Devotions with Pastor Fran

A Call to Persevere
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:19-26

I guess one could say I am a routine type person. I like structure and I like to plan out what my day, week or even month is going to look like. I have a certain routine every morning and every evening. I do pretty much the same routine every day at work. I pay my bills on certain days or times each month. However; I can be flexible. If my routine has to change today or this week because something else came up I can adapt and I don’t stress out over it. But I really like routines and consistency.

I don’t know if that is necessarily good or bad but I do know that there are some things that I won’t change like my relationship with Jesus, going to church regularly every Sunday, my moral stance on marriage, abortion, or important issues like that.

Covid-19 has truly caused change in a lot of things that use to be so routine and so consistent. When I was working from home my routine was totally turned upside down. But we made it through it all. The way we educate our children and the way we do school has changed drastically. Going shopping has even changed now. Many people are ordering in now instead of shopping in person. Take home from restaurants is a popular thing now. The favorite saying now is “Things are a changin'!”

Having church in the church building has certainly changed from the way we use to do things. Sunday was always a day of worship. Going to church was something we did on a regular basis. it was part of our weekly routine. Today, more and more are electing to stay at home and watch in via the different media venues available instead of meeting in person. Don’t get me wrong I am thankful for the advancement of technology. But sometimes I wonder if maybe we haven’t enabled our people to be complacent in the fact that we have provided so adequately the means to stay home and do church via the airways instead of gathering in person. For me I need the in person contact with my fellow believers. I need to come into the Holy Most Place and worship in person. To hear the live music and be able to lift my hands in worship. I need church!!

I know a lot of people live in a state of fear and the media has done a great job of instilling that into the public. But in Hebrews it tells us to “hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

I know for me I will keep meeting together in person and keep trusting Him to keep me well. Won’t you join me?
Hope to see you soon!
Pastor Fran