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Today’s Scripture “…There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.” (1 Corinthians 16:9, NLT) There Will Always Be Adversity How do you respond when unfair situations come against you and people do you wrong? It’s easy to get discouraged and think that because it’s not working out, it’s not meant to be. But just because you have opposition doesn’t mean you’re not in God’s will. The apostle Paul described his work in the city of Ephesus as a wide-open door of opportunity with many in opposition. Anytime you have opportunity, anytime you’re about to move forward to the next level, there will be opposition, people trying to discourage you, things you don’t understand. The people who reach their destiny aren’t moved by what’s not working out, and they don’t give up because they had a setback or because somebody did them wrong. They know God is in control, that He’s directing their steps. They know that the setback is really a setup for God to do something greater. The adversity means the promotion, the healing, the new level is on the way. A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for every open door of opportunity that You open for me. Thank You that the opposition I face is only a setup for You to do something greater in my life. I believe that You are in control and the next level is on the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” COVID-19 UPDATE: We want you to know that we are standing with you during this challenging season. If you’re feeling weighed down from the news, say to God right now, “I’m turning it all over to You. I’m going to tune out the news today and turn up my praise. The Most High God is fighting my battles. God is my refuge and strength. He is my present help in a time of trouble. God is with me and for me. Amen! ”We are all in this together. These are unknown times, but we can be encouraged that as we pray and praise in the midst of the storm, our faith is strengthened, our peace increases, and we acknowledge God is abundantly present with us. I AM FEARLESS Through these messages, you’ll be so blessed as you discover how to live in victory and with confidence in every situation. God will open doors and make things happen that you never thought possible. OUR THANKS FOR A GIFT OF ANY AMOUNT REQUEST YOURS NOW! ► Follow Us This email is intended for hopkinsanthony33@gmail.com. To unsubscribe from this email list, click remove. To ensure delivery to your mailbox, please add devotional@goto.joelosteen.com to your address book of approved senders. View this email online. Share this email © 2020 Joel Osteen Ministries | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE

Spiritual Growth and Christian Living Resources   Toggle navigation 10 Comforting Bible Verses to Memorize During COVID-19 Quarantine Jennifer Waddle 2020 25 Mar During this unprecedented season of quarantine due to the coronavirus, as our normal routines have drastically changed, we can either fill our days with mindless activities and the latest news headlines or, we can open the Scriptures and find comforting truths to guide us through this uncertain time. As Psalm 119:11 reminds us, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” And the truth is, we need the Word of the Lord far more than we need the news of the world.  This quarantine is no surprise to God. And maybe, just maybe, He is allowing this season of uncertainty so that we will recenter our lives on His will, His way, and His Word. Here are 10 comforting Bible verses to memorize during the coronavirus quarantine: Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez 1. Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. No matter what lies ahead, we can rest assured that the Lord Himself will go before us. For some, they will have to deal with the fallout of daily family tension from everyone cooped up together. For others, they face job loss and immense financial stress. And others will have to face loss of family members and dear ones. Through every trial we face, we can know that God walks with us.  Our job is to remain in-step with His Spirit, and not let discouragement take over. Prayer Gracious God, help us slow down during this time of quarantine, and get back in-step with You. Help us to trust You to lead the way, to go before us, with us, and behind us. In the name of Your Son, we will not be afraid or discouraged. Amen.  2. Psalm 27:1  The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? The words “light” and “salvation” bring an immediate smile to our faces, as we picture the Savior shining the light of His love over our lives. Even though hardships await us, there is no reason to fear. We have a safe and secure place in Jesus Christ  Prayer Lord, thank You for lighting the way in this dark time. We depend on You, not only for our salvation, but for our day-to-day peace and provision. You are the only stronghold we need. We look to You instead of the world for guidance today. In Jesus’ name, amen. Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ThitareeSarmkasat 3. Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Think about the words of that passage for a moment. If the earth truly was to give way, and we witnessed the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, what a terrifying event that would be. And yet…God remains our refuge in the midst of every terrifying thing. He is our ever-present help, which means He is always there. Prayer Heavenly Father, please remind us to turn to You during this time of quarantine. Help us to turn off the television and silence the news, and instead, call upon Your name. Through every storm, and every scare, please be our strength. Thank You for being a constant presence in our lives. Amen. 4. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. If there is one common theme during this quarantine, across every continent, it is the search for peace. And Jesus said it best when He told His disciples that He does not give as the world gives. His peace He leaves with us, as a free gift to enjoy. And because Jesus does not give as the world gives, we know that this peace is lasting and secure—impervious to circumstances.  Prayer Lord Jesus, thank You for Your peace. What a gift it is! In the middle of this uncertain season, still Your peace remains. For that reason, we will not let our hearts be troubled today. In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus, amen. Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Boban Simonovski 5. Acts 2:25-28 I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. This passage, although a bit lengthy, is a powerful passage to memorize. As we picture the Lord always before us, keeping us steadfast through every storm, we will not be shaken. God will make known to us the right path to take. And in Him, there is fullness of joy. Prayer Thank You, Lord, for taking every fear, anxiety, and worry, and replacing it with true joy. At Your right hand, we will not be shaken. We will rejoice in hope and be filled with resounding joy in Your presence. In Jesus’ holy name, amen. 6. Romans 8:15 (NKJV) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”  Abba, Father…what a comforting reminder that God is not only the Creator of the entire universe, He is our Father who loves us. He lives in us by His Holy Spirit. Whatever oppressive thoughts try to fill us with worry today, they don’t stand a chance in light of God’s presence. Prayer Holy God, we cry out to you and ask for Your Spirit to wash over us. Cast out all spirits of fear and anxiety, as we hold fast to the Bible verses that remind us of Who you are. We receive Your Spirit of adoption with open arms, as we cry out, “Abba, Father.” In the name of Jesus, amen. Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Tim Bogdanov 7. Romans 8:37-38 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Being quarantined does not mean we are defeated. On the contrary, we are more than conquerors! Nothing on this earth can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Let’s cling to that promise today, and hide these comforting verses in our hearts. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so deeply that nothing can uproot us from Your love. Help us to remain steadfast and not be swayed by idle words or false promises. During this time of quarantine, remind us that we are not defeated, but instead, we are victors in Your Son. It is in His name we pray, amen.  8. Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. It is crucial during quarantine that we keep our minds from wandering to the negative news around us. This Bible passage is the best reminder to intentionally focus on what is true, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. I recommend printing these verses and posting them around the house for all members of your family to see. Prayer Lord, thank You so much for the reminder to think about things that are worthy of praise. Please put a hedge around our minds, to block out the constant negative news we are hearing. Help us to be intentional about what we allow our ears to hear. In Jesus’ precious name, amen. