Updated Prayer Concerns
• Linda Dickens – recent stroke, appears to be doing okay. Slowly recovering.
• Doctors, nurses, other healthcare providers, leaders in these days. Pray also that a successful treatment option is discovered and made available soon.
• The Tolberts – as they transition to a new place of ministry.
• Jimmy Chandler – had a surgical procedure scheduled Thursday, has been postponed.
• Rosa Margaret Thompson – had a procedure scheduled that was postponed.
• Wayland Sherman – diagnosed with prostate cancer. Initial reports are very hopeful.
• Peggy Staggs – broke her foot recently, at home doing well.
• Bryson Davis – recovering from four wheeler accident, now recovering at home.
• Jim & Elaine Sumeral – homebound, continuing to deal with ongoing issues.
• Mike Little – home, has restarted Chemo treatments for pancreatic cancer.
• Allison Sherer- continues to do well overall, positive recent doctors’ visits.
• Caroline Madden – cognitive/physical issues, considering longterm care for her.
• Jane Ivey – Continues to visit with doctors. Hopes to try new treatment soon.
• Bill Ramey – continuing to take treatments.
• Joan Owings – NHC, continues to receive care/treatment.
• Corrie Grether – ongoing cancer treatments.
Announcements/Reminders
OFFICE HOURS: Our office hours have temporary adjusted to M-Th, 9am-1pm. Staff are working from home in the afternoons and on Fridays. Please reach out to us by text, phone or email outside of office hours. We want to be helpful to you in any way.
GIVING TO FBC: Please continue to support FBC! Your tithes and offerings are incredibly important. The two best ways to give are by dropping your offering in the mail or online through our website or app. You may also drop off your offering in person during office hours.
MISSIONS GIVING: The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions Envelopes are in your monthly packets now. This offering benefits our Baptist Missionaries who serve us in the US, Canada and Mexico. We welcome your gifts to this offering.
WORSHIP: Worship with us this Sunday, March 29th! A half hour service of worship will be available on our website and through our app. Likewise, you may listen on the radio at 11:05am on Sunday on WLBG 860am.
Reflecting Together
Read Matthew 22:34-40
Some us may remember the words of Bob Dylan from years ago- “The times, they are a-changing.” These words ring almost prophetic today, as the world deals with the COVID-19 virus. In this time of fear and uncertainty, terms like “self-isolation” and “social distancing” have become a part of our everyday language and dictates much of our present behavior. In addition to the obvious health risks that we all now face, there has been collateral damage as well, as so many have lost jobs or have experienced loss in the financial market.
The times, they are a-changing; but God hasn’t changed- not one little bit.
In today’s passage, the religious leaders test Jesus by asking Him, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law”? Jesus wastes no time identifying the most important command by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the Lord your God will all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Jesus took God’s entire law and reduced it to its
most basic principle. We are to love God.
At the same time, Jesus also answered a question that the religious leaders didn’t ask when He said, “And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus added this command because we can’t obey command number one without obeying command number two, and vice-versa. The two commands are inseparable. The love that Jesus speaks of is much more than a feeling. This is a love that can be commanded. In turn, it is a love that implies an action rather that a feeling.
The pandemic that we find ourselves in today does not nullify or change these commandments in any way. Instead, it gives us the opportunity to bring these commands to the forefront. But, we have to be intentional. We can love God by turning off the television and spending time in prayer and reflecting on His promises to us. We can close our Facebook page and open the Bible to seek His face. With our children out of school and at home, we have the opportunity for family devotion times and, at a minimum, space for modeling our faith to our children each day.
Likewise, we are also presented with opportunities to love our neighbors even in these days of self-isolation and social distancing. We can reach out by phone, email, text, or in other ways to those who might need support and encouragement. We can check on senior adults to make sure they have what they need. In another way, we also show our love by not putting others at risk and observing the current distancing and hygiene recommendations. These things may seem small, but they are very important. Our love for our neighbors authenticates our love for God.
Yes, the times are a-changing, but God hasn’t. Neither have His commands- to love Him and to love each other.
Consider this:
• How can you demonstrate your love for God this week?
• How can you intentionally seek to love your neighbor this week?