COVID Update 3/18

  • Congregational Updates
      • The Mayor recommends no gatherings over 10 people for the foreseeable future. That means all events at church are suspended. We will be discussing the best way to continue our work at Crown of Life.
      • We’re gradually reaching out to everyone just to check in. So far it seems we’re doing well, some concern with reduced income because of loss of business. No immediate needs were mentioned (besides Lysol).
      • Please check around with people to see how they’re doing including friends and neighbors. We will continue to share resources. Please pass it on to them.
      • Online Giving is available 
  • City Updates
Devotional Update
 
Fear can drive people to do some pretty irrational things. I’m just thinking back to when we only had one kid. It was our first go at parenting and we didn’t want to mess up so we overreacted to everything
Baby gets a cough- *thought goes through our head, “Is it life threatening?” He bumps his head- *emotional prepare for a child with brain damage. People have germs, and germs are bad, that must mean people are bad = *don’t let them touch our child…
 
It’s those kind of things that lead you to unnecessary ER visits/extra stress/overreactions. Then baby two comes. Poor kid. We think about him sometimes, but as practiced parents we handle things with a lot more poise and foresight (I would like to believe). Looking back, I can clearly see that fear causes me to do some pretty irrational things. 
 
Is this pandemic like a first child (this is one case I pray God never get a second one); not really practiced, a lot of miscues, not thinking clearly? My guess is it will be once we look back.  That is why Scriptures constantly call us out of fear.

Isaiah 41:13  For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
 
Think of Jesus and his disciples on a boat in the storm. Disciples terrified, Jesus sleeping peacefully, they beg Jesus to do something. While the storm is still raging Jesus asks, “why are you so afraid?” (Matt 8:26). The disciples let the situation to dictate their reaction. It sent them into a panic.  But who did they have on that boat- Jesus who has the “ear” of the the wind and the wave and they listened when he said stop. How do we respond to a storm that is bigger than we can handle? 

1. Remember God has control over everything

God’s not afraid of storm or crisis. As his children, neither should we fear. He’ll protect us like his children even if it means bringing us into the crisis.

2. Seeing Jesus brings peace

We know God loves us because Jesus gave his all to us. He won’t abandon us now, instead he’s working his awesome salvation in us!

3. God is with us

God isn’t far off. He promises to be with us wherever we go. It’s like he’s in the same boat as us, and he hears what we have to say!
Can we manage through crisis? We can do more than that. With Christ at the helm, we can see the calm confidence we have in choppy waters, even when difficult to go above and beyond to help our neighbor, and demonstrate to our the joy of a unflappable Savior.