The Holy Spirit can live within each of us.

I think I have identified this emotion that has me a little more sullen and brought to tears with little reason. It’s grief. A feeling of loss. Although I have embraced many of the changes during this pandemic, I find myself missing the normalcy I had become dependent on- talking with strangers in the community, eating out after work, hearing children playing outside. And it got me thinking. My feelings are probably much milder thanks to the Holy Spirit that lives within me, than that of my non-believing friends, family, and neighbors. I can’t even imagine the magnitude of the grief and added fear, that must overwhelm them.

Online Church Service

I attended an online church service today at Quidnessett Baptist Church, and the sermon was from Nehemiah. This scripture details a sinful nation needing to repent, and the governor and churches reaching out to the people to remember God, to confess and humble themselves through prayer, and changing their ways.

What We Learn From the Scripture

The pastor then reminded us that these circumstances from the scripture are not much different than those we are experiencing now as a nation. We are a people that have turned our backs on the Living God, and we should be using this time of isolation as an opportunity to seek Him. We are often too busy in our worldly lives to spend time in our Bibles and to talk to God, but now now.

The pastor also instructed that we are all leaders. We are leaders of our own homes, and we too should be reacting as Nehemiah did, praying and acting, confessing, and calling to God. Not just praying for deliverance from the virus, but for the lessons we need to learn, and the restoration of His people.

Salvation. Accept Christ As Your Savior

I would be remiss if I did not use this as an opportunity to invite you all into the family of Christ. There is a peace that only God can provide, and I want all of my friends, family, and neighbors to know this comfort. Our creator, the Lord, sent his son Jesus, to live on this Earth among us. To endure the same struggles and joys that we do. Jesus then sacrificed His life as a means for all of us to be redeemed. He paid our debts for our sins. If you believe that Christ was born and died for you, then you can invite the Holy Spirit, the helper Jesus has provided, to live within you. This Holy Spirit helps us here on Earth, and is the way into Heaven when our time here is over. It isn’t a fancy, formal prayer. Just a conversation. If you would like to know Christ as your personal savior, I invite you to pray with me.

Lord, I admit to being a sinner. I was born a sinner and confess my sins. Thank you, Lord, for giving your only son Jesus- to live and die so my sins will be forgiven. Lord, I invite the Holy Spirit into my heart. I pray for guidance and help in turning away from sin and to live for You. I ask to be forgiven and accepted, and promise to follow you. In Jesus name, Amen.

As For Me and My House

As a leader of this home, and believer in Christ, I will be praying for guidance during this time, in how best to direct my family. How we can see God. What lessons we need to learn. What ways we need to change. This virus and isolation is not only physical. It is a means to an end so that we may be conformed and restored.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your work and my time attending the online church service. Thank you for finding a way to reach even more people while we are all social distancing. Thank you for the opportunity to slow down our lives so that we may be more intentional in seeking You. Lord, as a leader in my home, help me. Help me set a good example of how to live for You. Help me to say the right words and put into action the way we are to live. Not only do I pray for my family’s protection from the virus, Lord. I pray for enlightenment and restoration. Show us what we need to learn. Put me in the path of those that may need you, and use me to bring them to you. And for our nation- Lord I pray we learn from Nehemiah, so that political leaders and spiritual leaders work together to restore our people. That we remember you. In Jesus name, Amen.