CORONA VIRUS AND THE BELIEVER’S RESPONSE AND RESPONSIBILITY

Adapted from a message from the Fringe March 14, 2020

     I think it would not be over-dramatic to say we are living in unprecedented and historic times.  We are living in a time our grandchildren will learn about in history classes, should the Lord tarry.

     We are seeing the world around us change in ways never imagined in our age of freedom and plenty - quarantines, travel restrictions, shelter at home orders, financial collapse of the world's economies and, of course, the ever present threat of infection. 

     As believers in Christ, how do we respond to this kind of turmoil?  Some are declaring this pandemic to be the end of the world, others are ignorantly claiming some kind of supernatural protection for followers of Christ.  Most, however, are merely trying to understand how Covid 19 will continue to affect their lives.

     As a nation and a world, we have faced unprecedented tragedies in the past. World War I  cost millions of lives. Hundreds of years before WWI, the Black Plague wiped out almost 60% of Europe.  God did not allow the us to go extinct, despite Satan's best efforts. God's word holds promises and if you study scripture, you will see, this is not the end of the world, nor will it be the end of mankind

DO NOT PANIC

    Right now, it is important to not panic. Though Chaos may be all around us, God is in Control. The Bible talks to us about fear:

      Isaiah 41:10 - So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Philippians 4:6-7  - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus

  So, we see a passage from the Old Testament and a passage from the New Testament, telling us not to fear nor to be anxious, but to trust God for peace and security.  On the testimony of two witnesses, a matter is established and we find here, the testimony of both the old covenant and the new covenant. And, also, we have the very words of Jesus: 

Matthew 10:29-31 - are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

   

God fully knows what we need. We do not have the luxury of seeing the future, we can only see now. The past is closed to us, sealed, unalterable. The future is invisible and unknowable. We are relegated to the immediate. God, on the other hand is in tomorrow, and next week and next month and next year. In fact, God is already in the last day of this creation. So, who are we going to trust? ourselves, the news man - who may or may not have an agenda, the politicians - whose main goal is gaining or retaining office?


This is the time, if there ever was one, for believers to crawl into God's pocket and to seek Him diligently. Throw off anything hindering your relationship with God.

Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

     

What in your life is keeping you from fully surrendering to God? Is it pride, a pet sin, a self sufficient attitude, or even a sense of unworthiness? Whatever it may be, today is the day, now is the time, to cast off the weight and come home to your Father who loves you.


At the same time, we cannot sit back and do nothing, simply expecting everything to work out for us. I have seen some very irresponsible people on social media, saying stupid things like, "As long as you trust Jesus, you can't get the virus." Guess what, God's people get sick and God's people die, just like everyone else.


Be smart, limit your exposure, follow the protocols, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. Take common sense precautions. Don't take stupid unnecessary risks, but at the same time, be open to the leading of God.


In the book of I Kings 17:7-15 we find a very encouraging and applicable account of God's leading during a national crisis. I encourage you to take the time to read through the passage and see what God speaks to your heart. The full message this post is adapted from can be found here:

     
     

I must confess, I do not know what tomorrow holds concerning this virus, but God does. I do not know what God has planned for you and your life, but God does.


Are you ready to cast off all things hindering you from hearing the voice of God? Are you ready to trust and obey?

     We are truly living in historic times. We are living in an unprecedented time, fraught with speculation, misinformation and agenda driven manipulation.  Fear not, for God is with you.

       The real question you have to ask yourself is, do you trust God?  After 9/11, churches filled up and unfortunately the rise in attendance lasted only a few short weeks. People went back to life as normal.  Did business driven churches see dollar signs instead of souls and fail those who came seeking answers? Possibly to some degree, but also, the crisis ended quickly and life resumed normalcy, consequently, the sense of needing God's protection diminished.  

     Please, whether this crisis continues, slowly ends or somehow life returns to normal, do no let go of the sense of urgency you feel right now.  We often run to God when we perceive danger, do not drift away from God after the sense of danger passes.  

     If you are a follower of Christ, you do not have cause for fear because you serve a God who transcends time, not just the past, the future as well.  Place your feet where He leads, love one another, be kind and helpful to those who are terrified.  