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Motortion  9. Hebrews 13:5-6 (NLT) “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” If there is one thing most people are lacking today, it is confidence. After all, we are in unknown territory, trying to navigate something that is unpredictable and uncertain. But let us not forget that there is complete certainty in God. He will never fail us or abandon us. We can say with confidence that He is our helper and we need not fear. Prayer Faithful God, thank You for never leaving us or forsaking us. No matter how isolated we may feel, we know You are there. Help us to raise our heads in confidence—not self-confidence—but in the assurance that You are all the help we need. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. 10. Revelation 21:3-6 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who is seated on the throne says, “I am making everything new!” What words of divine comfort for us! As we try to look above our current circumstances, let’s remember that the Lord is the Alpha and Omega. He knows the beginning from the end. And His Word is trustworthy and true. Prayer Lord God Almighty, You are still on Your throne. There is nothing that evades Your sovereignty. In You we put our trust. Thank You for your powerful words from Revelation 21. Thank You for making everything new. We come to You, now, and drink from the water of life—the life of Your Word. In the wonderful name of Jesus we pray, amen. Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Karl Fredrickson Top Signs You Have Lung Cancer and Surprising Treatments – See Here Search Lung Cancer Treatments Sponsored by Revcontent Find Out More > NEXT: Blind Faith? 6 Reasons We Can Trust a God We Can’t See About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Crosswalk App Do Not Sell My Info (CA Only)

Living Light Daily Devotional God’s Spirit By Touching Lives with Dr. James Merritt “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” – Acts 19:2 There is someone that you know if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. He goes everywhere you go. He will never leave you and loves you more than anyone else in the world ever could. This “someone” is the Holy Spirit. If you have surrendered your life to God through faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit is not only with you, He lives in you. Many people in the world, particularly unbelievers, don’t know anything about the Holy Spirit. For many the term “Holy Spirit” is one of many “churchy” phrases that may be familiar, but actually means little to them. There are even many Christians who are quite unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the Holy Spirit. Moreover, many believers who do know about the Holy Spirit are simply indifferent to Him. These Christians are satisfied with being saved and knowing God. They aren’t interested in living a Spirit-filled, Spirit-directed, Spirit-honoring life. Why is it so important for Christians to have a strong relationship with the Holy Spirit? It is important because it is impossible to be rightly related to God the Father unless you are rightly related to God the Son. You cannot be rightly related to God the Father or God the Son unless you are rightly related to God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our connection to God and to Christ. If you are a believer, do you understand the importance of the Holy Spirit in your life? He is the one who enables you to live the Christian life. He is your Helper, your Teacher, and your Guide. Application: Spend some time in Scripture reading about the role of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life. Suggested passages: John 14:26; John 16:1-15. Read in browser » Recent Articles: Show and Tell Submit to the Spirit Seek the Spirit Walking in the Spirit Are You Filled? Share Your Faith Boldly Learn a simple, straight-forward method for effectively sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. This three-week online course features a downloadable workbook along with training videos from Dr. James Merritt. Enroll today and learn how to effectively and confidently share your faith! ENROLL NOW Prayer Request Email TL Staff Donate Now Share Tweet Forward This email was sent to hopkinsanthony33@gmail.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Touching Lives, Inc. · 1800 Satellite Blvd · Duluth, GA 30097 · USA

URGENT: Encouragement and Prayer in a Time of Pandemic…See All of Our Coronavirus Resources Here Toggle navigation Search Browse The Bible Toggle Dropdown Find it! How ‘And’ Bridges God’s Sovereignty with Man’s Free Will Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies / How ‘And’ Bridges God’s Sovereignty with Man’s Free Will Sheila Alewine | Author Wednesday, April 1, 2020 Share Tweet Save There are some things about God that we will never understand about Him from a finite, human perspective. We are simply unable to separate ourselves from what makes sense to us logically. This is why obedience must first come as a response to faith, not understanding. This quote by Fred Malone of Founders Ministry perfectly sums up our dilemma: “How can one explain the mystery of the absolute sovereignty of God over all things in His decree yet harmonize it with the biblical truth of the unforced will of spiritually dead men freely to respond to the gospel when they are regenerated? To harmonize the sovereignty of God and full human responsibility to repent and believe is like trying to explain the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. It is wholly inspired by God yet written through the minds of fallible men. Such mysteries humble us and call teachers to use prudence (wisdom applied) and care (careful teaching with care for the hearer) in their teaching of the ‘high mystery of predestination.’ We must neither ignore nor speculate about God’s revelation to make it more palatable to ourselves or others.” The fact that we wrestle with deep truths, however, does not mean that we should not pursue understanding. What we believe about salvation, grace, and free will directly impacts how we continue to live in obedience to God, and how we carry out the Great Commission of spreading the gospel to all the nations. For that reason alone, we should be willing to stretch our spiritual muscles, employ our God-given intellect, and dive into the pool of theology, all the while, of course, asking God for the wisdom He promises to give to those with a humble, believing heart (James 1:5-8). The primary place where believers tend to part ways on God’s sovereignty and man’s free will is the area of how men are saved. One camp says, “it is all God, and man has no choice in the matter.” The other camp says, “God desires all men, and man chooses whether or not to believe in God.” (Those are characterizations of the extreme viewpoints.) Both camps quote a multitude of Scripture to support their viewpoint. How are we to respond? I once had a boss who taught me a great lesson. When called to decide between two seemingly opposite choices, we ought to consider if we should perhaps set aside the “either” and the “or” and instead embrace “the beauty of the and.” Our topic at hand fits this advice perfectly.  The Two Viewpoints: Calvinism and Arminianism If someone calls you a “Calvinist” they are most likely referring to the five-point set of beliefs credited to John Calvin, a French theologian (1509-1564). The five points can be remembered by the acronym TULIP: Total Depravity of Man Unconditional Election Limited Atonement Irresistible Grace Perseverance of the Saints Arminianism, an opposing viewpoint, is credited to Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian (1560-1609), and its followers disagree with each of these points in varying degrees. The Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry explains it this way: “The system of Calvinism adheres to a very high view of scripture and seeks to derive its theological formulations based solely on God’s word. It focuses on God’s sovereignty – stating that God is able and willing by virtue of his omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence to do whatever He desires with His creation. … Arminianism, on the other hand, maintains that God predestined but not in an absolute sense. Rather, He looked into the future to see who would pick him, and then He chose them. Jesus died for all peoples’ sins who have ever lived and ever will live – not just the Christians. Each person is the one who decides if he wants to be saved or not.” What Does Scripture Say? Is salvation completely dependent on God’s sovereign, predestined choosing of the elect? Is atonement limited to the “elect” or available for all? Can man resist God’s grace?   There are many scriptures which clearly teach man’s spiritual condition is broken from birth. Romans 1:18-32 gives a striking picture of what happens when God allows the human heart to pursue its natural course. Because of the fall (Genesis 3), Adam and Eve lost their innocence and their holy position before God, and their children inherited their fallen image and likeness (Genesis 5:3). Adam’s sin brought death to all men, and made all men sinners (Romans 5:12, 19). Men cannot understand spiritual things with their natural mind (1 Corinthians 2:14). We are born in sin (Psalm 51:5) and are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:5).  This does not mean that all men are as depraved as they could be, or that we cannot do good things (according to man’s definition of “good”). Many people who do not believe in Jesus still have compassion and mercy for others, live a moral life and understand the difference between right and wrong. God gives all men a moral conscience, and the environment and experiences of our lives directly impact how that conscience operates.  