Salvation During Pandemic

Dear Church Family,

In the midst of a pandemic and all of the negative offshoots, we are praising God for the many people who are visiting East Ridge and for those being saved and wanting to be baptized.

It is no problem finding stats reporting the number of COVID cases reported or the number of deaths attributed to it. Be careful as you read those numbers that you don’t overlook the huge number of people that have been tested positive, been treated and recovered. People are being healed. Many others have doubtlessly come in contact with the virus but not been infected or become ill, hence having no diagnosis as testing positive or treatment. Still others have been infected and have very minor symptoms.

Is COVID real? Yes. I think so.  Am I concerned about how deadly it can be for people who have compromised immune systems or other life-threatening conditions? Yes. Do I fear it? Yes, to some degree. But mostly, I fear what is happening to millions of people who are having their lives wrecked, not by the virus, but by fear.

Remember II Timothy 1:7. “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind.”  As Christians, we don’t have to choose to let fear control our lives. Instead of being filled with fear, we have Almighty God’s power to face whatever we are afraid of. We need to remember because of His great love for us, God desires to exercise His power and glorify Himself by protecting us, rescuing or healing us. He will not hand an anchor to one of His children when they are drowning. He will extend His powerful hand and say, “Take hold, my child. Trust me.”  Let’s use the “sound mind” that He has given us to analyze information, take whatever action is needed, take hold of the Lord’s hand and trust Him.

We love you. See you Sunday.

Bro. Alan