Faith
does not mean you do not get afraid.
Faith
means you do not let fear stop you.
03/19/2020
__________________________________________________________________________________
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
A coronavirus is a type of common virus that can infect your nose,
sinuses, or upper throat. They can spread much like cold viruses. Almost everyone
gets a coronavirus infection at least once in their life, most likely as a
young child.
Most corona viruses are not dangerous, but some are. Those that cause
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) or severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS ) can be deadly.
At this time in history we are facing a disease, which is a living
thing that God has given us power and authority over. I have seen many articles
from Minister concerning this outbreak of {COVID-19}. Most of them have been
negative and condemning of the body of Christ for having fear. This is not the
message I will be sending into the world.
It is my responsibility as a Shepherd of the
children of God to give you guidance during times like this. I will do my best
to be the leader explained in 1
Peter 5:1-11 - Therefore, I strongly urge the elders among
you [pastors, spiritual leaders of the church], as a fellow elder and as an
eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who
shares in the glory that is to be revealed: shepherd and guide and
protect the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion,
but voluntarily, according to the will
of God; and not [motivated] for shameful gain, but with wholehearted
enthusiasm; not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant
or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a
pattern of integrity for your congregation]. And when the Chief Shepherd
(Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.
Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your
elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility
toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the
proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He
defeats them], but
He gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble
yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so
that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate
time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all
your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest
affection, and watches over you very carefully].Be sober [well
balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and
cautious at all times.That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a
roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be
firm in your faith [against his
attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of
suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the
world. [You do not suffer alone.] After you have suffered for a little while,
the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to
His own eternal glory in
Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making
you what you ought to be]. To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty)
forever and ever. Amen.
During this time when mankind is
gripped with fear from each other, know that it is only the whispering of the
enemy of God, Satan, which is causing mankind’s hearts to fear. Remember this
friends, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice 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]. 2
Timothy 1:7”
This is the GOOD NEWS from the
Word of God my friends. Through a relationship with the Heavenly Father we are
given the STRENGTH to stand strong during times like these. It is time to
follow the words from the Word of God and stand strong right now. Do not let
worry or anxiety rule in your hearts. Instead give praise and thanksgiving to
God that you are His child Philippians
4:6. Read Matthew
6:25-34 and learn how to overcome any anxiety in your life.
The people of God are only human and they sometimes get fearful of the
plagues that are coming upon this world. Know this my friends that God will
bring you through this time if you rely solely upon Him and His Word.
Faithful followers of Jesus Christ are given authority over ALL things.
We are given the power through Jesus Christ to have the authority to take
dominion over every LIVING THING. We know that COVID-19 is a living thing and
we can call it out by name and take dominion over it.
Take a moment and read my blog post, Healing Hands of God,
for building up your faith that God has this in His hands.
Here is an excerpt from that post:
"And God blessed them, and God said unto
them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and
have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over
every living thing that moveth upon the earth." NOTE -
The red blood cells of your body already obey this verse, as they are being
multiplied and replenished every 80 - 120 days! Look at the rest of what God
said to mankind - subdue and have dominion... over every living thing! Wow!
That includes cancer, HIV, name your sickness________, bacteria, parasites,
viruses and all microorganisms that cause sickness and disease. He gave the
blessing, He gave the command, He gave you the right - now do
it. Put your foot down on sickness and disease and command it to go - it has no
right to stay, You are a blood bought child of God!!! Don't put up with it
another minute, subdue and take dominion!
If that does not get you excited as a believer, I do not know
what will!! God gave us dominion over EVERY living thing!! Praise His Name!! It
is so exciting to know that JESUS wants us to do exactly what He did and even
GREATER things than He did when He was here on this earth {John
14:12-14}. It is time to get out of our “comfort zones” and start being
what God has called us to be!! We are called to go out into this world, lay
hands on the sick, feed the hungry, comfort the hurting and show the Love of
God to this world so the world will KNOW that God is truly the ONE and only
TRUE GOD!!
Right now you may feel your
world is crashing in because of this pandemic in the world. I want you to know
there will be many more of these pestilences to come. This is why I am
encouraging you with the Word of God.
We witness in Lamentations
3 Jeremiah sharing in the afflictions of Israel. Even though he felt their
pain and sorrow he never gave up his hope. Jeremiah knew the secret to getting
through the things of this world was to never lose hope in the Creator. Through
all the suffering Jeremiah found hope of relief in God’s tender mercy. So
remember my friend, no matter how bad your life seems to be at this moment know
that it will get better when you surrender to the God of creation allowing Him
to bring you out of your dark places.
Open your eyes and ears my friends and hear what the Word of God says
to do and not what mankind’s fear is telling you.
Luke
21:10-28 – Here we find Jesus talking to His disciples
about the things that must come to pass before His return. He speaks of violent
earthquakes, famines and deadly, devastating pestilence, plagues and epidemics.
He tells them of the time when the saints of God will be so hated because of
their loyalty to Him that they will be persecuted, throne in prison and even
put to death. During those final days there will be people fainting from fear
and expectation of the dreadful things coming on the world. Even the very
powers of heavens will be shaken.
Because of all
these dreadful things coming upon the world it is important that the Children
of God be prepared by clothing themselves daily in the full Armor of God
according to Ephesians
6:10-18.
My prayer for all who believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ is that
you will have peace in your mind and healing for your body during this time.
Yes this pandemic called COVID-19 is real, but the POWER OF GOD is
GREATER therefore I encourage you to exercise your faith and PROTECT yourself
and the ones you love by allowing this power to flow through you.
Be encouraged my friends in the knowledge that you hold within you the
greatest power this world has ever know when you have Jesus Christ as the Lord
of your life.
