Today, as a part of our 2021 Year of the Gospel emphasis, we begin a new ministry of giving out 5,000 gospel tracts before the end of the year. A gospel tract ministry is not hard to accomplish.  You do not need theological training to be successful. A tract ministry is like a farmer sowing seeds in the field. 
 
Remember the parable of the Sower and the Seed?

The farmer went out to his field and began to sow his seed. He threw the seed everywhere. Some fell on the roadside. Some fell in rocky places and still other seed fell in sunny places. Some fell where thorns and weeds choked it out. The point of the parable is that not every seed produces a harvest. Then at last some of the seeds fell in the good soil and produced a 30-fold, 60-fold and 100-fold harvest. That is the secret of the harvest. God produces when we are faithful to participate. God brings in when we go out.
 
Think about the possibilities. When we are faithful to distribute 5,000 tracts, what will happen if we trust God for the lowest return of 30 percent. Thirty percent of 5,000 is 1,500.
 
What will happen if 1,500 people actually read the tracts, we give them?
What about the possibilities if 10 percent of the 1,500 people read the tract twice?
 
That means that 150 people will at least go deeper and think more about Jesus and what it means to trust Him as their personal Savior. We could anticipate, according to the promise of the harvest, that planting the seeds of these gospel tracts might result in 150 people, which is an equal number of people attending our regular Sunday morning services prior to the pandemic thinking seriously about becoming a believer in Jesus Christ. By the 30 percent promise of the harvest, we could see 45 new believers born into the kingdom of God. Do not minimize the power of God’s promise of the harvest when we are faithful to sow the seeds of the gospel. The Psalmist said, “He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6)
 
There is a gospel tract in your bulletin this morning. I want to challenge you to take that one tract and give it to somebody this week. Don’t be choosy. Give it to a work associate, or a friend, or a family member, or a stranger you meet and the store or anywhere. Leave it on the table in the restaurant with your generous tip inside. Let’s pray about these tracts. Ask God to bless this one tract and give you the joy of doing something that will build up the kingdom of God. Let’s see what God does.
 
I will ask you next Sunday to report in and share with our church family how God used you to plant a seed. We can motivate each other to be more faithful in sharing our faith. We can test the Lord of the Harvest about the way He works to build up our church and His kingdom work. Let’s expect miracles to happen.
​

The apostle Paul wrote, “…speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, cause the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)
 
A healthy body is mutually dependent on the proper functioning of each individual part. Believers who belong to the Body of Christ, the church rely on each other to function appropriately so that the body may do its work and stay healthy. We are responsible for each other. Otherwise, the whole body suffers.
 
A woman was getting ready for church when her son said, "I'm not feeling well".
 
"You just don't want to go to church," said the woman. "Now get ready as quickly as possible."
 
Part way through the service, she noticed that he was groaning. "What's wrong?" she asked.
 
"I think I'm going to throw up," he replied.
 
"Well don't do it here. Go outside." The boy stood up and ran for the back door. He was back within a few seconds.
 
"So, you didn't throw up, after all?" said the woman.
 
He replied, "Oh yes, but I didn't have to go outside. When I got to the back, there was a box there with a label on it saying, 'For the Sick.'"
 
When one part of the body of Christ is sick, it can get messy. When some members are not feeling well about things, the whole body feels the impact. Our church family has suffered because of the problems and pain our nation is now suffering. People are hindered from doing what they normally do and want to do. Businesses are suffering. Schools are uncertain about what lies ahead. Everybody has a dread of getting COVID. Families are stressed by politics and divided agendas. I cannot remember a more uneasy time where feelings and fellowship have been under more constant pressure. Remember: the whole church suffers when the parts of our body suffer.
 
When I get sick at home, Robbie does everything she can to take care of me until I am feeling better. When I tested positive for COVID, she left my meals at the top of the stairs so I could eat regularly. She called me from upstairs on the phone to make sure I was taking my meds and was not getting worse. She put my clothes on the top step to keep me warm and comfy. With Robbie taking care of me from the upstairs, I was able to ward off the impact of severe sickness downstairs. Praise God for the therapy and care we get from upstairs.
 
