19, ought not be only to assess what went wrong logistically, politically, and socially. But also spiritually! In the sense of what great harm has been occasioned in this country, and to our national development, by false teachers , spewing words that are popular, but have no power to fundamentally change how people love one another; inspired by a deep and abiding love for, and fear of, a God who died for our sins on a Cross. Until then, with the thing now on the loose, and you only get one chance with COVID-19, may this God, who in holy love died “ to bid the unruly throng of Sin, Satan and the world depart’, have mercy on us. And come what may, according to God’s will and purpose, we thank God for those who remain faithful to the cross.

FINAL COMMENT:

The plan of God, is, and always has been, to make men holy. To dwell in us, as His Temple, by the Power of the Holy Spirit ; a gift from the Crucified and Risen Christ to a Fallen and sinful world. The Eternal Life which begins here on earth. So, yes, death from COVID-19 is a terrible thing. Especially for those who die alone, and for the relatives who in many instances are unable to comfort and then to carry out a proper funeral. But it is not the worse thing that can happen to our souls.

The Word of God has a final statement on that matter:

“ Now this is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil”. John 3:19. Not far from John 3:16 – the most well known and loved verse in Holy Scriptures.

We forget, or omit, verse 19 , at our peril. A peril much worse than COVID-19.

Let us then reorganize our Team, place God at the Centre, and use COVID-19 to “ take sleep and mark death”.

New York is not my favorite city. That’s my wife’s city. Not mine. I prefer the peace that Toronto offers, the tranquility, the unhurried pace of the city, the pristine nature of the city.

I also prefer the history and the grandeur of London. But at the end of the day nothing beats Kingston on the rock, and eating fish and festival at Hellshire. Well once upon a time!
But this morning, like the with of the famous song, I am in a New York frame of mind. It was the place I touched down on my first trip on a plane; on Air Jamaica with delicious meals and fashion shows, but now sadly a distant memory. I still recall, however, the lights, the whole place was alive with lights, as we arrived in New York, just after dark. I recall leaving for parties at midnight with my cousins who were night owls, returning home in Brooklyn, at daylight, and then sleeping until mid-afternoon. And the cycle would start all over again.

Recalled also the spontaneous jamming in Central Park, when on passing through one , a gentleman took out his sax and began playing the most wonderful music you could imagine. This in the days of Marvin Gaye singing his then signature tune “ What’s going on”; about sharing love and not engaging in war. Looking back now perhaps a prophetic word, as what’s going on in New York in these COVID-19 times is unimaginable.

I recall also the tours; the Circle Island tour; the Empire State Building; the de rigueur shopping in downtown Manhattan on Fifth Ave; or for those of us who didn’t have deep pockets, Delancey St, was just fine. Those were the early days. Later I would return with my family, driving over from D.C. where my daughter was studying, to visit my Aunt Monica in the Bronx, now gone to glory, and her husband Foggy Burrowes of Kingston College fame, who predeceased her.

Sydney Ignatius (Foggy) and Monica Burrowes

Visiting my brother-in-law who lived there before moving to Florida. And just checking in, as they say in the big apple, with lots of relatives and friends. Walking on Nostrand Ave, or Flatbush Ave, and being reminded of Spanish Town Road or Half-Way-Tree with the open vending on the sidewalk. All kinds of memories. Including my good friend, closer than a brother, and now no longer here, Patrick Virtue, arriving back from the Big Apple one year, and turning up at Champs, bedecked in a green shirt, green pants, and a green Apple Cap, can you remember those, on his head. And the the next day a purple outfit reigned!

The late Patrick Virtue, and still alive , wife Valerie

But now the city that once did not sleep, this city that produced so much music , and so much stuff that would make a sailor blush, in Times Square, is as quiet as a mouse. I gather you can hear the birds chirping now. And the effects of the Corona Virus Pandemic is felt everywhere. My heart pains whenever I watch the news and hear how many New Yorkers and Americans died that day. Now over 10,000 deaths. It’s unreal. Almost surreal. Like you are watching a horror movie and hoping the intermission and the solid reality of Popcorn, will come soon. But the death count keeps rising day by day. What’s going folks? What’s going on in London, in Paris, in Madrid, in Berlin, in Lombardy Italy? What’s going on all over the world?