2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 6 describes the need for God to act on us before we can ever come to salvation. “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” Ephesians 2:8-9 tell us that salvation is a gift of grace by faith, and that faith is also a gift. Titus 2:25 teaches us to correct those opposed to the gospel, “if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.” Jesus Himself taught that no one can come to God unless it has been granted him from the Father, and the Father draws him (John 6:44, 65). Clearly, God’s sovereignty is at work in salvation. God must act before we can respond to Him.  What Is Man’s Responsibility? Does He Have Free Will? A.W. Tozer gives us a good picture of man’s free will in his book, The Knowledge of the Holy, where he says: “God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choice between good and evil. When he chooses to do evil, he does not thereby countervail the sovereign will of God but fulfills it, inasmuch as the eternal decree decided not which choice the man should make but that he should be free to make it. … Man’s will is free because God is sovereign. A God less than sovereign could not bestow moral freedom upon His creatures. He would be afraid to do so.” In John 5:40, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” In Luke 7:30, we are told “the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose [Greek word boule, meaning counsel or will] for themselves, not having been baptized by John.” John preached a baptism of repentance. God’s purpose for the Pharisees (as it is for all of us) was that they would confess and repent of their sin.  These verses indicate that man has a will that must be submitted when faced with the truth about God. Acts 17:26-31 is the perfect picture of God’s sovereignty acting, and man’s free will responding. God determines when and where we live so “that [we] would seek God, if perhaps [we] might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us,” and He is “now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent.” Jesus words in John 6:63-65 also give us a clue about the tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s free will in coming to salvation.  “’It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, ‘For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.’” Jesus is speaking to a group of His disciples, giving further insight to the challenging words that those who have eternal life will “eat His flesh and drink His blood” (John 6:52-58). He tells them He is speaking on a spiritual level; He is not talking about eating His literal, physical flesh. I believe this illustrates a great truth, that unless God grants it, we will never understand Jesus. When He does open our eyes, we are given a choice in how we respond: believe or reject. Later in this same passage, many “professing” disciples walked away from Him, unwilling to accept His words. When asked if they, too, would leave, Peter declares, “To whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” The eleven disciples exercised their free will, accepted what God had revealed to them, and were granted faith to believe. Judas, on the other hand, chose to reject what had been revealed to him, and perished (John 6:70-71). God’s sovereign actions in calling us and drawing us to salvation and our God-given free will (and responsibility) to respond by faith and believe, surrendering our will to His, are two sides of the same coin. It’s not either God is sovereign, or man has free-will, but God is sovereign, and man has free will. I picture salvation as standing before a door, God’s convicting Spirit speaking to our heart, calling us to repent and believe. From our perspective on this side of the door, we must lift our hand, turn the knob, and step over the threshold of repentance into faith and eternal life. But as we turn back from the other side of salvation and look behind us, we see that without the sovereign actions of God, we would never have even found the door, and that any strength or power or knowledge to open the door was all a result of what God did in our heart and mind. God tells us to seek Him, but He allows Himself to be found (Isaiah 65:1; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 29:13). John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 1:12 – “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Photo credit: ©Getty Images/stevanovicigor Author Sheila Alewine is a pastor’s wife, mother and grandmother. She and her husband lead Around The Corner Ministries, which serves to equip Christ-followers to share the gospel where they live, work and play. She has written several devotionals including Living In Light of the Manger (Advent), Just Pray: God’s Not Done With You Yet, Grace & Glory: 50 Days in the Purpose & Plan of God, as well as Going Around The Corner, a Bible study for small groups who desire to reach their communities for Christ. Sheila has a passion for God’s Word and shares what God is teaching her on her blog, The Way of The Word. Connect with her on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram. Promoted Stories Ads by Revcontent Common Signs Your Body is Fighting Lung Cancer Search Lung Cancer Treatments Beginning Signs of Schizophrenia – Some May Surprise You Health | Sponsored Links Americas #1 Futurist George Gilder’s 2020 Prediction Will Stun You Internet Reboot 2020 Early Stages of Kidney Cancer (Renal Cancer) May Surprise You Cancer | Sponsored Links How Dogs Cry for Help: 3 Warning Signs Your Dogs is Crying for Help Dr. Marty Lung Cancer Signs and Side Effects May Be Easily Ignored Lung Cancer | Sponsored Links Early Signals of Brain Cancer Cancer | Sponsored Links [Photos] The Real Reason Costco Checks Your Receipts Before You Leave UnpuzzleFinance Around The Web Ads by Revcontent Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy Healthier Living Club Stop The Bleeding Of Your IRA/401K. 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Intersection of Life and Faith   Toggle navigation 8 Ways God Wants to Bless Us All in the Coronavirus Crisis Catherine Segars Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer 2020 23 Mar Do you ever wonder why Scripture tells us to count it all joy when we face various trials and tribulations in life? (James 1:2-4) Joy is an odd response to hardship and suffering. And yet our faith promises us that God is committed to doing good when the enemy intends harm. (Genesis 50:20) God is committed to bringing life out of death. (Romans 4:17) God is committed to taking every bad thing that happens to us and using it to bless us. (Romans 8:28) Trials can be a boot camp of blessings if we allow God to have His way. Here are 8 ways God wants to bless us in the coronavirus crisis: Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Motortion 1. The Blessing of Faith over Fear Fear looms large in a global pandemic. Gloom and doom coverage permeates the airwaves. This virus has forced us to face uncertainty at every turn. We all know and love people who are vulnerable to the coronavirus. That is scary. If you are an elderly person or you have an underlying health condition, this illness can certainly induce anxiety and even panic. And this crisis isn’t just attacking our health. It is attacking our livelihood. The stock market has been in a free fall. Portfolios have crashed. Large corporations are restructuring to weather the storm while small businesses fight to stay afloat. Hundreds of thousands of workers with stable jobs just a week ago are on furlough for the foreseeable future. Hospitals and health care professionals are bracing for what could be a tsunami of need. Life as we know it is not our life right now. All of this uncertainty is designed by the enemy to induce one thing—fear. But Scripture tells us that fear is not from God. (2 Timothy 1:7) In fact, as we seek God, He has promised to deliver us from our fears. Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” We have a choice to make in every crisis. We can choose fear, or we can choose faith. But how do we choose faith? Start by seeking the Lord. Submit every fear you face concerning this crisis to Him. Get on your knees, name your fears one by one, and say, “Father I give this fear to you.” And know that God is committed to delivering you from them all. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Halfpoint 2. The Blessing of Releasing Control When life is running smoothly, we are tempted to think that we are masters of our own destiny. Chaos from a pandemic strips the veil from our eyes. Suddenly we see what was there all along, but we just didn’t realize it… We aren’t in control. Not even a little bit. That can be frightening—until you realize Who is. God. He is in control of your health, your finances, your life, your world. When fear looms large, recognize that you’ve placed your trust in the wrong source. The government, your health, your bank account, your job—those aren’t bad things, but putting your trust in those things is…because they will fail you. God won’t. The Apostle Paul, who suffered imprisonment, beatings, snake bites, and shipwrecks, gives us great assurance from our heavenly Father saying, “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.” (2 Corinthians 1:10) My pastor, Chris Hodges of Church of the Highlands, quoted this verse in our Sunday service, which took place for the first time entirely online. He encouraged us to make this declaration: “He has.” “He will.” “He will continue.” I encourage you to do the same. Affirm that God is in control. He has delivered us in the past. He will deliver us now. And He will continue to deliver us in the future. