Faith of a Child

Yesterday after the Prime Ministers announcement my daughter went to her room and emerged a few minutes later in a shower cap, had fashioned a face mask and put on safety goggles declaring “I’m here to defeat Corona virus!” 

I love her beautiful heart and all of this made mine ache just a little bit extra. The children don’t truly understand all of this, but it is scary and overwhelming for them. My daughter admitted that she has a hard time falling asleep because she is thinking about it. So we took time to listen and to talk about it to help ease the anxiety and we pray as a family throughout the day to remind her that God is in control.

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”” ~Matthew‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭

While the world is trying to figure out how we get through this my kiddo is praying that her golden birthday (and it’s her double digits too) won’t be canceled. She prays about this every night right after she prays for protection of friends and family. It would be easy to disregard her fears about her party considering the magnitude of the situation at hand, but you know what it is important and it matters.

Let’s be sure to take time to come down to our children’s level right now and help understand what they are feeling and facing. Let’s be sensitive to their true feelings and use it as an opportunity to deepen their faith by teaching them to give these worries to God. In all of this the children need to be heard the most right now, and we need to listen. This will be something that they will never forget and helping them process it is our job as parents. These courageous kids are ready to battle an invisible enemy, as mine says “nurse Ella Mae is here, Corona is finished!”

“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8:2‬ ‭

Jesus is With Us

Whether we realize it or not, we think we have so much more power over our lives than we actually do. Panic is a result of seeing reality and realizing very little is truly in our hands. When the power we thought we had is taken away we find ourselves desperate and afraid, and in the midst of this global crisis this is a stark and sobering reality for many if not all.

This is a good time to take stock and realized where we may have misplaced faith, faith in things that can’t save us! Although this may take us by storm it did not catch God by surprise and He is still very much in control. God is with us and that is why we do not need to fear, actually God tells us not to fear! 

“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:24-26‬

When we read Matthew 8:24-26 it is easy to say “why did the disciples panic? Didn’t they understand who was in the boat? They had Jesus with them!” We can read this powerful story and sit back and say we would have remained calm, but if we look at today does our answer change? As a follower of Christ, Jesus is in our boat. Now that we are facing a raging sea like we have never seen are we able to stay calm or are we forgetting He is with us?

The world is going to panic, because without God this crisis is beyond comprehension. I can’t imagine facing this without Jesus, I can’t imagine how hopeless and scary it must be. Now is the time to shine the light of hope and truth for a world in darkness! We as Christians don’t do that by panicking, grumbling or responding like the world. We do that by being calm, by being peaceful, by being helpful, generous, kind and loving. When everyone is looking to take care of themselves we must be looking to the needs of others!

Jesus is in the boat, we are not alone. The storm may rage around us but we can carry the peace that the Holy Spirit gives us to those around us if we just trust in the One who can calm the seas. For us to do this we must be intentional in prayer and quiet time with the Lord, being filled with the Word in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Take this extra down time you have been given to draw near to the Lord, to seek Him on the things you can do to help reach the lost and those in need. This is the moment, the call has gone out, now is the time to rise my brothers and sisters. Shalom.

““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭

Jesus is All We Need

Today I am so thankful for a church that is so connected. I’m thankful for a Pastor who will deliver the Word online to encourage us and share what God has spoken to his heart. I’m thankful that we are the church, that the building isn’t the important part. I look forward to when we can gather again as a physically united group, which is truly important (Hebrews 10:25). I will miss the fellowship and the sound of our voices together lifting praise and worship but I am glad that I can enter into the presence of the Holy Spirit right where I am, at all times, that He is always with me.

If all of this has reminded us of one thing, it is that we truly cannot depend or rely on anything in this world. God is the only One who will not fail. Economies, nations, the world is all shaking ground but God is our Rock! He is our provider! Jesus is our salvation. Until this week I didn’t realize the things I still relied on, things I had misplaced confidence in, and I thank God for opening my eyes to them.

My hope, my help, my provision, my protection, my security, my health, my life, my salvation, everything I need and have comes from God alone. Because of this I have no reason to fear tomorrow, the uncertainty should not move me, my source has not changed! I pray peace over you my friends, the peace of God.

Jesus is all that you need, He is all that any of us need. If you don’t know Him, I pray today you will open your heart to Him, He loves you and He won’t fail you...

Step Out in Faith!

It’s a favorite used quote among Christians, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called” and it’s a powerful truth. The enemy wants us to feel inadequate, but we are not! What we lack God provides, where we are weak, He is strong. Where the words cannot be found, The Holy Spirit speaks. This is the beauty of saying “yes” to God when He calls you.

I have never been more amazed in my life then when God has asked me to step out of my comfort zone and do something I never thought I could or would. The Holy Spirit has always come and taken over, my job is simply to have faith and be a willing vessel to be filled. 

Today the world is facing new challenges and we can be sure that God will call us to answer in new ways. I pray that we all remember that we are more than able to do what God asks us to do in the Name of Jesus. Don’t be afraid to step out in faith and say yes, God will take care of the details! 

“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:11-12‬

Put Your Faith in God

I pray that as the world faces this global medical crisis, we rediscover what it is to be a community. That we take time to share (yes, share your toilet paper). That we take time to help. That we remember our neighbors and take concern of their needs.

I pray that the younger people will look well after the older people in the community. That those of us who have lower risk of complications will deliver needs to those who are higher risk so they can stay safe. That if we are sick we stay home and not cause others to be sick. 

I pray that we will put down the media hysteria and pick up the Word of God. I hope that we will use this extra time to connect with one another face to face in our families, putting aside distractions and seeing it as a blessing. 

I hope that in all of this we are reminded to always be people of prayer, turning to God in the good and bad, giving Him thanks and honor through it all. This virus is not bigger than God, but if we allow fear to overwhelm we let the devil win.

Be kind, be courteous, be wise, share and love one another...

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:16‬ ‭

God Fights for You!

The devil doesn’t fight against those who are not a threat. When we say yes to God and His plan begins to unfold we can expect that the enemy will attack. The devil is predictable in this way, and having our eyes open can help us to not be caught off guard when he wages war on us. 

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭

The only One we need to focus on is God! He is faithful, He is not going to leave us to be devoured, He is the promise keeper. The very nature of God is love and as His children we should know that His defense and protection of us knows no bounds if we put our trust and hope in Him alone! 

“Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭

When the devil attacks turn your eyes to Jesus, let your heart be glad and know that God is working with you and fighting for you!

Concetpion - the moment you became you!

Conception is an amazing process! At the very moment of conception everything about you is already determined and written in your DNA. This is the moment that you became you! God planned each and every one of us, He formed us, created us, gave us purpose. To think the God of all creation is intimately involved with every aspect of you is an incredible and humbling thought! 

Sometimes we can feel forgotten or overlooked, but when that happens remind yourself of who you are. You are fearfully and wonderfully made! You have infinite value and worth! God formed you with love, created you with purpose and valued you so much that He sent His only Son to die for your sins on the cross, rising again on the third day, paying the ransom for our sin, all so we could be united with Him for eternity in Heaven as sons and daughters of the Most High! It’s incredible to even try to comprehend...To God be the glory!

Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.