Saturday, April 18, 2020
Hello Church Family,
I hope this letter finds you and your families well and enjoying the blessings and comfort from our Lord.
Church in the parking lot via FM transmitter - I look forward to assembling again tomorrow morning. Once again, we’ll meet @ 11am in the church parking lot. If you have special prayer request or an announcement please text or email them to me.
COVID-19! What a terrible thing it is doing to our country. However, we need not be surprised. The Bible warns us of perilous times and times of pestilence. The big concern I see among many of our Baptist brothers and sisters in Christ (I have this concern as well) is how world governments will use situations like this to deceive in order to accomplish wicked agendas. Agenda’s that cause public officials and civil servants to infringe on God given freedoms. No doubt, it is happening in some places already. Are we surprised? Of course not. This kind of thing is foretold in the Bible. Things will continue to get worse and worse until He returns. Like a swinging pendulum or labor pains of an expecting mother, we see the signs of the times. But, at this moment, is it really as bad as the media says it is?
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. Pro 14:15 (KJV)
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. Pro 22:3 & 27:12 (KJV)
It takes wisdom and discernment to navigate through difficult times like this (we already know the media can’t be trusted; if we believe the media we will be living in constant fear).
Essential:
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absolutely necessary; indispensable (dictionary.com)
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necessary to the constitution or existence of a thing (Webster’s 1828)
Food is essential. We cannot live without food. We know this. Jesus tells us that spiritual food is also essential: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Mat 4:4 & Luk 4:4). Hebrews 10:25 says, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
As a pastor, I think it is important, essential, that we keep our church doors open and that we assemble at least once a week. Even though this decision is a “no brainer,” as they say, believe me when I tell you I have struggled with it. However, this decision has been made easier because God has given Del City a good Mayor and good men and women who are making practical and level headed decisions to keep our city safe without infringing on our freedoms (no $500 fines for assembling at church in our vehicles via FM transmitter) and with common sense recommendations. Our Mayor has also fought hard for the essentials of our citizens and Del City businesses.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health has released COVID-19 data by city at coronavirus.health.ok.gov.
As of April 17:
Midwest City has 8 cumulative confirmed cases with 2 deaths
Del City has 4 confirmed cases and 0 deaths
Choctaw has 7 confirmed cases and 0 deaths
Oklahoma City has 375 confirmed cases and 16 deaths
Oklahoma has 2,465 confirmed cases with 136 deaths and 1,441 recovered
Way to go Del City! Nevertheless, good hygiene should be practiced everyday anyway. Also social distancing, if you are sick or think you might have been exposed to sickness (COVID-19, The Flue, Strep Throat, etc…) should also be practiced. This also is both Biblical and just plain good horse sense.
Please, when we are assembling in the church parking lot, for the sake of respect and a good testimony to our neighbors and our city, stay in your vehicle. We can do this voluntarily. God forbid that someone in our group should come down with and/or spread COVID-19 because of carelessness. What kind of testimony would that be?
Update on my mom: She has asked me to tell everyone thank you for your prayers for her. She has been home from the hospital now for over a week. My dad also tested positive but his symptoms have been very mild. The Health Department called them a few days ago and said that if they are without a high temperature for 3 consecutive days they are no longer contagious. My mom is now no longer contagious. Not yet sure about my dad. Full disclosure: my family and I have not been near them or anyone who has been near them for nearly two months. We are doing well.
Additional Support for Indonesian Bible Translation Project: Once this translation is completed the word of God will be available to 264 million souls! The dividends of investing in this work are manifold! (look at how the KJV has been used). The New Testament is nearly complete but additional funds are needed. I have received very good feedback concerning this from three families so far. Please continue to pray about an amount and give me some feedback. I want to hear from you.
Land for more parking: To purchase or not to purchase? that is the question! (Do we want to grow? that is the other question. Growth means change. More on this later) I have received several calls and/or text from many of you concerning this land. It seems everyone is excited and in favor of making the purchase. More details on this later.
We have a new trustee: Bro. Timmy Henning was unanimously voted in last Sunday. Thank you Bro. Timmy! Bro. Mike Henning and Bro. Timmy will be working with Bro. Floyd concerning the land. Once we have all the details and a plan we will bring it before the church. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Please share!
Our church attendance has been going up each Sunday. We had 22 the first Sunday, 25 the next, and 27 last Sunday. Thank you sister Cathy for keeping count for us!
Update on Church Bathroom: The Ladies Restroom is coming along and looking quite nice! A big shout out to Bro. Floyd Eason for spearheading this project for us. Thank you bother! (see pictures at the bottom of page on a mobile device)
Prayer & Updates: We got word that Sister Bobby Bond went home to be with the Lord. She is our member who was in Grace Care Center. Please pray for the family in their loss.
I’ve had several ask about our family. Outside of doing some school work at the church and our church services, Kiy and the kids have not been out at all. I pick up the groceries and make sure my hands are washed and even disinfect the items I bring into our home. I know it is getting tiresome and a bit discouraging being away from friends and family for so long. Please continue to take the precautions necessary to keep you and your family safe.
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
913-605-3364
"I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name." 3Jn 1:13-14 (KJV)
