April 4, 2020
Right now there are so many unknowns. We don’t know – no one knows – exactly what is ahead with this situation we are facing now. There are many opinions, theories, thoughts, charts, prophecies, predictions and if we listen to it all we will definitely be confused. We each have our own thoughts on what is happening around the globe and there are opportunities to have some great division among us because of it and that isn’t what we are to do. But whatever you believe it still has a lot of unknowns. As I was thinking about this and praying the Lord brought to my heart the account of Jesus on this week before His resurrection.
Jesus did know what His days would be. He told His disciples what was about to happen and they didn’t understand. It was a mystery to them. They couldn’t grasp in their hearts what Jesus was telling them or envision it. Jesus knew the path He had to walk. He knew the triumphal entry was the beginning of the end of His life on earth but He was triumphant as He rode the colt donkey through the city. He knew the end outcome which was VICTORY! We do know the end result of this situation right now. As Believers we already have the victory. As His children He has already walked the ultimate path for His children to give them everything in Him. ALL – all we are to do is keep our focus on Him, what He did for us at the cross and all His promises of His infallible Word. Things around us in the world right now are very shaky ground. But we are not of the world – just in it – and we don’t ever have to feel the ground shaking because we have a firm foundation in Him.
The other day I was reading the declaration we chose for 2020 as a church. It is Psalms 96:2-3
“Don’t stop! Keep on singing! Make his name famous! Tell everyone every day how wonderful he is. Give them the good news of our great Savior. Take the message of his glory and miracles to every nation. Tell them about all the amazing things he has done.” What an awesome truth to declare in this time. When He gave this to us in the beginning of the year He knew what was ahead and how powerful this verse would be. He’s saying don’t stop declaring Him and His glory! In these uncertain times people are wondering if this is from God or not. Give them the good news of our great Savior. We will tell of His miracles and the amazing things He is doing right now in the midst of world chaos. Keep going. It could be easy to get impatient right now and we don’t like the unknowns. We are impatient for answers. We aren’t content without knowing. But we do know! We know how wonderful He is and how much He loves us and is with us in all we are going through. We do know He never leaves us or forsakes us.
We don’t know exactly what the days ahead will hold during this uncertain times. We do know they are changing daily. The enemy is working overtime instilling fear into the hearts of people. Fear is far worse than the virus! Fear in our hearts keeps us from hearing Him clearly and in the natural lowers our immune system. It is said that a huge percentage of our diseases and sickness is caused from the lower immune system that stress and fear bring. If we don’t pay close attention to all the negatives we are letting in our bodies we will be fighting off other physical ailments. Just a thought to ponder.
When Jesus was on earth He came as a man so we could identify with Him. He walked a perfect life, became our perfect sacrifice but was tempted in every way. He knew what was ahead and ask His Father to remove it from Him if possible. “Jesus left the upper room with his disciples and, as was his habit, went to the Mount of Olives, his place of secret prayer. There he told the apostles, “Keep praying for strength to be spared from the severe test of your faith that is about to come.” Then he withdrew from them a short distance to be alone. Kneeling down, he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup of agony away from me. But no matter what, your will must be mine.” Jesus called for an angel of glory to strengthen him, and the angel appeared. He prayed even more passionately, like one being sacrificed, until he was in such intense agony of spirit that his sweat became drops of blood, dripping onto the ground.” Luke 22:39-44
Jesus knew what was ahead, it was not an unknown. The only way He could get through this time was to keep His eyes on His Father. In John 15 and 17 Jesus is talking to His Father. His strength was not in Himself but through His relationship with His Father.
What is ahead for us? More days of shut down? More days/weeks of closed businesses? More days and weeks going by without being able to gather together as a church? The uncertainties are hard and discouraging. But Jesus came as an example for us. What He did for us the 3 days of His life is like nothing we will ever face. And it wasn’t an unknown! He went ahead willing to die for us – the whole world. The disciples were right there with Him and still didn’t get it and He had told them. He gave us everything we need to get through any situation in our life and have we listened or believed? This is a powerful time to remember all Jesus did for us at the cross and the gift our heavenly Father gave.
