Hatred and Rage

 

Actions fueled by hatred and rage are often

Reactionary, Irrational, and Unconscionable,

        (Rather than Measured, Well thought-out, and Reasonable)

Unwise, Illogical, and Incendiary

                                (Rather than Sensible, Prudent, and Peace-loving)

Such actions result in Destructive Devastation

                                (Rather than accomplishing anything of good and lasting value.)

We see this happening all across our Nation –

Hatred that has escalated almost past the point of no return,

Hatred that has totally eclipsed common sense.

Evil is glorified, permitted, applauded, and often rewarded,

         While righteousness is vilified, reviled, and persecuted.

What we see and hear today can almost bring even the most stalwart to despair.

 

BUT I am thankful that God can redeem even the most seemingly irredeemable situation and turn it around to accomplish His purposes. 

We must PRAY.

·        Pray that the refreshing Water of the Word will douse the hot rage inflaming hearts and minds.

·        Pray that repentance drives us to our knees in humble confession of sin.

·        Pray that truth will win over lies and deception.

·        Pray that that blinders will come off disbelieving eyes.

·        Pray that more Clergy will boldly proclaim the Gospel unashamedly – instead of bowing to the pressure of political correctness and intimidation.

·        Pray that faith will triumph over the fear now gripping hearts and minds.

·        Pray that believers across this great Nation will be able to “stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

·        Pray that those who claim the name “Christian” will stand for Biblical principles and not kowtow to what they know is wrong.

·        Pray that America gives God His rightful place in our hearts, our homes, and our Nation once again!

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,

and pray, and seek my face,and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,

                                           and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

 

Take heart, dear friend, God is still on the throne. As we are reminded in this old hymn written by Martin Luther, despite what the Evil one throws at us, God never fails. His truth will triumph and His kingdom is forever.

 

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

A mighty Fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our Helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth His Name, from age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

 

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

 

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,

His Kingdom is forever.

 Blessings,
 Ruth

Be Strong

 

Throughout the Bible God’s people are challenged to be strong, to be courageous. These are good words for the current time.  I have been reading in the Old Testament and in the little book of Haggai we find both admonition and encouragement.

“Be strong all you people of the land, declares the Lord, and work. For I am with you declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:4). In verse 5 God declares, “My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear.”

When Moses was turning over the reins of leadership to Joshua he challenged him, “Be strong and courageous…” (Joshua 1:6)  King David told the next king, Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.” (1 Chronicles 22:13) 

And in the New Testament the the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “Be Strong…" (1 Corinthians 16:13). To the Galatians he said, “Keep standing firm.” (Galatians 5:1) 

Fear is holding a lot of people in its grip these days.

• Fear of THE Virus …
• Fear of schools re-opening (or not reopening)…
• Fear of upcoming election results…
• Fear of the riots and destruction happening in major cities all across America right now…
• Fear of all the recent changes that have been happening…
• Fear of economic collapse…
• Fear of ...

We can take comfort in remembering that God’s Spirit is in our midst even now.  He indwells His people. And He does not forsake His own. (Hebrews 13:5)
Even in fearful times we do not have to be afraid.
In chapter 2 Haggai instructs the people of Judah three times to “take courage.”
HE (God) is with us.

The Prophet Malachi remind us of this about God:
He is the Lord of Hosts (Malachi 1:10)
He is a Great King (Malachi 1:14)
He does not change (Malachi 3:6)
His Name will be great among the nations. (Malachi 1:11)
 
Dr Michael Youssef wrote in his August magazine, My Journal, “This global pandemic is God’s call for His children to look up, not back…Let’s use this time and these trials to deepen our faith,
store up treasure in heaven,

and proclaim His good news until the day He comes again.”

Let’s do that!
And let’s look up, take courage, and do the work.
 
Be Strong,
Ruth

Longing

We’re into the 8^th month of 2020 already and what a year it has been! Just goes to show that we truly do not know what lies around the bend. But thankfully, God does! I’m so glad we have Him and He has us. We may lose faith in those around us, in those “calling the shots”, but we do not have to lose faith in Him! 

