Pandemic, Panic.........The Coronavirus (My Two Cents)

First of all, let me start off by saying that I am neither a doctor or any kind of medical professional. But I am a pastor, so I would like to look at this pandemic from a biblical stand point.

So the whole world is in complete chaos and panic mode! Everything is closing down, or being suspended. People are hoarding supplies like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, food, etc, etc. I have never in my 53 years of life ever seen anything like this.

Even some Christians are in panic mode. I think that they forgot what the Bible says about this kind of thing.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

God tells us not live in fear. We are to practice self- discipline. What exactly does that mean for us you may ask?

We can practice self-discipline by doing what the professionals tell us to do. Wash our hands, regularly. Avoid shaking hands and hugging each other. Avoid large gatherings. If you are elderly with a compromised immune system, to stay home and not go out. All of these things we can control. Self-discipline!

Not being silly about this, or making a joke out of it. This is serious, and it's real. But there are steps we can take to not fall into the hysteria of what the world is telling us. We can pray for wisdom, knowledge and discernment in how to handle what the world is feeding us.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

God wants us to set our minds and thoughts on Him! He calls us to be strong during this time.

Joshua 1:9 (AMP)⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

So, with God's help, we will get through this pandemic virus. I believe that He is using this to make the churches stronger and for Christians to shine the Hope of Jesus brighter than ever.

1 Peter 5:10 (AMP)¹⁰ After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

So stay safe. Practice good personal hygiene, make wise choices about interaction with people and most of all, PRAY! 

God Bless!

Bowling Gate.

I went bowling last week with 50 of my fellow co-workers to take part in a fundraiser for an agency here in town that mentors kids. They have big brother/sister type of programs and some others as well. As we were bowling, laughing and carrying on, I felt The Lord speaking to me. He was telling me to take a look down the lanes after each bowler had finished their frame.

I heard Him ask me, "what do you see?" I told Him that I saw the bowling gate coming down and sweeping the lane clear from the frame before. "You're right He said."

He told me "see son, that is how I operate. No matter what you have done the frame before, I'm like that bowling gate sweeping everything away. I make everything clean and new for the next one."

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

²² The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
²³ Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.

 

Every morning is a fresh start with God. Unlike the bowling alley, God doesn't keep score. He blots out our sins. He doesn't keep track of them.

 

Isaiah 43:25 (MSG)

²⁵ “But I, yes I, am the one
    who takes care of your sins—that’s what I do.
    I don’t keep a list of your sins.

 

This doesn't mean that we can keep on sinning. God asks us to repent and seek His Kingdom!

 

Revelation 2:5 (NLT)

⁵ Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

Don't know about you, but I repent and want my lampstand to stay lit and stay right where it is supposed to be.

Short Cut!

Last week, the company that I work for had an all company meeting at an offsite location. To put this into perspective, the company has two different locations and two different shifts. So we are talking almost 300 people trying to get to this location at one time. Did I mention that there aren't a lot of parking spots available? So everybody is rushing to try to get there before everyone else so that they can get a parking spot. People are taking short cuts to get there. Side roads, alleys, whatever they can do to beat the next person to a spot. As I arrive and I see all these cars coming from all different directions, I couldn't help but to think about what people think that they have to do to get to Heaven. I mean there are no shortcuts to get to Heaven. Only one way. Jesus tells us that in the book of John,

John 14:6 (NLT)
⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Jesus tells us that there is only one way. You have to go through Him, to get to The Father in Heaven. There aren't many ways, there is only one. You can't work your way, or buy your way into Heaven. You may think that you're a good person in your own mind, but God tells us otherwise.

Romans 3:12 (NLT)

¹² All have turned away;
    all have become useless.
No one does good,
    not a single one.

Romans 3:23 (AMP)²³ since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God.

God gives us hope though!

Romans 5:8 (AMP)⁸ But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

So we can work hard. Be the most generous and kind person that we can be. That will not get us into Heaven.

Acts 2:21 (NIV)

²¹ And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.

 

Amen to that! Thank You LORD!