“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” – Romans 8:37.

In all things…

I like the sound of that. But you may be surprised by what all includes. But I hope your surprise leads to even greater joy and greater peace.

In all things…this certainly includes the Covid-19 pandemic. But that’s not why I find great joy and peace. It certainly includes that, but there is so much more.

Paul tells us that “in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” in verse 37 then Paul describes what he had in mind when he said “all things” in verses 38-39.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in call creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Did you notice the first thing that Paul mentions?

Death.

This is a bad word to our world. But it need not be for Christ-followers.

Because God knew that we would all die a physical death, he provides us with a Savior to give us eternal salvation. Death is as normal as life. Death happens to all of us. But to Christ-followers death is not the end. It is merely the gateway to eternal life with the risen Christ. Death is akin to a comma in a story – there is so much more to come.

So what if death is something we no longer fear? How would that impact our lives now? How much more joy and peace would we experience on a daily basis, knowing that each day is a gift from God for us to enjoy God’s goodness and grace because absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God?

I have no death-wish, but I am not afraid of dying. I will do my part to do God’s bidding while I am here, and I will do my part to steward the health and life God has given me. But death doesn’t scare me. Covid-19 got nothing on God’s grace and goodness!

In all things…Yes, even death, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Doesn’t that make you feel better already?

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace” Philippians 3:15

“Let”. Now, that’s an interesting word. In fact, in the Greek the word is not so much “let” but “let rule”.

I didn’t know we had the power to “let” the peace of Christ “rule”. I kinda just figured that God had all the power to do whatever God wanted to do. But here’s the thing, peace of Christ doesn’t just rule in our hearts. Christ doesn’t force his peace on us. We have a choice. We have to choose the peace that Christ offers.

And choosing Christ’s peace means letting go of our anxiety, uncertainty, and our need for control.

These things – anxiety, uncertainty, our need for control – are the antithesis of the peace of Christ because the peace of Christ is only available to those who place their trust in Christ. The problem with anxiety, uncertainty, and our need for control is that they want to rule us. And for Christ-followers, there can only be One who rules us.

This simple word – “let” – literally means letting go of our anxiety, uncertainty, and need for control and instead choosing to trust Christ who is our Lord and Savior that Christ loves us and knows what is best for us so that the peace of Christ rules in our hearts.

Finally, if you are a Christ-follower, that we do this is not a choice. The Greek word for “let rule” is in in the imperative. That’s an order!

Let go of:

• all that causes us anxiety
• all uncertainties
• our need for control

Instead, lean into the peace of Christ by trusting that God loves us and knows what is best for us. That’s when Christ’s peace begins to rule in our hearts.

“Beloved let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” – 1 John 4:7

Ready for some homework? Ready to do something besides being anxious and practicing social distancing?

Today is your lucky day!

While we may not be meeting in church, committees, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. No one is stopping us from being the church and using a tool we already have in our possession: our telephones and time!

Every day, call  three people. You should have a church directory – if you don’t let the church office know and we can email you or mail you a copy. Go down the list and make it a practice to call three people every day to check in with them.

• Catch up with them
• See how they are doing
• Ask how they came to know Jesus, came to the Little Church or Lakewoodgrace
• Ask for prayer concerns and joys
• Let them know you are thinking of them and pray with them

Be the church. Sure, we now worship on line. But we can still stay in touch with one another by calling in.

Do what Stevie Wonder sang about – “I just called to say I love you…” (p.s. if you click on that, it will take you to the song)

Remember, every day, check in with three people. Be the church!