April 19, 2020
Easter Sunday itself has come and gone. What a special season it was reflecting on His love for us. Now what? Probably what the disciples were saying too after they watched Jesus die. In this season of change in the world, Resurrection season gave us a distraction from the world situation. It was easy to focus on Jesus’ last days on earth. Now what are we to focus on? We have at least a couple more weeks of shelter in place. There’s still uncertainty of when businesses will open and when churches will be able to assemble together. I believe this is still a set apart time to keep our hearts towards Him and strengthen our foundations. It’s a time to listen to His heart and prepare ourselves for what He has called us to do. It’s a season of healing in every area of our lives. At the beginning of the year the Lord told us we need 20/20 vision and to refocus our vision. Wow! I never expected it to be like this but my focus is being adjusted and made clearer for sure.
What I know is that He is still faithful to His Word. He hasn’t changed. He hasn’t changed His Word. He hasn’t gone back on any promises. He is still our Protector, Our Savior, our Peace, our Joy, our Hope, our Comforter, our Provider, our Source, our Shepherd, our Healer. He’s our EVERYTHING! This mess hasn’t changed Him but I’ve seen it change people. I’ve seen so many give into the lie of the enemy. It breaks my heart. We all may have had some times when the enemy deceived us and we leaned on our own understanding. But we must remember the source of this situation, the enemy! Sickness is from the devil. Death is from the devil. Fear is the number one way the enemy gets us. He lies to us and makes his lies look so understandable that we listen to him and then when confusion and fear get ahold of us we know it’s not God. It’s definitely been a time to see what is really in our hearts. Now the choice is ours to believe our Father 100%, half way or maybe just a bit. He lets us decide. When all around us changed, He hasn’t! “God will always be proven faithful and true to his word..” Romans 3:4
Before Resurrection Sunday I read in the Gospels about Jesus’ last days. So much of what happened that last week of His life had been prophesied many years before and it all came to pass as the Word said. Jesus had been on earth and with the people for 33 years and ministered to them and taught them for 3 years and they still didn’t believe when they saw Him after He rose from the dead. They doubted, they didn’t understand and there was confusion. Today many are as full of doubt and fear as many were then. Even when we believe in Him as our Savior some also believe the power of a virus. That doesn’t make the power of His Resurrection very powerful! Jesus died for us. He was beaten beyond recognition for us. He did this because of His love for us. Then He was buried and rose for us and so many people let the words they hear from the media and others take root in their hearts instead of believing His Word. His Truth is often not understood or believed. Sometimes we build our belief system on the reality of the world and what we see happening around us. Many times we work His word in where it works best with our natural understanding and that becomes our foundation. If the fruit of the Spirit isn’t present in our foundation, if there is strife, confusion, uncertainty and doubt then we can know our hearts aren’t totally trusting Him. “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead will lead you wherever you go.” Proverbs 3:4-5
What we are dealing with right now is much deeper than a virus. There is a virus. People have lost their lives but the fear that was instilled in people’s lives is even more deadly. I have no problem staying home for a season. That isn’t the real problem. It’s the power of the fear that has people not even being themselves. Fear is rampant. Stores are trying to keep with the guidelines and we get in crowded lines that put us right next to each other. In the stores there is a spirit of fear so strong you feel it coming. This trying to control the virus through controlling the people is bringing stress and tension to everyone. It’s so sad to see so many fearful people.
As Believers, as the church, we must rise above this! We can’t let this rule our hearts. Now more than ever before in our lives we have to keep our focus on the Lord. We have to be so close to Him that we hear His voice in every area we encounter on a daily basis. We must know His voice so that when He speaks we listen and hear. You need to pay attention to the “checks” you feel in your spirit when things don’t seem right, when you feel He’s telling you to go left not right. Don’t try to reason in your own understanding, just trust Him – acknowledge Him and trust Him as He directs your life, your path. We know the Lord is our victory. We know we have already won!