     This is a grand opportunity for God's people to step up and live out our faith, serving and comforting those who are afraid or in need.  Your may find your words have little affect in comforting others, but, your actions, your remaining calm, your kindness and generosity, these things will speak volumes.  

         This crisis may be an opportunity to forge new relationships and a way we can show how true love is action which expects nothing in return.  Listen to God, do not get caught up in emotionalism

     Do you trust God today, believer? Then do what He says. Show others the hope you have in Christ.

Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!!

SATAN'S PROMISE IS ONE SIZE FITS ALL - LIKE AN OLD STRAITJACKET

 

  Has your worldview shifted over time, do you question things  you once believed to be true?  Does what once seemed black and white now begin to take on shades of gray?  Has truth changed with time or are we in danger of becoming jaded by our experiences?  

       The world we live in offers so much promise and delivers so much emptiness, which can be attested to by those who have reached out to grab the golden ring, only to find plastic wrapped in fools gold. The American Dream peddled, to us by Madison Avenue, is nothing more than an unattainable vapor, something as easily apprehended as a handful of smoke. 

         The pathway to the pursuit of happiness is littered with the wreckage of shattered lives, yet new pilgrims embark on the journey each and every day.  

          What is the reason? Can it be mankind is inherently stupid or could there be an external siren song, calling us to self destruction, a self destruction disguised as freedom?

     This post is inspired by a song written by the late Chris Cornell called Stolen Prayer.  Originally written for, but never recorded by, Ozzy Osborne. Alice Cooper recorded the song on his album The Last Temptaion.

     When we are young and idealistic, life seems so full of hope and wonder. The same can be said about our early days of faith, especially if you have come to the Lord as an adult.  As  newborn babes in Christ, there is nothing but hope and excitement, our faith seems unshakable.  Then life comes at us like a freight train and all we were so sure of suddenly becomes a ball of confusion. 

        Questions like: Is God really there? Does God really care? begin to creep in and the voice of our enemy seems far clearer and louder than the voice of our Father.

         When we begin to listen to that voice, the voice of doubt, the voice of discouragement, the voice who tells us we are worthless or deserve better than what we are getting, when we listen to that voice, it's not long before we are bound up and neutralized. 

        Jesus faced Satan at His weakest point, after 40 days of fasting.  Jesus had no physical strength to defeat a celestial being, a being of great power and intellect.  The only weapon Jesus had available was the Word of God.  The only weapon available was the only weapon necessary.  

       There is a battle of words for our souls. Satan's words telling us freedom is one size fits all, except the freedom he offers is a straight jacket.  On the other hand is God's words, telling us His plan for us is unique and tailor made for the person He has allowed us to become.  Also in the mix are our words, words spoken either in prayer or in vanity.

      It is ironic, the One who speaks to us in whispers, whispers we must train ourselves to hear, died in our stead while the one who speaks to us in silky tones, clearly heard, entices us to die for him.  Everything comes down to words.

     God's Word is filled with promises and accounts of fulfilled promises.  God's word also tells us there will be times when we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  In the midst of the valley of death is the promise of God to never leave us nor forsake us. Even in our times of unfaithfulness, God promises to remain faithful to us, if we are His: 2 Timothy 2:13 - if we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself.

These are important words, these are life sustaining words.
We have to prepare for when life swerves while we are heading straight, for those times when we are tempted to question truth, when the silken voice of the serpent hisses lies in our ears. The only weapon we have is the only weapon necessary, God's word.

Psalm 119:11 - Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee


Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked nor stands in the way of sinners nor sits in the seat of scoffers


The embodiment of wickedness is the prince of sinners and scoffers. The father of lies will flatter you or degrade you depending on what is most effective. The Prince of Peace will tell you truth and give you the power to respond appropriately. Whose words are you listening to? Whose words have the greatest influence on you?


Use your words and pray to the Father of Lights: Matthew 26:41 - Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation...


Jesus' words are a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, while the words of the angel of perdition promise everything we think we ever wanted but lead to the deepest depths of darkness where those who walk are clothed in despair.


John 10:27 - My sheep know my voice, I know them and they follow me
Train yourself to recognize the voice of the Shepherd so you won't be fooled when the serpent hisses his deadly promises in your ear. Learn to recognize the words of the Shepherd and ask for the power to do what His words tell you.


Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!