July 8, 2020
Dear SCC & Friends
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things…~Psalm 103:2-5
Update #18
Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the Lord. ~Lam. 3:39-40 Scripture emphatically affirms that He will never leave or forsake us, which means it is we who leave, drift and wander…We are sheep and tend to stray, but Jesus always leads us back to green pastures and still waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness…Ps. 23 Our part is to not only be guided but to examine, probe (go deep) regarding our motives and actions. Probe means to scrutinize, enter and make an inquiry before the Lord. When you pray, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. ~Matt. 6:6
Prayer – The Antidote
It’s hard to complain or blame when we are earnestly praying to God for the good of others. Complaining is very close to breathing…it just comes so naturally. Interestingly, we rarely complain about ourselves, as others are usually recognized to be the source of the problem! The Bible points out it was not only the Pharisees who complained…Israel complained in the wilderness, the Apostles complained, as did the early church and the church of 2020. It doesn’t matter if you are Jew or Gentile, male or female, rich or poor, young or old…Complaining has been a sinful response from the very beginning. Adam blamed Eve and complained to God, “The woman you gave me caused me to sin.” If you never complain, then this letter has no meaning. If you do occasionally catch yourself complaining, I’d like to ask us to accept a 24-hour challenge, starting Thursday (tomorrow) – Friday A.M…that we not complain about anybody or anything – including but not limited to politicians, media, neighbors, friends, family members, pastors, the dog, the weather, immunologists, facemasks and/or social distancing. Pray that our hearts please God regardless of circumstances. You’re sleeping 8 hours of these 24, so we need 16 good, non-complaining hours. You can do this!
FYI, we are planning to have an outdoor prayer and communion service on Friday, July 17th, 7:00 p.m., in the back-parking lot. We will be mindful of each other and will distribute the elements safely, as we gather before the Lord. Keep up the good work!
Blessings and love
Kevin