Jesus knows our church is feeling the strain and discomfort of the present crises. He is with us, tending to our needs from His upstairs advantage. Jesus is the great physician. He made it His business to heal many diseases and cleanse many who were demon possessed. Jesus calmed the storms. He raised up the dead. Jesus knows exactly what we need and how to make our body well.
 
Our church family is safely and securely held in the hands of our caring and loving Savior. Let’s pray for each other. Let’s stay with each other during these difficult days. Let’s learn how to suffer together, pray together and get well together.
 

 
The biblical vision of our church during 2021 is “The Year of the Gospel.” The observance of the Lord’s Supper vividly captures the four points of the gospel message as presented by the apostle Paul, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures (Point 1), and that He was buried (Point 2), and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (Point 3), and that He appeared…(Point 4)” (1 Corinthians 5:3-5a). Nothing we do in the ministry as a church more clearly displays the truth of the gospel message that Jesus died for our sins than receiving and eating the broken bread and drinking the cup of Christ’s suffering. The bread shows the broken body of the Lord who suffering by way of the cross in our place. The cup represents the Lord’s shed blood that was poured out for the remission of our sins. By observing the Lord’s Supper we all become preachers of the gospel message.
 
There is an important point that Jesus conveyed to His disciples that we sometimes miss. After the first Lord’s Supper meal in the upper room when Jesus had finished serving the meal, He said, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). The apostle Paul added to what Jesus said, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). While the bread and cup proclaim the death of Jesus for our sins, the ongoing observance of the Last Supper demonstrates His continued appearance among those who believe in Him. Every time we eat the bread and drink the cup, Jesus appears one more time in our fellowship together. He shows up again through our shared faith. We feel His risen presence and see His sacrifice for us because we are faithful to His command. How is it possible to deny the truth of the gospel when His people time after time continue what He began for over 2,000 years. The gospel is not only something we preach. It is also something we participate in and continue to demonstrate through the Lord’s Supper.
 
The apostle Paul added a feature to the Lord’s Supper observance which calls for our attention.  He said, “But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  For he who eats and drinks judgement to himself if he does not judge the body rightly” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29). This applies to personal sin in our lives that should be confessed and forgiven before partaking in the Lord’s Supper. The Bible tells us to “…confess our sins and He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Observing the Lord’s Supper motivates us to once again ask for and receive personal renewal and recommitment to our daily walk with Jesus.
 
When Paul said these words to the church at Corinth, he was talking to a church that was out of fellowship because of factions and convicts between believers. He was admonishing the church family to drop their contentions and forgive one another before eating and drinking the elements of Christ’s sacrifice. Everything about the Lord’s Supper displays the sacrifice Jesus made to reconcile us all to God. We should do everything we can to be reconciled to one another, especially during the observance of the Lord’s Supper.

How is it possible for anyone to carry and grudge while eating the symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood?

As we observe the Lord’s Supper this morning, let’s strive for unity and fellowship being reconciled to God and to one another.

 
The Deacon Body expresses gratitude and thanksgiving for God’s continued blessings keeping our church family safe and free from serious physical complications related to the COVID 19 virus. We rejoice with you in our return of in-person worship and ministry this past Sunday morning. It was good to welcome 72 of our people back to renew fellowship and corporate ministry together. We were blessed to have 3 guests join us on site during the worship hour. We continue our praying for and trusting in God’s protecting presence to keep us safe and well during these days of continued resistance to the COVID 19 virus.
 
