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From Pastor Michael Ennis
3-25-2020
Let me ask all you who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ a question. Are you rejoicing in the present circumstances that have come to be because of the Covid-19 pandemic? We are told in James 1:2 (NKJV)2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. We are certainly facing “various trials” now.
So how should we face them? The way that we think, act, and talk should be a validation of our faith. James talks about this in James 2:17–18 (NKJV) 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. This is a time of “show me” faith. Christians should be responding differently to this pandemic; we should be responding in faith. We should be showing our faith. Faith is trusting God to do what He said that He would do. It is calm confidence in His promises, power, and infinite wisdom. This is important, not only for our testimony but also because faith is what pleases God. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Faith teaches us that God is in control, that He is trustworthy, that we have nothing to fear but displeasing Him. Faith teaches us that He is working for the good of His children always. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. The “all things” includes the present circumstances. Now what does all this have to do with rejoicing in this trial? God is at work or a greater purpose in our lives. James 1:2–4 (NKJV) 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. It is when we are tested that our faith grows.
Our faith does not grow in the easy times, it grows in the difficult times. Our faith is more important that our having an easy life. So, count it all joy. Demonstrate your faith, validate it by responding to it rejoicing, not in the trial, but in what the trial is producing in our life.
3-19-2020
Dear church family.
When I came to my office today I put away the book that I had just finished reading and took down the next one from my “to read” pile. The title of the book is “100 Days To A Healthier Church”. Although the book is speaking of the spiritual health of a church it made me think of our present situation. I wish I could read a book and apply it and all our physical sicknesses and diseases go away, especially covid-19. We know that it will not happen, in fact this is one of those things that is beyond our control. We hate that! We all like a managed life, we all like to be in control of ourselves and the things going on around us. But the Bible and life itself teaches us that there are many things that we cannot control. That is where our faith becomes critical to living day by day.
We cannot control a lot of things in life, but God can. He created this world and governs it in perfect, powerful, and purposeful ways. His word brought this world into existence and his word sustains it. (Hebrews ll:3, John 1:1-3). He is infinitely wise in His governing of this world. The most knowledge that we can come up with is ignorance compared to His wisdom. (1 Co. 1:18-21) His governing knowledge of his creation extends even to knowing when a sparrow falls to the ground, He even knows how many hairs that we have on our head. (Matthew 10:29, Luke 12:7). If you couple this with the knowledge that He loves with a perfect love it should motivate us to trust Him in times like these. He tells us not to worry or fret. (Matthew 6:25-34)
This is a time to trust Him. The government is not going to save us, our bank account is not going to save us, doctors and nurses, though often used by God, are not going to save us. This is a time to by faith turn to Him. If you do not have a relationship to Him start, there. Receive Jesus as the one and only Saviors of your soul, the one who reconciles you to God. (2 Co. 5:17-19) Then, because you are a child of His you can take you concerns to Him. Trusting His power, wisdom, provision, and love.
He is in control of all this working His own sovereign purpose in the world and in your life if you are a child of His.
In the love of Christ,
Pastor Mike and pastor Landon
3/18/2020
Good morning church family. (Sorry to the rest of you who are not part of our church family)
I want to share a few things this morning. First, this is an exciting time. It is one thing to talk about our trust in God it is another thing altogether to trust Him. We are in that “whole new world” thing that I have told you about for many years. It is not new, but the challenges are new to us here in America. We have had it so good and even now during this we are still very, very blessed.
I am excited to see what God is going to do for and through His people. We have been praying for years for revival, but it has seemed that people have grown more and more spiritually complacent. God has His ways of getting peoples attention. We see the pattern in the nation of Israel during the period of the judges. (Really, we have seen it throughout the history of man). Affluence breeds spiritual apathy. When Israel had it good, they ran after false gods. God would bring in other nations to oppress them and then they would remember the Lord and cry out to Him. In His grace He would send someone to deliver them. Guess what, the cycle started all over again after that judge died.
We are beginning to see a renewed interest in God and spiritual things. I hope this leads to the revival that we have been praying for. My fear is that after things get better, we will forget all about God again. Church attendance has been on the decline in America. Now we can’t go to church. I am already missing our church family and we have not even missed one service yet. We take so much for granted. God is teaching us now. Learn the lessons and remember them. Turn to God in repentance and faith.
We are setting up an emergency supply system here at the church. We all know that because of panic buying some things are getting hard to get.
Here is what we are asking you to do.
If you go to the store and they have some of the hard to get supplies, pick some up, even if you do not need it at the time. (2 Corinthians 8:14) Eggs, milk, toilet paper, wipes, hand sanitizer, soap, canned goods, etc. Drop them off at the church. Brenda will be here Monday-Thursday 8-4. If you cannot afford the extra let me know and I will reimburse you. We want to look out for each other particularly those who are at risk and should not be out and about.
A real area of concern is the expenses of the church. I really do not want to talk about this a lot, but we do need to address it. I anticipate a drop in giving simply because we are not gathering. Be aware that we have e-giving set up. You can give by going to our website, vbckokomo.com, hit the give button and follow the instructions. You can also down-load the Easy Tithe app on your smart phone, set up and account and follow the instructions. You can also text to give (call me for the number) or go to the Easy Tithe website and set up and account. It you do not have computer access you may mail you gift to Victory Baptist Church, 610 West Alto Road, Kokomo, In. 46902 or drop it off at the church.
Please be prudent but don’t panic. Look out for others during this time.
Pastor Mike and Landon
3-16-2020
Dear church family,
I mentioned in a previous notice that due to the actions of our county council group meetings are limited to 10 people. While I do not like this and am going to miss meeting together as a church family. I agree with the steps that are being taken to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus. We cannot stop it but perhaps we can slow it to the point that our health care system is not overwhelmed like is happening in other countries.
We do not want to come to the point where we must make choices as to who gets life-saying treatment. For those who may think that it is unfaithful to the Lord to close church (Hebrews 10:25) this situation if beyond our control. If you are in the hospital and unable to go to church, we would all agree that the Lord has grace for that situation. The Lord has grace for this also.
This is not a choice that we are making to lay out of church but rather a choice that is being made for us. A choice that is looking out for the good of our community. Our inability to gather as a church is not permanent nor has this decision been made by our governmental officials been made in malice. They are not doing this because they don’t like Christians or Christianity. It is for the good of our community.
We have active cases of the disease in our community. We must try to slow the spread of it. The leaders of our church are going to try to be here to the degree that we can. So here are some of the steps we are taking to try to get through this difficult time.
1. We will live stream Landon and my sermons during the normal Sunday morning times. You will also be able to access them later through our web site, vbckokomo.com.
2. On my face-book page I will post daily encouragement and information.
3. We are going to use our prayer chain as a needs and information source.
During this time, we may not be able to “go” to church, but we can “be” the church. If you need something send me a text or call. I will put it on the prayer chain and as we are out and about if we can pick it up, we will. Also check on each other, especially those who may not have the internet connection to use Facebook or our website. Check on your family first. (1 Timothy 3:3-4, 5:8). Then check of church family. (Galatians 6:10) And then our friends and neighbors. We are all in this together and by the grace of God we will get through it. The worst storms eventually blow over.
Pastor Mike
