Let Us Be Ready To Say So
I, as many of you, was so blessed by our Sunday indoor service at Pine Valley United Methodist Church. You could feel the excitement as people walked in, during the service, and after the service. While some of us were glad to be out of the heat, some were glad to be with others in our church building, some felt it was a little more “normal,” and some were just excited to worship! Those who were watching live said the excitement was portrayed on screen, which means our house audio was going through live stream.
Our new sermon series is “Battlefield 2020,” as we study spiritual warfare. I had friends who visited in person for the first time. I texted them Sunday morning, telling them I was excited to hear about their worship experience at PVUMC. The response was, “Oh Jill, the service was wonderful, and we enjoyed it so much. Tim’s sermon was great…” And they will be back this week! I got another text, “I’m going to love this series...stuff we need to hear right now!” Another said, “Kudos to the whole PVUMC staff. It was wonderful!” As a temperature taker, I was so appreciative of how understanding everyone was of our procedures. It was obvious that our congregation trusts the work that staff members Bob, Jerry, and Pat are doing to keep us safe, including sanitizing after each service. Also, our ushers who know how to socially distance us.
Even though I had to sing with a mask on, I was singing in my church and could hear others worshiping, and it was awesome! Hearing the words of “The Lord Bless You And Keep You” ringing out was so wonderful. “The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make His face to shine upon you...and give you peace.” We were also reminded when we sang “Way Maker” that God is always working. “Way maker, Miracle worker, Promise keeper, Light in the darkness. My God, That is who you are!” After that sermon, you had to have peace knowing that God is great, God is able, and God is good! And He is in charge!
So what do we do during a global pandemic, an economic downturn, murder hornets, riots, political divisions, racial tension, dust storms, hurricanes, and an earthquake? We put on the full armor of God! We are in the Lord’s army! Ephesians 6:10-13, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
I am always impressed by Pastor Tim’s staff meeting devotionals. While we go over logistics, we also study. Sometimes we worship. His devotion is whatever has been laid on his heart and seems to be on point! The devotions help me stay focused, see another perspective, see life with hope and joy, which all help me write! Through God’s Word, Pastor Tim encourages the staff. This morning we sang a simple song with these words. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. (everyone loudly says, “so”) Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. (everyone loudly says, “so”) Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, I’m redeemed, I’m redeemed, Praise the Lord!” If we have been “saved,” accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, then we are redeemed. We have been paid for by the blood of Jesus, and we should be saying so! We should be shouting, “SO”!
During this spiritual battle, we need to be saying so! We are told we cannot sit on the fence or be lukewarm. Revelation 3:16, “So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” We are told in both Matthew 12:30, and Luke 11:23, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” God says we have to make a choice. Satan does not care if we join him; he just does not want us to join God. He likes it when we do not take a side because that is his win! He does not care about anybody, and scripture tells us that. John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” God has come to give us life, a full and abundant life. We can trust Him! If we are for God, let us be ready to say so!