Devotions with Pastor Bill

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” Psalm 98:4 (ESV)
 
The song “Joy to the World” is one I find myself singing, humming or whistling fairly frequently.  Isaac Watts, an English hymn writer, wrote the lyrics based on Psalm 98.  Although it has become a Christmas classic, I remember hearing somewhere that this was not the original intent.  This song is one of praise to our Creator and a reminder to believers to be prepared for his return.
Think about some of the key ideas in this song of praise:

• Joy to the world!  The Lord is come—present tense, not past.
• His reign is a joyful one—that doesn’t mean it will always be pleasant.
• We are not to “let sins and sorrows grow, not thorns infest the ground . . .”
• We are reminded that our Lord “comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found.”
• The ultimate rule of this world is His, even though the battle for sovereignty is very real and a usurper currently has the upper hand.
• The Lord Jesus Christ rules with “truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.”

In these times of chaos and struggling, we of the ecclesia (those who have been called out from the world) need to remind ourselves to voice the songs of praise our Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of, and our praise should be not just in words and songs but in works, actions and attitudes as well.

Our Savior does reign.  The promise of His first coming was kept.  God always keeps His promises, so we can continue to expect His second coming.  Joy to the world, the Lord is come . . . repeat the sounding joy!
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Shalom,
Pastor Bill.

 
Update for Worship in the church building: 

We are attempting to comply with the new Shawnee County guidelines for social distancing and mask wearing.

Towards that end, we have roped off every other pew to assist with the social distancing request.

If for any reason you find when you come into the church that you cannot maintain the 6’ social distancing guideline, we would request you wear a mask.  I know this is inconvenient, but the alternative is for us to cease in-person gatherings. (The six foot guidelines does not apply to family units)

The good news is “this too shall pass.”  Until then we will be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”  I Corinthians 15:58

God bless you,
Pastor Holmes and Pastoral Staff