We trust that everyone is well and are blessed as we enter another Spring. The days are becoming longer and warmer, the birds are back, the grass is turning greener, the trees are budding and the ants are finding their way back into our kitchen again.
As we begin another new Spring, what are you looking forward to do again? Are your expectations hampered by the Governor’s stay at home order until the end of April? Even though we are all challenged in many different ways by the current situation caused by COVID-19, are we allowing this situation to obscure our daily lives and even rob our expectations for the future? In the middle of all the adjustments we have to make,we are still able to do what the word of God tells us what we should always be doing? 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Colossians 3:17, also tells how we should be acting in spite of changes have to make. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
When we learn to be thankful to God for who He is, recognize what God has done, what He is doing, and even has promised to do, we can easily help others who are and or cannot recognize how God is present and working in their lives. Yes, it can be challenging for us to deal with the current issues and sometimes it is alsodemanding to personality deal with difficult people we associate with. We need to be careful not to distance ourselves from them because we probably are the ones who God has placed in their lives to help them get closed to Him.
The apostle Paul told the Ephesian church something very important that applies to all of us today, especially when dealing with challenging people, Christian or not. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, Ephesians 4:2-3. Is it possible that the reason why we are bothered and possibly even distance ourselves from someone is because we lack the humility, kindness (“gentle”), patience and love that Paul speaks about?
The Spirit Filled Life Bible For Students explains to us what kind of love we are to have, especially for those other Christians which it is really challenging to communicate with.
“love, agape (ag–ah–pay): One of the main things God wants to teach His people is how to love with an agape kind of love. Agape means “an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what he does.” It is a self–giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and it does not consider the worth of its object. Agape is more a love by choice than philos, which is a love by chance or human emotion; and it refers to the will rather than the emotion. Agape describes the unconditional love God has for the world. God wants to teach His people to love with an agape kind of love that comes from choosing with our will to let the Holy Spirit love others through us. Human love always comes up empty and is dependent on moods and feelings. Agape love draws on the resources of the Holy Spirit in order to love the way God loves people.”
Even though you might not be really bothered by all the life changes we are now experiencing, there is possibly someone you know who is probably distracted and or worried by how their life has changed because of the COVID-19 precautions and practices we all have to abide by. How can we be used by God to help them?
We can do what Paul told the congregation to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “…encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
In addition to what Paul said, the writer of Hebrews tells how it is possible for us to treat to others in the manner Paul told the Thessalonian believers. Hebrews 10:24-25 New Living Translation, 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 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.
It is important to note Verse 24 which tells us that we need to make the effort to do something, which is, “let us consider”. This verse also tells us in what areas we can focus on to help the other person with our words and actions. Also, verse 25 tells us something very important even though we need to practice “social distancing”. Because of all the modern technology we have at our disposal, we can still connect with others with the many means of communication we have available to us.
Finally, on the topic about the many adjustments and challenges we all have to make. Have you considered the importance of how you can continue to be faithful concerning the giving of your tithes and offerings? First of all, we sincerely thank those of you who are already mailing in your tithes and offerings. Secondly, not being able to gather together each Sunday and have the opportunity to put your tithes and offerings in the offering plate should not prevent us from continuing to be regular with our giving. We would like to encourage all of you to continue to be regular as you have always been with your giving to Hope Chapel by mailing in what you would regularly give. You can do this weekly or as some already do monthly to save on postage and envelopes.Hope Chapel still has utility bills and salaries we must pay. Danette, who is greatly appreciated and needed, isstill fulfilling her regular responsibilities here at the office. Lupe, now might not have the need to clean the church building weekly, but she is continuing fulfilling her hours by doing many other necessary tasks here at Hope Chapel.
Finally, please do not forget to join our services on “Facebook Live” Sunday’s at 10:00 a.m. Just log into your Facebook account and enter in the search bar 
, “Hope Chapel Oak Lawn”. And please invite others to join us.
Pastor John
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