As you pray about how you will continue to serve the Lord these days, please allow the Deacon Body as spiritual leaders within our church family to encourage you to remain diligent in:
 

• Regularly Washing and Sanitizing your Hands
• Wearing your Mask
• Staying Separated by the Recommended Distance

 
We do not believe these sensible recommendations violate individual rights or freedoms. These are prescribed solutions that work and keep people well. These are no different than taking a prescribed medication for an illness or maintaining distance from others when you have a cold. This is not a matter of infringement, but simply a way to serve the health needs of others. The Bible says, “…with humility of mind regard one another as more important that yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:2-3). Let others know how much you love them by taking care to follow these simple but important principles.
 
We desire for everyone to feel at home when they worship and serve the Lord at Grace. If you feel hesitant to return to in-person worship, or uncomfortable following the recommendations given above, please continue to worship in fellowship with your church family through our online worship gathering. You can register your presence with us each week online by simply sending a text or making a comment. We would love to hear what you have to say and what God is saying to you through His word. This present difficulty caused by COVID is not ultimate. It will pass and we will be back to our regular routines and practices when it is safe and reasonable to do so. Until then, let’s keep our church family in unity, working together for the glory of God and the building of His kingdom at Grace.  

This morning my sermon on the gospel as God’s power is taken from Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is first and foremost a gospel of POWER.
 
What kind of power do we have in the gospel?
 
Paul says it is God’s power.  Imagine that. When we have the gospel, we have the power of God.
 
I spent some time this week attempting to learn more about the power of God. I will preach to you today the details of what I learned about the character and quality of God’s power, but I want you to have these scripture passages for you own study and reference. I have listed them below so you can put them in your Bible:

• Gospel Power Created the Universe and All that is – “God made the earth by His power, and He preserves it by His wisdom…”  (Jeremiah 10:12-13)
• Gospel Power Reveals Who God is – “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power, and divine nature. So, they are without excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20)
• Gospel Power Raised Jesus from the Dead – “…For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12).
• Gospel Power Gives Us Hope – “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
• Gospel Power Works Within the Believer – “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)
• Gospel Power Reigns Forever – “And they said, ‘WE give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.’” (Revelation 11:17)

 
When Paul says that the gospel is the power of God, we believe that God’s amazing power has come to work in all those who believe in Jesus. It works within Christ’s church. It is the power that causes unbelievers to be saved. It involves them in partnership with all that God is doing in the world today. God’s power is not like the world’s power, “He that is in you is greater than He that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). God’s power is the only power that can transform people into God’s children. The truth is, we possess the only real and lasting power there is because we belong to God. All other power lacks sufficient energy to meet the spiritual desires and most basic needs of life, liberty and right standing before God. Our nation and our world today are in desperate need of gospel power that comes directly from God.
 
When you know Jesus and claim Him as your personal Lord and Savior, you have a right to exercise God’s power through your practice and sharing of the gospel of Jesus. Let others see Jesus in you. That’s real power!

​As I watched the events of Wednesday unfold, I saw the Christian Flag limp and dragging the floor being carried into the Senate Chamber. Later on, I saw a flag with the name JESUS carried casually around outside the Capital Building. Sometime later, I saw a tee shirt worn by somebody with the emblem of a Bible worn over a chubby belly with the words "Holy Bible" on the front. Seeing those words and emblems in that context seemed out of place and somewhat strange. I have been thinking about these images since Wednesday.
 
A question comes to my mind every time I go back and reflect on what I saw. The question is,
 
"Would Jesus be a part of an insurrection?"
 
Every time I think about it, the same answer comes to mind, "Yes, He would."
 
Jesus participates in insurrection, because He has already participated in them, but not the way you might think.
 
Don't forget about the first coup attempt when the angel Lucifer decided he wanted to replace God in heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 12:9). Now, if you believe in the preexistence of Jesus (Colossians 1:17), and I do, Jesus had to be a part of God's take-down of the devil and the devil's removal from the portals of glory. Jesus participated in the clean-up after Satan along with his minions were thrown out. Jesus was the remedy, not the cause.
 