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/ipopba 3. The Blessing of God’s Power and Peace We all love the story of Jesus speaking peace to the stormy waters in Mark 4, but we know how that story ends. It’s easy to forget that the disciples didn’t. Mark 4:37 says, “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.” Jesus’ followers were terrified, and rightfully so. They were on the verge of drowning. We all want to experience God’s peace, but we cannot experience His peace until we first comprehend His power. And we cannot comprehend His power without a storm. These two attributes of God go hand-in-hand. Rev. Billy Cerveny says, “When you read the story of the Bible, chaos is never evidence of God’s absence. It’s the arena in which He moves. It is where He dwells. If that’s true then, it’s true now.” God’s power dwells in chaos because that is where we see Him most clearly. His power is most evident when we recognize how powerless we are…when we realize that without Him, we will drown. A global pandemic that has brought civilization to a stand-still is the perfect place for God to display His power. And it is the perfect place for us to experience His peace, which is a peace the world cannot offer, a peace that transcends our circumstances and our understanding. (John 14:27, Philippians 4:7) Don’t miss the opportunity to grasp the magnitude of God’s power in this crisis, and to receive His peace. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Simon Lehmann 4. The Blessing of a Solid Foundation—God’s Word Years ago, I taught a women’s Bible study on what I like to call our faith flight panel. I was intrigued by how pilots learn to fly by the complex system of instruments on the plane’s dashboard. When visibility is non-existent, when there is no horizon, when storms rage and all else fails, those instruments will guide a pilot safely to their destination. But those instruments only work if a pilot knows how to use them. As Christians, we have a flight panel to use when we can’t find the horizon, when violent winds toss us to and fro. Our instruments are the promises in the Word of God. His Word will not fail us. It will guide us safely home. Assemble your instruments. Collect them now. Keep them nearby. Pray them often. There are so many Scriptures you can put on your personal faith flight panel. My favorite verses come from a single chapter in the Psalms. Take Covid 19 and turn it around with some Psalm 91! “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.” (Psalm 91:3-6) The secret to God’s deliverance lies in the first two verses of Psalm 91, which say, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’.” Dwell in God’s shelter, and you will find rest for your soul. Declare that he is your refuge and fortress, and your faith will grow. I used a Scripture song by Esther Mui to memorize Psalm 91 with my kids. And I’ve created some songs of my favorite verses that you can download here and add to your faith flight panel. Rely on God’s Word when fear presses in. Hide His Word in your heart—it is the only solid foundation for your life. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages 5. The Blessing of Simplicity To stay safe and stop the spread of COVID-19, we must slow down the pace of life. Many of us don’t have a choice about this directive. Unless you work in the government, the media, health care, or a few other choice industries, your life is simplifying. Many industries have screeched to a precipitous halt. Church gatherings are canceled. School is canceled. Extra-curriculars are canceled. Life as we know it is canceled. This virus has forced many of us to do what we won’t do, what we can’t do, ordinarily. It has forced us to slow down. My kids are freaking out about not seeing their friends, but I’ve decided to embrace this simple season. We’re going to catch up on lingering projects. We’re going to spring clean early. We’re going to connect with each other more often. We’re going to eat meals together, regularly. We’re going to read more, rest more, play more, and pray more. If the coronavirus has drastically altered your schedule from a break-neck frenzy to a snail’s pace, embrace the change. You probably need it. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/wavebreakmedia 6. The Blessing of Dependence We all want to be self-sufficient. We don’t like to lean on others. But in a crisis, we need to lean on those around us. While some industries are furloughing tens of thousands of workers, others are working 24/7. Then there are those in the high-risk health categories who have become complete shut-ins during this crisis. We ALL need to depend on each other. And that isn’t a bad thing. Scripture tells us that “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) The New Testament church was in constant crisis. Leaning on each other was a necessity, and not only did that benefit the body of Christ, it benefited the individuals in the body. We are designed to need each other. Being dependent on others doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. And remember, you will bless others if you let them minister to you in your time of need. (Galatians 6:2) Photo Credit: ©GettyImages 7. The Blessing of Being a Blessing For those who find that they have extra time in this crisis, look for ways to meet the needs of others. Consider who might need help with their kids. Who needs a meal or some groceries to get by? Who needs someone to check in and see if they’re ok? Who needs to know that you care and that you are praying for them? Be proactive. Ask the Lord who needs your help, and be God’s hands and feet to them. Nothing feels better at the end of the day than making a difference in someone’s life. Blessing someone else will always turn around and bless you. (Philippians 2:3-4) 8. The Blessing of Unity It’s no secret that our country is sharply divided. Flaring tempers between parties and political positions rage while church members take sides. It can be disheartening. But in a crisis, none of that matters. Or it shouldn’t. There will be some who try to score political victories off of a crisis like this, but most people will put those differences aside to take care of their neighbors. (Psalm 133:1) You can be someone who chooses to love your neighbor. Not just now in the crisis, but always. As coronavirus threatens to destroy life and livelihood, it should bring out the best in us. Let it bring out the best in you. Let it unify us. Viewed through the right lens, the coronavirus crisis can be a conduit of blessings to you and through you to others. Don’t miss those opportunities to grow and allow God’s blessings to flow. Catherine Segars is an award-winning actress and playwright—turned stay-at-home-mom—turned author, speaker, blogger, and motherhood apologist. She is matron of the Mere Mother website, which delves into critical issues that marginalize mothers in our culture. This homeschooling mama of five is dedicated to helping mothers see their worth in a season when they often feel overwhelmed and irrelevant. You can find Catherine’s blog, dramatic blogcast, and other writings at http://www.catherinesegars.com and connect with her on Facebook. Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy Healthier Living Club Sponsored by Revcontent Find Out More > NEXT: 7 Churches with Livestreams to Watch While Quarantined About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Crosswalk App Do Not Sell My Info (CA Only)

Spiritual Growth and Encouragement for Christian Women   Toggle navigation Be Anxious for Nothing: 10 Practices to Give Anxiety over to God Heather Caliri 2020 30 Mar “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) For a long time, I thought anxiety was a purely spiritual problem. If I felt a pit of dread in my stomach, or my thoughts spiraled into a black hole of self-loathing, then clearly, I was not believing in Jesus’ promises hard enough. I’d redouble my prayer efforts and bulk up my knowledge of Bible verses, but to my immense shame, little changed. After years of zero results, I decided Paul’s words to “be anxious for nothing” were simply wishful thinking. Here’s what I missed about Paul’s advice: Spiritual problems have spiritual solutions, of course—God’s omniscient power, theology, prayer, and repentance. But they also require practical action. We wouldn’t pray about tithing without setting up a bank draft, and we wouldn’t pray about “not neglecting to meet together,” without setting an alarm for Sunday morning. Neglect the practical, and you may end up like I did—in unfruitful despair. Thanks be to God—there are very practical, tangible things we can do to follow Paul’s advice about anxiety. By pursuing small steps of healing, not only will we take God’s Word about our fears seriously, but we’ll stop feeling so anxious. May each one of us learn how to be freed from dread. Here are 10 practices to help you “Be Anxious for Nothing” Photo Credit: Thinkstock/demaerre 1. Let God Be God I once thought fighting anxiety was primarily my job. If I felt anxious, it meant I was a spiritual failure. Yet in Galatians 5, Paul reminds us to “live by the Spirit,” and the fruits that result from that dependence. The Spirit produces fruit in our lives—not us. Yes, we participate in our transformation, but we are no more able to will ourselves to stop feeling anxious than Peter could have walked on water without Jesus. Let God be Lord of your thoughts, including anxious ones. Feeling anxious is not a personal failure but an invitation to allow God into our emotions and lives. Let the Almighty direct you to the next right thing to do, not in shame, but in brave, humble dependence. Photo Credit: Unsplash 2. View Anxiety as an Urgent Signal to Act Your anxiety is not a sign of spiritual weakness—it’s an emergency warning sign. Something in your life—unsafe relationships, off-kilter brain chemistry, over-packed schedule, trauma—is causing you agony. Anxiety is a mayday signal, warning you to do something. Feeling momentary anxiety isn’t actually the biggest problem. Instead, Paul warns us not to BE anxious—a long-term state. Notice anxiety, treat it seriously, and let the Holy Spirit guide you to practical ways to deal with it. