Blog Post

Standing Strong

Dear Judy,
I am shocked at how so many churches and pastors are still choosing not to worship together in person as a congregation. And many of those churches that are meeting are requiring people to wear a mask, even while praying! Jesus set me free from drugs and alcohol and I believe strongly that He can keep a virus from taking me out! What do you think about all this?

Dear Standing Strong,

I also am shocked! I too was set free from drugs and alcohol! I was like you, right in the middle of the enemy’s camp when Jesus came into my life and set me free. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) The word free means to liberate or deliver!  I have used your exact words. If I have been delivered from those horrible things, no virus is going to take me out. People also say, the mask is not for me but I am afraid I will hurt someone else. The word fear should not be in our vocabulary except to fear the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom. Fear of the Lord is to reverence Him! Believing His words is giving Him reverence!

Fear and faith are total opposites!  I know masks are required in many places, but in church?  Please! The reality is that whether I live or die, if I am in Christ, I am always going to be with Him either way. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. (2 Corinthians 5:8-9) The key is to be well-pleasing to the Lord! So I ask the question to many who are not opening or returning to their fellowship – “What do you really believe Jesus would do?”  
I also know I am not my own but I belong to the Lord and I am to live like He is in me and shining His light through me in this very dark world! I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. (Galatians 2:20-21)   
Hope this helps you and all the readers to rise up!

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