As we look at what is going on in our world, it is apparent we are being challenged in our faith. Are we going to believe what the world is saying, or are we going to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Is the God of the Bible still alive? Can He still work miracles, signs, and wonders? Can He protect His people from sickness and disease?

I believe the bigger story is how the Body of Christ will globally respond to this epidemic. Do we react in fear or do we react in faith; do we join the world or do we rise up and demonstrate our faith in Jesus Christ? Look at what Matthew 5:14-16 says: “Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”

As I look at the actions and orders to isolate, restrict, and condense, it is clear to me the enemy is trying to get the churches in a position to not shine that Light when the world needs it so much. At this moment, the world has no hope. The only Hope is Jesus Christ, and the Church is the carrier of that Hope! I want to encourage you to let your light shine.  Use wisdom, take precautions, but do not fear!

When we turn on news, we see that all the information out there is creating a pandemic of fear. Let’s see what the Bible says about fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” So God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind.

The enemy is using the news to get us out of faith into fear, because he knows that faith keeps us in the outcome of God, and fear brings his outcome in our lives. Job 3:25 says, “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” So fear was the vehicle that brought the very thing that Job didn’t want into his life. That’s the enemy’s tactic, and that’s why fear is being perpetuated in our nation. 

The only one with the faith to overcome the fear is the Church of Jesus Christ. I want to encourage you to stay informed, but don’t spend a lot of time feeding on the news and the information they’re putting out. It is producing fear, which will produce the very thing you don’t want. If you noticed in this bulletin, not one time have I mentioned the thing that is at the root of all this chaos. I did that on purpose, because the Lord wants you to direct your attention to Him, and the solution, which is the Word of God.  

Psalm 91 says, “He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” It says a thousand may fall at one side, and ten thousand at the other, but it will not come near you. Stay in that secret place, the place of faith, the place of worship, the place of praise. You get out of that place when you begin to dwell on or listen to the things of the world. But you get out of fear and into faith when you begin to dwell on the things of God. Church, we are going to be fine, because our God is greater, our God stronger and awesome in Power!

March 22nd, 2020