Corona Devo 1334

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.  ~Ecclesiastes 8:15

In other words: Go to the pastry shop today.

~~~

Yes, we read the headlines and they are heavy. 

Yes, we shake our heads in disbelief as the people of this world make up their own truth and abandon God's Truth.

Yes, we see wrong being championed as right, and right being persecuted as wrong. 

Yes, we seem to be going to hell in a handbasket...and we shouldn't be surprised because the Bible tells us that this will be the case:

  • And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. (7) Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.  ~Matthew 24:6-7
  • And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. ~Matthew 24:11-12
  • There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. ~Luke 21:11
  • You should know this...that in the last days there will be very difficult times. (2) For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. (3) They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. (4) They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. (5) They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!  ~2 Timothy 3:1-5

Are we in the End Times?  Many pastors are saying so.

I'm not sure, but depending on our day/mood/and hope-level...these days can be depressing and overwhelming.

But I remembered/realized/experienced (afresh!) today that (regardless of the "times"), God never tells His people to shrivel up and die due to circumstances, culture, or even sin. 

My recommendation?  Go to the pastry shop today.


They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  ~Acts 2:42

Or in my case (today), to the breaking of doughnuts.  

Okay, so we didn't actually join in (spoken) prayer in the pastry shop, and nor did we even eat (break) doughnuts together (I got mine to go), but the spirit of God was in that sweets shop.

First of all, it's hard to be depressed in a bakery, and everyone that walked through those doors seemed buoyant.  (Doughnuts can do that for you.)

But beyond that, I found something far sweeter and more satisfying than a maple cream stick or Lady Lock in that bakery...I found Believers.  

Have you connected with a sister or brother-in-Christ lately?  

It's life-giving in a life-sucking world.

There's a tangible comfort between Believers.  There's an authentic smile that isn't fake or pasted-on.  There's an acceptance and love that only comes from knowing and loving Christ, and enjoying that (even in a pastry shop lobby) with others that know and love Him too.

  • So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!   ~Ecclesiastes 9:7 
  • But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  ~I John 1:7
  • Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. (4) Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, (5) for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now....  (7) So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God...in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. (8) God knows how much I love you...  ~Philippians 1:3-8
Yes, some might say that the world is worse than it's ever been, but if we can still pick out a dozen yummy doughnuts and if we can still encourage one another in Christ...do not give up--we're not too far gone yet.  


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com 

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