Monday, May 11, 2020

Pastor's Ponderings, May 11, 2020

Great News: We Have God’s Power, Love, and A Sound Mind
J. Moss wrote a song entitled, “Afraid”.  Some of the lyrics are “Not gonna be afraid no more. Fear don’t live here no more. Not gonna be afraid no more. Pain just walked out that door, that spirit ain't here with me. God didn't put that in me, but the spirit of power and love and of sound mind.”  

Many of us are very afraid of what can happen next in our lives.  We used to have a good handle on life but now everything seems turned upside down.  Simple family gatherings, church meetings, regular employment, and social gatherings have gone away to be replaced by a fearful waiting until COVID-19 passes us by. 

In the Bible, God promised that we would have trouble, but we were to be happy because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).  He states that nothing by any means shall hurt us (Luke 10:19). God has given us the victory over sin, sickness and disease and while many of our loved ones have succumbed to various sicknesses, He promised that even though we go through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, He will comfort us (Psalm 23:4) and that He is a very present help during our troubles (Psalm 46:1).  We don’t have to worry, stress out, be anxious or fearful.  God holds everything in the power of His word and even during this awful pandemic, all things work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28).

We are in the midst of a storm but like Jesus in the Bible, He is in our boat with us (Matthew 8:23-26).  We can look to Him for our direction, our peace, our faith, and our future because He loves us and has given us His power, His enduring love, and the mind of Christ (2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 2:16).  Let us rejoice because he is with us and He supplies all of our needs!

John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Luke 10:19
New International Version (NIV)
19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Psalm 23:4
New International Version (NIV)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 46:1
New International Version (NIV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Romans 8:28
New International Version (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Matthew 8:23-26
New International Version (NIV)
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him
25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

2 Timothy 1:7
King James Version (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 Corinthians 2:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.




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