BE STILL

Psalm 46:10  Be still and know that I am God.

Why be still?  Because when we are still and quiet we can hear more clearly.  We are more focused and tend to learn.

Luke 10:38-42  Martha received Jesus (Yashua) into her house, then Martha got very busy with serving and household chores.  She complained to the Lord that Mary wasn't helping her.

Remember, Martha opened her (self) house to Jesus (Yashua) then got busy and ignored Him.  Oh, He was still there, but Martha had other things occupying her attention.

Verse 39:  Now Mary sat at His feet and heard His word.

Verse 42:  Mary has chosen that good (beneficial) part (participation); actively listening.

Lord, don't let me get so busy that I ignore You.  I want to be like Mary, showing You the proper reverance and honor You deserve.

WHAT TO DO?

There is a discussion among believers about how we should respond to the self-quarantine/shelter-in-place message.  Both sides of the question can be supported by scripture.  

"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." (Romans 13:1)

So that means we obey and stay put.  No gatherings of more than a few people and no unnecessary trips out.

But scripture also says, "let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near."  (Hebrews 10:25)

Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than any human authority."  (Acts 5:29)

So maybe we're supposed to gather after all.  

And then we read:  "Go home, my people, and lock your doors! Hide yourselves for a little while until the LORD's anger has passed."  (Isaiah 26:20)

And we're back to staying home again!

James 1:8 says "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

So what is the answer?

It is simple.  "Draw close to God and He will draw close to you."  James 4:8

The Holy Spirit will guide you.  Some will gather, some will not.  One day He may say go, and another day He may say stay.  Remember that He is in charge, we are His servants.

We are blessed to have access to phones, computers, internet, text and email.  We can communicate freely, encouraging, praying and sharing.  

My prayer is that you all will have a very blessed day.  Enjoy time in the presence of our Lord and Saviour.  All is good..

"This is the day that the Lord has made.  We shall rejoice and be glad in it!"  (Psalm 118:24)

PERSECUTION THROUGH IGNORANCE

Paul said, "You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.  (2 Timothy 3:11)

He went on to say that all - not just some, but all - who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  (2 Timothy 3:12)

Timothy had known the scriptures since childhood (verse 15) but today we have a generation that does not know the scriptures or the Creator.  Because of this, evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.  (v. 13)

Since they do not love and accept the truth, God will cause them to be greatly deceived and they will believe the lies. (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11)  Through ignorance, they will persecute those who are choosing to live a godly life.

. . . the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or Me.  (John 16:2-3)

Like Paul, we will look to the Lord to deliver us from every persecution.  We recognize that the antidote for ignorance is knowledge so we pray that the words in Isaiah 11:9 will be fulfilled.  "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

Heavenly Father, open the eyes of the blind, deliver those bound in deception, let the whole earth experience a flood of the knowledge of who You are, so that the lost can repent and turn to You. Amen.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE?

Where do you place your love or desires.  In these uncertain times are we thinking only of ourselves or are we considerate of others.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us:  "You should know this, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!"

James 4:4 asks the question:  "Do you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God." 

 

What we love we tend to protect or promote.  But 1 Corinthians 10:21 says you cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons, too.

. . . Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.  (Joshua 24:15)

Lord, we choose to love our neighbors.  To be considerate in these difficult and uncertain times.  Above all, we choose to serve and follow You.  Amen.

FEAR NOT!

Many times in the bible God speaks and says, "Fear not!"  

Why?

Because He knows of our many trials and weaknesses.  That's why in John 16:33 Yashua tells us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world.  The expression 'good cheer' comes from a Greek word that actually means 'to have courage.'  

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.  (1 John 4:4 KJV)

So what shall we fear?

Fear is faith that the worst will happen! 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  (1 John 4:18 KJV)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!  (Isaiah 26:3 NLT)

Lord, let me not doubt or fear because that is not from you.  Keep me focused on You only.  Let me not put you to shame by unbelief.  Amen.

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS . . .

We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.  Whether real or imagined, a judgment from God or a man-made crisis - it is here.  And we are in it.  

Take a deep breath.  Meditate on Psalm 46:10.  "Be still and know that I am God."

He is still on His throne and in complete control.  Nothing has caught Him by surprise.

When Queen Esther was overwhelmed by the thought of what was required of her, Mordecai posed a question to her.  . . . Who knows if perhaps you were born for just such a time as this?"  (Esther 4:14)

Every one of us is alive today because God planned it that way.  

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  (Psalms 139:16)

So what is required of us?  Why are we here?

You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (Matthew 5:16)

Your faith is going to be tested.  That is the purpose of a trial.

Are you ready?

Remember, God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

He will direct us in the way that we should go.  Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left.  (Isaiah 30:21)

There is a discussion among believers about how we should respond to the self-quarantine/shelter in place message.  Both sides of the question can be supported by scripture.  

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. (Romans 13:1)

So that means we obey and stay put.  No gatherings of more than a few people and no unnecessary trips out.

But scripture also says, "let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near."  (Hebrews 10:25)

Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than any human authority.  (Acts 5:29)

So maybe we're supposed to gather after all.  

And then we read:  Go home, my people, and lock your doors! Hide yourselves for a little while until the LORD's anger has passed.  (Isaiah 26:20)

And we're back to staying home again!

James 1:8 says A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

So what is the answer?

It is simple.  Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.  James 4:8

The Holy Spirit will guide you.  Some will gather, some will not.  One day He may say go, and another day He may say stay.  Remember that He is in charge, we are His servants.

We are blessed to have access to phones, computers, internet, text and email.  We can communicate freely, encouraging, praying and sharing.  

My prayer is that you all will have a very blessed day.  Enjoy time in the presence of our Lord and Saviour.  All is good..

"This is the day that the Lord has made.  We shall rejoice and be glad in it!"  (Psalm 118:24)