So we've entered a New Era, what Now?? 

In the wake of this time we are living in we need to know how to respond to the changes.  One of the keys to Living Abundantly is flexibility.  being able to respond with wisdom to the changes of life.  It is no secret that the Pandemic of 2020 has disrupted our way of life.  and the common declaration is "This is the New Norm."  But is it  really?  

While the world becomes increasingly comfortable and compliant with the supposed New Norm, the church grows increasingly uncomfortable with the sudden and very abrupt changes.  

Hebrews 10:19-25 feels like it was written for such a time as this, stating,   

"And now we are brothers and sisters in God’s family because of the blood of Jesus, and he welcomes us to come right into the most holy sanctuary in the heavenly realm—boldly and with no hesitation. ²⁰ For he has dedicated a new,^[i] life-giving way for us to approach God. For just as the veil was torn in two, Jesus’ body was torn open to give us free and fresh access to him!

²¹ And since we now have a magnificent King-Priest to welcome us into God’s house, ²² we come closer to God and approach him^[j] with an open heart, fully convinced by faith that nothing will keep us at a distance from him. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity and we have been freed from an accusing conscience and now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out!^[k]

²³ So now we must cling tightly to the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises!^[l] 24 Discover creative ways to encourage others^[m] and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. ²⁵ This is not the time to pull away and neglect^[n] meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning."  

World leaders have mandated that we stop gathering in large groups but the Body of Christ has not  stopped gathering.  In fact we have discovered great ways to Gather; we have become more creative in our Gatherings spaces, and also using online platforms and conference calls, drive-by gatherings and outdoor activities.  At our church we have rearranged the seating, making it feel more like a Restaurant then a Theater.  

Here we are being encouraged to Discover New ways, creative ways to encourage others, to motivate them towards acts of compassion and to not neglect gathering together.  In the face of adversity and persecution we are encouraged to come together and inevery way possible. Have you stayed connected?  I urge you Brothers and Sisters, if we can respond to the mandates of world leaders then we can obediently respond to Hebrews 10:19-25.  

Here are some ways to Respond to Hebrews 10:19-25

• Come Closer to God boldly and withour hesitation.
• Acknowledge that we are part of a family by the Blood of Jesus Christ and we are His Bride and Body.  Reflect on this and with gratitude,  connect with this truth. 
• Give thanks- not allowing an accusing spirit to tell you otherwise- that we are clean and acceptable in Christ because of the sprinkling of His blood.  
• Rejoice in the Lord because He is a Promise Keeper, stay Hope-filled. 
• Discover ways for Togetherness.
• Encourage eachother in Righteousness and acts of Kindness and compassion.  
• Plan with gracious Flexibility and Intentionality always awaiting with great expectation the Day of the Lord.  

Now go forth and share this Good News! That in Christ we are forgiven and set-free from the law of Sin and death! let the whole world know that Jesus is coming and the Father wants no one to perish but that everyone believes in and  comes to the knowledge of His Son Jesus.