Divine Protection

First of all, I am praying for those impacted by tornadoes that sweep through at least six states. My condolences to those who lost relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers or others in the series of tornadoes.  I like many others pressed my way to church today.  For many of us, it may seem routine.  For others, it is what we do on Sundays since we don't really have to be virtual. Like I and many others, it was an opportunity to give God praise for divine protection.  

Ironically, I had gone to church this past Tuesday for Divine Protection Night.  I usually press my way on that particular day and take photos of relatives, bills, business plans, and other things that I want to lay before the Lord.  Sometimes, we take God's goodness for granted.  I know those who were trapped in the candle factory or at work at that Amazon plant had no idea that this type of fate awaited them.  Too many times, we put our religious life on the back burner and don't take it as seriously as we should.  If you have been alive for any length of time, you know that situations, weather, and other things are just a little bit strange these days.

We are still in a pandemic although I would like to think that we are heading out of that.  People who I thought that I could trade stories with as we aged are no longer here.  I still have joy even though we have lost many in 2021 and just trying to make it to 2022 for better days.   I hope that you take a few things with you in the new year.  I hope that you take some faith with you because you will need it.  I hope that you take a prayer life with you because it is necessary.  I hope that you take peace with you because that's the only thing that can help you keep your sanity.

Some Articles by Dr. Sandra Hamer Smith

If you are needing some encouragement or wanting to delve more into biblical topics, follow the attached links listed below.

Why Were Eli's Sons Hopni and Phinehas So Evil?

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/why-were-elis-sons-hopni-and-phinehas-so-evil.html

5 Sneaky Ways Divination Maybe Sneaking Into the Church

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/sneaky-ways-divination-may-be-sneaking-into-the-church.html

Who is the Beast in Revelation 13, and Have We Met Him Yet?

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/who-is-the-beast-in-revelation-13-and-have-we-met-him-yet.html

What Does the Bible Say About Trust and Its Importance?

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-does-the-bible-say-about-trust-and-its-importance.html

Why is 'She Is Clothed in Strength and Dignity' so Powerful for Women of the Faith?

https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/why-is-she-is-clothed-in-strength-and-dignity-so-powerful-for-women-of-the-faith.html

You Can Be A Witness

We made it to 2021.  We have suffered a lot in the last year.  It can be summed up or attributed to one word...Coronavirus.  This disease or virus has taken a toll on America.  I would like to think that we are in recovery mode.  Yet, we still have millions of Americans that need to be vaccinated. I have attended too many funerals attributed to Coronavirus and have heard of many that have had the virus and recovered.  My job has been virtual since March of last year.  Most churches have been virtual since last April.  Yet, I still feel like being a witness for the Lord.

Sometimes, I wonder why are we going through all of this.  I just know from history that every generation has seen a plague, virus, or flu. Click here for History of pandemics for Americans. We just pray and go through.  While we are at home a lot, we are still working.  We can witness more, even at home. Many of us are on social media more.  Even those who used to complain about social media must embrace it.

Homes that didn't have technology now have it.  I remember when I would give assignments and students would tell me they wouldn't be able to go to the library.  That is not the case in most homes now.  They can just hop on the internet and do their research.

Many people had gotten lazy and would not church regularly.  Now, services are virtual.  I wonder when things fully open up if people will flock to the house of God.  Our church closed for in-person services in April.  We went back around October or November for one service, and we haven't been back since because of the COVID-19 numbers in our county.

I still feel the need to witness to people.  We have young people dying from COVID-19 and middle-aged and older people.  Now, they are rolling out vaccines.  I signed up for testing in the teacher category.  I know they really want us to return to school.  I would like to go back when everything is ready.  This virus is just so mysterious.

Even before this virus hit, I believed that people were slowly being raptured.  With the events of late, I still believe that to be true.  I have been trying to encourage people everywhere I go to get right and stay right.  I have prayed for deaths to slow down and they have not.  I have asked God can we catch a break, and we caught one because we have the vaccines for COVID-19.

I will continue to be a witness and hope that I can maintain some longevity down here.  You can be a witness as well.  Will you?