So what is next? Which way are we to go? I certainly don’t have all the answers as does anyone now. I know we can’t give up praying for our country, the leadership and that this virus stuff is dead in the Name of Jesus. We can’t give up on anything the Lord has given us a dream or vision to do. This situation was a shock to most of us, caught us off guard maybe, shifted the way we think in some areas but it’s nothing compared to what Jesus did for us. There has been so many opportunities to learn from these experiences, enjoy the quietness of being home and listen to our hearts. What’s next? Victory in Him! Living His promises! Opportunities to share the Gospel with a hurting world and to let the world see His peace in us!! It’s time to deepen our roots, awaken our hearts, plant seeds of love! We are to arise and let His glory shine in us! We have reason to shout His victory and proclaim His majesty! It’s definitely not the time to waver, doubt, give up or grow weary. It’s not the time to stop, sit down, lie down or fall down. It’s not a time for anger, judgment, condemnation or being prideful. It’s not the time to get selfish, self- seeking or in strife. There’s exciting days ahead and we are to run toward them shouting victory all the way! What a joy to live at this time and this season. We will see an outpouring of people wanting Jesus! It’s time arise. The end of the shelter in place is drawing near. This season of preparation is about over and the next season will be greater. Our Governor said that we were in a sprint and it is now time to run a marathon as guidelines are being changed a bit. That’s what is happening also with Believer’s but not like he is talking about. The last month was a sprint compared to what is ahead for us. The path ahead could be grand, amazing and maybe unbelievable but He will be right beside us as we go forth in strength and courage. It going to be exciting for all those ready to go forth with Him.
“Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” Romans 15:13 This is what’s ahead for any Believer ready to trust Him completely.
“Jesus said to him, “What do you mean ‘if’? If you are able to believe, all things are possible to the believer.” Mark 9:23
“But you, O Lord, your mercy-seat love is limitless, reaching higher than the highest heavens. Your great faithfulness is infinite, stretching over the whole earth.” Psalm 36:5
“So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change! And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakeable hope!” Hebrews 6:18
“For God’s Word is something to sing about! He is true to his promises, his word can be trusted, and everything he does is reliable and right.” Psalm 33:4
I’m excited!! Let’s go forth with Him leading us in the victory we already have!! Hallelujah! Amen!
Easter Sunday itself has come and gone. What a special season it was reflecting on His love for us. Now what? Probably what the disciples were saying too after they watched Jesus die. In this season of change in the world, Resurrection season gave us a distraction from the world situation. It was easy to focus on Jesus’ last days on earth. Now what are we to focus on? We have at least a couple more weeks of shelter in place. There’s still uncertainty of when businesses will open and when churches will be able to assemble together. I believe this is still a set apart time to keep our hearts towards Him and strengthen our foundations. It’s a time to listen to His heart and prepare ourselves for what He has called us to do. It’s a season of healing in every area of our lives. At the beginning of the year the Lord told us we need 20/20 vision and to refocus our vision. Wow! I never expected it to be like this but my focus is being adjusted and made clearer for sure.
What I know is that He is still faithful to His Word. He hasn’t changed. He hasn’t changed His Word. He hasn’t gone back on any promises. He is still our Protector, Our Savior, our Peace, our Joy, our Hope, our Comforter, our Provider, our Source, our Shepherd, our Healer. He’s our EVERYTHING! This mess hasn’t changed Him but I’ve seen it change people. I’ve seen so many give into the lie of the enemy. It breaks my heart. We all may have had some times when the enemy deceived us and we leaned on our own understanding. But we must remember the source of this situation, the enemy! Sickness is from the devil. Death is from the devil. Fear is the number one way the enemy gets us. He lies to us and makes his lies look so understandable that we listen to him and then when confusion and fear get ahold of us we know it’s not God. It’s definitely been a time to see what is really in our hearts. Now the choice is ours to believe our Father 100%, half way or maybe just a bit. He lets us decide. When all around us changed, He hasn’t! “God will always be proven faithful and true to his word..” Romans 3:4
