COVID-19 How to live in uncertain times
(63 - Like coals in a fire) 

Legend has it that a man visited Spurgeon to make his excuses for why he had not been to church meetings for a while. Apparently, the great preacher lent forward and took the tongs by the fireplace. Without a word he took one of the burning coals from the fire and placed it on the hearth. The coal which had glowed brightly in the fire among the other coals started to dim, being soon replaced by a grey ash colour. Spurgeon sat back in his chair and invited the man to see that time away from fellowship had the same effect on spiritual life.

One of the distressing things at the moment is that we cannot share proper fellowship together. Of course, God will not be thwarted by that, but we must not make it a habit.

The Lord's Supper teaches us that true fellowship is about sharing the same physical space, as we do when we share a meal. While we are in a time of social distancing we need to work even harder, to keep the flames of spiritual life burning. We need to invite the Spirit to blow on us, and with serious Bible reading and prayer— every means of grace we can find— try to keep the coal burning. And then when all this is over, let's resolve to be back in church fellowship.

Sunday sports have injured the church massively in this country, along with other hobbies. We need to not let Sunday sports or other distractions keep us from getting this vital thing that we now truly appreciate. One thing we must surely be taught in COVID times, is that we cannot take being able to meet together for granted as so many of us have done (myself included). We must repent and resolve to live differently. It is vital because:

1 John 4:7 'let us love one another'
John 17:20 'my prayer is...that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you...'
Ephesians 5:15 'Be very careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.'
1 Thessalonians 5:11: 'encourage one another and build each other up.'
Hebrews 10:24 'And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another...'

We don't just attend for ourselves but to encourage others also. When we are able to gather again, keep together and fan the flame.