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Hermes Rivera 3. Get to Roots of Anxiety, Not the Symptoms Anxiety is merely a symptom of deeper problems. For me, it usually surges up because of busyness, loss, or people that make me feel unsafe. If I try to quash the feeling of anxiety rather than seeking peace, honesty, or healthier boundaries, I never successfully calm my fears. Trying to pray away anxiety is like taking aspirin to soothe a toothache. You might not feel discomfort for a few hours, but the pain will rush back once the meds wear off. You need to remove the infection causing the pain. Prayer should spur us to action, not passivity. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Clint McKoy 4. Get Professional Help for Anxiety My anxiety stems from three main sources: childhood trauma, unhealthy coping mechanisms I learned to survive, and a genetic predisposition. It was not until I got two years of therapy that I was able to take wise steps to heal that grief and learn new ways of managing overwhelm. Medication, which has saved some of my friends’ lives, is also only available with professional help. If your anxiety feels overwhelming, and nothing you do helps, find a therapist, stat. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Naomi Hebert 5. Set Healthy Boundaries Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend define boundaries like this: “A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins…” The tagline of their book about boundaries puts it even more succinctly: “When to Say Yes, and How to Say No.” Learning to say yes and no is an antidote for fear. As Cloud and Townsend point out, God exhorts us to “guard our hearts” (Proverbs 4:23). For me, this looked like saying no to things that shamed me, and yes to taking care of myself and loving people more honestly. If you do not have boundaries, you will feel anxious; it’s like living in an unsafe neighborhood with your front door wide open. Photo Credit: Thinkstock/Macniak 6. Pursue Sabbath The Bible literally begins with rest, modeled for us by a God of omnipotence. If the Creator of all sets aside time to rest, then all of us can. For me, setting aside a day to abstain from social media, chores, and work unveiled how much workaholism fueled me. I was afraid of stillness, afraid of quiet—and so I drove myself hard every day of the week. When I finally rested, I found more stillness and peace every day. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Kira Auf Der Heide 7. Seek Joy Over Spiritual Obligation In my journey away from anxiety, I was surprised to discover how much my spiritual practices contributed to the pit of fear in my stomach. For most of my life, I assumed that the hardest, most demanding spiritual disciplines were the best—and as a result, I procrastinated or felt burdened by them. Learning to spend time with God through song, in long walks, in art or community has made time with Jesus a respite instead of another thing I’m failing to do. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Becca Tarter 8. Try One-Word or “Rote” Prayers When Anxious Thoughts Hit Prayer used to increase my anxiety instead of lessening it. But when I began praying liturgies (mostly from the Episcopalian Book of Common Prayer), I began connecting to God without anxiety spiking. Anne Lamott’s book Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers also changed my approach. When I feel too anxious to pray, I can say one word. Bowing before God without having to think so much freed me. It also taught me to depend more on God’s power than my brain. Now, I find prayer one of the most effective ways to fight anxiety. I’d bet this tickles Jesus pink. Photo Credit: Thinkstock/B-C-Designs 9. Pay Attention to Your Body Anxiety often caused me to mistrust my body and my emotions. It gave me stomachaches and shaky hands, kept me from connecting to people or pursuing my dreams, and made me feel silenced and helpless. But as I learned to see anxiety as a signal of distress instead of an unwelcome betrayal, I realized my body had great wisdom. Insomnia helped me notice hormonal cycles and my own grief. Shakiness and irritability reminded me to rest or eat. And anxiety meant I wasn’t listening to my emotions or being honest with myself. Our emotions shouldn’t rule our lives, but listening to them ultimately helps us be more in tune with ourselves, and wiser with our actions. Rather than shoving body and mind away when they don’t “behave,” draw nearer to your precious body and pay attention. Photo Credit: Thinkstock/RJohn97 10. Turn Your Eyes to the Present Moment Jesus counsels us not to “worry about tomorrow,” (Matthew 6:34) which I find terribly difficult advice. But I’ve begun sitting still for five minutes each day, breathing deeply, and continually turning my mind back to simple prayers like the Jesus prayer. When my thoughts jitterbug away, I gently return them to Christ. In periods of stress, the practice gives me strength. Even when I’m shaken or angry, it’s ever easier to still my mind, breathe, and pray. Photo Credit: Thinkstock/enrouteksm I Am Thankful for Anxiety Anxiety used to plague and harass me, but now I see it differently. It’s much like the warning lights on my car’s dashboard. Without those signals, I might damage my car by not knowing something’s wrong. Even though I sigh every time the dashboard lights up, I am grateful for the gentle reminder to see a mechanic quickly. If we see anxiety as a cautionary warning rather than a personal failing, we can begin to discern how to change our lives. God can use your anxiety to reveal old wounds, expose your lack of honesty with yourself and others, or illuminate pain that you need to heal from. These warning signals might not be any more welcome than your Check Engine light, but they can save you a great deal of heartache. Do not be ashamed or afraid of your anxious thoughts. Instead, as Paul counsels, submit them to God—and do something about them. Heather Caliri is a writer from San Diego who uses tiny, joyful yeses to free herself from anxiety. Tired of anxiety controlling your life? Try her mini-course, “Five Tiny Ideas for Managing Anxiety,” for free here. This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin and history of specific verses within Scripture context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God’s Word in relation to your life today. “Be Still and Know that I Am God” “Pray Without Ceasing”  “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” “Faith Without Works is Dead” “Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart” “All Things Work Together for Good” “Be Strong and Courageous”  “Train Up a Child in the Way He Should Go” “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” “Take Every Thought Captive” “Do Not Fear” “God is Love” “Eye for an Eye” “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” “I Can Do All Things Through Christ” “The Lord is my Shepherd” Photo credit: Thinkstock/Sasha Suzi   Americas #1 Futurist George Gilder’s 2020 Prediction Will Stun You Internet Reboot 2020 Sponsored by Revcontent Find Out More > NEXT: 6 Powerful Life Lessons from the Book of Esther About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Crosswalk App Do Not Sell My Info (CA Only)

