It is often frustrating to reach out to a friend or loved one to offer to study God’s Word with them, and hear “I know I need to do that… I’d love to, I just don’t know where I would fit it in”. In addition to all of our hectic and busy life styles, the truth is – we have also been very comfortable. We have been pursuing the American Dream. And, it’s working… “so maybe tomorrow, or next week sometime… or later…“
Well, God just hit the Reset Button and took care of both of those “problems”! Almost everyone has a LOT more time on their hands, and we are VERY uncomfortable!
Has He got our attention yet???
The primary answer to reducing the curve has been “Social Distancing”. There is only one problem. God created us as Social Beings! He also has given us some amazing technology. While there is no question, face to face is better, psychologists and others are strongly urging us to connect via FaceTime and other video platforms (Zoom is amazing for multiple people). We know this crisis will cause a rash of depression and even suicide. Now is NOT the time for Social Distancing, it is the time for Physical Distancing, AND Social Connecting.
While there is nothing wrong with calling Grandma and telling her “it will be ok”, she has probably seen enough westerns and war movies where the guy holds his bleeding buddy in his arms and says “it will be ok” just before he dies. People don’t want lies, everyone is overdosing on news feeds because they are seeking the truth.
And, you may be the only person in their life who has the Truth…
In Matthew 9:37 Jesus said to His disciples “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” And He just made the harvest a whole lot easier!
We have all heard stories of Foxhole Confessions. Interesting how people seek Jesus when bullets are flying overhead. Well, everyone you know is in a Foxhole. God has our attention. He is just waiting for more workers in the harvest. Jesus also said “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8). Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus? Now is the greatest opportunity we have ever had to glorify God and bear much fruit – by sharing the Truth!
So, here’s the plan:
Pray, pray, pray, pray, then read the scripture listed below. Not like you read texts or emails. Spend some time and really digest what God has to say to us. Pray that God opens your eyes, ears, and heart to receive His Truth. If God’s Truth moves you like it has quite a few people recently, pray and think about who you might want to share it with.
Call them and after exchanging updates on how you are surviving the crisis, tell them you recently read some scripture that was amazingly comforting. It even helped you understand how God may be involved with something as bizarre as a virus. Ask them if they would be interested in reviewing it with you. If they agree, suggest scheduling a one hour FaceTime appointment where they can have some privacy. If they don’t have a Bible, you could guide them to a free one online like Biblegateway.com or many others. If they are comfortable with reading out loud, that is preferred, but all that matters is that you read it together and walk through it with them.
Many refer to Deuteronomy as Moses’ last speech to the nation of Israel. Near the end, in chapter 28, he relays God’s promises of blessings IF Israel obeys God’s commands. Unfortunately, the chapter also lists God’s promises of curses if they don’t. In verse 20 it says “The Lord will send upon you curses, confusion, and rebuke in all you undertake to do…” verse 22 says “The Lord will smite you with consumption and with fever and with inflammation…” It is best if you read the whole chapter for yourself, but it will suffice to read verses 1- 27 during your video conference.
Be very clear, we are reading “someone else’s mail”. Those blessings and curses were directed to the nation of Israel. But don’t miss the point that God was willing and able to unleash confusion and fevers among other curses. Scripture tells us that we now live in the period of Grace and God is withholding His judgement until the end of times. This virus isn’t a form of His judgement, but as a result of the Fall, the whole earth is under the curse of the fall which includes death, disease and a host of other problems. God created all life from the beginning which included viruses and biological entities that if they inhabit mankind, can wreck havoc.
Psalm 78 is an amazing recap of Israel’s story of coming out of Egypt as well as the Wilderness Wandering. Again, you should read the whole chapter, but verses 1-37 should suffice for your meeting. Key verses are 1-8, (We should teach these Truths to each generation, and not be fallen away like those before us.) Unfortunately, verse 34 is also key and as true today as it was then “When He killed them, then they sought Him, and returned and searched diligently for God.” Sound familiar?
Now for the good news. Read all 11 verses of Psalm 46. Thank you Lord!
Matthew 6:19-34 is next. Amazing Truth from Jesus in only 15 verses!
Philippians 4:4-9 was the most selected passage in 2019 on one of the biggest on line Bible apps, and with good reason. Note that the peace that God provides surpasses all comprehension. It is above our ability to grasp. Also note verse 9: “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”. The peace of God is conditional. Unfortunately, the Christmas songs singing “Peace on Earth” aren’t totally accurate. Luke 2:14 doesn’t say “peace to everyone”. It says “And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased”. As we “practice these things”, our peace continues to grow – He will be pleased with us.
There has been a saying: “No Jesus, No Peace – Know Jesus, Know Peace”. It is very Biblical, but doesn’t answer the question of what does it mean to Know Jesus. Did the criminal on the cross who believed in Jesus know Jesus? Obviously good enough for salvation, but that doesn’t mean he knew Him well enough to be at peace in any circumstances. No doubt, a new believer has the Holy Spirit resident within him – which will definitely bring more peace than a non believer, but scripture tells us that our level of peace is connected to how well we know God through scripture (like understanding Him through the Old Testament as well as the New), as well as how well we “practice these things” (obey). This explains why many believers seem about as anxious about our current circumstances as non believers. Very few people actually know the Bible very well.
Then, continue to pray. In Colossians 4:2 Paul says “devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving”. He also tells the people of Thessolonica in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ”.
Belief in Jesus is paramount. Without that, none of the above matters. When you do believe, He promises the Holy Spirit to take up residence in us and “guide you into all Truth” (John 16:13). That assumes you actively pursue the Truth… which is found in the Bible.
Finally, Paul encourages his disciple Timothy (and us) to take this “Good News” to the world in 2 Timothy 1:7: “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline”. Don’t be afraid. God is with us. This is how we glorify Him.
Please feel free to send this to anyone. Obviously, God’s plan is for us to walk with one another in His Truth as “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). Hopefully, many will share these Truths and the rest of God’s Word in these unsettling times – while God has our attention!
God Bless, stay well, and may the Peace of Christ be with you all.
And Stay in the Spiritual Gym!
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