Words of ENCOURAGEMENT

[Pages:4]Words of ENCOURAGEMENT from Interim Pastor Randy Hardy, Church of Christ, Cleveland, MN USA MARCH 21, 2020

Words of ENCOURAGEMENT

from Interim Pastor Randy Hardy Church of Christ, Cleveland, MN USA

March 21, 2020

Hello My Brothers & Sisters, Life has dramatically changed in just the last ten days. As we watch the COVID-19 disease spread, questions rise within us. How long will this last? How many people will die? Will I or someone I love become infected? I do not have the answers to any of these questions. However, I do have some suggestions of ways we can draw upon God's everlasting love and unlimited power to sustain us one day at a time.

Be encouraged by promises in God's Word.

Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 46:1-3 NIV

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 23:4 NIV

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Romans 8:31-32 NIV

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Psalm 34:18 NIV

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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.

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Words of ENCOURAGEMENT from Interim Pastor Randy Hardy, Church of Christ, Cleveland, MN USA MARCH 21, 2020

Psalm 23:6 NIV Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Romans 8:37-39 NIV No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 4:5-9 NIV

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Psalm 91 NIV

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from

the fowler's snare and from

the deadly pestilence. He will

cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will

find refuge; his faithfulness

will be your shield and

rampart.

Psalm 91 continued

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, "The Lord is my refuge," and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Stay connected to each other.

Phone calls to encourage and share needs and burdens with one another. Use texts, emails, handwritten notes and cards. Skype or Facetime (if you know how to do it).

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Words of ENCOURAGEMENT from Interim Pastor Randy Hardy, Church of Christ, Cleveland, MN USA MARCH 21, 2020

Be encouraged by listening to Christian music.

Play your favorite Christian CDs. Listen to KJLY radio ? 104.5 FM or online at . Listen to KTIS radio ? 98.5 FM or online at . Listen on Alexa:

Step 1: say, "Alexa, enable KTIS." Step 2 (and every time after completing step 1 for the first time):

say, "Alexa, play KTIS." Watch and listen to Christian songs on YouTube at .

PRAY.

The magazine Christianity Today had a March 18, 2020 article entitled "20 Prayers to Pray During This Pandemic." I've adapted this article for our congregation to use as we endure this urgent crisis.

For the sick and infected. For vulnerable people such as the elderly and those suffering from chronic

disease. For the young and strong that they would take the necessary caution to keep

them from unwittingly spreading the disease. For all those who are in positions of authority to make decisions for our

nation. Give our leaders wisdom as they allocate the critical resources for fighting this pandemic. For our medical scientists and doctors leading the effort to understand the disease and communicate its gravity to our nation with a persuasive voice. For the media to provide accurate up-to-date information with appropriate seriousness, yet not causing panic. For the people to be well-informed. That God would help us find the most helpful local information to "love our neighbors". That we would be kept from worry and panic and enabled to implement the recommended strategies to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors. For those who have mental health challenges who feel isolated, lonely, anxious and helpless. For Christian missionaries throughout the world, especially those in areas of high rates of infection. That God would give them boldness, courage and strength to share the love of Jesus with all they come into contact with.

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Words of ENCOURAGEMENT from Interim Pastor Randy Hardy, Church of Christ, Cleveland, MN USA MARCH 21, 2020

For workers facing layoffs and financial hardship. Show us as a church how we can be generous to those around us who are in need.

For families with young children at home for the foreseeable future. That God will help them creatively provide care during this time of uncertainty.

For business leaders making difficult decisions that affect the lives of their employees.

For pastors and church leaders faced with the challenges of social distancing. That God would help them creatively imagine how to lead, shepherd, protect, guide, and love their congregations while not meeting together face to face.

For college students whose courses of study are changing and whose graduation plans are uncertain. That God would show them that while their life is uncertain, He can be trusted to "meet all their needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19).

For front-line healthcare workers. That they would be kept safe and healthy. That they would have compassion for every patient in their care.

For Christians everywhere to display extraordinary love and peace so that many would ask about the reason for our hope. That God would give each of us many opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Listen to Pastor Reggie's meditation

tomorrow morning, March 22 at 10:30 AM on Facebook @ ClevelandChurchofChrist

This is a last-minute change in plans. Please give us grace as we do our best to glorify His majestic Name.

I will miss worshiping with you tomorrow. We will stay in touch. Decisions as to when and where we will meet again will be communicated to all as events unfold and plans are made.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you

and be gracious to you; the LORD turn HIS face toward you

and give you peace.

God be with you, Pastor Randy

Church of Christ, 900 State Hwy 99, PO Box 307, Cleveland, MN 56017 ?

Copyright ? 2020 Cleveland Church of Christ. All rights reserved.

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