Daily Devotion, March 30, 2021

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God (Romans 13:1).

Paul tells us to submit to those in authority over us, also reminding us that God is the ultimate authority. God has appointed all lesser authorities. Human government is God’s plan for creating order in the nations. We are to be loyal citizens, respecting those who govern over us. If we disobey government authorities, we are rebelling against God.

Of course, governing authorities often stray from the will of God. In that case, we are to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). God has decreed human governments, but often, those who rule over us disregard the will of God. When government usurps God’s role and makes laws contrary to the Law of God, we are to obey God. However, Romans 13:1 is clear that we are to obey the government in all things that do not violate Scripture.

We are also commanded to pray for those who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We should pray that our government leaders will govern under God’s control. Our government was founded by those who recognized the ultimate authority of God. Pray that it will continue.

Father, I do pray for those who rule over us in the government. Bless them when they act in harmony with Your will. Restrain them when they act in violation of Your will. Help those who rule to remember that their authority comes from You. I pray in that name which is above every name, Jesus our Lord, Amen. 

I had become accustomed to a covid attendance of around 20-30. Our Sunday’s attendance of 42 seemed like a full house!

This is holy week and we have a few more activities scheduled.
We will finish our 6 week Bible study on Jesus’ last week focusing on the resurrection.

The choir will meet Wednesday at 4:30. After a year’s layoff, the choir will be singing an Easter anthem.

On Thursday evening we will celebrate our annual Maundy-Thursday communion service at 7:30. This is the correct time. Ignore earlier notices that list a different time.

Friday is our 24 hour Good Friday prayer vigil. 3:30 AM and 8:30 PM are the only two open slots if you want to sign up.

The Easter sermon has been on hold for an entire year since we did not have Easter services last year due to Covid. The theme is “What If It Never Happened?” Paul reflected on that in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. We will be considering the implications that follow if Easter is a myth.

May you all have a very blessed week.
Pastor Bowman

Daily Devotion, March 27, 2021

He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11).

We don’t talk much about angels. We know they exist. They are spoken of often in Scripture. It seems that many of these heavenly creatures are assigned to watch over us. We do not see these messengers of God, but they are helping us in ways we may not understand. It is comforting to think that angels are by our sides, protecting us from the enemy. God doesn’t do everything by Himself. He has helpers called angels who watch over us in all our ways. We do not worship angels.  We thank God for commanding them to watch over us.

Maybe in heaven, we will have the opportunity to meet our heavenly helpers. That would be cool! In the meantime, we thank God that we are not alone in this struggle to be faithful. I have a feeling that faith is like a magnet attracting angels to our side. God knows we need lots of help to live faithfully! I don’t know how they operate in my life, but I believe angels are present to guard us in all our ways.

Father in heaven, thank You for sending Your angels to help us live the Christian life. While we do not see them, nor do we understand how they help us, we believe they are one of Your many gifts to us. Thank You for the many ways You help us. I pray in Jesus Holy Name, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, March 26, 2021

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12).

Paul calls attention to Epaphras, a bondservant (slave) of Jesus Christ. He is constantly working and praying for the Colossians that they may stand perfect in the will of God. We know there is no perfect church and no perfect Christian. Human sin and imperfections preclude that from happening. It makes me wonder, what would a perfect church look like?

In a perfect church, Christ would be honored as the head. His will would be the primary concern of each member. Submission to the Holy Spirit would be the chief goal of every member. The Bible would stand as the final authority for each individual and for the church.

Every member would be born again. Each one would be striving to live faithfully. When sin did crop up, there would be immediate confession and repentance. Each member would feel loved and cared for by the entire church. When personalities clash, those involved are quick to forgive. Being in harmony with one another is more important than being right.

There would be a burden for those who know not the Savior with a zealous missionary outreach both at home and abroad.

Other thoughts run through my mind as I imagine the perfect church, but let this suffice. No, we will never achieve total perfection in this life. There is no perfect church, but what kind of church should we strive to be? Shall we be content with mediocrity, or shall we strive to be the best we can be? While we will never achieve complete perfection, should not that be our goal?

Father, I want to be a church member who strives for perfection. I want to use whatever gifts and talents I have to further Your Kingdom. Yes, I will fall short of perfection, but I do not want to be content with mediocrity. I know that as I walk by faith, You will walk with me and use me to help in the building of Your kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, March 25, 2021, Love

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:7-8).

Peter anticipates the end of the age and the return of Jesus. He calls upon Christians to focus on what is really important. He doesn’t want us to waste our lives on frivolous things but to live thoughtfully and prayerfully. Then he reminds us of the most important thing of all, love for one another.

Christians sometimes can act just like unbelievers, majoring in gossip, backbiting, arguing, etc. Peter reminds us that love is at the head of the list of Christian virtues. We are not only to love others, but our love is to be fervent.

When Peter says that love covers a multitude of sins, I think he means that if our actions are truly motivated by love, even if we act wrongly, love covers over our failures. In other words, if I inappropriately act toward you, if love is my motive, my “sin” is covered. We are never wrong when love is our motive. That, says Peter, is above all things.

Father, I thank You that You loved me long before I loved You. Help me to shower Your love upon others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.