Pastor's Pen

Isaiah 54:17 says, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper,..." We typically picture this with the church in a defensive posture. However, weapons are not just used against fortifications and heavily defended, dug in, troops. Weapons are also used against advancing forces. When we hear, "No weapon formed against you..." our minds react as if someone has just raised a sword or pulled a gun on us. Hands flying up. Defense. We are predisposed to see this in a certain way. Our bias clouds our minds to other possibilities. This is the confidence that I have. The reason the enemy is trying what seems like new weapons and tactics, is because he knows something is up in the church. We are about to see the greatest victories and triumphs the church has ever experienced. Get ready to subdue kingdoms! We're challenging the precious people in Rector Arkansas to hear the Spirit say, "The church is not on pause". Anything formed to stop t...

It's never easy when we are forced into change. Especially when it disrupts our daily routines and weekly schedules. Having temporarily suspended assembling, we long for the shared experience of corporate worship. The familiar and blessed services that we are accustomed to. Our hearts long for the closeness with our fellow believers. The CDC's recommended guidelines, and the extraordinary steps taken by churches over the past few weeks will have lingering effects. Some will find it easier to miss church while others will never take it for granted again. Israel's sojourn in Babylon permanently cured them of idolatry. My prayer is that this period of "captivity" in our homes separates us forever from the notion that we can ignore the Biblical mandate for assembling together .