Before Resurrection Sunday I read in the Gospels about Jesus’ last days. So much of what happened that last week of His life had been prophesied many years before and it all came to pass as the Word said. Jesus had been on earth and with the people for 33 years and ministered to them and taught them for 3 years and they still didn’t believe when they saw Him after He rose from the dead. They doubted, they didn’t understand and there was confusion. Today many are as full of doubt and fear as many were then. Even when we believe in Him as our Savior some also believe the power of a virus. That doesn’t make the power of His Resurrection very powerful! Jesus died for us. He was beaten beyond recognition for us. He did this because of His love for us. Then He was buried and rose for us and so many people let the words they hear from the media and others take root in their hearts instead of believing His Word. His Truth is often not understood or believed. Sometimes we build our belief system on the reality of the world and what we see happening around us. Many times we work His word in where it works best with our natural understanding and that becomes our foundation. If the fruit of the Spirit isn’t present in our foundation, if there is strife, confusion, uncertainty and doubt then we can know our hearts aren’t totally trusting Him. “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead will lead you wherever you go.” Proverbs 3:4-5
What we are dealing with right now is much deeper than a virus. There is a virus. People have lost their lives but the fear that was instilled in people’s lives is even more deadly. I have no problem staying home for a season. That isn’t the real problem. It’s the power of the fear that has people not even being themselves. Fear is rampant. Stores are trying to keep with the guidelines and we get in crowded lines that put us right next to each other. In the stores there is a spirit of fear so strong you feel it coming. This trying to control the virus through controlling the people is bringing stress and tension to everyone. It’s so sad to see so many fearful people.
As Believers, as the church, we must rise above this! We can’t let this rule our hearts. Now more than ever before in our lives we have to keep our focus on the Lord. We have to be so close to Him that we hear His voice in every area we encounter on a daily basis. We must know His voice so that when He speaks we listen and hear. You need to pay attention to the “checks” you feel in your spirit when things don’t seem right, when you feel He’s telling you to go left not right. Don’t try to reason in your own understanding, just trust Him – acknowledge Him and trust Him as He directs your life, your path. We know the Lord is our victory. We know we have already won!
So what is next? Which way are we to go? I certainly don’t have all the answers as does anyone now. I know we can’t give up praying for our country, the leadership and that this virus stuff is dead in the Name of Jesus. We can’t give up on anything the Lord has given us a dream or vision to do. This situation was a shock to most of us, caught us off guard maybe, shifted the way we think in some areas but it’s nothing compared to what Jesus did for us. There has been so many opportunities to learn from these experiences, enjoy the quietness of being home and listen to our hearts. What’s next? Victory in Him! Living His promises! Opportunities to share the Gospel with a hurting world and to let the world see His peace in us!! It’s time to deepen our roots, awaken our hearts, plant seeds of love! We are to arise and let His glory shine in us! We have reason to shout His victory and proclaim His majesty! It’s definitely not the time to waver, doubt, give up or grow weary. It’s not the time to stop, sit down, lie down or fall down. It’s not a time for anger, judgment, condemnation or being prideful. It’s not the time to get selfish, self- seeking or in strife. There’s exciting days ahead and we are to run toward them shouting victory all the way! What a joy to live at this time and this season. We will see an outpouring of people wanting Jesus! It’s time arise. The end of the shelter in place is drawing near. This season of preparation is about over and the next season will be greater. Our Governor said that we were in a sprint and it is now time to run a marathon as guidelines are being changed a bit. That’s what is happening also with Believer’s but not like he is talking about. The last month was a sprint compared to what is ahead for us. The path ahead could be grand, amazing and maybe unbelievable but He will be right beside us as we go forth in strength and courage. It going to be exciting for all those ready to go forth with Him.
“Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” Romans 15:13 This is what’s ahead for any Believer ready to trust Him completely.
“Jesus said to him, “What do you mean ‘if’? If you are able to believe, all things are possible to the believer.” Mark 9:23
“But you, O Lord, your mercy-seat love is limitless, reaching higher than the highest heavens. Your great faithfulness is infinite, stretching over the whole earth.” Psalm 36:5
“So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change! And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakeable hope!” Hebrews 6:18
“For God’s Word is something to sing about! He is true to his promises, his word can be trusted, and everything he does is reliable and right.” Psalm 33:4
I’m excited!! Let’s go forth with Him leading us in the victory we already have!! Hallelujah! Amen!