HOLY WEEK

And then, and it cannot be by coincidence, no way, in the midst of all this pain and grief and unanswered questions, that we awoke, or were awakened, this morning to find ourselves, those of us who had that privilege, as many didn’t in this COVID-19 times, deep into Holy Week.

“Friday is here, but Sunday is coming”, is a song we need to sing, as taught and written about by a discerning Baptist Minister yesterday. Can is be then that the central Christian message, that once was heard loud and clear, in the cradle of Christianity, during the Middle Ages, viz., Europe and the UK, and later spread to the New World including the USA, that “ it is not about the invincibility of mankind, but his total dependence of Almighty God for mercy”, which matters. Or as the one who wrote the famous words from Rock of Ages recommends in more desperate language:

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to your Cross I cling;
Naked, come to you for dress;
Helpless, look to you for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die

This is the message from Good Friday which we all, across the entire world, whether we are Muslim or Jew, Buddist or Hindu, New Age or Mormon, Atheist or one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, need to consider. That all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And that the wages of Sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

To the extent that many persons across the globe reject this message, then this same Crucified and Risen Christ has become “ a stumbling block’ , over which many have tripped and fallen. Fallen, like the Fallen World, which according to the Word of God, is the cause of all the grief and pain which haunt our existence on this globe; all because of Sin. The Sin of Adam which resulted in the intrusion of imperfection into a perfect and very good world, created by a loving God. And so according to the Word of God, Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Pestilence or Plagues like COVID-19, all of which has caused so much devastation over the centuries and loss of life, all have their genesis in the Sin of Adam, which led to a Fallen World. And which Fall can only be restored by the Blood of the Lamb of God, Christ and Him Crucified and Risen.

My wife and I listened carefully to a searching CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, one night this week at a Virtual Town Hall meeting, as he posed the now familiar and expected and existential question to Saddleback Church leader Pastor Rick Warren, “ where was God is all of this COVID-19 devastation of the USA?
And my wife it was who reacted first to his answer. She was unhappy with the superficial response; that God was there in the midst with those who were helping to comfort the dying and sick. Close but not the whole truth.

For the truth is that God has been appealing to mankind to turn to Him and find peace in Him, and Him alone in this Fallen World. Reconciling sinful mankind to himself in Christ Crucified. The central message from Good Friday. That we live in a broken world on account of Sin, and so evil and death reign all over the world. And so stuff will happen. And worst may come our way in the future. Prompting us to repeat Marvin Gaye’s existential question, “ What’s going on”. Or to employ the New York vernacular, “ What’s going down’!
Now a life in Christ does not guarantee that we will not get sick and die from Cancer. Or COVID-19! Or not perish in an earthquake, or by the sword, or by fire as many Christians did during the days of persecution in the early days in the Roman Empire. And which ‘flames of persecutions”, in more sophisticated forms, threatened Christian objectors to being a part of the same sex marriage development. Right there in the USA !

But what this new and ending life, starting right here on earth, and announced on Easter Sunday, after being offered in the Gift that is Good Friday, is peace with God in the midst of the storms of life. Knowing confidently that “ neither death nor life, …..nor anything in this world, not COVID-19, not HIV/AIDS, not cancer, not unbelief let loose on social media, and in the movies and in the present day music and culture, can separate us fo the love of God in Christ Jesus. For in Christ we have an inheritance set apart for us in heaven, that can neither perish nor fade ( 1 Peter 1). And therefore this world with all its pain and grief and contradictions and conniving and injustice and murder, and murder most foul, is not our home. But we live here for a time and do our best, with the help of the Holy Spirit to spread abroad the love of God, so that, somehow, men and women may come to know Christ, repent, be baptized and be assured of eternal life.

So I return in closing to my New York frame of mind. What’s the best thing that New Yorkers can do to rise again from the COVID-19 nightmare? A question not for just New York but for London, for Madrid, for Lombardy, and for right here in Kingston Jamaica.
More ventilators! More social or physical distancing! Better health care facilities and equipment for frontline workers! Health Insurance for all? More testing! Better planning in the future. Better leadership! Perhaps all of the above!

