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Corona Who? Part 4 – Taking God’s Medicine
(Ver 1.1) This is Part 4 in the Bible Study series about the current world crisis called “Coronavirus” or “COVID-19”. If you would like to read the entire series, please go to “Part 1“. This is a situation that has been occurring like no other that I have ever seen. We have governments in over 150 nations placing people into quarantine to stop it from spreading. This has caused great fear and panic in many people. To a Christian we should not fear death. We learn from reading Hebrews 2:15 that unsaved people are in the bondage of this fear. I believe this is because of the uncertainly of what happens to them after they die. If anyone is not saved, I can tell you plainly the Bible says your fear is justified.
But that is not my subject today. The LORD wanted me to put this out a few days ago and I pray I’m not too late to help someone going through what the enemy Satan is trying to do in all our lives. The Bible declares God’s Word to be the source of LIFE ETERNAL (Salvation). But also in the same redemptive work of Jesus, He gives to us healing and health. Throughout the Bible this TRUTH is communicated. We are required to take HIS Word like we would take a pill that the doctor gave to us. If you went to a doctor and he recommended a pill that he thought would help you get better, what would you do? I personally would pray over the matter with God and if I had peace, I would take the medicine.
The Bible says God’s Word is HIS medicine for our spirit, soul and body. The Hebrew word H7965 is transliterated as “SHALOM” and is often translated as “peace”. However, this word is ALL-INCLUSIVE, and it means peace, safety, health, welfare, prosperity and even happiness. A very similar Greek N.T. word is G4982 “SOZO” and it is often translated as “saved” or “made whole”. This Greek word again is “ALL-INCLUSIVE”. N.T. salvation includes our spirit, soul and body. This should help us to understand why the WORD of GOD is so important. This should also help to encourage us to read the WORD of GOD about our situations that we are facing “out loud” every day and even multiple times a day when fear tries to overcome us.
Remember God told Joshua in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart from out of your mouth, but you shall mediate therein day and night. Then you observe to do it according to all that is written therein. For then you shall make your way prosperous and then you will have good success”. Wow, what a concept! The Hebrew word translated as “meditate” literally means “to mutter” continually. What God is saying when My Word gets into your heart to change your thinking, believing, speaking and actions you cannot be defeated by your enemy.
I have been taking God’s medicine daily ever since this evil suddenly came to light. I regret not doing this as faithfully before it came. I trust with the LORD’s help I will do a better job in the future not to let this habit slip. I believe this was just God’s way of waking me up. Therefore, please join with me if you believe the Power of the Word of God and take God’s medicine with me daily up to 3 times a time or more. If a doctor gives you a prescription please don’t stop taking that, just add the Greater medicine God’s Word to it. Here are just a few of God’s medicine verses that I believe the LORD wanted me to say out loud daily. I changed the words in the verses to make them personal to me. I like to take make the Bible a personal love letter to me from God. This is the way I believe God intended and designed it to be.
GOD’S MEDICINE – TAKE 3 TIMES A DAY
We will begin with Galatians 3:13 a very important verse of truth for every Christian:
Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed ME from the curse of the law, being made a curse for ME: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:
(What was the curse of the law? We can find that answer in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. But the verse 61 is the key to fighting and taking a stand against the coronavirus:)
Deu 28:61 Also every sickness (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc), and every plague (Coronavirus, etc.), which is NOT written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon those that are disobedient, until they be destroyed.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne MY griefs (Sickness & Disease), and carried MY sorrows (Pain): yet we did esteem HIM stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But HE was wounded for MY transgressions, he was bruised for MY iniquities: the chastisement of MY peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes I am healed.Mat 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isiah the prophet, saying, Himself took MY infirmities, and bare MY sicknesses.
1Pe 2:24 Who HIS own self bare MY sins in HIS own body on the tree, that I, being dead to sins, will live unto righteousness: by whose stripes I was healed.
Psa 107:20 He sent HIS word, and healed ME, and delivered ME from MY destructions.
Exo 15:26 And said, If I will diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD MY God, and wilt do that which is right in HIS sight, and will give ear to HIS commandments, and keep all HIS statutes, HE will put none of these diseases upon ME, which HE has brought upon the Egyptians: for HE is the LORD that healeth ME.
Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all HIS benefits:
Psa 103:3 Who forgives all MY iniquities; who healeth all MY diseases;
Pro 4:20 Because I am His child, I attend to HIS words; I incline MY ears unto HIS sayings.
Pro 4:21 I WILL NOT let them not depart from MY eyes; I will keep them in the midst of MY heart.
Pro 4:22 For they are life unto ME because I find them, and health to all MY flesh.