He is Trust-worthy.

He is Able.

He is Good.

And He is Real.

What the remaining months of 2020 will look like, only God knows. But we do know that He will be with us – All the Way, and All the Time. He has not forgotten us and will not forsake His own.

The prophet Isaiah wrote these words to Israel: “The Lord longs to be gracious to you…He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you.” Isaiah 30:18-19

Isaiah warns that God’s response to their cry requires

Repentance (verse 15),

Trust in Him (verse 12),

Receiving and Believing His word (verse 12),

and Giving up their idols (verse 22).

Isaiah calls for God’s people to “Return to Him.” (31:6, 44:22, 55:7).

So, let’s do that!

Long for Him,

Cry out to Him,

Return to Him,

Trust in Him,

Believe His Word!

We used to sing this old chorus:

“There’s a longing in my heart for Jesus,

There’s a longing in my heart to see His face.

I am weary, oh so weary of traveling here below,

There’s a longing in my heart for Him.”

While we long for Him and for His return, let’s remember that He also longs to be gracious to us.

Blessings

Ruth

Living in HOPE

I cannot recall a time in my lifetime when America was so unrighteous – when lawmakers support wickedness and defy or ignore God. Because of the criminal actions of a few, others are ambushed and murdered. Families are devastated. Innocent children are caught in the cross-fire. Anarchy reigns unchecked. Thugs make the rules. 

Authority is disrespected. Personal property is destroyed and businesses disrupted. 

Violence is excused. 

History is despised or denied. Statues are toppled. Monuments are defaced.  

These are scary times in our country. 

Logic, reason, common-sense seem absent. 

Masks hide the faces of everyone, giving anonymity to criminals. 

There are no visible smiles. 

People don't speak to each other. (Have you noticed the silence in the stores these days?) 

Alcohol sales and drug use are up.

Depression, suicide, and murders have increased. 

Domestic violence is even more prevalent.

Churches closed while abortion clinics and liquor stores remained open.  

Independence Day gatherings cancelled yet demonstrations and rallies permitted. 

Legislators can’t seem to agree on anything.  

It feels like we are living in a bad movie – one that surely cannot end well. 

It seems hopeless.

It.  Feels.  Hopeless.

The Apostle Paul lived in difficult hopeless times. Yet he knew abundant comfort coming from God.  He wrote of  “affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life … having the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:8, 9)

Despite perilous times Paul said they “set their hope” on God! (2 Corinthians 1:10) 

In another passage he wrote to Timothy, “We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” (2 Timothy 4:10.) 

Paul’s hope was so firmly fixed on God that he expressed this desire for the believers in Rome, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) 

He, the God of peace (Romans 15:33) brings joy, peace and hope to our minds and hearts despite troubling and uncertain times! 

When the future seems uncertain, 

When we hold our breath ‘waiting for the other shoe to drop,'

We need supernatural joy and peace and hope.  

And we can have it if we decide to firmly fix our hope completely on Him, the God of hope!   

He sees, He knows, He cares, He is coming again and He will make things right!

Hymnwriter, Edward Mote (1797-1874) expressed it this way:

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace;

in ev'ry high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, his covenant, his blood support me in the whelming flood;

when all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found,

dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand."

Abounding in hope while standing on the Rock,

Ruth

Opportunists

Riotous rebellion and protests are sweeping across America. Looting, vandalism, shootings, beatings, and out of control mobs disrupt the peace we all long for. It is a time of crisis sparked by a horrible incident of brutality resulting in the senseless death of a young man – truly a genuine tragedy. But the aftermath is increasing tragedy and destruction – more deaths, more brutality, numerous injuries, fires, more grieving families, fear, hostility, unrest. Businesses, just beginning to reopen after forced closures from the pandemic, now destroyed. Police targeted, ambushed and murdered. Even children’s hospitals are not exempt from the violence! No amount of logic or reasoning can make sense out of what is happening. How could further murder and destruction compensate the family grieving the loss of their son, brother, father?

