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Good day blessed brothers and sisters of CICC:
I just want to touch base with you all, first to check on how you are doing in this era of self-quarantining and social distancing, and to encourage you and let you know it shall be well. I trust you are doing well by the grace of God.
We continue to receive daily news of growing cases of infection here in the United States, and in our State, Ohio. I urge you all to follow, as much as humanly possible, all the national, state and local directives pertaining to how we can keep ourselves safe. We are children of the most high God and we trust that His plans for us shall always materialize. Despite our deep faith in God, we should always make sure we follow safety directives from our governing authorities. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” – Romans 13:1. Thus, it is in our own interest, and in compliance with Biblical injunctions that we follow what our authorities are saying about this Pandemic.
To this end, we as a Church will continue to follow the guidelines as we receive them. Our service will continue to be streamed online. We are reviewing last Sunday’s service and wherever we see things that can be better done in a safe manner, we will not hesitate to take actions in that direction. If anyone has any concern, please let us hear about them.
Now that we do not meet on Sundays, it is now more important than ever that we get in touch with each other on the phone. Our God is a God of relationship. God said, “it is not good for man to be alone”. Being alone can result in some adverse effects on our Spirit and on our health. So, I urge that we all remain connected with God, and with each other. Call members of the Church to check on them. In the past our meeting on Sundays is what many folks need to get their social dose for the week. But now we talk of social distancing, so I urge you take affirmative steps to check on your brothers and check on your sisters in the Lord. We cannot check on everyone, but we can all make a difference. It is about “one person making a difference”. This is one time we really need to put our lessons on the fruit of the Spirit into action. May the Lord empower us with the grace to do His will.
Finally, I want to ask that we stay prayerful. There is palpable fear in the community. Let us follow guidelines but let us fear not, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” 2 Timothy 1:7. When things come up that can make us afraid, like all those news about death, and I have even heard folks talk about the apocalypse, fear not for the word of God says we are already redeemed. Ours is to continue fighting the good fight of faith for His word says “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” Isaiah 43:2. Psalm 91:9-10 also states, “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.” So, brethren, remain faithful, fight that good fight of faith, be fervent in prayer, trust in the redemptive power of God, and His grace will be sufficient for us.
Stay safe and stay blessed in Jesus name.
Bro. Simbo
