Amid This Turmoil Jesus Is Lord

 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.John 14:27

It is pretty easy to stay plugged in and peaceful if you can stop getting pop up news feeds on your phone or cancel your subscription to the newspapers that tend to thrive on chaos and controversy. 

Each day wake up and say “Lord I thank you” and then maybe get on your knees beside your bed if you are able and just talk to God. There is no magic formula about how to have a daily quiet time with God but to grow in Christ amidst the turmoil in this world it is essential. There is that Covid word, ‘essential’, and if ever anything were ‘essential’ it is time alone with your savior. 

What do you have planned today? Do you have a special place you can go in your house, dorm room, or apartment and get alone with God? Perhaps some praise music in the background or a good teaching CD. You can decide if you want to emulate the world and its’ craziness or choose to be settled in Christ? But you have to do it on purpose’! 

PRAYER: Oh Jesus my savior there is none like you. I praise your name for being my Lord, my savior, my redeemer, my comforter, my all in all. Be with anyone who is fearful today because of pandemic news overload and still their hearts. Guide each and every person reading to the stillness only you offer. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Covid Relationship Robber

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

This elusive strange new illness introduced to our country in late December of last year has made so many people fearful. If the devil had to cook up a scheme to keep people apart this would be it.  Fear has just invaded so many people’s lives that they can hardly think of anything else.

I am not sure where you are today reading this. News reports constantly bombarding you that you could be a carrier and not know it so what do we do? Fold up and stay at home, no relationships with friends because of fear of the unknown and what could happen. Is this anyway to live day to day with so much uncertainty? Heed cautions of course but don’t obsess over it. Read your Bible instead.

My friend I want you to have peace in your heart. Start positive talking and thinking. Please don’t feed your mind constantly with how many people are sick or dying. You can’t expect to walk victoriously if you are being drug through the media mud of  downcast news reports. Have hope. Pray. Believe. Trust God. Wash your hands. Stay home if sick. But don’t allow fear to take over your life. Live with a can do attitude and embrace life.

PRAYER: Jesus I need you. Everyone needs you whether they know it or not. I lean into at times of uncertainty such as what is going on now. I pray for those people who have no peace and can’t hardly rest because of this disease. Bring healing to our world in all forms. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Recycled America

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.Matthew 24:14

Nobody ever could have imagined the scenario we are slowly emerging from here in America and other places in the world where a virus originating on foreign soil makes its’ way into the safe harbor of these United States and starts to do major damage.Was it intentional? Some say yes. Never the less it has happened and there are differing opinions of course. Adjustments have been needed at least for the time being. 

 It is similar to being  put in the spin cycle on your washing machine and spun around then out you come a little wrinkled until you get fluffed up again. A recycling of sorts. This emergence period hopefully is a time you can appreciate the beauty of freedom. You can look at the Red, White, and Blue of our US flag and truly appreciate those who fought to defend liberty. 

So in this recycling  have you learned anything new? Will you change the way you have done things? Do you appreciate what you maybe took for granted much more? Did you pray and stay close to God? It is a wake up call for many. The church rose to the occasion and held unique services online, on zoom, in parking lots, even preaching fro a rooftop at Victory in Tulsa. The enemy can not keep us down. So look for good ways to reach out and let the new recycled you live a life worthy of honor and bring glory to God.

PRAYER: Father God I thank you for my health. I thank you for friends. I thank you for communication. I thank you for hearing my prayer. Thank you for protecting me and my family and showing us new ways to adapt. In Jesus’ name. Amen.