When the Ice Storm Hits on Week Five
A devotional from Pastor John, broadcasting live from Cypress, Texas… apparently the Arctic Circle
Of All the Sundays, Lord?
A Devotional for Ice Storm Saints
Heritage Church family—of course it’s week five.
Not week one, when expectations are low.
Not week three, when people are still “checking things out.”
But week five of starting our new service—the week we said,
“Alright everybody, invite your friends. Let’s pack the room. Let’s worship together.”
And then…
Ice storm.
In Cypress, Texas???
Where the phrase “winter weather advisory” means:
✔ Panic
✔ Milk
✔ Bread
✔ HEB parking lot judgment because people are hoarding toilet paper again…(remember covid?)
So now I’m streaming church instead of shaking hands,
preaching to a camera instead of a crowd,
trusting the Holy Spirit and the Wi-Fi,
and praying y’all still give—
because the electric company does not accept
“Acts of God” as a payment plan.
Streaming is a blessing… but it is not the Church.
Streaming is helpful.
Streaming reaches people.
Streaming serves people.
But streaming cannot replace fellowship.
The church is not a stream, it’s you, it’s the fellowship!
Streaming church is like watching a fireplace on TV.
You can see the flames…
but you can’t feel the warmth.
You can broadcast sermons.
You can broadcast songs.
You can broadcast announcements.
But you cannot broadcast community.
You cannot broadcast prayer at the altar.
You cannot broadcast the awkward lobby conversations that somehow become life-changing.
God didn’t design a livestream.
He designed a body.
The Enemy Loves a Good Distraction
“The enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” — John 10:10
Satan doesn’t need new strategies.
He just needs good timing.
Right when momentum is building…
Right when faith is growing…
Right when we said, “Let’s go, church!”
Here comes the ice.
He whispers:
“It’s just one Sunday.”
“They’ll forget.”
“Momentum is gone.”
“Stay home and stay comfortable.”
Jesus says:
“I came so you could have life—abundantly.”
Abundant life is not canceled by weather.
And the fact that we’re streaming at all?
That’s not defeat.
That’s adaptability.
That’s the gospel with a data plan.
Jesus Went to Church on Purpose
Luke 2 tells us Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem every year for Passover.
Not when it was convenient.
Not when it was comfortable.
Not when the camel had heated seats.
Every. Year.
Luke 4:16 says:
“As was His custom, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.”
Meaning church wasn’t optional.
It was rhythm.
It was habit.
It was priority.
If the Son of God grew up in church…some of us can survive a few Sundays there too.
Do Not Despise Small Beginnings
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” — Zechariah 4:10
We look at empty chairs and say,
“Where is everybody?”
God looks at faithful hearts and says,
“Look who still showed up. Look who’s streaming and sharing the stream…”
And here’s the wild part:
This could be the Sunday
someone clicks a link,
watches for five minutes,
and meets Jesus
because YOU shared the stream.
This could be the Sunday salvation shows up in someone’s living room.
You wanted outreach?
Congratulations.
The storm made you a missionary.
This Could Be Our Biggest Giving Sunday
Yes. I said it.
Because today we are hyper-focused
on what actually matters:
Not the weather.
Not the inconvenience.
Not the empty building.
But the future.
Giving today says:
“We still believe.”
“We’re still building.”
“We’re still investing.”
“We’re still trusting God.”
Storms don’t cancel vision. They just test commitment.
Pastor John vs. The Camera
Let us acknowledge today’s true spiritual warfare:
A man who loves people
preaching to:
✔ A camera
✔ A microphone
✔ And a blinking red light that says,
“Trust Me.”
He can’t say:
“Turn to your neighbor.”
So now he says:
“Turn to your couch… and think about your life.”
No amens.
No head nods.
Just silence.
And his frustration is holy.
Because it means he cares.
It means he longs to gather.
It means he understands God’s design:
Not a broadcast…but a body.
Not a stream…but a family.
Don’t let inconvenience become isolation.
Lean in instead of logging out.Share the stream.
This might be someone’s Jesus moment.Give like builders, not like victims.
Storms don’t cancel purpose.Remember:
Church is not a place you attend.
It’s a people who gather.
CLOSING WORD
So of all the Sundays, Lord…
You picked this one.
Not because You’re cruel.
But because You’re clever.
Not because You’re stopping the church.
But because You’re stretching it.
And while there is ice outside…
there is still fire inside.
Because:
“The enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy,
but Jesus came so we could have life…and have it abundantly.”
Even on ice storm Sunday.
Even on livestream Sunday.
Even on “Pastor John and the Camera” Sunday.
Amen.
The Best Is Yet to Come,
Rev. John Roberts
Amen—I. will be watching! I remember the covid times. I pray for growth at Heritage!!