But for all who are aware of Good Friday and the death of Jesus on an old wooden cross some two thousand years ago, for the Christians in New York and other cities, people who are “called out “, by God to be “ salt and light “ in the nations and in communities, this Prayer for Obedience might start to light a fire. And who knows, may result in helping the world to understand their need for Jesus in all times. Whether in good times in Central Park or in COVID-19 times in the heart of the Bronx, where so many African-Americans, poor and vulnerable are dying. Alone!

A PERSONAL PRAYER FOR OBEDIENCE
JOHN BAILLIE

Verse : Judges 2.17 “ Yet they did not listen, even to their judges; for they listed after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their ancestors had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, they did not follow their example.

Holy God, to whose service I long ago dedicated my soul and my life. I grieve and lament before thee that I am still so prone to sin and so little inclined to obedience:

So much attached to the pleasures of sense and, so negligent of things spiritual ( Netflix and what it entails, is a potential dangerous ally of the devil in this regard):

So prompt to gratify my body, so slow to nourish my soul ( do not do what they do, not fear what they fear, says the Lord God of Israel):

So greedy for present delight, so indifferent to lasting blessedness ( the essential, and existential too, challenge of the cross to this post Christian generation):

So fond of idleness, so indisposed for labor ( increasingly a challenge for all societies in this age where we try to keep the Christian ethic but jettison overboard the Christian teachings. Impossible!):

So soon at play, so late at prayer ( O Jesus have mercy):

So brisk in the service to self, so slack in the service of others ( COVID- 19 is about to change all of that, as we are all in this thing together, whether we like it or not, we had better start thinking about the health of our brothers and sister in Rema and Jungle):

So eager to get, so reluctant to give :

So lofty in my profession, so slow in my practice:

So full of good intentions, so backward to fulfill them:

So severe with my neighbors, so indulgent with myself ( all of us have this Virus):

So eager to find fault, so resentful of being found fault with ( one for both husbands and wives, and as a man, perhaps……I’d better not say it as my wife reads these messages too…especially in these quarantine times) :

So little able for great tasks, so discontented with small ones:

So weak in adversity, so swollen and self-satisfied in in prosperity :

So helpless apart from thee, and yet so little willing to be bound to thee ( part of the narrative of the Good Friday story):

O merciful heart of God, grant me yet again thy forgiveness.
hear my sorrowful tale and in thy great mercy not it out from the book of thy remembrance. Give me faith so to lay hold of thine own holiness and so to rejoice in the righteousness of Christ my Savior that, resting on his merits rather than on my own, I may more and more become conformed to his likeness, my will becoming one with his in obedience to thine. All this I ask for his holy name’s sake. Amen

earlymorningdevotions

New York Governor: Cuomo

The devastation, in terms of loss of human lives – shared above in the link to the video, showng the inevitable reality that the poor have been hit the hardests – and in terms of the dramatic and profound change in the quality of human life, that the COVID-19 Virus has caused in cities like New York, and countries like Italy and France and Spain is unparalleled in recent history. For to lose your loved ones, and to have them in hospital is one thing, and under normal circumstances both of those are inevitably part of human existence, but to be denied the opportuity to comfort and care for them, and to have a proper funeral, no doubt has left deep emotional scars, and a void which will be forever difficult to overcome. Life as we once knew it, going to bed and waking up next morning with nary a thought in the world about this kind of drama, will never be the same again. This kind of cataclysmic shift in life which poses almost an existential threat to mankind is no ordinary matter. And how mankind responds to this, and seemingly inevitably given the progression of the Virus from animals to humans, any such future challenge, will be to put it midly, very interesting.

But there is another event, unparalled in human existence, whether recent or historical, which the greek word hapax, once and for all, captures very accurately. A event of existential importance, far more than COVD-19, celebrated by Christians – like the Virus, now spread all over the world and over 2 Billion strong – during Passion Week which begins tomorrow on Palm Sunday. And at the end of the week, Good Friday and then glorious Easter, mark the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. Events which, unlike the planned celebration of the release from prison, having been locked up for the past six years on a charge of murder, of the world famous dancehall artiste, and known amng his fans as the, “ “world boss” , Vibz Kartel, “ there is no shadow of turning” with them. As they change not, regardless of the opposition to them by unbelievers and those opposed to the central Truth of Christianity that, “ (Jesus) Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again”.