Those participating in these actions are opportunists at their worst! They are ruthlessly exploiting the circumstances to satisfy their own rage, greed, selfish desires, and lust for power. Their evil actions dishonor the family of the one they say they are staging protests for!

If you find these actions disturbing consider the source! This type of behavior has no ethical, moral motive but rather is promoted by the one Jesus called “a murderer from the beginning” and “the father of lies,” the “evil one” and “the enemy.” (John 8:44, Matthew 13:19, 39). 

The Apostle Paul called him “the god of this world,” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:2). 

The Apostle John speaks of “the serpent of old…who deceives the whole world.” (Revelation 12:9) The Apostle Peter says he “prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) 

Satan (the devil) is an opportunist!

Actions declare who our father is! 

Actions demonstrate allegiance. 

The Apostle Paul says “do not give the devil an opportunity.” (Ephesians 4:27) We give him opportunity when we are controlled by our own emotions and attitudes rather than being controlled by the Spirit of God. (See Romans 7: 8-11; Matthew 26:16)

Instead of violence, when warning his disciples of coming persecution, Jesus said it would “lead to an opportunity for your testimony.” (Luke 21:13)

Paul told believers to “make the most of every opportunity” by responding with gracious speech. (Colossians 4:5 NASB) He said our freedom was not to be turned into “an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13) He continues, “While we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)

So as we continue through these next few weeks and months, consider the challenge of Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

We have opportunities – 

to speak good, 

to do good, 

to serve well,

to give witness, 

to share hope, 

and to love one another. 

Let’s do that!

Blessings,

Ruth

REMEMBER

Today is Memorial Day, a day of remembrance of those who died in service to our country while fighting for the cause of freedom- A day to appreciate and honor those who put love for country ahead of personal comfort and safety. Flags are flown, cemeteries are visited, speeches are made, songs are sung. This holiday is for one specific purpose – remembering!

Remembering is good and important. We remember with gratitude those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. We honor them, memorialize them, thank God for them and for their families. Because of them our country has remained free. Never forget!

There is another who sacrificed for our freedom and we are called to remember Him.

During this pandemic, stay-at-home orders kept us from church services where we remember His sacrifice when we partake of Communion. At the very first Communion Jesus gave thanks, broke bread, and gave it to his disciples, instructing them, “do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)

The Apostle Paul later wrote to the church in Corinth,

“…the Lord Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"Paul explains, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

“In remembrance of Me” 

Always remember, not just at Communion, that Jesus died for our freedom.

He is here, and where He is, there is freedom! (2 Corinthians 3:17)

The freedom He gives brings:

·         Freedom from the bondage (captivity, enslavement) of sin - Romans 6:7, 22; Galatians 5:1

·         Forgiveness - Acts 13:38-39

·         Eternal life – Romans 6:22

·         Release from the law of sin and death - Romans 8:2

·         Blessing – James 1:25

·         Desire to serve others – Galatians 5:23

·         Ability to stand firm – Galatians 5:1

·         Power to live and walk as free people – Galatians 5:13-25

And “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” - John 8:36

This freedom came at a great price. The Gospel of John chapters 18-19 give a chilling account of the price Jesus paid for our freedom. Read it and remember!

Whenever we see a cross...

Whenever we take communion...

Whenever we appreciate being forgiven, loved, accepted, chosen by God...

We remember what it cost Him.

Never forget!

because Freedom is NOT free.

Gratefully,

Ruth

Bowing the Knee Beyond the Pandemic

Philippians 2:10-11  "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth. And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Imagine a time when Jesus is acknowledged as Lord by all and everyone!
There is coming a day -
All will bow to Him in worship.

