Why We Never Give Up

The world is just learning to cope with the ravages of the COVID-19 tsunami when we are confronted with another plague, of a different color, so to speak. Systemic racism compounded by unrestrained police brutality. One such very public and tragic incident recently unleashed a volcanic rage that for decades lay dormant in the souls of many. Across the globe, thousands took to the streets to express their anger and frustration and while many protested peacefully, rioting, looting, burning and other forms of vandalism were also wide-spread. Shades of Armageddon!

One commentator describes these events coming one upon another as a “thin” time that’s taking people to near breaking point, triggering negative behaviors and magnifying insecurities, or, alternately to a place of deeper sadness and pessimism.

Christians too are admitting to despair. Some say that with church buildings on “temporary” lock-down it makes it harder to cope. Virtual worship is insufficient for their spiritual needs, they miss the personal contact and touch that help reassure them in a crisis – this more so for singles. While these are our reality, fellow believer and child of GOD, could we refocus your attention for a minute and look again at what’s really true for you?

• Despite all the tragedy, chaos and dysfunction, that which makes you unique in and to the rest of the world has not and cannot be changed nor compromised.
• And the life of a child of GOD cannot be one of despair and hopelessness. It’s the reverse!

This is your truth, whether the church doors are open or not! 

Here’s why!

You may live in this world but you’re not of the world. John 17:15-16.

I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. John 17:15-16

Hardships and trials may be your current reality but your true enemy here is Satan, whose only goal on earth is to convince you of hopelessness and destroy your peace as a child of GOD. He will deceive you into thinking of yourself as other than you are (John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8;) to make you forget that you are a child of hope, living unto the GOD of HOPE who came to earth in the person of JESUS CHRIST for your joy!

JESUS, the WORD who became human and made his home among us with unfailing love and faithfulness, prayed for you! John 1:14

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message…” John 17:20

Believer, you must fight and not give in and you can do it with a new mindset. 

Daily search the Scriptures to remind yourself of the truths and promises of GOD that are yours. See again how your heavenly planned it before the beginning of time. From the prophetic promise through the finished work of the gospels and on through the Epistles. The WORD will renew your mind and revive your joy.

These and so much more are your gift of hope and encouragement Romans 15:4:

For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. Isaiah 9:6-7

But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53

For this is how GOD loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. GOD sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.  John 3: 16-17

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the LORD—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:10-11

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am. John 14:1-3 

(JESUS) gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to GOD and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 6:7-8

But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of GOD. John 1:12

See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are GOD’s children because they don’t know Him. 1 John 3:1

GOD’s tidings of “great JOY” that we celebrate at Christmas is for every day in the finished work of CHRIST for all who believe – GOD’s children. 

We all need to be reminded – again and again and again. Our faith is bolstered and we are renewed by the constant repetition by our own study and meditation as well as by hearing from others. So as much as you can strengthen your brother or sister. (So, faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Romans 10:17).

The Christian life is about reminding ourselves constantly of who GOD is, what GOD has promised, and what GOD has done. We need to be reminded because under the difficulties and hardness of life we so easily forget and we surrender to our natural tendency to listen to the devil’s lies about what we can’t or shouldn’t have to endure.

We must remember instead that our power is linked to CHRIST’s who could and did endure for us.

Ours is a life of hope and Joy, every day!

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  Abba Father, we thank you for Your WORD that reminds us that Your promises are good and everlasting for all who are Yours and for the finished work of CHRIST Jesus, our Redeemer, Intercessor and LORD. Thank You for His Power that is at work in us so we can endure all things with JOY! We exalt Him as our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty GOD, our Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace and You our unchanging GOD who is ever gracious to Your people. In all this we rejoice and we pray in JESUS’ NAME. Amen!

Always by GOD’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

COVID-19: Keep Faith in GOD: Watch Him Deliver! – Pt 2

“The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:14

No question, the COVID-19 pandemic exploded upon us with the kind of disorder, disruption and devastation that few have seen before, and we hope never to see again. But there are no guarantees in this fallen world.