Then, as if the devil didn't learn his lesson, he tried it again when he tempted Eve to take a bite of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Satan led an insurrection in creation by attempting to overthrow what God had commanded Adam and Eve to do (Genesis 3).
 
Remember what God did?
 
He threw the serpent out of the Garden along with Adam and Eve. He placed an angel at the front gate with a flaming sword in his hand to guard His garden and the tree of life so nobody could ever again usurp His authority. Yes, Jesus was there and participated once again in casting Satan down and putting him in his place.
 
The New Testament is full of Jesus throwing Satan out of places and people. The devil always tries to take over. Jesus cast demons out of people 12 times during His ministry. He commanded them, once He foiled their takeover attempt, to keep quiet about it. He sent a bunch of them into a herd of pigs that committed suicide jumping over a cliff and into the sea (Matthew 8:28-32). Mary Magdalene had 7 demons that Jesus cast out making her whole again (Luke 8:2). Jesus did not participate in the take-over side of Satan's insurrections. Instead of insurrection, He made the restoration and clean-up side happen. He put back together what Satan tried to tear apart.
 
The most profound hostile takeover attempt of Satan was when the angry mob, believing and acting on the blatant lies of the Pharisees and Sanhedrin counsel saying Jesus was an imposter. The crowd screamed and clamored to Pilate in their hate filled rebellion, "Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!" Jesus let them have their way. He laid down his life as a ransom for many (1 Timothy 2:6).
 
They along with the devil thought their coup attempt was a success, but not so. Three days later Jesus rose from the grave once again cleaning up the overthrow that Satan had tried. The tomb is empty. Sin and death is no more and ole "Mister Nasty" is once again thrown down.
 
Yes, Jesus has a place during an insurrection. The Bible is welcome. The Christian Flag belongs wherever hostile takeovers take place. These are not a cause. They are the answer to insurrection. Jesus is a reconciler, a peacemaker, a redeemer who cleans up the mess, calms the waters and restores order. Jesus fixes the chaos and hatred and bloodshed that insurrection leaves behind.
 
One more point. The apostle Paul confessed that insurrection is a daily problem in his own soul. He does not do what he knows he should do, and then he turns around and does the very things he knows he should not do (Romans 7:18-20). Paul cries out, "O wretched man that I am!  Who will set me free from the body of this death?" Paul, needs help cleaning up the rebellion and insurrection in his own life. Listen to His victory confession, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Jesus wins! His life is saved! The rebellion is over and through Jesus his soul is no longer controlled by chaos.
 
Man! When it comes to insurrection, I want to be on the Jesus side of it. Satan, and chaos, and insurrection have no chance when Jesus is there.
 
Pastor Mike

​According to my count, we now have 14 of our worship leadership, including family members, who are under quarantine due to COVID infection. As a result, it has become necessary to make the hard decision to return to online worship beginning next Sunday, December 20th. This is especially disappointing due to our joy in coming together to celebrate the Christmas season. Since being diagnosed COVID positive this past Sunday morning, Robbie and I have been forced to approach this Christmas season in a completely different way.
 
For one thing, we are separated by 17 steps between the downstairs part of our home where I am, and the upstairs portion where Robbie is. I’m positive and Robbie is not, so we talk to each other these days by phone. Robbie prepares food and I pick it up at the top of the stairs. I must let her know when I need to come upstairs to take my medicine so she can put her mask on and step away from the area where I am going to be. The space where I am is certainly quieter, but it is also lonelier. I don’t like the feeling of separation especially at Christmas.
 
We have not been able to shop for our family yet. We cannot go out of the house and we cannot be together to do any shopping online. We like to Christmas shop for our grandchildren together. It may be that we can get our shopping done in a few days when I am COVID free, but it will be a last minute kind of thing where we will be rushed and robbed of the full enjoyment of it.
 
