Good morning brothers and sisters. Welcome to our virtual service. We thank God that even though we’re not able to congregate in one place because of the Coronavirus pandemic, we can still meet on our social media platform.

God is the only One who can bring beauty out of ashes; what the enemy meant for evil, God can turn it around for good (Genesis 50:20; Isaiah 61:3). Now people are trying to make the most out of the lockdown. I understand that some wives are secretly thanking God for this lockdown because they now have their husbands at home. I also hear that some children are quietly praising God for the lockdown. Now they can see their parents during daylight!

We may be on lockdown, but the Word of God is not on lockdown so we’ll share it (2 Timothy 2:9); we may be on lockdown, but our worship and prayer life is not on lockdown so we’ll continue to pray and praise the Lord anyhow (Acts 16:23-25). Nobody, nothing should block our access to God!

The present situation is revealing to us what really matters in life. When the chips are down, when everything is gone, what do we have left? It’s now obvious to all – we have God and family, other things only follow. That’s why we must hold God and family dearly, that’s why we must use this period to reinforce those relationships.

BE STRONG IN THE LORD.
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].” (Ephesians 6:10). It should be clear to everyone that our most vital relationship is that with God. We must not allow the lockdown to affect it. I had said previously that social distancing should not be extended to spiritual distancing from God! Rather, we should use this time to seek to know Him more and be intimate with Him.

If there was ever a time to be strong in the Lord, it is now. Let’s use this time to engage in spiritual exercise such as reading and meditating on the Word of God; spending time in prayer and worship both at individual and family levels . It is not only when we gather in church that we should do these things. As much as corporate worship is essential, the real proof of your spiritual maturity is how you are able to practice these spiritual disciplines on your own.

Our relationship with God is our most vital connection. Life itself depends on it. We must each discover God as our life, support and mainstay in this season. There’s no better time for this knowledge to flourish than in this time of hibernation.

It is from Him we receive the inner strength to withstand whatever life may throw at us. As the world around us frets and expects the worst to happen as a result of the Covid-19, we can be calm and rest assured that our God rules over the raging of the seas. He is able to still the storms (Psalm 89:9; Mark 4:39). Most importantly, He is able to keep us safe from being afflicted with this dangerous disease.

A WORD OF REASSURANCE
I sense that the Lord would have me say to those who are counting the losses of this lockdown period that you will recover all. “And if you say, What shall we eat in the seventh year if we are not to sow or gather in our increase? Then [this is My answer:] I will command My [special] blessings on you in the sixth year, so that it shall bring forth [sufficient] fruit for three years. And you shall sow in the eighth year, but eat of the old store of produce; until the crops of the ninth year come in you shall eat of the old supply.“. (Leviticus 25:20-22 AMP). I believe that by the time the year will end, you will look back and realize that God had made up for the lost time and income. He will command such unusual blessing and favour upon your business and the work of your hands which would more than compensate for the seeming loss.

Please continue to stay safe and obey all health regulations for this period. God bless and keep you.