You may be feeling today much like Israel did when they reached the Red Sea aware that behind them was a vicious enemy that they were ill-equipped to fight. Nowhere to go. Helpless and vulnerable. The future looking bleak, if not lost. Except, GOD miraculously rescues Israel. Even though they doubted Him, hurled insults and complaints against Him when they should have stood firm in faith, confident in His providence and promises to them. After all, they were His own chosen people.

You too must remember whose you are when you come to your own Red Sea.

You are also GOD’s chosen, His blood-bought child. In the direst circumstances you must hold fast to your loving and faithful GOD and Father! Look always to Him, ask for His help and watch Him do what you could never think to ask for or imagine, just as He did for Israel. GOD didn’t leave Israel defenseless then and He will never leave you so today. With Him you have a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11.) Murmuring and complaining or turning to the world for comfort leads only to despair.  Let the joy of the LORD be your strength and not the idols of your heart.

Remain steadfast in faith and endure to the end with Him who loves you best, the one who gave His One and only Son to redeem you (1 John 4:9). Believe GOD is for you and not against you. Stay with GOD and stay in prayer. (Psalm 56:9; James 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.) Never doubt GOD’s promises. 

British Christian missionary J. Hudson Taylor (1832 – 1905) wrote that “All GOD’s promises are in the present tense.”  Apply this thought to any promise as you need to be reminded. But let’s try one that I hold to in my own personal life:

The LORD is my Shepherd. Psalm 23:1a. This is who your GOD IS (present tense). LORD and Shepherd – at this very minute; in the next hour; tonight; tomorrow; next week; Sunday through Saturday; next month; next year; 10 years from today; in leisure time; in a hospital bed; at a job interview; as you take your marriage vows; as the coffin of a loved one goes into the cold earth; as you welcome the birth of a child; in good times; in bad times; increasingly, continually, and intentionally….

GOD’s promises are sure and fixed. (Psalm 119:89)

Our GOD is an ever-present help! (Psalm 46:1)

Stand firm; watch GOD deliver!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our loving Father, Creator, Mighty GOD of all Providence, thank YOU for being a present help in our time of trouble, for being for us and never against us, for designing a unique plan for our lives that include a future and a hope, for knowing everything about us – the very number of hairs on our heads, our every thought and our every move. Cause us to never forget that You are Sovereign over all, that nothing takes You by surprise and everything is in Your control. Thank You for Your enduring love and bountiful goodness.  May our lips never doubt but always praise; never forget who heals our diseases, crowns us with loving-kindness and tender mercies, and satisfies our mouths with good things and above all, redeemed our lives from total destruction by giving Your only SON. We give YOU all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise, and we pray all things in JESUS’ Mighty NAME.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

COVID-19 Pandemic: Trust GOD’s Providence and Watch Him Deliver! – Pt. 1

Scripture tells of GOD’s miraculous rescue of the Israelites from 400 years of slavery and domination in Egypt. Even non-believers are familiar with the account of GOD parting the Red Sea for Israel’s safe cross-over while the Pharaoh’s army perished. Finally Israel would claim the Promise Land. Except, they never made it beyond the desert wilderness. Why? In the face of all that GOD did to protect and provide for them during the journey out of Egypt, Israel refused to trust His sovereignty and providence.

The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. Exodus 13:21

“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:13-14

GOD’s record with them was perfect but Israel’s first and only response at the first sign of trouble was to complain and murmur and show ingratitude and defiance against GOD. Never a thought to seek Him first, never a show of faith and trust in the Almighty GOD. This lack of wisdom and a desire to endure along with the GOD who loved them best cost them the Promised Land. GOD’s long-suffering patience gave out and He forbids them entry.

Unfortunately, the following Old Testament (OT) narratives show that their descendants learned nothing from the elders’ experience. The negative behaviors continue with them deteriorating to idol worship and a total dismissal of GOD’s commands until He removes His protection, allowing their enemies to conquer the Promised Land and enslave Israel one again in exile.