URGENT: Encouragement and Prayer in a Time of Pandemic…See All of Our Coronavirus Resources Here Toggle navigation Search Browse The Bible Toggle Dropdown Find it! Why Is Circumcision So Important in the Bible? Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies / Why Is Circumcision So Important in the Bible? Ed Jarrett | Christianity.com Contributing Writer Monday, March 30, 2020 Share Tweet Save Editor’s note: The following article contains descriptions of a medical process. Circumcision is mentioned frequently in the Bible. It was at the heart of the covenant God established with Abraham and his descendants. And it is at the center of one of the first controversies of the new church in the New Testament. This article will take a look at what circumcision meant to the Jews in the Old Testament, and to the challenge it presented to Christians in the New Testament. What Is Circumcision? Circumcision is a minor medical procedure performed on males, often as infants, but sometimes as teens or older. Medically speaking, circumcision involves removing the foreskin of the penis. It is controversial in the western world today but has been practiced by many peoples throughout history and around the world.  The reasons for the practice vary. Sometimes it is viewed as a rite of passage, a coming of age. Other times it may be done for medical reasons, although that is somewhat controversial today. And, for some, it has religious significance.  A Covenant Established with Abraham For the Jews, circumcision was more than a rite of passage. For them it was a sign of their covenant with God. Circumcision marked them as the chosen people – God’s special treasure. Others in their time practiced circumcision, particularly in Egypt. But it seems that only for Israel did it have the significance of marking a covenant relationship with their national deity. Shortly before Isaac was born, God directed Abraham to circumcise all the males of his household, including himself, Ishmael, and his servants (Gen. 17:1-14). This was to be an ongoing practice. Every male born into his family was to be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. During their stay in Egypt, the Jews became deeply immersed in Egyptian culture and religious practice (Jos. 24:14). And along with that, the practice of circumcision likely fell by the wayside. But the practice was renewed on the banks of the Jordan shortly after Israel crossed the river – but before beginning the conquest of Canaan (Jos. 5:2-9).  Throughout the remainder of the Old Testament you will frequently see the division between the circumcised and the uncircumcised. This is essentially the division between the covenant people and outsiders. Or between Jew and Gentile. During the intertestamental time Greek culture dominated the eastern Mediterranean. The Greeks were opposed to circumcision and during the time when Israel was dominated by Greek kingdoms, circumcision was outlawed and punishable by death. This played into their ultimate rebellion under the Maccabees and a period of freedom before the Romans came. And I suspect it may have impacted the ferocity with which some Jewish Christians defended the practice during the formation of the church. Controversy within the New Covenant The earliest Christians were all Jews. And even as believers in the Lord Jesus, they still considered themselves Jews under a covenant relationship with God – a covenant relationship that involved circumcision. So, it was only natural that they would expect all believers to follow the Old Testament covenant requirements. And that was OK until the church began to reach beyond a Jewish audience and into the Gentile world. And then, requiring Gentile converts to become circumcised became a point of contention.  It would seem most of the early work done among the Gentiles did not advocate circumcision for them. Acts 11:19-21 is the first recorded intentional outreach to the Gentiles, taking place in Antioch. Nothing in that passage is said about circumcision. But in Acts 15:1 some Jewish believers from Judea come to Antioch and attempt to push circumcision as a requirement for salvation. That this created an uproar in the church at Antioch would indicate that this church had never required it, at least for the Gentile believers.  Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem, representing the church at Antioch as well as the greater Gentile mission. They meet with the apostles and elders there to settle this question. Must the Gentiles be circumcised in order to be saved? And the answer coming from this first church council was that no, the Gentiles did not have to be circumcised. They were essentially free from the old covenant obligations.  I believe this marked a major milestone for the new church. No longer were they a sect of Judaism, even though the church still contained thousands of practicing Jews. Instead they were a multi-ethnic body of believers. And circumcision was no longer a sign of their covenant relationship with God. While circumcision remained a contentious issue for many Jewish believers, the church, as a whole, no longer recognized it as a distinctive, or requirement, of the faith. Circumcision of the Heart In the Bible, circumcision almost always refers to a physical act. And this is true of Paul’s writings as well. But in at least three passages he alludes to a circumcision of the heart, a spiritual circumcision. In Romans 2:28-29, Philippians 3:3 and Colossians 2:11 he discusses this spiritual circumcision. This circumcision, rather than cutting off a small part of the flesh, is a cutting off of the fleshly nature.  Colossians 2:11 especially illustrates this circumcision. “In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ.” This circumcision is not done by human hands but by Christ. And it is not just males. All believers have experienced this circumcision of the heart by Christ. Conclusion Circumcision means different things to different peoples. To some it was, and still is, a rite of passage into adulthood. To others it is merely a simple medical procedure. But to the Jews it was, and still remains, a sign of God’s covenant with them. Yet to Christians, physical circumcision has no spiritual or religious value. For us, the closest comparable thing we have to physical circumcision would be baptism. And some do view baptism in exactly that way, as a sign of our covenant relationship with God. Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White Ed Jarrett is a long-time follower of Jesus and a member of Sylvan Way Baptist Church. He has been a Bible teacher for over 40 years and regularly blogs at A Clay Jar. You can also follow him on Twitter or Facebook. Ed is married, the father of two, and grandfather of three. He is retired and currently enjoys his gardens and backpacking. 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Living Light Daily Devotional Submit to the Spirit By Touching Lives with Dr. James Merritt “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18 Have you ever met someone who after a few minutes you realized were full of themselves? Do you know how you knew that? All they likely talked about were themselves. All they thought about were themselves. All they wanted you to think and talk about were themselves. You can be full of the Holy Spirit or you can be full of yourself, but you can’t be full of both. Notice the strange comparison the Apostle Paul makes in Ephesians 5:18. He could have written, “Don’t steal, but be filled with the Spirit.” “Don’t lie, but be filled with the Spirit.” Or, “Don’t kill, but be filled with the Spirit.” Instead he makes a comparison between being drunk and being filled with the Spirit. As strange as it may seem at first, it is a fitting analogy. When someone is drunk, it is because they went seeking to drink alcohol. It is conscious action to take the first drink, and then another, and then another. Likewise, you will only be filled with the Spirit if you seek to be filled with Him. You must choose to place yourself under His control. While under the influence of alcohol you are literally under its control. You do whatever that alcohol tells you to do. You get to a point where you are no longer consuming the alcohol; the alcohol consumes you. How does a man get drunk? By drinking. How does a man stay drunk? He keeps drinking. Likewise, we are to continuously seek to submit to being filled with the Holy Spirit. We have to have a thirst to be controlled by the Spirit of God. The term, “be filled,” in Ephesians 5:18 is a nautical term. It referred to the filling of a ship’s sails by the wind that results in that vessel going wherever the wind blows it. When you submit to the filling of the Holy Spirit, you are giving Him complete control of your life. You are hoisting the sails of your heart and asking the wind of the Spirit to blow you wherever He wants you to go. Application: Have you submitted your life to the filling of the Holy Spirit? Read in browser » Recent Articles: Seek the Spirit Walking in the Spirit Are You Filled? Present Relationship Permanent Relationship Share Your Faith Boldly Learn a simple, straight-forward method for effectively sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. This three-week online course features a downloadable workbook along with training videos from Dr. James Merritt. Enroll today and learn how to effectively and confidently share your faith! ENROLL NOW Prayer Request Email TL Staff Donate Now Share Tweet Forward This email was sent to hopkinsanthony33@gmail.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Touching Lives, Inc. · 1800 Satellite Blvd · Duluth, GA 30097 · USA

