The Virus God Saw Coming...

This is a  particularly worrisome time for all who can't help but see & hear the newscasts day in and day out regarding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

But it is also a unique time in our history, one which presents a rare silver lining for Christians. We can use this as an opportunity to share our faith and hope in Jesus Christ.

There will be debates whether or not God allowed this sinister pandemic to occur in order to bring about His sovereign plan to unfold at this time in our nation's history. There will also be discussions on a litany of subjects related to end-time events and signs of the times as it relates to Christ's return.

One thing I know for sure:  God saw this virus coming... 

Nothing takes God by surprise. He is not "wringing His hands" and "shaking His head" because the virus is spreading globally. God is still on His Throne. He already sees the beginning of this crisis from the end. 

So what can we do in the meantime as we are faced with possible government imposed Martial Law? (you can read about it here if you are curious) Martial Law in the U.S.  How should we spend endless hours of self-quarantine in our homes? Can we still be productive and make a difference around us?

Some people have careers that allow them to work from home with little difficulty. Others have jobs that require them to be in close proximity to the public at large - whether they are in law enforcement, the medical field, or the food & home goods supply chain. Many simply won't be able to keep their jobs because their places of business have suspended operations or closed down temporarily.

If you are blessed to work part-time from home or still have children (or grandchildren) under your roof, then you might have some discretionary time like I do to be an "encourager from afar." This blog post is a small contribution I can make to the public at large. My little blog reaches across the globe with the click of a mouse. I know that the internet can play a vital role for those who are isolated - irregardless of this virus.

People are becoming more aware of their mortality and vulnerabilities. They are increasingly uneasy and are more afraid of the unknown. We all have some level of anxiety of what is yet to come. However, the Christian is in the unique position to spread God's truth and give a testimony for the "hope we have within us" (I Peter 3:15).

When we are in the midst of a crisis and face afflictions and suffering, first use it as a time of self-reflection. Then use what you have learned as a tool for ministering to others. Tell them why you have a relationship with Jesus Christ vs religion (I wrote a blog post about it here) Relationship with Jesus - Not Religion . Share your testimony. Explain to them why they need a Savior and a spiritual rebirth in order to be with God in heaven.  

In times of uncertainty you can still be an effective ambassador 

for Jesus Christ. Don't let fear rob you of your mission.

First, clothe yourself with humility

Second, divest yourself of anxiety and worry

Third, arm yourself with sobriety

Fourth, remind yourself of eternity

Remember, FEAR is an acronym for:  False Evidence Appearing Real.  Many times what we fear actually never comes to pass. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt said over the radio to millions of Americans in 1933, "You have nothing to fear but fear itself."  

Fear is a weapon Satan uses to immobilize the masses in a way that is debilitating and destructive. In Luke 12:32 Jesus said, "Do not fear..."  So how can we rise above that feeling and function in a healthy environment with those around us?

Here are three things from God's Word that you and I can take comfort in:

1.  God can be trusted in times of trouble
      Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."  

Number 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?"  God is indeed trustworthy.

Corrie ten Boom said, "God has no problems, only plans."

2.  God will take care of us in times of trouble
      Psalm 91:9-11 says, "Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."  I Peter 5:7 encourages us to, "...cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."

Martin Luther said the following, "Pray and let God worry."

3.  God will always be with us in times of trouble
      Joshua 1:9 declares, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Remember the three Hebrew youths Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego who were cast into the fiery furnace? Even Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God's presence in Daniel 3:25, "Look! I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

Jesus Himself said, "...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." 

(Matthew 28:20)

Take heart... God never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalms 121:3-4)  

He is still Sovereign over all - now and forever. 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

The Virus God Saw Coming...

3 Lessons We Can Learn in the Storm

There are times in your life when a crisis comes and you're left feeling helpless.

It could be an untimely accident, the sudden death of a spouse, a wayward child, or a severe illness.You wonder out loud, "Lord, don't you care?" 

Of course, you know He does...but you feel abandoned and disillusioned.  The key is to remember that they are feelings, not reality.  Perception can be the very thing that keeps you from seeing the Lord at work. When we cry out to God in anguish - we often already know the answer…

Let's look at this familiar passage in Mark 4:35-41  (also Matthew 8:23-27 , Luke 8:22-25)

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

The Sea of Galilee, also know as the Sea of Tiberias is prone to abrupt and vicious storms. This body of water is roughly 200 feet deep and sits 680 feet below sea level. Northeast of the Sea of Galilee is Mount Hermon that reach upward 9000 feet above sea level. When the cool, dry air from the summit clashes with the warm, semitropical air near the sea shore it results in chaos. The varied differences in air pressure and wind direction combine to produce a weather phenomena that in turn spawns fierce and sudden storms.

Jesus' disciples left the multitude and took Him along in the boat. He often withdrew by Himself to rest. Jesus plainly said they would cross over to the other side. In effect He said, "You will get there." He was in one fishing boat with His disciples and there were other little boats along side.

There are times when we will face problems at home with our unbelieving spouse. We are in one boat and there might be other little boats nearby. But other times we are completely alone. Your best friend isn’t there to give advice. Your Mom isn’t there to console you. Your church family isn’t there to pray with you. You are all by yourself. What do you do?

