Gathered Together: God's Hand Moves

During the last few months I’ve been going to church, to a church that never closed. I go because I need to be in the house of God and worship. I go because there I experience the presence of Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus. I go because God commands us to come together for prayer and worship. (Hebrews 10:25)

The Church body meeting together, no matter where it happens is important.

The Word says that where two or more are gathered, Lord Jesus is present. (Matthew 18:20)

Together we have a spiritual unity, that is spiritual power and it moves God’s hand. (1Corinthians 5:4)

In Acts 12:1-19, Peter has been placed in prison by King Herod, who was rounding up church members and mistreating them. He did this to please the enemies of the church. At that time the church’s adversaries were the Jews, unbelievers in Jesus.

Four squads of soldiers guarded Peter.

But prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. The church knew the ways of Herod. He had just put James the brother of John to death with a sword. They did not wish to lose a second apostle.

God’s hand moved.

That night Peter slept between two soldiers, bound with two chains and two more guarded the front door of the prison. An angel of the Lord appeared and light shone in the cell. He struck Peter’s side to wake him. He gave directions to Peter and led the way out. Peter thought it was all a vision. They passed the guards, but no one saw them. The iron gate to the prison opened by itself, and they exited onto a street. Then the angel left.

Peter continued to the house of Mary, the mother of Mark, where many were gathered and praying.

Herod conducted a search for Peter, but never located him. The guards Peter left behind were ordered to be led away to execution. Herod’s way once again.

Beneath Saint Gabriel’s Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Israel, are caves where the the public does not enter. My father-in-law, a local, knew about them and took me to the backyard area of the church. There priests were working outside. One took us on a subterranean tour. Below, I saw a small carved altar in the rock, behind the cobwebs, where the first believers met during times of persecution.

This is a way of the true church—never forsaking the gathering together.

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(C) 2020 Kelly Jadon

Casting Your Cares

My freshman year in high school, I went out for the track and field team. One of the events I participated in was the shot put. The idea is to take a heavy silver metal ball, like a small canon ball, and push or put it farther than your opponent out onto the green. To put, you must bring the arm holding the shot back close to the neck, turn quickly giving the shot some momentum and then push or put it out and up as hard as possible. The distance thrown is actually measured from the marked circle the athlete must stay inside of out to the first landing spot. It’s not an easy task. My children later carried on our family heritage of shot putting when they were on track and field teams.

The Scriptures tell us as believers to cast all of our worries, anxieties, cares, troubles, you name it, upon The Lord. Why? Because He care for us. (1Peter 5:7) And because most of us don’t fully do this, I think that we do not completely comprehend God’s love for us.

The Greek word for “cast” is epiriptō; it means “to throw upon.” Where is Lord Jesus? He’s up in Heaven. Cast your cares up and out, as you would a shot put, into the Holy of Holies, to land right at His feet. We cannot and should not depend upon ourselves to carry around today’s burdens.

Our problems today stem from what’s happening in our environment, how it affects us, and what the outcome will be. In general, it can be summed up as FEAR.

COVID 19, riots, defunding police, churches burned, ankle monitors, vaccinations, elections. Income, jobs, rising costs, shortage of ammunition, masks, school openings, commercial real estate glut, economy. The list is endless. Give God these concerns. He is Sovereign and Almighty. He can assume our burdens. He wants to take on our burdens.

Putting those burdens on The Lord and away from ourselves takes effort, just as throwing the shot involves utilizing the mind (focus) and the muscles throughout the body working together. This focused effort improves with practice and builds faith. The muscles are like the prayer life. The more they’re used, the stronger they become. It’s time to truly trust Lord Jesus.

Giving God our burdens reduces what we’re carrying around mentally. The yoke of Lord Jesus is meant to be light. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,” The Lord says. (Matthew 11:29) Let Him guide you through this time of uncertainty. He knows the outcome.

Giving God our burdens increases our rest. We need rest in the middle of this great storm engulfing the United States. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3)

Spend time in prayer and the Word. Give God every single care. He will provide. We shall not want. He will give us peace, not as the world gives, but as He gives, even in the storm.

This storm is not just a simple thunderstorm; it’s more like a hurricane. It comes in bands, a little at a time with a light letup in between, but with more to come. The purpose of a storm is to destroy. Surely you can see this pattern already. Remember, God is Sovereign. He is in control. Seek Him.

Do not let your heart be troubled.” (John 14:1) Lord Jesus is our Savior at all times.

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(C) 2020 Kelly Jadon