What is the take-away for where we are in our history today?

We read Israel’s story and shake our heads in puzzlement and dismay and judge them harshly for their sense of spiritual entitlement, ingratitude, and just plain arrogance.

But how about our own attitude towards GOD when we face difficult times? Like now?  Could it be mirroring Israel’s? Are we behaving like people with whom GOD hasn’t had a perfect record? Are we remembering our many escapes and victories back when and praising our Rescuer, or are we focusing only on today’s light and momentary affliction? Are we complaining, murmuring, lacking courage and faith? Are we refusing to believe that GOD is able and His promises are sure?

If this is where you are, take a step back and ask yourself the question Moses put to Israel on one occasion of their murmurings, “Is the LORD among us, or not?” (Exodus 17:7)

A grateful heart protects you from negative thinking. Thankfulness enables you to see the abundance I (Jesus) shower upon you daily.  “JESUS Is Calling Devotions” Author, Sarah Young

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our gracious and loving Father, YOU are GOD Almighty, able to do above and beyond what we can ever ask for or imagine for ourselves, if only we would believe. Remind us to seek YOU first and stand firm and endure with the confidence that YOU are with us in good times and in bad. Forgive us for thoughts and behaviors that are unworthy and negative and that's sinful in Your sight. Do not judge us as we so deserve but give us mercy and abundant grace to endure. We give YOU all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise, and we pray all things in JESUS’ Mighty NAME.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

COVID-19 Pandemic: Prayer on Serving Others

While COVID-19 is devastating thousands of lives physically, emotionally and even spiritually, it also opens doors for believers to be light in a time of unprecedented darkness. Think GOD has brought you into His kindness for just such a time as this. These are uncertain and scary times for all of us but it’s no excuse to “look out only for your own interests, but to take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:4).

If you are a believer now is the time to be the “front-liner” to “front-liners”, to act the “good Samaritan” to the least of these, to be JESUS with skin on and serve others as He did. Selflessly. And as with everything else in your Christian walk, be guided by GOD’s WORD.

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

People are dying. Loved ones are taken to hospitals never to return home even for burial if they die so families and friends don’t have closure. If you know of a family or even the friend of a family in this situation, reach out. Call or send a note. If you’re uncertain about peoples’ needs, ask how you can help. Comfort people in their sorrow. Let people know that you’re present and available. And do PRAY!

Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Isaiah 35:3

Check on neighbors and/or church members who are elderly and/or live alone. Isolation is mentally exhausting. Depression can set it and people can literally stop taking care of themselves, the elderly being the most vulnerable. Neglecting to eat, take needed meds and even basic hygiene. Does that elderly person need grocery items, prescription refills, “Redbox” movies returned/exchanged, help with meals? Make a daily pray call or knock on the door and talk/pray through the screen door or however you can observe social distancing for their safety and yours.  Showing you care can help someone make it through one more day.

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Mandatory shut down of businesses means less or no income for many. Churches and non-profits that would usually pick of the slack are also impacted. More people need help and agencies' budgets are shrinking. You too may have less than you would like to but you may also have more than some. At your next grocery run, ignore the snack foods and luxury items and pick up some extras canned goods and staples instead and drop it off at the local food pantry (your church may run one.) The money you were going to spend on restaurant take-out, send it to a trusty charity, like the Salvation Army. Look up mutual aid community networks on the popular social media platforms where neighbors post their needs and others respond as they can. Or, take the lead and start one in your own community if you have to.  

Christians are to take the lead in times of crisis. It’s one way we obey and please our Father:

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important…So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:2-3, 9-10

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16

There are pressing needs in our communities. As much as you’re able, be the first to offer yourself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12). Serve in any way you can and keep doing so even if it hurts a little or a lot, and do it with joy.