Prior to testing positive, God had given me every sermon topic that He was leading me to preach throughout the Christmas Season. I was able to preach the first sermon and have the second ready to preach, but missing two weeks puts me behind with the second sermon to preach online next week. I cannot wait to preach even though I’m behind in the schedule God gave me. Thank you, Bradley Elliot and Earl Pirkle, for your friendship and able leadership to preach for me. I give thanks for able preachers in our church and area who are eager to be called on when needed.
 
Thank you, Chuck Whitehead and Deacon Body for your prayers and leadership during this difficult time. Your support and continued ministry in contacting your families is essential. All of our deacons have been called to serve the Lord and His church. They all are committed to lead our church fellowship and keep us together in ministry and outreach. I am confident that during this return to online worship, our fellowship will continue to thrive through the leadership of our Deacon Body and your diligent devotion and loyalty to the Lord.
 
COVID has been more of an inconvenience than a crisis in our family. My symptoms have been mild and I give God praise for His healing hand of mercy. None of those among us who have tested positive have been critical so far. Praise the Lord! To give enough time to get everyone past the quarantine requirements and account for spread to other family members, we need to allow 6 weeks to pass. We plan at this time to worship online until Sunday morning, February 7th. God is already speaking to me about our coming back to in-person worship with an emphasis on reconciliation. He has led me to 2 Corinthians 5:20. We will call our first Sunday coming back together, “BE RECONCILED TO GOD SUNDAY.” Praise God for His ministry of reconciliation which brings us back together and binds our wounds with His amazing love and mercy.

Today our church family lights the Peace Candle in our continued celebration of the Advent Season. Remember how the angels glorified God by singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Peace comes to us through Jesus who gave His life to make us right with God. We have peace through Him because He is our “Peacemaker.” Get rid of any strife or enmity in your heart that hinders you from realizing the peace of the Lord. Put down revenge and hatefulness and pick up the mantle of God’s peace. Let your mind and your heart rest in Jesus. He will give you His peace. It surpasses all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).
 
The church will be called into Business Conference at the end of the worship service on Sunday, December 13th. The purpose of the conference is to present to the congregation the year-end financial statement for approval. The church will also vote to approve the 2021 Church Budget which will guide the work and ministries of our church for the first 6 months of the year. With the pandemic still upon us, the Stewardship and Finance Team determined to only budget the first half of the year and then make revisions for the second half based on the pandemic situation and financial outlook over the remaining 6 months. The church ministry calendar, events and ministry forecast continues to remain uncertain. We trust that the outlook and opportunities will be much improved by June of 2021.
 
The financial standing of our church has been strong thus far. Income has exceeded the 2020 budget projection. Our people have continued to be faithful. In fact, a substantial balance has accumulated in our general account due over the year. The Stewardship and Finance Team has been led to unanimously recommend that $45,000 be transferred from the general fund and applied to the mortgage debt on our property and facilities. By this transfer, the building debt will be reduced from $445,000 to a bit under $400,000 which will save the church $21,000 in interest over the loan’s three-year term. The church will be asked to approve this recommendation in the business conference on December 13th.
 
In addition, the Stewardship and Finance Team also asks that our congregation consider a special offering for the purpose of debt reduction through the end of the 2020. You may be in a position where God could lead you to give over and above your regular tithes and offerings a year-end gift to be added to the transfer amount from the general fund. Your special gift will be tax deductible. Every cent will be applied to the debt whether it is $1, $100, $1,000 or more. Please pray about what the Lord may lead you to contribute to this debt eliminating opportunity.
 
We serve a God of peace. He does not intend that His people live under the bondage of sin, fear, worry, or debt. As we light the “Peace” candle this morning, praise the Lord for the peace we enjoy in Jesus. While the world battles outside, we have the peace of Jesus abiding in our hearts. May His peace rule in your hearts this Christmas season.

​Have you noticed that people are putting their Christmas decorations up in their yards early this year?

