WATCHWORD:
Parable of the rich fool – Luke 12:13-21
Parable of the rich man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19-31
Meditation:
Smarter than Common Sense, Smarter than Smart!
Last night I had a long and helpful conversation with a doctor friend of mine who is a senior pharmacist in a major hospital in the heart of Chicago. He is part of the Coronavirus network. In a matter of 20 minutes or more he brought me up-to-date on everything that he knew and all that he had heard regarding the spread of the virus. He emphasized its sensitivity and how easily it transmits one person to four, and then it multiplies from there.
I know we have all heard parts of this, almost endlessly, over the past couple of weeks, and sometimes repetition can cause deafness. What my friend emphasized is that we must be smarter than our common sense may tell us, and smarter than smart. Please don’t miss that point.
This morning there was to be a small gathering of four persons to share communion in my home. That same group had been together twice for dinners over the past nine days. We felt it was safe, our common sense reassured us. This morning, in light of my friend’s information, I cancelled that gathering, urging all to follow a self-communion service given to us by our pastor, along with sanctified elements.
Guys, please, please be super conservative these days, smarter than your common sense. This plague is going to be around for a while, it will not go away on Easter Sunday. For the next unknown period of time we are in the middle of Good Friday, but we know that Sunday is coming.
Bulletin Board:
Graham sent this to share: Yesterday Stan and I were faced with a difficult decision. (To suspend our meeting until it was safe) On reflection it reminded me of this economic term “Opportunity Cost” and Jesus’ words to the Rich Ruler – Luke 18:18–23.
In our daily lives, we constantly make decisions. We often sacrifice in order to grasp the preferred option. Think of a time in your life that you made a choice that you were passionate about and committed to rather than another option that seemed the most logical choice.
Yes decisions – Decisions – how they can change our lives! You and I are in good company with those who have Men in Mission high on their list of priorities and it takes events like vacations, sickness or something quite serious to keep us from being there. Since most of us are in that “Most Vulnerable Health” category we had to choose what was best for all of us. Scripture has much to say to us and our choices!
Notice the Rich Ruler’s choice was his wealth and possessions rather than to follow Christ! His choice could cost him dearly! His “Opportunity Cost”? Eternal Life.
Prayer Requests:
In light of all we know, please keep each of the guys, and their families, specifically in our prayers. The effects of cabin fever can drive us to depression. Guard against it. I can feel it in myself (Stan) and I can hear it in my conversations with many of you. Stay up beat, stay occupied, express love in every way you can. God will get us through this.
Closing Thought:
Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Amen. 2 Corinthians 5:5
