Dear Pastors and Praying Friends,             May 20, 2020

What an amazing time to be alive! Covid 19 is upon us. The media has been feeding us surreal stories of governments shutting borders, food and tissue paper shortages and unbelievable counts of infected people.  We have also seen images of people wearing masks, empty city streets and exhausted medical workers.  Federal and State offices are closed. Multi-billion dollar businesses around the world are shutting their doors and sending people home. Finally, churches have been advised, and in some cases, mandated to shut their doors. All of these events sound like something out of a dramatic movie.

In spite of all the craziness around us, our church and family are doing well.  In Arkansas we have seen minimal affects of the virus.  My employer has not sent anyone home as my job, a grocery store employee, makes me an essential worker.  Our children are homeschooled, so the only change in their schedule has been no weekly library trips because the library is closed. 

Our Governor has only issued recommendations to churches, not mandates. We have not had to cancel any morning services, but many other churches around us have chosen to close their doors and hold services online or in their parking lots.  A few families of like faith have joined our Sunday morning services until their churches resume their services.  

The other day I was preparing for our midweek Bible study. We are currently studying the book of First Peter.  As Peter opened the letter I was amazed at how fitting his introduction is to the times that we are living in now.  He writes, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout…”  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.” 1 Peter 1:1a, 5, 6.  This passage makes reference to the church being scattered due to persecution. Today many believers are without a church due to concerns of infection and government direction.  For the first time, as I read this passage, I can empathize a little more the uncertainty and stress the early scattered believers must have experienced back then because of our uncertain times now.  Peter took on the role of an encourager.  Our people need to be encouraged during these uncertain times, but not in the politically correct way of, “be safe” or “we can do it .” But rather exercise wisdom in our daily encounters. We should also remember the sure salvation that we have and the sovereignty and faithfulness of the God we serve. 

• Please pray that our church would seek God for comfort and growth.  
• My wife is expecting a baby girl in September.  Please join us in prayer for a safe pregnancy and delivery.  

Pastor Raymond Beckles

Lighthouse Baptist Church