Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through what you read, reminding you of his promises, revealing more of who he is and what he asks of you.

It is now more than five weeks since the restrictions on movement, gatherings and trading came into force and at this afternoon’s daily Stormont press conference both the DUP’s Edwin Poots and Sinn Fein’s Deirdre Hargey emphasised that there will be no imminent move towards lifting most of those restrictions.
However, Mr Poots suggested the possibility of easing the rules in certain areas such as church gatherings where people can be kept apart or on solitary activities such as angling.
He stressed that such changes would only be made in line with medical and scientific advice, but said that ministers were aware of the negative impact of the current rules on the mental health of the population.

Mr Poots said that he attends a church which has 700 seats and added: ”If we can facilitate social distancing, can we do it? That’s a reasonable question to ask.
“If you have a church where you can’t facilitate social distancing but people want to come together, can you do it in drive-in churches, for example, so that people don’t get out of their cars and they listen to the service through the radio but they still gather?
“Those are all questions that we as an Executive have to look at.”

He said there was a need for “harsh restrictions” at the outset bu that “I believe that we can keep people with us by having a graduated response to it...giving people a little more latitude to engage in some of the activities that they prefer to engage in.”

Is your mind closed to the possibilities of what God is doing? You have read the promises in his Word, you have heard the first-hand accounts from others of what he has done.

​Take time to ask yourself, am I really allowing Jesus to be Lord, or do I live with an image of him as little more than an upgraded version of myself? 

Think of a time when you have been aware of God’s presence, him answering your prayers, even the silent prayer of your heart. How have you been encouraged by this? Have you told others to encourage them? As we go through present difficult circumstances, take time this week to encourage someone by telling them what God is doing in your life.

I wonder is the Lord opening our eyes to the work he is doing in us, and in our communities? Is it time to reflect and rest in the Lord? To be followers who walk with Jesus not just doing things for him.

All of us, ... are called to carry the cross. We are each called to a daily dying to ourselves and a living for the Lord. So, as we face heightened uncertainties of life at present, whatever number of days or years we have left on this earth, let us commit to following him with self-denial and humble zeal.

"May God keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other "
​Genesis ch 31 v 49.

He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalms 121:4 (NIV)

"Could you not keep watch for one hour?"
​Matthew 26 v40

How Are You Coping With Lockdown? A couple of weeks ago I offered help to anyone who was struggling with lockdown. I received this photo with the message, “Can you get me out of here ?” Wilma - I did warn you, that I couldn’t resist the temptation to share it with everyone.

The standout lesson is that without the Lord we can do nothing, but with the Lord, amazing things can happen. And more will be said about that tomorrow. But notice also that for Peter and the disciples there would be no satisfaction in their old calling. There is no going back. There is a plan and a purpose for each of us in Christ, for today and the days that lie ahead, whatever those days may bring.