Pro 17:22 A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones. (Laugh every day this will help build your immunity against every disease)
Exo 23:25 And I WILL serve the LORD MY God, and HE will bless MY bread, and MY water; and HE will take sickness away from the midst of ME.
Psa 91:1 Because I dwell in the secret place of the most High I will abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in HIM will I trust.
Psa 91:3 Surely HE shall deliver ME from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psa 91:4 MY GOD shall cover ME with HIS feathers, and under HIS wings shalt I trust: HIS truth shall be MY shield and buckler.
Psa 91:5 I shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psa 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at MY side, and ten thousand at MY right hand; but it shall not come near ME.
Psa 91:8 Only with MY eyes shalt I behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Psa 91:9 Because I have made the LORD, MY refuge, even the most High, MY habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall ME, neither shall ANY plague come nigh MY dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For MY GOD shall give HIS angels charge over ME, to keep ME in all thy ways.
Psa 91:12 They shall bear ME up in their hands, lest I dash MY foot against a stone.
Psa 91:13 I shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall I trample under MY feet.
Psa 91:14 Because I have set my love upon HIM, therefore will HE deliver ME: HE will set ME on high, because I have known HIS name.
Psa 91:15 I shall call upon HIM, and HE will answer ME: HE will be with ME in trouble; HE will deliver ME, and honour ME.
Psa 91:16 With long life will HE satisfy ME, and show me HIS salvation.
CONCLUSION
Remember to read and speak God’s medicine daily as many times as you can. God’s medicine has NO ill side effects. God’s medicine only produces life spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. If you think the conditions are getting worse take it more often. Command the devil’s symptoms to leave. Say “No devil you can’t put that on me, I’m redeemed”.
Thank you for reading and studying the Bible with us. I believe that we in the church are going to come through this with a major victory. Please join with me and many other Christians this week of Easter to pray and come against this foul satanic enemy called “coronavirus”. According to Philippians 2:9-10 God informs us that Jesus was given the greatest name in heaven and under heaven on the earth. So that every other named thing must bow their knee to the name of Jesus! Therefore we in the church are going to come against this named enemy and command it to bow to the name of Jesus. According to Luke 10:19, we in the church have been given this authority over our enemy. But this given authority is useless if not being spoken and exercised. Everyday from now until Easter I will be commanding the named virus “Corona” to come into obedience to the authority of the Word of God. I overcome you by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of my Testimony. “Bow your knee in Jesus name and be gone from my city, state, & nation, etc.” Please ask all your Christian friends and relatives to join us in this stand with the Word of God, the Name of Jesus and the Blood of Jesus! Thank you and God bless you all. If you have any specific prayer needs or requests, you are welcome to post them for us and every reader to pray with you. If you have other Bible verses that you love please leave them in a comment. Thank you!
~WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DIED TODAY?~
Today, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and Savior or you do not have the confidence to KNOW what would happen if you died suddenly it is time to get your life in order. I believe NOW is time to resolve your uncertain eternal destination after this life ends and before it is too late. Some might think I’m not a bad person and have not committed any bad crimes, but God says our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to His standard of Holiness. By default, without making a choice we are all headed to a lake of fire that burns very intensely to be separated from a loving God that already forgave us. That is a very sad reality. One wise man has said NO ONE is ready to live, until they are ready to die. Please go to “Salvation” and read and pray the prayer to receive the free gift of forgiveness & eternal life. This will be the greatest decision that you will ever make. Thank you and God bless you.
Corona Who? Part 3 – God’s Victorious Church
(Ver 1.1) This Part 3 in the series of Bible lessons written during the Coronavirus Pandemic. People in the world today are being overwhelmed with a flood of negative words producing a spirit of fear. This spirit is also called Satan and he has been using the world’s news media as his mouthpiece to spread his evil terrorist agenda. At first the media denied the existence of coronavirus, then they denied the significance of the virus and now they are denying the source of the virus and blaming the President. Leaders in China (the source of the virus) have initiated a propaganda campaign to blame the U.S. military as planting the virus in China and the media cooperates with them. This is the classic distraction technique of Satan. What Satan is guilty of he points to it being God so that humans blame and fear God to not come to Him to be saved. For example, remember when Satan said this to Eve, “Has God said?” Then Satan speaks “You shall not surely die”. Then he said, “for God knows when you eat of the tree you will be like God knowing good and evil” (Gen 3). In other words, Satan pointed the blame to God as being the one that was not truthful. Satan seems to imply that God didn’t want them to become like Him. When in reality they were already made in His likeness. This satanic deception resulted in human rebellion from God and turned them into being afraid of God. It was like they forgot that God was the one that was the source and supply of their every blessing. This is a great deception that is still being followed and imitated today concerning the coronavirus.