John
14:12-14 - I
assure you and most solemnly
say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he
will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the
Father. And I
will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the
Father may be glorified and
celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.
Remember that even the GREATEST of GOD’S LEADERS throughout history have
experience fear, however they ALL knew and acknowledged that through the POWER
of GOD they could overcome those fears.
Do not be intimidated by those “ministers” who are trying to bring
condemnation upon the people of God for protecting themselves during this
pandemic. Let your FAITH rise up and block out all NEGATIVE WORDS from those
who would dare bring condemnation and intimidation upon you.
As a child of God you are an over comer and this too will PASS!!!
I pray these scriptures over ALL who see this post, “And
the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which
transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” Philippians
4:7 May the words of Christ find a
home in your hearts according to Colossians
3:15-16.
Have FAITH that GOD’S word is TRUE and He will protect you and guide
you through all the hard times that are coming upon this world.
In Christ service for everyone,
Scriptures for further reading:
1
Peter 5:1-11 - Therefore, I strongly urge the elders among
you [pastors, spiritual leaders of the church], as a fellow elder and as an
eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who
shares in the glory that is to be revealed: shepherd and guide and
protect the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion,
but voluntarily, according to the will
of God; and not [motivated] for shameful gain, but with wholehearted
enthusiasm; not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant
or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a
pattern of integrity for your congregation]. And when the Chief Shepherd
(Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.
Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your
elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility
toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the
proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He
defeats them], but
He gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble
yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so
that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate
time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all
your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest
affection, and watches over you very carefully].Be sober [well
balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and
cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a
roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be
firm in your faith [against his
attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of
suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the
world. [You do not suffer alone.] After you have suffered for a little while,
the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to
His own eternal glory in
Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making
you what you ought to be]. To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty)
forever and ever. Amen.
2
Timothy 1:7 - 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].
Psalm
53:1-3 - The [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”They are corrupt and
evil, and have committed repulsive injustice; there is no one who does good.
God has looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there is anyone who understands, who
seeks after God [who requires Him, who longs for Him as essential to life].
Every one of them has turned aside and fallen away; together they have
become filthy and corrupt;
there is no one who does good, no, not even one.
John
14:27 - Peace I leave with you; My
[perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do
I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you
courage and strength for every challenge.]
Ephesians
3:20-21 - Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose
and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely
beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is
at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Nahum
1:3 - The Lord is slow to
anger and great in power and He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
Philippians
4:6 - Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance
and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your
[specific] requests known to God.
The
Cure for Anxiety
Matthew
6:25-34 - Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy,
distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink;
nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and
the body more than clothing? Look
at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you
not worth much more than they? And
who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length
of] his life? And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow;
they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make
clothing], yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all
his glory and splendor dressed
himself like one of these. But
if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as
fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe
you? You of little faith! Therefore
do not worry or be anxious
(perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What
are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’
For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but
do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you
need them.But first and
most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of
God], and all these things will be given to you also.
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Deuteronomy
31:6 - Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or
tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God
who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.
Isaiah
41:10 - Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will
certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of
power, of victory, of salvation].
Joshua
1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!
Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Psalm
56:3 - When I am afraid, I will
put my trust and faith in You.
Psalm
34:4 - I sought the Lord [on the
authority of His word], and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
And delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm
27:1 - The Lord is my light
and my salvation — Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the refuge and
fortress of my life — Whom shall I dread?
Psalm
23:4 - Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of
the shadow of death {Or valley of deep darkness}, I
fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to
protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
Lamentations
3 – Here in Lamentation we witness Jeremiah sharing in the afflictions of
Israel. Even though he felt their pain and sorrow he never gave up his hope.
Jeremiah knew the secret to getting through the things of this world was to
never lose hope in the Creator. Through all the suffering Jeremiah found hope
of relief in God’s tender mercy. So remember my friend, no matter how bad your
life seems to be at this moment know that it will get better when you surrender
to the God of creation allowing Him to bring you out of your dark places.
Romans
15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of
the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and
overflow with confidence in His promises.
Luke
21:10-28 – Here we find Jesus talking to His disciples
about the things that must come to pass before His return. He speaks of violent
earthquakes, famines and deadly, devastating pestilence, plagues and epidemics.
He tells them of the time when the saints of God will be so hated because of
their loyalty to Him that they will be persecuted, throne in prison and even
put to death. During those final days there will be people fainting from fear
and expectation of the dreadful things coming on the world. Even the very
powers of heavens will be shaken.
Because of all
these dreadful things coming upon the world it is important that the Children
of God be prepared by clothing themselves daily in the full Armor of God
according to Ephesians
6:10-18.
Revelation 6:5-8 - When He (the Lamb) broke open the third seal, I heard the third
living creature call out, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse [of
famine]; and the rider had in his hand a pair of scales (a balance). And I
heard something like a voice in
the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius
(a day’s wages), and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage
the oil and the wine.” When He (the Lamb) broke open
the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out,
“Come.” So I looked, and behold, an ashen (pale greenish gray) horse [like a
corpse, representing death and pestilence]; and its rider’s name was Death; and
Hades (the realm of the dead) was following with him. They were given authority
and power over a fourth part of
the earth, to kill with the sword and with famine and with plague (pestilence,
disease) and by the wild beasts of the earth.
Colossians
3:15-16 - Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm
of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts
[deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of
believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. Let the [spoken] word of Christ
have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every
aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all
wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your
hearts to God.
John
14:12-14 - I
assure you and most solemnly
say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he
will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the
Father. And I
will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the
Father may be glorified and
celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.
