Sunday 29 March 2020
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED
AND SAVES THOSE WHO ARE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT.
A RIGHTEOUS MAN MAY HAVE MANY TROUBLES,
BUT THE LORD DELIVERS HIM FROM THEM ALL.
(Psalm 34 : 18 – 19)
There is something ridiculously contrary about us humans: – When you are safe at home, you wish you were having an adventure far away, but when you are having a holiday trip abroad, you wish you were safe at home. In our present lock down this seems very appropriate as does the teaching of a Christian philosopher (S.Kierkegaard): Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward. Sometimes, the only way forward is to look back to what God has done in your past. He may have shaken you, but he never abandoned you. The promise of Jesus today is clearer than ever: I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
The invisibility and spreading pace of this COVID-19 disaster is shocking.
What have you learned from what is happening?
What concerns you most ? – Yourself? – Loved ones? – Future in general?
Many say: – Life will never be the same again. In what sense? Not being able to travel around the world any longer, your comfort zone being disturbed, the threat of recession with less money and more shortages?
There is time enough to meditate on all kind of things but also to revalue FAITH, HOPE and LOVE as the basics of being a Christian.
Once Jesus said: Why are you so afraid, you of little faith? With this little faith believe in Him, pray in His name and hope that He will help you to overcome your problems.
What have you learned by faith in these difficult days? Are you drawn closer to God? In what way? Are you becoming a better person?
How is your prayer-life?
Keep on praying and believing and remember what I say so often:
GOD IS JUST A PRAYER AWAY!
Let us pray:
Since you, O God, are with us, nothing that has happened, nothing still to come, can rob us of our hope in Christ.
Sustain us during this time of threat and uncertainties.
Bless all the emergency and medical personnel, carers for elderly and the sick, trying to contain the outbreak.
Grant swift recovery to those who are affected and comfort to their families and loved ones.
Encourage those who are afraid.
Bless us as your church in this place and as your children.
Bind us now, more than ever to you and to each other, so that we may triumph by the power of Him who loves us, our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name . . .
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us and remain with us both now and for ever more. AMEN.
Every blessing to You All !
Sandor, your Minister.