So what else ocupied my mind his week, apart from news about COVID-19 and to a far lesser extent, Kartel and his failed appeal ; “ massive news “ to quote popular Talk show host Emily Shields, as she broke the news dramatically, in real time, on Hotiline on RJR-FM 94 in Jamaica yesterday. For many years now, I have had the privilege of being inspired to write to my church during the week on matters that the Lord present befor em for my attention. And one of the things I had to ponder on this week, was the reality, as observed by the famous theologian and prolific writer the late Rev. John Stott, is that “ the Holy Spirit is often a disturber, before He is a Comforter. An observation by one who deveoted his life to God and was inspired to share God’s Word all over the world, adn who work continues in the Langham Ministry, that perhaps ought to the take home message from the events occasioned by the COVID-19 Virus. For clearly this existental threat to mankind cannot have happened without the “permission “, and I put it no higher than that, of a God who is Sovereign over the affairs of the world which He created. So why is the world being disturbed by the Holy Spirit?

I would suggest that the emails to my church and posts on Facebook offer a glimpse, not the whole story by any means, but just a glimpse. I would suggest also that as we read these thoughts inspired by the Lord, that we see a journey towards Good Friday and Easter clearly marked out for us and not just a series of unrelated emails and facebook posts. A journey that disturbs our souls, or ought to, and then provides comfort by the Only One who can – The Crucified and Risen Christ. Which is the central message from the Lord, yesterday – in past crises, today – in the present crisis, and forever – in all future crises, and crises will happen again and again in human life. The good news is that in all things, those who trust in the Crucified and Risen Christ, are “ shielded by the power of God” (1 Peter 1:5 which kept me safe last night) whether in COVID-19 Life or in Death. Praise God.

(re) Convicted Murderer Vibz Kartel

Easter – a depiction

Comment : Remember “ He is disturber before He is comforter” as we journey with the Lord through last night and early this morning, in Lent and in COVID-19. A prophetic word in these #COVID-19 times. Now reading John Stott’s “ The Message of the Sermon on the Mount”……The Holy Spirit is the disturber before he is the comforter. This after watching Karl Henlin sermon last night on the same subject “ Kingdom Living”.

THE FIRST EMAIL – MONDAY MORNING

At 36 COVID-19, cases and five in one day, we may be starting a surge, pray God that we are not, but hang on tight to Him as this might be a rough ride ahead.
In the midst of this, Lent continues, and so last night, I was led to read another of John Stott’s books: The Message of The Sermon on the Mount. Long story how I got there, didn’t even remember that I had the book, but here we are.
So having started last night, I was inspired to post these messages on Facebook:

Stott contd …far too often what they ( the young people searching peace, meaning and love) see in the church is not counter-culture but conformism, not a new society which embodies their ideals but another version of the old society which they have renounced, not life but death ….You have the name of being alive, and you are dead -Jesus. Lord have mercy on us. #Renewal

Comment: The background to this is the observation by Stott, after the horrors of World War 11 in Europe, how people, and in particular, your people began searching for peace and love and real meaning in life – counter culture. After the having suffered much disillusionment after the War, with the philosophers and influencers of that age who promoted the age of science, the essential goodness of man liberated from ignorance and the turning away from religion – the post Christian age.

No comment could be more hurtful to the Christian than the words “ But you are no different from anyone else”……John Stott. Is this a disturbing feature of these #COVID-19 times? In that are we just as fearful as others, and hopefully not as disobedient to the directive to practice safe physical, not social, nor worse spiritual, distancing.

Comment: Are we at St. Andrew Parish Church a standout Church demonstrating and witnessing to the goodness of God and His grace and mercy which flow through Christ and Him Crucified and Risen? Or are we “ no different”, in our impact on the society, from those who walk past our church day after without even stopping to pray for a while.

Stott – ..”they ( the called out people of God) mingled with nations and learnt to do as they did”…they demanded a king to govern them “ like all other nations”…essential background knowledge to the Sermon on the Mount ..portrays the repentance ( metanoia the complete change of mind) and the righteousness that belongs to the kingdom…describes what human life and community looks like when they come under the rule of God. Different!