“Their circumstances will never shake them and others will never forget their example. They will not live in fear or dread of what may come, for their hearts are firm, ever secure in their faith. Steady and strong, they will not be afraid, but will calmly face their every foe until they all go down in defeat.” Psalm 112:6-8.
Another translation says: They will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foe”!!
What I share with you today is what the Lord has given me. I have had plenty of days, especially in the beginning, of shock and unbelief at how quickly all these shut downs have happened and I kept wondering what is the truth in this situation. Probably will never know the whole truth because there is so much deception and politics involved in the middle of this that the people themselves don’t even know the real truth. I’m like many of you and thinking there’s something wrong with this whole thing. I’ve had numerous days of knowing that something isn’t right and I just pray. We have many unknowns but I will be interceding and praying continuously because He knows. The Lord told me I had to get my focus off the “what if’s” and get it on Him. He told me to focus on what I do know as certain and Truth. That’s all I can do and that’s enough for me. My focus is to stay in peace and rest in Him during this time so I can help others and be an example of the love of Jesus. When He tells me to pray about certain political things, I pray. When He tells me to share Him with someone, I share. I have very strong beliefs about things that are happening but I guarantee you every one of our opinions, thoughts, conspiracy theories, political stands, charts, reports and whatever else we are fixing our thoughts on has a flaw – a hole in it. The ONLY certain Truth we have now or ever will have is Jesus and the Word of God. Jesus gave His life for us so that we can know what to do in situations. He told us how to handle stress, attacks, sickness, fear, despair, discouragement, poverty, lack. God gave us the answer to EVERY situation we would ever face in the Word and we can have certainty in HIM!! We have everything in HIM!!
We are going to continue to wonder what is next and that is fine but we can’t let it get us down. If we ask Him what is ahead He will give you some thoughts, directions, ideas to go forth with. One thing I believe – is that we don’t have to wait for this to be over to get going because it may not ever be the same as it was. He says don’t waste this time. Listen and prepare now! As we rest in Him He will give us visions of what is next in our ministries. We need to arise from the discouragement, disillusions and shock of the last few weeks. Share Jesus with those you encounter and be prepared to assemble together soon! What a joyous day that will be!! Celebrate His love and resurrection this week. Happy Resurrection day!!
Right now there are so many unknowns. We don’t know – no one knows – exactly what is ahead with this situation we are facing now. There are many opinions, theories, thoughts, charts, prophecies, predictions and if we listen to it all we will definitely be confused. We each have our own thoughts on what is happening around the globe and there are opportunities to have some great division among us because of it and that isn’t what we are to do. But whatever you believe it still has a lot of unknowns. As I was thinking about this and praying the Lord brought to my heart the account of Jesus on this week before His resurrection.
Jesus did know what His days would be. He told His disciples what was about to happen and they didn’t understand. It was a mystery to them. They couldn’t grasp in their hearts what Jesus was telling them or envision it. Jesus knew the path He had to walk. He knew the triumphal entry was the beginning of the end of His life on earth but He was triumphant as He rode the colt donkey through the city. He knew the end outcome which was VICTORY! We do know the end result of this situation right now. As Believers we already have the victory. As His children He has already walked the ultimate path for His children to give them everything in Him. ALL – all we are to do is keep our focus on Him, what He did for us at the cross and all His promises of His infallible Word. Things around us in the world right now are very shaky ground. But we are not of the world – just in it – and we don’t ever have to feel the ground shaking because we have a firm foundation in Him.
The other day I was reading the declaration we chose for 2020 as a church. It is Psalms 96:2-3
“Don’t stop! Keep on singing! Make his name famous! Tell everyone every day how wonderful he is. Give them the good news of our great Savior. Take the message of his glory and miracles to every nation. Tell them about all the amazing things he has done.” What an awesome truth to declare in this time. When He gave this to us in the beginning of the year He knew what was ahead and how powerful this verse would be. He’s saying don’t stop declaring Him and His glory! In these uncertain times people are wondering if this is from God or not. Give them the good news of our great Savior. We will tell of His miracles and the amazing things He is doing right now in the midst of world chaos. Keep going. It could be easy to get impatient right now and we don’t like the unknowns. We are impatient for answers. We aren’t content without knowing. But we do know! We know how wonderful He is and how much He loves us and is with us in all we are going through. We do know He never leaves us or forsakes us.