Here are three lessons we can learn in the storm:

1. Trust the One who is sovereign in your times of despair and uncertainty

Satan loves to play on our feelings of fear and hopelessness because he then uses them to isolate and control us. He is a liar and will coax you to doubt yourself and your belief in God. Your spouse will draw upon their own set of crisis management skills, but as an unbeliever, they will fall woefully short. However, as a believer you have taken Him with you (Joshua 1:5). God is always there as you make your way through your circumstances.

When a great storm arises, you can bet the boat you are in will feel like it’s sinking. The waves of anger, uncertainty, and anxiousness will beat against its hull. The water of despair will begin seeping in. Your hope will feel like it has holes in it. Whatever you do, don’t sabotage your own rescue by trying to “fix it by yourself”. 

2. Remember - Jesus is in that rocky little boat with you and He cares for you

The fishing boats they were in had shallow sides and were prone to taking on water rather easily. The scripture says their boats were already swamped. Jesus was in the stern of the boat fast asleep on a cushion (generally reserved for the helmsman). He was tired and needed rest. He had preached all day and was exhausted. However, as God, we know He never tires as Psalm 121:4 declares, “Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”

Our Lord laid down His head in total peace knowing what lay ahead for them. There was no anxiety on His part and clearly He trusted His Father to preserve them. The disciples were seasoned sailors who were familiar with rapid changing weather conditions. Yet, they awoke Him, pleading with Him to do something. They were fearful and perceived they might die. Yet, you would think they would trust Him after the many miracles and signs He had done. Where was the faith they should have had in who He was?

Aren’t we just like them, demanding that God hear us while we yell, “Do You not care that we are perishing? Perhaps they remembered the writing of the sons of Korah in Psalm 44:23, “Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast us off forever.”

3. Be encouraged... He rebukes our winds of “what if’” and He calms our "sea         of panic"

Jesus stood and rebuked the wind, and calmed the sea. Just as demons shrank upon His vocal commands to be silent, so do the elements recoil and cease. The Creator of all nature commanded them to hush and be still...

If we are to display Christ’s attributes and ride the undercurrents of peace, we must stay anchored to our hope, and let Him take control of the situation. Your spouse is observing your reaction to the crisis, and you must let Jesus shine through.

When Jesus spoke to them, it was with a gentle rebuke. How often does He do that with us? Your spirit is quickened and you perceive His loving assurance and grace. These are teachable moments which we must embrace eagerly.

The disciples were in awe of what they had just witnessed. The question they asked one another was, “Who can this be…?” Indeed, that is the question we must ask ourselves, for in its answer, we find the One who has the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

This hymn by J. Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918) talks about Jesus being 

our friend and protector. Stanzas 3 and 4 below speaks volume:

                                                   Jesus! What a help in sorrow!
                                                   While the billows o’er me roll,
                                                  Even when my heart is breaking,
                                                  He, my Comfort, helps my soul.
                                                
                                                 Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
                                                     While the tempest still is high,
                                              Storms about me, night o’ertakes me,
                                                     He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

3 Lessons We Can Learn in the Storm

Five Things We Can Learn From the Resurrection Aftermath

Resurrection Sunday has come and gone. Christians world-wide celebrated the fact that Jesus’ power was on full display as He overcame death.

In the natural realm, what would the empty tomb represent?  "Empty" denotes void, barren, forsaken, depleted, and lacking. 

The disciples had just witnessed a level of devastation and grief they most likely never knew before. They were confused, lost, and scared....

For some, emptiness represents unfulfilled dreams, dashed hopes, and unmet expectations.  

Do you have an empty place in your life that requires a miracle?  Is your marriage on the verge of a collapse?  Is your child wayward and faltering in the world?  Do you struggle with acute physical pain and limitations?  Jesus can minister to you in whatever circumstances you face in life.

Here are five things we can learn from those closest to Jesus after the resurrection...  (John 20, 21; Luke 24; Mark 16)

1.  Our expectations are not always met.

When Mary approached Jesus' tomb she wasn’t expecting it to be empty. She had come with the other women bearing spices in order to anoint Jesus' body. The thought of a bodily resurrection had not crossed her mind - not yet of course.

2.  We generally don’t like surprises. 

We like things to stay relatively calm and predictable. Mary had already had her world turned upside down. Now she was fretting over the fact that her Lord was missing.

      3.  We often don’t recognize what is right in front of us.

Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener. Her grief and pain clouded her perception. It wasn't until Jesus called out her name that she realized it was indeed Him. She didn't expect to receive that level of personal tenderness and compassion in her fragile state.

4.  We have an inherent propensity to doubt.

Thomas was missing in action when Jesus presented Himself to the disciples. We don't know why he wasn't there - but he wasn't buying any part of their story. He put conditions on his belief and lacked faith in their eyewitness account. He was in effect saying, "prove it!".

       5.  We frequently go back to old habits.

Peter had been in that empty tomb. He knew Jesus was raised from the dead. He saw Jesus when they had assembled in prayer and He showed Himself to them. Days later, Peter was feeling somewhat dejected and told the others he was going fishing. They also went with him, and after fishing all night, caught nothing... just as it was when Jesus found him on the shores of Lake Gennesaret.

So what does all of this have to do with us?  Well... everything. 

We often struggle when we forget that Jesus is alive and still in control.  How can we be so ignorant of those facts when His Word is replete with encouragement and hope?

The examples above end in victory for each one of them. They all became overcomers through the power and person of Jesus Christ. He will do the same for you.

Here is another post from the past to encourage you:   Turn Your Devastation Into Regeneration

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Five Things We Can Learn From the Resurrection Aftermath