“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God
what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will
experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His
peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Phil. 4:6-7 (NLT)
The world has been rocked of late by an illness that is highly controversial. The Coronavirus or "COVID-19" is the topic of every conversation it seems. A couple of days ago, a state of National Emergency was declared giving the government more power and more funds to deal with it. Curfews were established. Quarantine of people who display symptoms. And yesterday all nonessential businesses were ordered to be shut down. These steps were welcomed by some as necessary and prudent in dealing with this dangerous virus that has spread globally from its origin in China in just a few days. But others view the power shift with less approving eyes. The virus killed far fewer than the flu did over recent past weeks. The government, according to many, over stepped its authority by ordering businesses to close, in effect bankrupting the owners of these establishments as they are often the only source of income for their owners.
I have thus far, avoided discussions of political implications in my writing online. I have political views but really hate dissent. I am not an argumentative person. So I will not be pursuing the right or wrongness of the handling of this crisis.
However there are areas that we all face that have been caused by recent events in our world. One of these is the fear that is pervasive these days. Questions about finances, obtaining food and supplies, and the fear of becoming one of the stricken with this virus are prevalent in every level of society.
But how about those who claim to be Children of the Light? Children of God? How are we to spread the Light we have in us....to be ports in the storm? I think that the first order of business is to--with the help of God--inspect our hearts. Are we fearful? Are we anxious? Are we sources of dissension or of peace? Spend some time quietly before the Search light of God as he points out areas in our hearts that need to be corrected. Confess your fear and distrust. Ask God to bring your heart into alignment with his character.
I really love the verses I've posted at the top of this article. 1) Don't worry. 2) bring every concern to God in faith-filled prayer. 3)Trust him to meet your needs. 4) thank him for all he has done and will do in response to your needs. I fully believe that we are to accomplish step #4 before we actually receive any provision or visible answers to our prayers. This is a prayer offered in faith and it is a sweet aromatic offering to the Lord Yahweh. Lastly (but not "leastly") pray for our country and especially for our leaders--that they would make God-honoring decisions and that this illness would soon have a cure. Pray for those who have been smitten with it and for their families and caregivers..
And then go and walk and live in peace. Speak Truth in Love and guard your heart from fear.
Be a source of blessing in these dark days. Shine the light of God's truth. And may God bless your families as maybe you are forced to spend more time together. May God use all of these things as a power for good in your life.
Do NOT forget to support your church financially when maybe you can't meet and be faced with an offering plate. Drop off your offering or put it in the mail. Share with those who have needs. And trust God to meet YOUR needs--as he certainly will.
The world has been rocked of late by an illness that is highly controversial. The Coronavirus or "COVID-19" is the topic of every conversation it seems. A couple of days ago, a state of National Emergency was declared giving the government more power and more funds to deal with it. Curfews were established. Quarantine of people who display symptoms. And yesterday all nonessential businesses were ordered to be shut down. These steps were welcomed by some as necessary and prudent in dealing with this dangerous virus that has spread globally from its origin in China in just a few days. But others view the power shift with less approving eyes. The virus killed far fewer than the flu did over recent past weeks. The government, according to many, over stepped its authority by ordering businesses to close, in effect bankrupting the owners of these establishments as they are often the only source of income for their owners.
I have thus far, avoided discussions of political implications in my writing online. I have political views but really hate dissent. I am not an argumentative person. So I will not be pursuing the right or wrongness of the handling of this crisis.
However there are areas that we all face that have been caused by recent events in our world. One of these is the fear that is pervasive these days. Questions about finances, obtaining food and supplies, and the fear of becoming one of the stricken with this virus are prevalent in every level of society.
But how about those who claim to be Children of the Light? Children of God? How are we to spread the Light we have in us....to be ports in the storm? I think that the first order of business is to--with the help of God--inspect our hearts. Are we fearful? Are we anxious? Are we sources of dissension or of peace? Spend some time quietly before the Search light of God as he points out areas in our hearts that need to be corrected. Confess your fear and distrust. Ask God to bring your heart into alignment with his character.
I really love the verses I've posted at the top of this article. 1) Don't worry. 2) bring every concern to God in faith-filled prayer. 3)Trust him to meet your needs. 4) thank him for all he has done and will do in response to your needs. I fully believe that we are to accomplish step #4 before we actually receive any provision or visible answers to our prayers. This is a prayer offered in faith and it is a sweet aromatic offering to the Lord Yahweh. Lastly (but not "leastly") pray for our country and especially for our leaders--that they would make God-honoring decisions and that this illness would soon have a cure. Pray for those who have been smitten with it and for their families and caregivers..
And then go and walk and live in peace. Speak Truth in Love and guard your heart from fear.
Be a source of blessing in these dark days. Shine the light of God's truth. And may God bless your families as maybe you are forced to spend more time together. May God use all of these things as a power for good in your life.
Do NOT forget to support your church financially when maybe you can't meet and be faced with an offering plate. Drop off your offering or put it in the mail. Share with those who have needs. And trust God to meet YOUR needs--as he certainly will.
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