Comment: Is this the case with the church in general in Jamaica and perhaps we too are guilty in our local church?

Stott Sermon on The Mount cont’d: A Christian’s relationships. Matthew 7: 1-20. “ …Thus we are not to judge our brother but to serve him ( 1-5). We are to avoid offering the gospel to those who have decisively rejected it (6), to keep praying to our Heavenly Father (7-12) and to beware of false prophets who hinder people from finding the narrow gate and the hard way (13-20)

Comment: This one stayed with me, since I write a lot on Facebook, basically encouraging the faithful, teaching non Christians about the love of God in Christ Jesus – many of them are rooted on OT theology about the – in their view – prominence of the wrath of God, and to repent and commit to Christ. And a few, and their followers, have flatly and repeatedly rejected the gospel and verbally abused those of us who try.

Been thinking! Why The Sermon on the Mount in these #COVID-19 times. “ Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall inherit the kingdom of God”. Stott gives a clue : to be “poor in spirit” is to acknowledge our
spiritual poverty before God. “ Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the Cross I cling”. Is this crisis an opportunity, a reminder even, to really appreciate that we cannot manage but for the grace of God. Only God knows!

Comment: Before I went to bed last night I prayed about the reality of, and asked the Lord to reinforce it in my mind and to help those close to me to come to understand this fundamental truth about the Christian Life:

“ Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to your cross I cling….and it continues as most of us well know:
Naked, come to thee for dress;
Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die…….from Rock of Ages.

Then two more messages came early this morning:

THE WORD OF GOD

““To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:14-22‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/rev.3.14-22.niv

Comment : I don’t think in view of John Stott’s introductory comments on the The Sermon on the Mount, and his explanation of the first Beatitude that I need to make any comments. What we need to do is heed the Word of the Crucified One, worship Him, and repent of our lukewarm attitude to the One who died for us on Calvary. For what COVID-19 ought to teach us, is that Jesus, in the midst of our lukewarm state, stands knocking at the door of our lives, and is the only One who is the Rock, that when the storms come – the last section of Matthews’s account and Luke’s also, of the Sermon – the solid Rock, that can withstand the storms of life. Lest we have forgotten in our ‘ mingling with the culture of the day”. For we are guilty of having “ mingled”. All of us. “ Do not fear what they fear”. “Do not do what they do!”. I won’t even begin to chronicle how we have mingled, and gotten mixed up, not keeping our “ spiritual distance”, from the culture of this #unruly age”. May God have mercy on our souls.

THE WORD OF GOD

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/2co.1.3-11.niv

COMMENT : Recall that I made mention of “ He ( The Holy Spirit ) is a disturber before He is a Comforter. So now that all of us have been disturbed by Words of Holy Scripture – and I hope we have, otherwise the evil pride of the Pharisees who thought they were rich, so rich in merit that they thanked God for their attainment …John Stott…has overtaken us – we find Comfort in these words.

1. That God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.
2. Suffering in Christ and comfort from Christ are equal parts of the journey with Him.
3. It is God who “ raises the dead”, who does, and will do, all the rescuing – not in and by itself, although God uses then all, more ventilators, more testing, more sanitizing, and more containment measures – from this COVID-19 Virus ; and Murder and Injustice and Immorality. So we must not rely on our own efforts alone, nor listen to our fears and imaginations. Be careful yes, but realize that ultimately our Hope is in God. The One who alone “ raises the dead”.
4. Then many will give thank for God’s mercy and grace granted to us in answer to the prayers of many. And so our prayers for others, and the prayers of others for us, are to be deeply appreciated and done without ceasing. As they do avail much!

In obedience.
Lord renew thy church in and through these perilous times with your Word, and with your Living Word, even Christ Jesus. The Crucified and Risen One! And Lord we look forward to the Blessed Easter, with the Hope of your unfailing love and mercy. In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
O Glory!

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
Be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever! Amen.
From early this morning. Words on the next page from the message of Jesus to the church at Laodicea.
Peace.
LWJ

Interestingly, that was the only email sent to my church this week. The others, far shorter, were the additonal – to those in the first email – ones posted on FaceBook.

