Monday, July 27, 2020

Maintaining Continual Peace in a Broken World, Part 2

Psalm 91 says it all. 

To whom does a believer turn to for security and peace? 

Security of the One Who Trusts in the Lord.

91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.

11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
12 They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

14 “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
15 “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 “With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.”

(Source here)

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Maintaining Continual Peace in a Broken World, Part 1

Believers, every day we need a head check and we need a heart check because what we think governs our emotions. God holds His children to a high standard of holiness and that standard is largely shaped by our mental state. What we think governs our actions and our words. Our thoughts are governed by what we allow to enter our thoughts.
 
We continue to live in a very unique and challenging time. There has always been divisiveness within our world, but it has crept within the body of Christ. There are differing views on the coronavirus and how the Church should be responding to this viral outbreak. Open Churches or keep them closed, wear a mask or stay unmasked, stay at home and keep your distance or stay close to the ones you love.
 
And, then there’s the spirit of fear that seems to be an underlying issue.
Fear of getting sick.
Fear of getting close to others.
Fear of loved ones succumbing to the virus.
Fear of dying.
 
The reality is everyday there is the possibility that today will be our last day, that we’ll take our last breathe.
 
The chance of someone dying in a car accident is 1 in 103 and 1 in 9,821 for death in a plane crash.
The chances of dying from heart disease are 1 in 6 and the chance of death from cancer is 1 in 7.
The probability of flu death is 0.02% and the chances of dying from the coronavirus infection are 0.5% to 1%.
 
Let’s face it, death is imminent.
 
While I don’t know of many people who desire to face death today, even for believers that long to be with Jesus, God calls us to live our days on earth with hope, joy, and peace and not in fear.
 
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
 
Fear is so immensely crippling and if the adversary can’t take our salvation (which can never happen because salvation is eternal and always secure in Christ), he can surely make strides to cause us to live in fear and disrupt our mental and spiritual state.
 
What troubles me in this day and time that we’re living in, God's children, who should serve as beckons of light to the world of faith, courage, and strength, are instead hiding in the shadows of darkness in a state of worry, fear, and dismay.
 
Instead of having thoughts of victory in Christ, knowing that God has numbered our days and He is sovereign over our life, we can be tempted to mirror the world in a state of panic and worry. If we stay tuned into the media 24/7, we can feed into the narrative that death is creeping not just outside our doors, but right underneath our noses in the form of unseen viral particles in the local markets, stores, and we could be infected and walk right into death’s door just from the simple embrace of a friend, a neighbor, or a loved one.
 
Surely, the onslaught of this message would cause even the most courageous and faithful Christian to fear.
 
I will be the first one to say that I’m guilty of the temptation of fear and worry and I’ve had to repent of the sinful pattern of allowing discouraging thoughts to plague me. This is such a slippery slope for a Christian because left unattended, it can lead believers into depression, sickness, stress, and bad decision making because your actions are not based on truth.
 
My favorite bible verse tells us exactly where we should keep our minds,
 
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and anything worthy of praise, think on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-9)
 
We should be constantly seeking the Lord for wisdom and discernment. God calls us to be in the world, but not of the world. The world should not be our source for guidance and wisdom. It's so interesting that we're living in a time where the Church is having to question and reason whether or not it should open its doors, if the congregation should openly sing worship songs because of viral particles in the air, or if people should meet for Bible study and fellowship.
 
These challenging discussions should really bring us to our knees in prayer, asking the Lord for discernment as we know that Satan relishes in being able to thwart the work of the Church.
 
“We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)
 
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."  (Ephesians 6:12)
 
God has all wisdom and all knowledge. We may never understand why these things are happening this side of Heaven, but God is sovereign and as Jehovah-Sabaoth He reigns above and over all forces both in Heaven and Earth.
 
Christian brother and sister, don’t allow external circumstances draw you away from your Heavenly Father, His promises for you, and the PEACE that He promises to His children. The news and state of this broken world will continue to fluctuate and change, from one day to the next. God’s Word, the security, and hope that we have in Christ are the only things that will remain the same. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on our Savior and experience mental and spiritual peace even in the midst of trying times. 
 
May these truths bring your heart and mind joy!
 
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My right hand. “ (Isaiah 41:10)

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. “ (Psalm 94:19)
 
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” (Psalms 42:11)
 
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, not let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)