A prophetic word came to our region that this year God was going to give wings to the internet. Since then, an unusual number of eagles have built nests in the trees surrounding our church. What does this have to do with the Corona Virus?
Well, being forced to stay isolated is sending many to the internet to connect: Christians and non-Christians alike. And I am SO thankful for the live stream church services we have now!
If you would like to tune in to a church service on Sunday morning at 10 am EST, there are many available on the web. Our church also has one at https://ephratacommunitychurch.com/media/
Feel free to join in.
What a fantastic opportunity we have to bring hope to the hopeless, help those in need, and reach out to neighbors and shut-ins! God is unifying his church worldwide.
Yes, Christians can and should find something exciting in every scenario because we know God is in control of this. And we can give from our possessions without worrying about when our next toilet paper purchase opportunity will come.
No need to panic! God’s got you!
Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. [ESV Biblegateway.com]
Testimony Time!
Let me tell you what happened when I was at Walmart last week. It was the first time I’d ever seen toilet paper cleared from the shelves unless they were redoing their stock and inventory. I was shocked, even though I had heard others talk about it.
I went about my other shopping and circled back around.
Nope. Still no TP.
I started to look at what others had in their carts. People all had toilet paper in their carts! I asked one woman: “Where did you get that? There’s nothing on the shelves.” By the way, we were truly in need of it because we were almost out at home. She told me that twenty minutes earlier, they had brought some out and were just handing it to people as they stood there. Of course, it never even made it to the shelves. I went back two more times before I found some.
But get this!
The fourth time I went into the aisle, there were people standing around waiting for more paper to come. As I walked in, right next to me on the shelf, at eye level, was an opened box of 3 packs of toilet paper rolls! Did nobody see that?! I took 2 and left 1 for someone else.
This is sometimes how God supplies all your needs. Just an example.
Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” [ESV Biblegateway.com]
Have you ever given something away, knowing that you needed it? I have and found that I truly didn’t need it – or – I was given something else to replace it. God sees all and wants us to exercise faith for these things.
Psalm 7:15 says this about the enemy, “He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.” [ESV Biblegateway.com]
We can trust God for our footing in times like these because our feet are on the immovable and solid rock – Jesus!
Mark 16:15-20 gives us the Great Commission:
“15 And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.” [ESV Biblegateway.com]
So let the Gospel of Jesus Christ – our Hope – FLY over the internet!
And what is the Gospel?
Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” [ESV Biblegateway.com]
And Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [ESV Biblegateway.com]
Let people who’ve never stepped foot in a church read and see the gospel and experience the power of Jesus in their own homes.
Jesus walked through walls
John 20:26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” [ESV Biblegateway.com]
So then, let Jesus penetrate people’s homes through the internet in this season and bring peace.
May transformation begin in our country. Worldwide revival – come!
Christians, we are called to pray during this time of trial.
2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. [ESV Biblegateway.com]
Let’s Pray
God, I pray that the gospel will go forth and penetrate hearts as we are all hunkered down in isolation. May we not be lazy but be mindful of what others may need, especially the elderly.
Urge us on to make the most of this opportunity you have given to us to reach out to our neighbors and family. Lord, may we not be harmed by any malady the enemy puts before us.
Just as at Passover, where the blood of the spotless lamb painted on the doorposts prevented harm to the Hebrews’ first-born children [Exodus 12:13-28], let us receive forgiveness, salvation, and the Holy Spirit in us so we can be on a peaceful mission, not scared.
Corona Virus is not the end of the world. Christians know the end of the story – this is not it.
We can say the same thing Joseph did, in Genesis 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[a] should be kept alive, as they are today.” [ESV] Biblegateway.com
Today, ask God what your part is in all of this. I believe, if you listen, you will hear God speak to your soul loud and clear at such a time as this.
As always, if you have a prayer need/request, feel free to reach out to me and I will be glad to pray for you. If you are a new believer in Jesus Christ, I pray that you grow in wisdom and grace. If you are a seasoned saint, I pray that you hear God clearly and use wisdom during this time.
Until next time – Blessings,
JoJo