MONDAY NIGHT

Those who mourn – John Stott: This is the second stage of spiritual blessing. it is one thing to be spiritually poor….; it is another thing to grieve and mourn over it….Confession is one thing contrition is another…..Was Crammer exaggerating when in his 1662 Holy Communion service he said : “ We acknowledge and bewail over manifold sins and wickedness.”…or Paul, “ Wretched man that am I ! Who will deliver me from this body of death

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples. #PsalmSundayReading Are you a backslider? Have you ever “denied Jesus”? We are in good company. All the disciples did. But they were all restored to grace by a God of mercy. Passion Week is a good time to reflect on the mercy of God. And #Repent

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Are you depending on your ‘your faith’ to keep you safe in this time of #COVID-19 trial! If so you are going to fall asleep -lose focus and panic. Keep your eyes on Jesus. #WalkintheSpirit #PassionWeek

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”#PalmSundayReading. The Roman soldiers, non-believers, were convinced, at last, that Jesus was truly the Son of God. What say you in this age, as we approach #PassionWeek in this #COVID-19 times #Resurrection

THURSDAY NIGHT

I am told that the cynics are asking, “ Why has God not responded to the many prayers going up about COVID-19”? Last night Stott con’d, The Sermon on the Mount: The Peacemakers – the peace of God is not peace at any price. He made peace with us at immense cost, even the price of the life-blood of his only Son. To proclaim ‘Peace, peace’ when there is no peace, is the work of the false prophet, not the Christian witness.

FRIDAY MORNING

Funny old world isn’t it, how times have changed. So dramatically! For in times like these, when you truly need a Savior, when the ordinary human being just needs help, and protection from the ravages of #COVID-19, but “ the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone”.

In the sense that, all of a sudden, “don’t”, there is no longer any talk of “ same sex marriage”, or “ pro choice “, or persecuting Christians who talk about Sin, only “help me please” – ventilators, social distancing, more testing, and “mercy God, mercy”.
And the God of mercy, thank God for Jesus, who makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust, is still sending His angels in the form of health workers, whether Christian or not, we need to ponder on that reality for a moment, willing to sacrifice self, in order to help others. In New York. In Italy. In Jamaica.

Sadly, we know that, right after this epidemic has passed, the narrative will again shift, and the God of grace will no longer be needed, so they think, and this funny old world will go right back to rejecting the stone “ that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall”.
O may God have mercy on our wretched souls! And thank God that He has, as we approach Good Friday and the Blessed Easter in times like these when we truly need a Savior. The God man whose blood washes away our sins, and whose resurrection offers the gift of, “ If any man is in Christ he is a new creation”. The old has truly passed, our wretched souls so accustomed to rejecting and being disobedient to our Savior. And behold, all things are being made new. A second chance. O Jesus, a second chance in life.

For in the midst of COVID-19, we can still hear, if we listen carefully, and stop watching CNN and all the videos circulating for just a while, “ Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me……why should you linger when Jesus is calling, come home, come home, all ye who are weary come home”. The question is in this COVID-19 very stressful times, is “ are you weary”, or are you confident of “ beating COVID-19”, and getting back to the same funny old world. Until…?
In obedience.

Missed this last night. But not tonight. Nor should you. The key to the Christian Life as we approach Passion Week; Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. And Raised from the dead.

OSWALD CHAMBERS
APRIL 2

The Glory That’s Unsurpassed

…the Lord Jesus…has sent me that you may receive your sight…
ACTS 9:17
When Paul received his sight, he also received spiritual insight into the Person of Jesus Christ. His entire life and preaching from that point on were totally consumed with nothing but Jesus Christ— “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul never again allowed anything to attract and hold the attention of his mind and soul except the face of Jesus Christ.

We must learn to maintain a strong degree of character in our lives, even to the level that has been revealed in our vision of Jesus Christ.

The lasting characteristic of a spiritual man is the ability to understand correctly the meaning of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life, and the ability to explain the purposes of God to others. The overruling passion of his life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you see this quality in a person, you get the feeling that he is truly a man after God’s own heart (see Acts 13:22).

Never allow anything to divert you from your insight into Jesus Christ. It is the true test of whether you are spiritual or not. To be unspiritual means that other things have a growing fascination for you.

Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside,
So enchained my spirit’s vision
Gazing on the crucified