Today we bow to all kinds of things:
wealth
health
beauty
athleticism
entertainment
recreation
selfish ambition
work
pleasure
possessions
self
relationships
service
church
ministry

But He wants us to worship HIM.
Love Him - because He first loved us.
Obey Him ("If you love me you will keep my commandments." John 14:15).

Bowing the knee to Him means so much more than lip service -
so much more than merely saying 'He is Lord.'
Acknowledging Him as Lord is recognizing our position in relation to Him.
No one, nothing holds a higher place than He does.
Nothing stands in the way of doing what He says without hesitation:
Coming to Him when He calls,
Going for Him when He sends,
Resting in Him when weary,
Hiding in Him when frightened,
Drinking from His well of living water,
Washed by the water of His Word,
Standing on His promises,
Forgiving as He forgave,
Loving as He loved,
Filled with His Spirit,
Light and Salt in a dark unpalatable world,
Courageously unashamed,
Unafraid,
Armed with His strength,
Doing nothing without Him,
Doing the impossible with Him.

In the words of hymn writer B.R Hanby (1866),
"At His feet we humbly fall, crown Him, crown Him Lord of all."

Blessings,
Ruth

I Salute You...

I get nostalgic this time of year as Mothers’ Day approaches.  My mind drifts back to other years- other Mothers’ Days – when we celebrated our Moms.  

It’s been 8 years since my own dear Mom went to be with Jesus – 8 years of Mothers’ Days without her – without being able to call her on the phone or fly across the country to be with her.   

This past August my Mother-in-law joined Mom in Heaven. 

And for the first time ever, this Mothers’ Day we have no Moms – 

No Mothers to honor or celebrate on this annual holiday.  

It feels strange – weird to know that now we are the elder generation.

And then I think, first of all how grateful I am to have HAD a Mother who truly loved me – 

Who cared enough to make sure I learned about Jesus – 

Who disciplined me so I learned how to become a responsible adult – 

Who instilled in me principles of integrity, morality, faithfulness, loyalty, love for God, compassion for others, hard work, and dedication to God and His Word. 

Although we lived apart geographically for most of my adult life, 

we remained close. She made sure of that!  

I miss her.

I’m grateful for the Mother of my wonderful husband who I’ve had the joy of living with for these 46 years. I’m thankful for her because without her I would not have him!

Then I think of the other Mothers in my life – Mothers to be honored and celebrated. 

There are the three Mothers of our grandchildren:

Liz, our daughter, and Hailey and Kristen, who married our sons.

They are fine young women who love God, their children, and their spouses. 

They are doing a great work raising their children so they will become responsible adults. 

They are working hard to instill godly principles in their children, 

while showing by example how to love God and love others.

Then there are the Mothers of my children’s spouses:

Cathy Brown, who gave us Kristen, wife of our son, Peter Jr, and mother of two of our grandchildren. 

Nancy Hamilton Brake who gave us Hailey, wife of our son, Tim, and mother of  three of our grandchildren. 

And Aurelia Pall, who raised Markus, our son-in-law, and welcomed our American English-speaking daughter into her Austrian German-speaking family. We gained two more grandchildren as a result of that marriage.

How grateful we are to these three women, our children’s Mothers-in-law – the “other grandmothers” who also love our children and grandchildren.  

We’re thankful that they gave life to their children, 

raised them to be who they are today, 

and lovingly share them with us!

This Mothers’ Day I want to give thanks for the Mothers Pete and I had, 

for the Mother we raised, 

for the Mothers who are raising our grandchildren, 

for their Mothers, and for all those special women who extend their love and influence to others. 

I know that I have been on the receiving end of so much of that! 

This Mothers’ Day I salute you all,

I thank God for you,

I love and honor you today!

Happy Mothers’ Day!

Blessings,

Ruth

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC 2020

“Shelter in place,” they said.

“Stay home,” they said.

“Don’t go out,” they said.

 People are dead.

“No more groups,” they said.

“No more sports,” they said.

“No more school,” they said.

 Count the dead.

“Keep social distancing,” they said.

“No more church,” they said.