If you have not read this series from the beginning, you are welcome to go and read from “Part 1” first and then “Part 2” next. However, this Bible lesson by itself should be a blessing to you. If you are blessed by this encouraging message, please share it with your friends and family. Also press the “Like” button and leave an encouraging comment to share with others. Thank you in advance and may God’s blessings fill your heart and mind with hope as we study about “God’s Victorious Church”.
INTRODUCTION
This series is called “Corona Who” for some good reasons. We talked about one aspect in the last lesson when the “sons of Sceba” were casting out demons from one infected possessed man. The spirit in this infected man said to these foolish young men “Paul I know, Jesus I know but WHO are you?” That is an amazing spiritual question. In the spirit realm there is some people and things that are known and some that are not known. Jesus made a very similar statement when He came to a place called Gadara. He encountered a demon possessed man and asked, “What is your name?” (Mark 5:9). This story is a great Bible study but that is not my main subject. The primary point for mentioning it, is that Jesus asked the devils their name. They answered “Legion, because we are many”. Why didn’t Jesus already know that? Why did Jesus even need to ask the question? I believe it was to teach us an important concept.
Do you recall what Jesus said in Matthew 7:23 to some people that claimed that they knew Him and had even done great works for Him? How could demons in one example in Acts say they know Jesus but Jesus in other examples need to ask them their name? Obviously, Jesus did not know them even if they thought they knew Him. Wow, that is important.
Remember what Jesus said to these people in Matthew 7? Jesus said, “Depart from me for I never knew you”. To know someone intimately and personally is a claim of a covenant relationship. Jesus was saying to these legions of demons in an indirect way “I don’t know you because there is no covenant with you to me”. Wow, that is a lot to think about. Do you believe Jesus knows the coronavirus or the spirit behind this evil? I personally believe they both have no covenant relationship with Him and He would just say “Depart I never knew you”. As a Christian, we have a New Covenant with Jesus. But we better be known by Him when we think we know Him. Therefore, if we are known by Jesus, we should not know the coronavirus. We should be saying “Corona Who?”. Let’s get deeper into the lesson.
GOD’S VICTORIOUS CHURCH
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
This is a very encouraging word from God written to us in the church, at the end of the book of Romans. What does this verse mean? Probably not much if you don’t understand the promise source in the Word of God. Paul was referring to a prophecy given in Genesis 3 being spoken to Satan. Perhaps you have read and studied the other lessons on this website about this matter. I hope you have. But, God spoke in Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed and it (her seed) will bruise your head and you shall bruise his (technically in the Hebrew “her”) heal. I don’t have time to explain this verse as in other lessons. But, know this prophesied hatred (enmity) is between us in the church (the bride, wife, woman, body of Christ) and Satan. We can clearly begin to understand that this verse in Genesis 3 is written about the church based upon this verse in Roman 16:20 being written to the bride and body of Christ. Both verses are speaking of the identical subjects.
What does the bruising of an enemy under our feet mean? It must be defined to be “when an enemy (in our case Satan) will be overcome and defeated”. God told Joshua in Joshua 1:3 “Everywhere the sole of your foot shall tread I have given you”. This land that was given to Joshua was still filled with big enemies that could of killed them and they still had to be overcome. Even though the victory was given to them they were required to believe, participate and cooperate to possess what was promised. This is the exact same for us in the church for this promise treading under in Romans 16. We are faced with a lot of invisible enemies including one called the great wall of “Coronavirus”. We are not to be afraid of taking on this enemy. However, we are to do as they did and seek God’s face for direction and instruction. Perhaps God is saying something new to the church today. Pray and ask for His guidance and wisdom to know what He wants us to do during this time to win this battle.
This verse in Romans 16, further warns the church people that will bruise Satan’s head, that they will also have their foot/heel bruised in the process of obtaining the victory. Anything that causes a bruise is usually something that is associated with a strike to that part of the body to cause the pain. Don’t think that Satan is just going to lay there helplessly waiting for us to bruise his head. He is going to resist the defeat with all his power. Jesus never promised that the church believer would experience zero troubles and tribulations (Jn 16:33). I think most of us can testify to this truth who have been saved very long. The more we do for God’s Kingdom, the greater the resistance appears to come out of nowhere. I heard one minister say when God promotes us to a new level there will come greater levels of devils to resist us. We are in a spiritual fight. But we are prophesied to be victorious. Is God a Liar? No, He is not. He even gives us His personal armor to help us (Eph 6). In fact Romans 16 says the God of Peace will do this and Ephesians 6 informs us that He equips our feet with the shoes of peace. Wow, praise God. Peace should be on our feet during this battle. Are you standing in peace? If not, put on His shoes.
