WATCHWORD:
1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet with God?
11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:1-2,11
Meditation:
Peace is not fear… With God, our fear doesn’t stand a chance!
(Excerpt from my essay, Holy Fear, 2008): “We are humans, we all experience fear in some form or another; for our own safety, sometimes the fear is of the unknown, or comes out of our worry about tomorrow. We hear plenty of scripture passages that say to us do not fear, and certainly do not worry about tomorrow… What about holy fear? The kind of fear that God implants in us that guides us closer to him?”
In Acts 2:1-4, we read about the event during Pentecost in the temple in Jerusalem. It was a fearful, violent wind and tongues of fire. All that would be fearful enough, but then they were filled with the holy spirit. God’s purpose, God’s plan.
Sunday night, some of you may have watched Pastor Robert Morris, TBN, who dedicated his entire broadcast talking specifically to me. (As a psychologist, the technical term for that is “Baloney”, or if you were in the military, there is another word for it _______.) Anyway, he spoke directly to me and made three very important points. I’d like to share those with you. I don’t think Pastor Bob would mind:
- “Stan, stop listening to yourself!” (I was incensed!) He explained that is where so much of our worry and stress comes from…our ‘worry-voice’. It is okay to have concerns about the virus, and to take special care and stay safe. But, when our worry and our stress spreads (like a virus?) to others; spouse, children, grandchildren, friends, then it becomes a problem. Look at your prayer list. Is it a worry list that you’re carrying to God? Or is it one where we truly surrender and trust the Lord?
- “Stan, start talking to yourself! (What? Now I am totally confused. You just told me not to!) Here is the point: Don’t discourage yourself. Talk reassurance, positives, the fact that God is in charge, that God loves us and that we will get through this. That’s a litany we need to follow. Something like; ‘Thank you dear Heavenly Father I really appreciate all this good time that we’ve had together over these weeks. I feel like my faith and belief has been strengthened by this time. Thank you, God’.
- Get with God. Rest in the awareness that when we look to God, it changes us. We don’t know how that change will affect us when this is all over, we just know that it will be positive. And the reason we know that it will be positive is that God is always faithful, and each of us knows that.
Pastor Bob suggested something to all of us: In your prayer-life simply ask the Holy Spirit “What are you saying to me?” Then, listen to what direction is he giving you. Listen carefully, for the Voice of the Spirit is subtle, a whispered power. Pray for health and safety. Pray for the scientists working on the vaccine. Pray for the medical personnel who are healing people. Pray for all of those who are infected and who are affected by this virus. Pray for guidance so that you know if it is time for you to reach out to others. Don’t forget to lift up your loved ones.
Final point — Keep it clearly in mind, dear friends, that your fear does not stand a chance against what God can do.
Gentle Reminder:
But you, are my first choice,
descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, ‘You are serving on my side.
I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you, always.
Isaiah 41:9-10
Bulletin Board:
Daily Smile: This quarantine made me realize I have no real hobbies besides going out to eat and spending money.
Or, maybe this: I finally understand why dogs get so excited when they see an open door.
Gentle folk, use this space. Post on this Bulletin Board how God’s grace is touching you. How the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. It is important for us to hear from you, to know that God is out and about, and lifting us up. Be at peace.
Closing Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for the strength to be thankful for today and the moment, to enjoy the now in the midst of challenges, and to thank God for his favor and grace. Lord, help me to focus on what the Holy Spirit is doing in my life and drowned out the voices of evil. Praise God, I am not alone in my fight against fear; I have the Holy Spirit and the angels. The Holy Spirit and the angels are standing with me and in me. Thank you, Lord, for the “one-step victories” in my life, not perfect obedience, not perfect performance, not human perfect peace, not my righteousness, but the righteousness by faith in Jesus and his grace. I thank you, Jesus, that you make allowance for my weaknesses failures, sins, doubts, unbelief, and when fear controls my thoughts and actions. Help me to reject arguing or debating with the devil, my flesh, and my guilty conscience and fall upon the love, grace, mercy, peace, and the righteousness of Jesus who is our shield and redeemer. Thank you, Lord, for helping me overcome and deliver me from my fear. Help me to be as wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. May your Holy Will be done in my life. Amen.