“Don’t go to work,” they said.

 You could be dead.

“Watch the news,” they said.

“The enemy’s fierce,” they said.

“No known cure,” they said.

 See how many are dead.

FEAR gripped the heart,

We stayed apart.

“Fear not!" HE said.

“I am with you,” HE said.

“Be not dismayed,” HE said.

“I am your God.” 

“I’ll not leave or forsake you,” HE said.

“I am the Way, Truth, and Life,” HE said.

“I give you MY peace,” HE said.

“Do not be troubled or afraid.”

Turn off the news,

Open the Word,

Talk to the Lord,

Rejoice in HIS love.

HE is alive,

And still on the throne.

HE knows ALL things –

To HIM nothing is unknown.

HE’S doing a work

HE’LL see us through

Encourage each other,

Do what you CAN do.

Reach out to the lonely,

Make phone calls, write letters.

Connecting electronically 

has never been better!

Listen to praise music,

Pray for each other.

Build some new bridges.

Forgive one another.

Wait on the Lord.

Peacefully resting in HIM.

“Be still and know HE is God.” 

Let THAT sink in!

HE IS!

HE.   IS.   GOD!

Praise and worship HIM,

Trusting HIM without fear.

You're never alone

When you know HE is here!

Hallelujah! Amen.

Take courage from the following Bible verses:

Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5; John 14:6; John 11:25; John 14:1, 27, Psalm 46:10

COVID 19 ... BUT GOD!

In mid-March Kansas declared that schools would close for the rest of the school year.    Other states soon made the same determination. 

Very quickly we started hearing terms like “Shelter at Home” and “Social distancing.” “Quarantine” was a word seldom heard in these days…until now when we hear it daily. 

The words “Pandemic” and “Plague,” although foreign and strange to the younger generation, engender memories giving rise to fear in minds and hearts of the oldest among us.

Businesses and churches closed, 

The economy faltered, 

Violence at home is increasing, 

and Deaths from the virus are reported daily. 

Many of us have only seen times like these in movies or read about them in books.

Depression, 

Frustration, 

and Discouragement are on the rise, exacerbated by the news reports and accompanied by weather fluctuations from cold and wintry to mild and spring-like and back to wintry again.

And we are all wondering, "How long???" 

Nothing is certain except that nothing is certain.

But GOD…

I always love it when I read those words “But God” in my Bible. Often they follow bad circumstances or evil, offering hope to a situation that would otherwise seem hopeless.

But God…

For example – Joseph after all the hardship he had gone through told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

In Psalm 73:26 the Psalmist records “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Another such passage can be found in Ephesians 2:3-10. ".......But God who is rich in mercy..."

So… Covid 19 …That’s the bad news.

But God … That’s the good news!

So, what can we do? 

We can follow the example of King David when things were so bad his own people wanted to stone him to death! 1 Samuel 30:6 says that he “was greatly distressed…but David encouraged himself (some versions say ‘strengthened himself’) in the Lord his God.” (kjv)   He encouraged himself in the Lord! He took courage in the only one able to save him. He drew strength from God! David also wrote in Psalm 29:11, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (niv)

Secondly, we can heed the words of the Apostle Paul, when writing to the church at Thessalonica he said, “… encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 

We can encourage others! 

When we do that we bless others but we are encouraged also!

So, dear friend, be encouraged in the Lord today. Let Him be your source of strength and peace in the middle of this storm. And then in His strength, look for ways to encourage others.

Blessings,

Ruth

Perhaps you would like to share ways that you have found to encourage others during this pandemic. If so, please put your ideas in the comments. 

GOOD FRIDAY! WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT?

It was a TERRIBLE day!  A day of hostility, gloom and darkness, abuse, brutality, hatred and death.

Yet we call it “Good.”

This makes no sense.

It may actually seem foolish.   (1 Corinthians 1:18 “…For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.”)

So why call it good?

Here's the BAD news:

We’re all sinners – Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Our sin separates us from God – Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

Sin condemned us to death – Roman 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.”

