A Breath Of Fresh Air

I have spoken with friends in ministry around the world during the past 6 months who are having, to deal with 2020 issues. We are all facing the same dilemma, which is, how do we keep the church ‘In Touch’, with the times and seasons and at the same time stay in touch with one another, locally and globally. The Church is in need of a breath of fresh air in a world that is becoming more and more stagnant and polluted in it’s thinking. For the Church to be a breath of fresh air to the cities and the nations, the Church must have a breath of fresh air. In major cities, the weather reporters will often give a report on the air quality index. Often it will be suggested that those with breathing issues stay inside, not to be exposed to dangerously high pollution or pollen counts.

What we have been facing globally is not just a virus that can be deadly for those having existing health issues. There is also the pollution and anti-Christ rhetoric that is like Big Brother leading you into a mindset where you no longer think for yourselves. It is alarming only to those who are living with eyes wide open and not eyes wide shut.

I began to think about those in the stories in the Bible where the cast of characters needed a breath of fresh air. Immediately, I thought about Joseph in a musty Egyptian prison cell, who later would say, “they meant it for evil but God turned it around for good”. He said, “ I have done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.” Joseph needed, a breath of fresh air and he was not the only one. Do you remember what happened to Jeremiah the prophet? Let me remind you he spent many days in the dungeon, only to be rescued by his friends. Here is what had happened;

Jeremiah 38:6 6 So they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of the king’s son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down [into the cistern] with ropes. Now there was no water in the cistern but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud. His dungeon was a dry cistern, where there was no water only mud. He literally, was going to have wade through it. Don’t you think he was desperate for a breath of fresh air? You should ask how really bad was it for Jeremiah? The Bible said there was no bread in the city and he was about to die.

Jeremiah 38:11-1311 So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went into the palace of the king to a place under the storeroom and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes and let them down by ropes into the cistern to Jeremiah. 12 Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your armpits, then place the ropes under the padding”; and Jeremiah did so. 13 So they pulled Jeremiah up with the ropes and took him up out of the cistern.

Jeremiah needed and got a breath of fresh air, but it was his friends that helped him out of that situation. Do you think that be- ing thrown into a fiery furnace would suggest that you might need a breath of fresh air? Think about Daniel in a dungeon with smelly old lions could this call for a breath of fresh air?
At the same time you have been a breath of fresh air to me in many ways. You were a breath of fresh air by braving the warnings and attending church with others who know the value of fellowship. You were a breath of fresh air to me by sharing your love with those who have passed away in these most unusual times. You are a breath of fresh air to me by your continued prayers and support of the vision of Heritage Fellowship and Heritage Academy. You have been a blessing to the church family through your continued financial support, as we could not do what we do without your sacred trust in what God has called us to be.

You are a breath of fresh air.

I believe in you,