​I’ve heard that people are tired because of the fear and separation created by the pandemic. The country is weary of political divisions. Many folks are having to manage now with less money and job insecurity. Maybe the reason Christmas decorations are being put up early is because we are ready for a change to a more peaceful and more kind time of year. Maybe people are ready to hear the angels sing, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14)
 
I am tired of meanness. This COVID pandemic is not kind. It is mean and deadly. People have learned how to be mean toward others who have a different opinions, or wear different colored skin, or speak a different language. Go ahead and admit it. It has become difficult these days for families to even sit down at the same table together to share a meal without someone getting upset by the conversation or some different point of view. Some wear masks and others do not. Some voted this way, and some voted another way. Meanness is not foreign even among people who are supposed to love each other. Meanness today is as rampant and deadly to friendship as COVID 19.
 
My friend, T. Richard Davis died this week. He was 96 years old. T. Richard, as we used to call him, was one of the kindest men I have ever known. He lived by the Biblical standard, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32) T. Richard’s kindness flowed out of his humility. Every time you talked to him you felt better after the conversation. He had a way of getting underneath you and lifting you up. He made you feel like your idea mattered and that what you had to say was worth his full attention. T. Richard Davis was without doubt a “Kind Soul.”
 
The Advent Season is a season of kindness. It expresses in four separate Sundays, beginning this Sunday and ending with our Christmas Eve service, the kindness of God express in:

• Hope – November 29
• Preparation – December 6
• Joy – December 13
• Love – December 20
• Jesus Christ – December 25

 
One thing is for certain. God showed His wonderful kindness toward us in sending Jesus to save us and teach us how to be kind to others, “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, buy the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:4-6)
 
That’s what I’m praying for this Advent Season. I’m praying for a rain shower of kindness that will lift us up out of the mess we are in. I need a good dose of God’s kindness right now. Let the kindness of Jesus flow out of heaven on Grace Baptist Church this Christmas.

​“TO GATHER OR NOT TO GATHER” that is the question my family is wrestling with during these days of social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing. It is a real heartache that children, grandchildren, friends and loved ones are having to question whether it is acceptable to come together to share grandma’s turkey and dressing and be thankful for God’s rich blessings during this season. Some within our family say, “Yea, let’s get together like always.”
 
Then others say, “I don’t think it is the wise thing to do.”
 
During a season of thankfulness, the family is further divided out of caution rather than disagreement. I don’t like it, but that is what we must contend with these days.
 
Can we be thankful during a pandemic?
 
I’m sure a quarter of a million people will have a hard time being thankful when they have lost a loved one to death because of this virus. I understand that at any one time 75,000 people are hospitalized nationwide as a result of COVID. Thanksgiving from a hospital bed or an ICU room will be almost impossible. How about all those doctors, nurses, first responders and essential healthcare workers who are bone tired and fearful for their own health. They may have a hard time finding thanksgiving in their hearts. Maybe I can be thankful for them. Listen to what God’s word says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
 
Does the “EVERYTHING” in this verse include a pandemic?
 
Absolutely! We can be thankful in spite of sickness, economic downturns or even isolation and fear that accompanies the present crisis.
 
Robbie and I have decided that we will have thanksgiving in our family no matter what the children decide to do. We are going to cook the turkey and make the dressing along with the wonderful side dishes Robbie prepares from family recipes that have been passed along to us over the years from our parents and grandparents. If need be, I will dish up the food, take it to the kids and leave it on their front doorstep. We can have a family “ZOOM” thanksgiving gathering to share with each other the blessings we have received from the Lord. I can read thanksgiving prayers and benedictions from God’s word online. I will compose a thanksgiving prayer and send it to the entire family. Let’s be thankful even though we may not be able to be together. Thanksgiving is a pathway for the peace of God to invade our lives.
 
We need a double portion of God’s peace, don’t we?
 
Let’s find ways to be more thankful this season than ever before. Let’s kill the pandemic with thankfulness. Maybe God may use thanksgiving like a 95% effective vaccine. A good shot of thankfulness may be what we all need right now.