Our forgiveness had a price. - Hebrews 9:22 “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sin.”

All BAD news so far, right?

But the GOOD news is….

The CROSS!!

Good Friday was the day that changed everything.

Christ’s death on the cross changed our relationship with God! – Ephesians 2:13 “But now, in Christ Jesus you who were once far off are made near, by the blood of Christ.”

The cross demonstrated God’s love for us – Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was for our forgiveness – Hebrews 9:28 “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many…”

His death gave us a great gift – the gift of life! Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

We can have peace with God because of the cross! I Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous (that’s Jesus) for the unrighteous (that’s us) to bring you to God.”

Jesus paid the price! -Romans 4:25 - 5:1 “He (Christ) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So now what?

Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Sin had a price,

Jesus paid it!

“Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.”  Elvina M. Hall (1865)

THAT’S why we call it GOOD Friday!

And hold on … God wasn’t finished.  EASTER’S coming! Hallelujah!

Blessings,

Ruth

FIGHT – The INTERNAL BATTLE During the Pandemic

So we find ourselves in unusual circumstances – confined to home, working from home offices, or not working, thrust into the school teacher role or doing schoolwork online, no sports or social gatherings - far removed from our usual routines and schedules… off-kilter. At first we may have enjoyed the “home time” thinking it would be short-term, like a "staycation” maybe. But as days turned into weeks, it is apparent that life is not the same, the staycation is over and we are adapting to new ways of “doing life” for now.

It's being called a “war” against the enemy virus. And mandated guidelines are supposed to keep us safe while the unrelenting enemy runs its course and researchers try to develop a vaccine.  We follow those mandates – staying home except for essential needs, “social distancing” not coming within 6 feet of another person living outside our home, not visiting loved ones in nursing homes or hospitals, good hygienic practices, washing and sanitizing and face masking.

But what about the Internal Personal Struggle in our THOUGHTS?  This struggle is also very real.  Who am I now? What am I doing? What should I be doing? How do I make productive use of these days?  How long will it be like this? How do I stay on even-keel on this stormy sea? 

We must FIGHT.

Using the acrostic F-I-G-H-T  here is a partial battle strategy.

 F – Feed on the Right Things

·         Spiritually – Feed on God’s Word, Christian Radio, Praise Music, Church services online.

·         Mentally – Feed on Good Books, Good Conversation – (Avoid watching News 24/7. Stay informed, yes, but a constant diet of fear inducing depressing coverage only discourages us and makes us afraid.)

·         Physically – Take care of yourself. Eat good nutritious food. Get outside if possible for fresh air and sunshine. Get some physical exercise.

 I – Inspire Others

·         “Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

·         Have a positive uplifting attitude – this helps everyone in the house.

·         Write and send encouraging cards, notes, texts, emails.

·         Make phone calls to someone who is alone and may feel isolated

·         Online conferencing with your usual groups

·         Have an on-line book club

 G - Glorify God

·         “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

         1 Corinthians 10:31

·         Get up, get dressed, make the bed, keep a schedule.

·         “Do the next thing” and do it with excellence. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

·         Be thankful – “Be joyful always, Pray continually; Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

·         Memorize a Bible verse

 H- Help Those You Can help.

·         Spiritually – pray for one another – Government leaders, researchers, first and last responders, healthcare workers, sick, elderly, family, friends, neighbors, etc.

·         Emotionally – encourage each other creatively

·         Physically – run errands to get needed supplies for those who need help. Check on your neighbors and friends. Contact those who live alone to ensure they are well.

Participate with those who are endeavoring to help – give financially, donate supplies, volunteer.

T- Think on the Right Things

·         “Finally brothers, 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.” Philippians 4:8

·       Think about what you DO have and count your blessings.

·       Think about what you CAN do and do it!

·        Do not worry!   “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Blessings and peace as you fight on!

What are YOU doing to fight the internal battle? Comment and share your ideas.

Ruth