Letter to Meadowview

It is 4am and my foot is a combination of throbbing, burning, and numb – so I can’t sleep. I have accepted that this will be the new normal for foreseeable future. And the truth of the matter is this is one area where God is challenging me to grow. Those who know me know that I love a good schedule and nice crisp routine. So when there is no schedule or no routine I struggle. I would be foolish to not acknowledge that many of you live in this reality of chronic pain. So, I am now learning what you already know to be true.

Personally I am aware that Satan would love to use this to draw me away from Christ – who I most often find in my routines. And to be honest in some ways I see that Satan has already been successful in luring me away. In those areas I must repent!

So, why am I sharing this with you? Because I also believe that Satan wants to have his destructive way with Meadowview Baptist Church. He would love to exploit this strange season – where the teaching pastor/elder is incapacitated – and slide in and do his worst. I beg you, DO NOT LET HIM IN. I do not mean to say that when I am healthy Satan wouldn’t dare attack our church – I’ve seen him come for us in every season. But we must recognize this – as he certainly does – as a unique opportunity. While, I am grateful for Chuck and Dustin and their faithful leadership at Meadowview, they are lay-Elders meaning the ministry cannot be their full time priority – they have other careers and occupational responsibilities, outside of the care of the flock.

Now to the point.

I am asking you – every member of Meadowview – to do whatever you can to resist the devil in the coming days and weeks.

So what can you do? How can you practically resist the devil in these days?

First, Abide in Christ. Remain dependent upon Jesus. Remember that He is vine that supplies, you the branch with eternal life, spirit-filled life. When you lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, humility, self-control, faithfulness, gratitude – you must realize that you are not abiding in Jesus, but rather in self and that only leads to death. So review 1 John and work at Abiding in Christ.

Second, Walk in Humility or as Peter says, “Cloth yourself in humility”. Put the principles of Philippians 2:1-8 into practice. Following the example of Jesus prefer the interest of others over yourself. Be sacrificial towards others with your time, kindness, mercy. Do not let Satan fuel your pride to cause a division in the body.

Third, Be Doers of the Word. In James 1 when James describes the person who merely hears the word without “doing” the word he says that this person is deceived. In the coming weeks as you hear Gods word in your personal study, group study, and corporate church gatherings make sure that you are eagerly obedient to whatever Christ is revealing to you through His word. If He desires for you to give more to missions, then be obedient. If He shows you that you have been harsh and unforgiving towards your spouse, then be obedient. If he shows you that you have been lazy regarding ministry, then be obedient.

Fourth, Lovingly Serve the Church. I plead with you in my absence do not take a seat on the bench, but get in the game. My absence leaves ministry gaps to fill. Look for those gaps and stand in them! Ask Chuck, Dustin, John, Nathan, or Torrey what you can do to help. Come to every church gathering purposefully LOOKING for ways to serve others. If you see a piece of trash in the yard, pick it up and throw it away. If you see a visitor, greet them and see if they have any questions or needs. If you notice that someone is not present, give them a call and let them know that they were missed and see how you can pray for them. If someone is sick and can’t fill their role, be flexible and ready to jump in and help out.

Fifth, Encourage one Another. Let me repeat one of the previous points. Watch out for one another! One of my jobs as a pastor is to care for the souls of the church. In my absence will you help me with this task. I won’t be there to notice that someone is absent. I won’t be there to notice that someone is discouraged. I won’t be there to notice that someone is rejoicing. Will you be there? Will you care for one another? Will you take time to pray with a hurting brother or sister? Will you take time to send a text that includes encouraging scripture?

Sixth, Faithfully Gather with the Church. You cannot do or be any of the above things if you are selfish with your time and forsake assembling with one another. Make it point to prioritize Christ and His church over the next several weeks. Don’t schedule Kingdom things into your life, schedule your life around Kingdom things.

Seventh, Pray. Praying is one thing that I can do while I sit here and I am taking this challenge seriously and asking you to do the same. I want to specifically call on our men to lead in this. Every Sunday morning a few men gather to pray at 8am in the auditorium. Over the next several weeks what if we went from a few men to a dozen or more men gathered to pray each Sunday morning? Maybe you can’t make it on Sunday morning, what about grabbing a couple of others and praying with them after the Sunday service? Maybe you are aware that a family is struggling – marriage, finances, job situation, etc. – what grace it would be if you took time to pray for them. Prayer is our greatest weapon as we face the one who desires to destroy all that Christ holds dear.

Meadowview, I love you all. I love our church fellowship. I love to recount each week all that Christ is doing in and through His church. But we must remain vigilant, especially in this season. Remember what Satan might intend for evil, God always intends for our good and His glory. This season is not just a threat of danger ahead, it is a glorious opportunity for Christ to build His church. May God continue to show grace in your life, your family, and in the fellowship and ministry of Meadowview Baptist Church.

Blessing in Christ,
Pastor Josh


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