By giving and serving you’re spreading hope and light on behalf of the Lord and “nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58,) and everything you do for the LORD has an eternal perspective. JESUS tells us so:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was thirsty, and you gave Me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited Me into your home. I was naked, and you gave Me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for Me. I was in prison, and you visited Me.’… ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!’ MATTHEW 25:31-46

PRAYER:

Our Father in Heaven, you WORD teaches us everything we need to know about giving and serving. You gave us the perfect example of servanthood out of love in JESUS our Savior who gave up his divine privileges as GOD to become a humble slave in human form and die a criminal’s death on a cross, out of love and obedience. Help us to love you enough to imitate the life JESUS lived before us, to keep our eyes stayed on Him as the one who initiates and perfects our faith. Father, remind us that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength, that we are your masterpiece created anew in JESUS, so we can do the good things planned for us before we were even born – for your name and glory and our eternal joy.

I pray in JESUS name, Amen!

COVID-19 Pandemic: Prayer for Our Mental Heath

To halt the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections citizens globally have been asked to self-quarantine or isolate at home and practice social distancing outdoors. This policy may be keeping us healthy and alive but it is also taking a toll on people’s mental health. Mood swings, panic attacks, depression, stress, anxiety, fear and substance abuse are on the rise, even more so for persons with a previous diagnosis.

Believers, know that your heavenly Father feels your pain. Know also that His divine will for you is the shalom of life: peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. GOD wants you to be especially renewed in the spirit of your mind (Ephesians 4:20.) To this end, He expects you to use all legitimate resources that will help you to feel better mentally and spiritually, so that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (1 John 3:2.)

Both paid and free mental health help is available but you have to reach out.  Call your personal health care provider, or local public health service offices, and set up an appointment to discuss your symptoms. You may not have to visit in person as most healthcare and doctors’ offices now offer remote care services via Skype or FaceTime. If none of these are an option seek out trusted public health institutions that offer free online resources. You may do this in addition to contacting a healthcare provider. The ones listed below offer useful, practical, easy-to-understand online resources to print or save on your computer. They also list hotline services** where you can talk with someone if you think your symptoms are becoming extreme:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus “Daily Life And Coping” web page.
• U. S. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also produced an excellent COVID-19 resource guide.  
• U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has links to a variety of Health Topics right on its home page.

Your spiritual health also needs attention now but you may find it hard to focus on praying and meditating on Scripture until you’re healthier emotionally. GOD has you covered here also. Children of GOD are part of the family of GOD – the Church. If you’re unable to pray and read your Bible ask for help. Call a minister, bible study leader, prayer partner, anyone that’s mature enough in the faith that you can trust with your struggle. Share openly about what you’re experiencing and ask that person to pray with you daily. This is critical if you live alone.

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well… The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:14-15, 16b NLT.

If you don’t feel you can talk to someone and the only words you can get out of your mouth are, JESUS, help me, that will do. You have just appealed to your Great High Priest and Intercessor who will honor your heart-cry and pray to the Father for you. the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans…the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27.

Isolation is unnatural for us. Our Creator did not design humanity to live apart from each other and we are all at odds in our spirits to some extent. But this is what we need to do for the common good, so let’s pray to the One who knows all things to keep us in sound mind for the duration. He alone knows what that's going to be.

Ask GOD to do what He’s promised in His own WORDS! Psalms 3;3, 23:3-4, 34:18, 43-5, 44:5; Isaiah 40:29-31; Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:8

My Father and my GOD, you are my hope during this time of darkness and despair. Abba, my soul is downcast and overwhelmed, my heart is sad and my spirit is weary but I look to your light and your truth to guide me back to joy. I am trusting you, Father, to walk with me through this dark valley and bring me to a place of peace and soul rest. You stay close to the brokenhearted and rescue those whose spirits are crushed; you alone are able to protect me from the enemy of depression, give me new strength and power for my weakness and lift up my head again. I stand on your promises, my GOD and my helper. Father, I want so much to be able to walk again in the joy of your salvation, to praise and glorify your holy name. You have done so much for me. Please revive me again by your power and your love.  I pray in JESUS name, Amen!

