Things change again!
With the latest announcements from both the Federal and State governments, it seems we are being forced to close all public services.
This is a great inconvenience to those of our people who are not tech savvy, and it was for these people that we continued to meet last week. However, it now seems that even limited meetings abiding by the 4sqm per person rule have now also been closed. Many people have said that we should simply meet outside, but the authorities have included a line that makes that outside the rules also.
A few people have quoted:
Act 5:28-29Act 5:28-29
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
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(28) Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
(29) Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
…and then suggested that we meet anyway.
The problem with this is that we are NOT being told that we cannot share the Gospel, that we cannot preach, that we cannot continue to publicly serve the Lord. We are being told that we are not allowed to physically gather together. Just as Pubs cannot allow people to gather within them. Just as restaurants are not allowed to have people sitting at tables, gathered together. Just as sporting venues are not allowed to seat people gathered together under one roof. Just as cinemas are not allowed to seat people under the same roof and continue their businesses.
THIS IS NOT OVERTLY RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION.
I think Satan is revelling in it, and I think it does show how easily the Anti-Christ will take control when the Lord deems that time has come, but for the time being, whilst our religious expression is still allowed to flow freely, we should abide by these directives.
Make no mistake – I will always find ways to continue to preach, share, and testify of the Lord no matter what laws are made to stop us, but these laws and directives are for health and protection of the population, not restriction of religious freedom.
As to the current situation though – we will conduct no public services with physical access. We will continue to stream and provide the regular morning and evening services on Sunday through Facebook, but the Men’s and Ladies’ Bible studies are not being run. If this continues for any great length of time we will figure out a solution for that. Prayer Meeting also will not be held, but I will provide a short devotion video each Wednesday night (from next week – I don’t think I will have it ready by tomorrow night!), and we will try to have a form of prayer list available so that we may all set aside some time and “pray together but not together” as a church.
This will not last forever folks, and when it is done we will have a greater understanding of David’s words in:
Psa 122:1Psa 122:1
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
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(1) I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Until then let’s pray for one another:
Col 1:9-10Col 1:9-10
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
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(9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
(10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;