Bible Study Resources – Tips, Online Bible Search, Devotions   Toggle navigation 10 Scriptures That Prove God Is Still Sovereign amidst Coronavirus Cindi McMenamin Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer 2020 27 Mar If you’re feeling on edge, concerned, or downright panicked over the Coronavirus pandemic, you are not alone. Uncertainty can lead to fear, which is powerful. So is panic. But hope can be contagious, too. You and I need hope, and the reminder that God is in control, even when it feels like everything else–this nation, our health, our economy, and our toilet paper supply–is out of control. To help you focus on hope and not get caught up in the hype, here are 10 scriptures that prove God is in control of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Guillaume de Germain 1.  Isaiah 55:8-11: Assurance that God’s ways are higher than ours “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.   “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (verses 8-9, ESV).  This passage of Scripture assures us that God knows what He’s doing, His thinking is different than ours when it comes to what is best for us and His ways – and everything He allows – are so much higher and better than ours. Yes, the economy is tanking, but is our hope in the condition of our economy? Yes, people are staying home from work, but what an opportunity to be with family. Yes, there’s less stores open and less to do and you may be going stir crazy at home, but what a way to take a heavenly pause and refocus on what really matters. God allows pauses and rest stops for us to regroup and reprioritize, and this just might be one of them. 2. Deuteronomy 31:8: A reminder that God goes before us In Deuteronomy 31:8, we read: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Moses spoke these words to Joshua as he commissioned him to take the Israelites into the Promised Land. But we can glean from these words the hope and confidence today that God goes before us, He walks alongside us, and He’s got our backs. He will not leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and He is well aware of all that is happening, all that has happened, and all that will happen according to His wisdom, His love, and His plan. Photo Credit: @dingzeyuli 3. 2Chronicles 7:14: Words from the Great Healer  “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” I am not suggesting that the coronavirus is God’s judgment on us as a nation, nor on the entire world for its wicked ways. I believe God is far more concerned with our individual hearts than our national and world politics. This verse reinforces that God wants His people to be humble and dependent on Him. He is the Gentle Healer and the Great Physician. He can heal individually, as well as heal nations physically, economically, spiritually. But He desires we call out to Him for help. Trust what He is allowing in the world, in your country, in your local community, and in your family, and personal life. And cry out to Him for healing of you and your land. 4. Psalm 32:7: Comforting words about our Protector While we are practicing isolation from others in order to protect our health and the health of others, God invites us to hide away in Him. In Psalm 32:7, David sang of his Protector: “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.” Furthermore, David proclaimed in Psalm 18:2: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. As God is our hideaway who surrounds us with songs of deliverance, surely He can protect us in our current circumstances. God is not interested in being our Santa Claus who only gives us what we desire so we can leave happy and return to Him when we want something more. He wants our faith, our daily dependence (“Give us this day our daily bread, ”Matthew 6:11), and He wants us to cling to Him. He will allow and at times arrange situations to draw people closer to Himself. Photo Credit: © GettyImages/ipopba  5. Ecclesiastes 8:17: A proper perspective of His knowledge compared to ours “…No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.” All of our scientists, medical researchers and economic strategists cannot completely figure out or fix what is going on. But God is over all and in control. 1 Corinthians 1:25 tells us: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 3:19 tells us, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” Look to Him for answers. Better yet, look to Him as The Answer.  6. Job 42:5: A proclamation of the all-powerful nature of God When Job experienced a season of intense suffering (including the loss of his crops, animals, investments, livelihood, children, and personal health) he gained an incredible amount of wisdom, with which he was able to respond to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” The story of Job assures us that God is sovereign, that He holds the sun, moon, stars, and galaxies in His hand. Nothing takes Him by surprise and no plan of His can be interrupted or undone (see chapters 38-41 in particular). In the story, Satan–who was wreaking havoc on Job’s life in order to get him to curse God–had to seek God’s permission in order to take Job’s possessions, as well as touch his body. That is scriptural evidence that nothing touches us–or our world–without first going through God’s loving hands. He sees the outcome. And if you read the story, you’ll see God was already preparing Job’s reward.  Photo Credit: ©Unsplash Daniel Leone  7. Luke 22:31-32: A reminder that nothing touches us apart from His permission Jesus assured us that He is in control of whatever evils attempt to befall us when He told His disciple Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Just like in the story of Job, Satan had to ask God’s permission in order to mess with Peter. If you are feeling the weight of a situation, it is not something that is happening at random. God knows exactly what you are going through–and what your future holds–and must give permission to not only the enemy of our soul, but the forces of nature, to touch any of our lives.  8. Mark 4:35-41: Evidence that God controls the earth’s elements  In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus’ disciples were scared that a storm on the sea would overturn their boat and they would all drown. So, they woke up Jesus, who had been asleep in the bottom of the boat. Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves with the simple but powerful words “Quiet! Be still!” Scripture tells us “Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Then Jesus said to His disciples “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Their response was terror as they asked “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” In this story, we are assured that God controls the elements of the earth. The wind and the waves obey Him. So do the winds and currents of disease, the laws of nature, the cycle of life and death. He is able to calm the storms on the sea, as well as the storms in you and me.  Don’t miss the teaching point in that story, which is found in Jesus’ question to His freaked-out, panicked disciples: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (verse 40).  Jesus was right there in the boat with them, and was perfectly capable of getting them safely to where they needed to go. Jesus is right here with us, too. Be encouraged. The God who can still the wind and the waves can still this situation as soon as He deems it is time. So, exercise your faith so His words to you will not be “Do you still have no faith?” Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Arthit Longwilai  9. Matthew 10:29-31: Proof that God cares for His Creation Jesus said to His followers in Matthew 10:29-31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  This passage of Scripture assures us God is all-knowing and ever aware of our health, our concerns, and our needs. If He is not healing immediately, He knows what is best and when it is best to answer our prayers. 10. Matthew 6:25-27: Proof that God is in the details In this passage, Jesus assures believers that it is not their obligation to worry, but to trust Him to care for every detail of their lives. “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, (or if you will run out of toilet paper) … Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Jesus continues to assure us in verses 31-33: “Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the [unbelievers] seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus summed up His command by saying: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow…(verse 33). In spite of the worry, fear or panic that might come naturally to you right now, look to the  Supernatural God who can give you peace that passes understanding (Phillippians 4:6), and the assurance that He is in absolute control.   Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Anton Darius Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy Healthier Living Club Sponsored by Revcontent Find Out More > NEXT: Why Does Jesus Ask ‘Who Do You Say I Am?’ About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Crosswalk App Do Not Sell My Info (CA Only)