**National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Toll-Free (English): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Toll-Free (español): 1-888-628-9454

TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)

Website (English): http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Website (español): http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/spanish.aspx  

COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prayer for Provision

About two months ago governments world-wide declared mandatory stay-at-home and work stoppage to try and halt COVID-19 virus infections and deaths. The strategy may be working but, for many people, not going to work means not getting a paycheck and not having the basic needs for living. Food is running out and bills are overdue, and some even worry they may not have a job when things stabilize.

GOD’s people shouldn’t worry, but we can and do. With the numerous unknowns you’re facing all at once, you may be severely tested in this area, unless you slam on the anxiety breaks, and make a hard turn-around.

So, take a minute, quiet the noise in your head and listen to your heart instead. Your Heavenly Father is speaking to you: Be still and know that I’m (still) GOD!! Instead of worrying come talk to me. Not because I need to be told what I already know, but so that you could be remind yourself that I do know and that I am able to act on your behalf; that you could be at ease within yourself.

So, let’s pray! Tell GOD what you need in His own WORDS! (Genesis 22:14, Psalm 23:1-2, Psalm 34:8-10, Psalm 118:17, Jeremiah 29:11, Luke 6:38, Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 4:19)

My Father and my GOD, you are Jehovah Jireh, my Provider! In faith I am standing upon Your Name and its promise to supply all of my needs according to Your plenteous riches. You are the Good Shepherd and you take care of all your sheep so we lack nothing. Your WORD says that I do not have to worry about anything but I should pray and ask for whatever I need. Father, I need food, shelter and all resources and means to sustain my family today and for our future. Give me also a restful spirit and peace so I can focus on being the body of Christ and reach out to others who also have needs of resources, encouragement and comfort. Father, your desire is that I give out of my own need, and when I do you will ensure that my gift will be returned to me in abundance. I am reminded that you saved me in CHRIST JESUS to fulfill your plan for my life which I can only do because your provision enables me to – spiritually and physically. LORD, I have tasted your goodness and I stand in awe of all that you have already done in my life. Thank you! Forgive me for forgetting that you are always a safe place and a refuge – I will not die but I will live to testify of all that you have done. All glory, dominion, power and glory belong to you, now and forevermore!  Amen!

Resurrection Sunday: JESUS Is Alive and So Are We!

The resurrection of the crucified CHRIST is unique to Christianity.

Although, Resurrection Sunday has become synonymous with the Easter Spring solstice celebration, there is no Biblical connection. The rituals and symbols associated with Easter – bunnies, decorated eggs and egg hunts, etc., have no bearing on the Resurrection whatsoever.

CHRIST raised from the dead is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy recorded in Scripture, as far back as Genesis 3:15. It’s GOD’s promise of salvation, new life and an eternal home in Heaven for those who believe by faith. (John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9-10)

JESUS, came to earth as GOD incarnate (John 1:1,14), to atone for the sins of mankind. You may have it said that LOVE held JESUS on the cross, not the stakes that Roman executioners drove into his hands and feet. This unique and perfect LOVE restores our broken relationship with the Father and gives you and me a new life that’s different from the rest of the world.

Rejoice! Celebrate your new life purchased for you by CHRIST’s perfect love – His blood that was shed for you, His dying on the cross instead of you, and His glorious resurrection that only He could accomplish for you!

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD, Father and LORD, we lift our hearts in awe, adoration and praise! Thank YOU that YOU for a great LOVE that gave your ONE and only SON so we may have new life as your children for all eternity. Father, help us to live each day in the joy of YOUR righteousness and the grace through which we received it. May our hearts always be filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for YOUR inexpressible love and sacrifice so we live godly lives daily and never grieve YOUR Holy Spirit. Help us to use every opportunity we get to share the good news of JESUS CHRIST and never be ashamed. Father, YOU have done great things for us and we are filled with JOY!!  To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile