April 2, 2020
1 Corinthians 7:17, 35
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
New International Version (NIV)
                “Criminals . . . just chill.  Do not commit crimes.”  I loved these words from Sylvester Turner, mayor of Houston.  So far, crimes are down, except in one category:  domestic abuse.  In painful relationships, pressing people together in a time of stress often creates explosive anger.   Our friend Karl Elkins is offering a seminar this weekend by teleconference to help families that are struggling.  Contact Larry Bertrand or me for information. 

                In an abundance of concern for families, Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth to be especially on their guard against immorality of all sorts.  We know for sure that the enemy means this time for evil in our lives.  Stressful times often lead to greater temptations.  At the end of the previous chapter, Paul urges both married and unmarried to flee from immorality (1 Cor. 6:18). Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in us.  We do not belong to ourselves so that we could do anything we like.  God bought us at a high price so that we might glorify him with our whole lives.

                In chapter 7, Paul offers specific instructions for husbands and wives as well as to those who are single.  Paul desired for all believers to be undistracted for the Lord so he urged people to remain in their current situation.  This current season of social distancing could be a time of drawing closer as a family.  Our daughter is home from college and doing her classes online.  Last night we went to our backyard and sat together around a firepit.  It was good to be together.  I am also using this time to stay in touch with our members and also with long time friends outside our church.  God is working even this painful time for ultimate good:  to make us more like Christ.

                You may have seen this quote:
"Satan: ‘I will cause anxiety, fear and panic.  I will shut down businesses, schools, places of worship, and sports events.  I will cause economic turmoil.’  
Jesus: ‘I will bring together neighbors, restore the family unit, I will bring dinner back to the kitchen table.  I will help people slow down their lives and appreciate what really matters.  I will teach my children to rely on me and not the world.  I will teach my children to trust me and not their money and material resources.’” 
Pray with me:         
Father, may your will be done in this difficult time.  Lift us above fear to faith in you, our faithful Father.  Teach us to trust you more than we ever have.  Strengthen families.  Deliver from temptation.  May we emerge from this health crisis spiritually stronger than we have ever been.  God bless our newlyweds who are beginning life together.  Fill them with joy.  Please bless those with newborns and those who are expecting babies.  Reduce their stress and fill them with hope and joy, we pray.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.,
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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