AWAKE!

. . . now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Romans 13:11,12 KJV

Has the Holy Spirit ever awakened you in the middle of the night?

When that happens you have to opportunity to awake and enjoy sweet fellowship with the Lord or to go back to sleep and pamper the flesh.

The corporate church in America has been lulled to sleep by peace and prosperity.  It is about to be awakened by trials and persecution.  

Time is short.  When the Spirit knocks, respond to the opportunity.  Wake up.  Sit at His feet.  You will be instructed in the way that you should go.

Heavenly Father, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  Give me ears to hear the 'still, small voice' that calls to me in the middle of the night.  And give me the strength to throw off the covers and respond to Your call.

PAY ATTENTION

We are warned that 'evil men and seducers will become worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.' 2 Timothy 3:13

There is so much deception in the world right now that none of us can cut through it all to get to the whole truth.

But we are promised that 'all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.'  Luke 8:17 NLT  

For now, we are told to be careful HOW we hear, not just what we hear.  Our responsibility is to be taught by the Word of God.  It is by listening to His word that we will gain understanding of His plan for our life and times  Luke 8:18 NLT.  And when we understand, we can walk without fear or confusion.  We will not be deceived. Focus on the Truth, not the counterfeit.

Lord, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.  You have overcome the world and our confidence is in You. 

PERFECT PEACE

How is perfect peace obtained?  Isaiah 26:3 says You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 

Don't get caught up in all the hype and confusion that is prevelant in the world today.  God is doing a mighty work and He has never left His throne.  

Be still and praise His name because He is the Prince of Peace.

Lord, we praise You.  You are not the author of confusion.  Thank you for Your peace that passes all understanding.   

LOCK DOWN!

Paul and Silas were in prison, locked up. (Acts 16:23,24)  They responded by singing songs of praise.

A large portion of the world is now on lock down.  How will the believers respond?

Locked up or locked down - it doesn't matter.  Our spirit is free.

When Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises there was a great earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison and caused the prison doors to open.  (Acts 16:25,26)

What might happen if all the believers currently in lock down began to sing and praise?  Perhaps the vibrations would shake the foundations of the Babylonian system that has held us captive for generations.  

Offer up your song of praise and join the symphony!

BASIC NEEDS MET

In the wilderness, the Israelites' daily needs were met.  He provided for several million people (Ex. 12:37 - 600,000 men plus women and children).  Their clothes did not even wear out for forty years (Deut. 29:5).

Hebrew 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Jeremiah 33:3  Call (cry out) to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you knew not.

Lord our hope is in you, Yahweh Yireh - our Provider.  You are our daily bread.  We look to You alone in these uncertain times.  Your care and love for us gives us hope and peace that the world knows nothing of.

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)