We don’t know exactly what the days ahead will hold during this uncertain times. We do know they are changing daily. The enemy is working overtime instilling fear into the hearts of people. Fear is far worse than the virus! Fear in our hearts keeps us from hearing Him clearly and in the natural lowers our immune system. It is said that a huge percentage of our diseases and sickness is caused from the lower immune system that stress and fear bring. If we don’t pay close attention to all the negatives we are letting in our bodies we will be fighting off other physical ailments. Just a thought to ponder.
When Jesus was on earth He came as a man so we could identify with Him. He walked a perfect life, became our perfect sacrifice but was tempted in every way. He knew what was ahead and ask His Father to remove it from Him if possible. “Jesus left the upper room with his disciples and, as was his habit, went to the Mount of Olives, his place of secret prayer. There he told the apostles, “Keep praying for strength to be spared from the severe test of your faith that is about to come.” Then he withdrew from them a short distance to be alone. Kneeling down, he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup of agony away from me. But no matter what, your will must be mine.” Jesus called for an angel of glory to strengthen him, and the angel appeared. He prayed even more passionately, like one being sacrificed, until he was in such intense agony of spirit that his sweat became drops of blood, dripping onto the ground.” Luke 22:39-44
Jesus knew what was ahead, it was not an unknown. The only way He could get through this time was to keep His eyes on His Father. In John 15 and 17 Jesus is talking to His Father. His strength was not in Himself but through His relationship with His Father.
What is ahead for us? More days of shut down? More days/weeks of closed businesses? More days and weeks going by without being able to gather together as a church? The uncertainties are hard and discouraging. But Jesus came as an example for us. What He did for us the 3 days of His life is like nothing we will ever face. And it wasn’t an unknown! He went ahead willing to die for us – the whole world. The disciples were right there with Him and still didn’t get it and He had told them. He gave us everything we need to get through any situation in our life and have we listened or believed? This is a powerful time to remember all Jesus did for us at the cross and the gift our heavenly Father gave.
“Their circumstances will never shake them and others will never forget their example. They will not live in fear or dread of what may come, for their hearts are firm, ever secure in their faith. Steady and strong, they will not be afraid, but will calmly face their every foe until they all go down in defeat.” Psalm 112:6-8.
Another translation says: They will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foe”!!
What I share with you today is what the Lord has given me. I have had plenty of days, especially in the beginning, of shock and unbelief at how quickly all these shut downs have happened and I kept wondering what is the truth in this situation. Probably will never know the whole truth because there is so much deception and politics involved in the middle of this that the people themselves don’t even know the real truth. I’m like many of you and thinking there’s something wrong with this whole thing. I’ve had numerous days of knowing that something isn’t right and I just pray. We have many unknowns but I will be interceding and praying continuously because He knows. The Lord told me I had to get my focus off the “what if’s” and get it on Him. He told me to focus on what I do know as certain and Truth. That’s all I can do and that’s enough for me. My focus is to stay in peace and rest in Him during this time so I can help others and be an example of the love of Jesus. When He tells me to pray about certain political things, I pray. When He tells me to share Him with someone, I share. I have very strong beliefs about things that are happening but I guarantee you every one of our opinions, thoughts, conspiracy theories, political stands, charts, reports and whatever else we are fixing our thoughts on has a flaw – a hole in it. The ONLY certain Truth we have now or ever will have is Jesus and the Word of God. Jesus gave His life for us so that we can know what to do in situations. He told us how to handle stress, attacks, sickness, fear, despair, discouragement, poverty, lack. God gave us the answer to EVERY situation we would ever face in the Word and we can have certainty in HIM!! We have everything in HIM!!
We are going to continue to wonder what is next and that is fine but we can’t let it get us down. If we ask Him what is ahead He will give you some thoughts, directions, ideas to go forth with. One thing I believe – is that we don’t have to wait for this to be over to get going because it may not ever be the same as it was. He says don’t waste this time. Listen and prepare now! As we rest in Him He will give us visions of what is next in our ministries. We need to arise from the discouragement, disillusions and shock of the last few weeks. Share Jesus with those you encounter and be prepared to assemble together soon! What a joyous day that will be!! Celebrate His love and resurrection this week. Happy Resurrection day!!
