Be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. – Philippians 3:9
California Governor Gavin Newsom banned people from gathering to worship or have Bible Study in homes or church buildings beginning in March. Yet he encouraged thousands of protestors to gather in the streets. However, many of the churches began to meet in-person again on May 31, the anniversary of Pentecost.
As a result, a state judge in California issued a temporary restraining order to Pastor Rob McCoy of Godspeak Calvary Chapel prohibiting the church, including 1,000 attendees, from meeting under Governor Newsom’s unconstitutional COVID-19 orders. That means anyone who comes to church could be held in contempt of court. Yet the Sunday after that order was issued, people came from across the nation to stand outside during the service to voluntarily receive the citations so others could worship inside.
During his message, Pastor McCoy said, “And the powers that were given this nation were the first three words of the preamble of that Constitution [which] are, ‘We the People.’ And you have freedom to worship your God. It’s between you and Him and you’re accountable to God. And no man is allowed to take that. And if you allow someone else to usurp that authority, and dictate how you can and cannot worship God, you are now enslaved to another human being.”
In 1892, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that “No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people. This is a Christian nation.” So as you pray for His righteousness to prevail in America, pray that the church would rise up and be the light of the nation that dispels the darkness.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 3:9
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Philippians 3:12-21
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
