January 16~SPIRITUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING: DO YOU FOLLOW GOD’S GUIDELINES? 

Ephesians 4:17  “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,”

God’s guidelines for safe spiritual social distancing are called commandments. The commandments of God are not suggestions, options, or recommendations and are not open to discussion. To maintain a healthy spiritual life, the born again believer must practice consistent prayer, Bible reading, fasting, and regular church attendance, being careful not to walk (live) as the Gentiles (heathens, un-regenerated sinners). Obedience to the commandments of God will keep one from testing positive for that deadly disease called sin.  Following God’s guidelines will protect us.

Angela Barnes

The word of God admonishes us to present ourselves to the Lord sacrificially for His service and His will. In 2 Cor. 6:17, it also calls for us to be separate and to not touch the unclean thing.  So all that is around or in us that is not like God has to leave so that what we bring to Him WILL be what He desires.  It should be our prayer to always give the Lord our best at all times, and for every sacrifice we give to be pleasing and acceptable in His sight and by His standard. 

Jalisha Gordon

January 14~SPIRITUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING:  SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS WITH GOD

Ephesians 4:25  “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”

In this day and time that we are living in, all we hear is social distancing.  This is the time we need to have a spiritual closeness with God. Worldly, ungodly attributes should not be a part of our daily living. Sometimes I find myself all caught up in the worldly troubles and what’s going, but I have to remember that God has all of this in His hands.  Saints, our spiritual closeness in God helps us to know that He is in charge and has it ALLLLLL in His hands. 

Loventrice Guyton

January 13~SPIRITUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING:  A CALL TO ACTION 

Acts 2:38  “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Social distancing is more than a call, it is an “action” that is required of us during this pandemic.  The word “REPENT” is found in Acts 2:38.  Just like wearing a face mask is for our safety, repenting is something that believers should embrace daily for the safety of our souls. The vaccine for salvation is being baptized in The Name of Jesus for the remission of our sins and being filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. So let us continue to dress ourselves daily with a heart of repentance! This is our daily call to action! 

Mia Thomas

January 12~SPIRITUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING: NEW BIRTH POWER vs NATURAL MAN’S FORM

2 Timothy 3:5  “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Many materials, in their liquid state, can be placed into a mold to take on a certain form, but heat will determine if it maintains its shape. Steel and butter can both take on a form, but heat (the trials of life) will determine of what substance (character) the material is.  This is also true of individuals who profess Christ but who do not actually possess the power of the Holy Ghost in their life.  It is not the form, but the power that makes the difference that allows one to stand in Jesus’ divine power or to fail in their mortal strength. The new birth experience makes a separation (social distance) to transform us from darkness (old man) into His marvelous light (new man).

Anthony Barnes

January 11~SPIRITUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING: DISTANCED, BUT CONNECTED 

Acts 2:38  “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Although we are social distancing with masks, gloves, hand sanitizing, etc, we can be spiritually connected to God through prayer, fasting and the Word.  Praying without ceasing and fasting can set the captive free!  The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword and causes change whether bringing us to repentance, giving our lives to Him, or recommitting.  Even in this socially distanced world today, using these spiritual tools can keep us connected. 

Cora Alexander

We all deserve to die as payment for the sins we have committed.  We don’t deserve grace and mercy no matter how good we think we are because we are not good enough.  Nevertheless, God is so wonderful. He has given us the gift of eternal life that comes through Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.  We are buried with Him in baptism and empowered by his Holy Spirit to follow Him for the rest of our eternal lives.  

Adria Dunn

January 9~SPIRITUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING: SPIRITUALLY DISCONNECTED 

Isaiah 59:2  “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

The iniquities and sins of this world have caused a spiritual separation between man and God.  Just as we have to practice social distancing due to the pandemic, God also distances Himself from us when we sin.  Just as this virus has changed the way we live and interact with society, sin changes how God interacts with us.  I encourage you and myself not to let anything separate us from God; continue in the faith, follow, and trust God in all situations, obey His voice, and keep this flesh under the submission of the Holy Ghost.  Let’s not sin against God because it can be detrimental to our spiritual connection with Him.

Debra Drakes

January 8~SPIRITUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING: BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY

2 Peter 3:11  “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,”

The phrase social distancing has become a part of our everyday vernacular but even long ago in Jewish custom an individual was given four cubits (six feet) of personal space to pray with intention.  In the scripture 2 Peter 3:11, the question is asked what manner of person are we to be with all that is going on around us?  The answer is found in verse 14 which says to “be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”  Saints of the Most High, God said, “Be ye Holy for I AM Holy!” Saints, let us be found being diligent in prayer and fasting, reading and adhering to God’s Word, keeping our lives and conversations holy so that we may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Natosha Harris

January 7~SPIRITUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING:  SPREADING THE GOSPEL THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

I Timothy 4:12  “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Paul told Timothy that his young age shouldn’t matter when it comes to proclaiming the gospel and serving in the Church.  Many young people have had powerful spiritual experiences.  How can we show our dedication to the gospel at this time of the pandemic?  Be a good witness and an example to the believers and to the world!  Even though we are social distancing, we can witness through social media and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Tanya Covington