URGENT: Encouragement and Prayer in a Time of Pandemic…See All of Our Coronavirus Resources Here Toggle navigation Search Browse The Bible Toggle Dropdown Find it! How Can I Trust a God Who Is Allowing Coronavirus? Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies / How Can I Trust a God Who Is Allowing Coronavirus? Anne Peterson | Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer Tuesday, March 31, 2020 Share Tweet Save As humanity faces off with the common enemy coronavirus, you can feel the fear all around you. People are scared. They don’t know if they’ll catch the virus. They don’t know if their loved ones will. And then what? With all the unknowns surrounding us, how can we trust a God who is allowing all this? Here’s how. We need to learn who God is. God Is Our Protector We will react to what we hear and what we see, so this is the time to make sure what we put in our minds is truth. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing God’s Word. And yet, we may be tempted lately to spend more time looking at and listening to news reports, reading the latest findings, and talking to each other. We might drift toward spending less time in God’s Word. Yet, that’s the one place we know we’ll hear truth. God’s truth. I’ve been reading the Psalms and camping out there. The other day I came across Psalm 2:3. Do you know what it said about God? It calls God a shield! A shield is a person or thing providing protection. We know from the Bible that God protected his people in so many ways. God protected Daniel in the lion’s den. Notice that he didn’t take him out of the den, but he took care of him, right there (Daniel 6:16-23). Although the king who loved Daniel tried to save him, God would be the one to do it. God the protector. And that way God would be the one to get the glory, and many would be aware of God and his power. God Lifts Our Heads In Psalm 2:3, it also says that God lifts our heads. Have you ever experienced that? I have when I’ve lost loved ones. Like everyone else, I grieve…we all do. We all experience hurt. And I believe God totally understands that. And yet, God will reach down and lift my head, and yours, too. You know it’s God because you feel a peace that doesn’t make sense (Philippians 4:7). You feel lifted even though nothing outwardly has changed. Remember the story of Paul in Acts 16:25-30 when he was in prison? Instead of him singing the blues (which he certainly could have done) he and Silas were singing praises to God!  What I love is what happened after they sang. There was a mighty earthquake. And the prison doors were open. The guards were ready to kill themselves because they knew if Paul and Silas escaped they would be responsible. And what did Paul do? Did he rush out those doors? No! Paul made sure the guards knew that he and Silas weren’t going anywhere. And that was part of the bigger plan. Then, the guards wanted to know about this God that Paul and Silas knew, the one they praised. God Comforts Us 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us that God is the God of all comfort. I’m sure you have felt God’s comfort. I know I have, even when I’ve felt my heart shatter on the ground. God comforts us so we can pass it on. We are meant to be channels, not reservoirs. As I stood on my granddaughter’s grave, I did feel loss, but I also felt God’s comfort because I know one day I will see Livie again. And then, she will be completely healed of Trisomy 18. Yes, God comforts us—like no one else can. God Is Kind One of my favorite stories in the Bible is where the children are approaching Jesus, and the disciples try to shoo them away from him. In Mark 10:14, Jesus rebukes the disciples, telling them to let the children come to Jesus, for that’s what the kingdom of God is like. In John 14:9, Jesus told his disciples whoever has seen him has seen the Father. In John 10:30, Jesus states that he and the Father are one. God tells us he knows when a tiny sparrow falls. And then he tells us that we are worth more than sparrows (Matthew 10:29). Have you ever noticed something in nature that you felt was created just for you? God loves to give us gifts like these. And it says in James 1:17 that every good and perfect gift is from God. When you love someone, you want to show your love. God Loves Us The best gift God ever gave us was His Son Jesus (Romans 8:32). John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. Who among us would sacrifice our children? And yet, the God of the universe did just that (1 John 4:9-10). We know that God loves us because God is love (1 John 4:16). God Provides for Us Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:19 that God will supply all our needs. One of the names of God is Jehovah Jireh, which means the Lord will provide. Think for a moment of how God has provided for you down through the years. I know I have a list I love looking at, because it shows me how God is a loving Father who looks after his children. And even when God says, “No,” to something I have wanted or thought I needed, Psalm 84:11 reminds me that God will not withhold any good thing from me. Those of us who know Jesus Christ personally and have accepted what Jesus did on the cross are made righteous by God. So that means if God withholds something from me, God who is infinite, and knows the future, also knows what’s good for me. Do I always agree with God? Maybe not initially, but it’s those times I reflect on who God is, not what he can do for me. God Will Never Leave Us If you, like me, have lost my parents and loved ones, this truth about God never leaving is crucial. He tells us that he will never leave nor forsake us in Hebrews 13:5. Sometimes we can start believing that everything have right now will always be here…but, that’s saying it is eternal. Only God is eternal. When Jesus was on the cross, bearing our sins, Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46. God was not leaving Jesus, rather, he was allowing him to bear our sins as the greatest gift of all. And God promises: he will never forsake us. Photo Credit: ©Gettyimages/4maksym God Left Us His Word We are so fortunate to have the Bible to turn to whenever we need it. If we are afraid, it can remind us that He is in us. God’s Holy Spirit is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). We have this wonderful love letter full of promises from God. And we’re told that we can saturate ourselves with the truth and therefore have victory when the enemy, Satan, tries to get us to believe his lies. Lies like: God doesn’t care about you. God is tired of you. God isn’t listening to your prayers. But if we dive into what the Bible says, right in the midst of our despair, we can refute those lies with these truths: God does care about you. 2 Peter 5:7. God never gets tired. Isaiah 40:28.  God does listen to us each time we pray. Jeremiah 33:3. And those are just a few of the hundreds of promises we have from God. God Gives Us Rest When the world around is spinning and people are not sure where to go or what to do, we have Him as a resting place (Matthew 11:28, Exodus 33:14). Proverbs 3:24 tells us God will give us sweet sleep. We can pray that verse and ask for that wonderful sleep when our minds won’t turn off because of worry. Sleep that will rest both our minds and our bodies. Think of Jesus who slept in the boat while the disciples were scared. Mark 4:38-40. We have the same Father that Jesus has. And if he could sleep with the storm going on all around him, so can we. God Gives Us Peace We can have perfect peace no matter what is going on, when we fix our minds and hearts on the Lord. Isaiah 26:3. Psalm 46:10 tells us that to know God is God, we need to be still. In all the craziness around us, we have the ability to be still. Because God would never ask us to do something he didn’t empower us to do. God Gives Us Hope God tells us after we have suffered a while that he will restore us and make us strong, firm, and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10). We can renew our strength when our hope is in God (Isaiah 40:31). Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God has plans for us. Plans to prosper us and not harm us. Plans that will give us a hope and a future. God is called the God of hope in Romans 15:13. And Paul asks that God will fill us with joy and peace as we trust in God, so that our hope will overflow. Can you get that picture in your mind? Here we are in trying times, but we have this overflowing of hope that will be visible to others. Others who may not know God. Romans 8:28 is a promise that God will work all things together for good. All things. Even that impossible thing you’re facing right now. God Gives Us Heaven This is not all there is. And yet, those of us who know Jesus, who have trusted in what he did on the cross, know one day we will go to heaven (Philippians 3:20). We can share that good news with others. We can let them know this is not all there is. We can let them know that eternity in heaven is a gift they can also receive (Ephesians 2:8-9). Look around. People are scared. But those of us who know God, know that he is right here today. Just as He promised. A Prayer for Today Father, God, we need you. You are our rock. Our deliverer. Give us wisdom, Lord as we are here in this world. Help us to have compassion for others. Help us to be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us (1 Peter 3:15). Help us to share what we know about you, so that others can also find their strength in you. Lord, protect us. Guide us. Direct us. And have mercy on our country and the world. Lord, we love you. And we pray all this in the name of your precious and Holy Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages Anne Peterson is a regular contributor to Crosswalk. Anne is a poet, speaker, published author of 16 books, including her latest book, Always There: Finding God’s Comfort Through Loss. Anne has also written and published another memoir, Broken: A story of abuse, survival, and hope. Sign up for Anne’s newsletter at http://www.annepeterson.com and receive a free eBook by clicking the tab. Or connect with her on Facebook. 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