When is this bruising of Satan’s head supposed to happen? This is a great hidden mystery. God clearly said when Paul wrote this letter to the Romans that it had not happened yet and that it would occur shortly. These two Greek words G1722 and G5034 that are translated as “shortly” here are also used in Revelation chapter 1 verse 1. Here God says “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servant things which must shortly come to pass”. God appears to be making a connection to the book of Revelation and the end of the church age. This can surely become confusing to humans who have no reference to what eternity represents. Humans are limited to the dimensions of space and time, but God is not. To us 2000 years is a very long time to wait for something to happen, but to God this is only about two days according to 2 Peter 3:8. If I said to you “I’ll see you in a couple (two) days would you think that is a long time? I mean if I lived next door to you that might be different than if I lived in Arizona and you lived in Florida. It might take me two days to drive to where you are and then your perspective would change dramatically. We need to begin to see more things from God’s perspective. Even if the Coronavirus lasted one year of human time that would only be 86.4 seconds to God. Wow, I find that very interesting.
2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
There will be times of pressure, affliction, tribulation and persecution in this world for Christians but, God informs us that this is nothing compared to eternal life in His presence. But God calls this a passing moment of light trouble, meaning it should not be regarded as significant. Remember, us getting a bruise on our foot is far better than Satan’s bruise upon his head.
COCLUSION
If you have not read the Bible series on the “True Identity of the Woman in Revelation 12” I would highly recommend you do so. I believe the LORD has taught me that this woman in Revelation 12 represents the victorious, overcoming and raptured church. She is clothed in the Sun and standing on the moon under her feet with a victorious crown on her head. That is a description of the Bride of Christ. The woman is clothed with the Sun and that represents a people being clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Mal 4:2). Standing on the moon is the symbolic representation of bruising our enemy Satan under our feet (Rom 16:20). Satan is described to be the ruler of the darkness of this world (Eph 6:12) and God says in the Bible in Genesis, Psalms and the N.T. that the moon rules the dark night (Gen 1:18). I believe with all my heart that the church will be “caught up” very soon as an overcoming bride, not a defeated or beaten wife.
The main point of this Bible lesson is that Satan and his coronavirus are already defeated foes. God has already given to us the victory. But, that does not make Satan and coronavirus powerless. It does make them defeated and under our feet. Jesus and His bride/body are more than conquerors over Satan (Rom 8:37). Let us give thanks to God who always causes His church in Christ Jesus to triumph (2 Cor 2:14). But just as Joshua and the people of Israel had a choice to live in fear of the giants dying in the wilderness and to not possess the victory so the church must make the same decision today.
Let’s try to begin to see this present life more from God’s point of view. What we think is the end of the world today may seem insignificant to what could occur tomorrow or in eternity. Please do not think that I am making this to be as a nothing event. There have been a lot of people in a short time that have died. If anyone has lost a family member or friend during this crisis, we are all praying for you. I hope everyone that died knew Jesus Christ and were known by Him. If they did and He did, they are in a far better place according to 2 Corinthians 5:8. Let’s stand against this unseen enemy and put them under our feet. Let’s use any spare time to pray and ask God how we can reach someone that needs to know God. Live today like it was your last day on earth. Thank you and God bless you. If you need any specific prayer, please leave it as a comment. Jesus is LORD over Satan and over coronavirus!
If you like to continue reading in the series please go to “Part 4“.
~WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DIED TODAY?~
Today, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and Savior or you do not have the confidence to KNOW what would happen if you died suddenly it is time to get your life in order. I believe NOW is time to resolve your uncertain eternal destination after this life ends and before it is too late. Some might think I’m not a bad person and have not committed any bad crimes, but God says our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to His standard of Holiness. By default, without making a choice we are all headed to a lake of fire that burns very intensely to be separated from a loving God that already forgave us. That is a very sad reality. One wise man has said NO ONE is ready to live, until they are ready to die. Please go to “Salvation” and read and pray the prayer to receive the free gift of forgiveness & eternal life. This will be the greatest decision that you will ever make. Thank you and God bless you.
Corona Who? Part 2 – Balancing Taking Commonsense Precautions with Applying Faith in God and the Word of God
(Ver 1.1) This Part 2 in a series of Bible lessons concerning the current state of concern called the Coronavirus Pandemic. This is an unseen enemy that is affecting a lot of the world with fear. I have never seen anything exactly like this in my lifetime. I believe most will agree. There have been many thousands that have died so far. Shelves at stores are empty of many of the basics and essentials. People have been ordered to remain in their homes except for important needs. This sounds very similar to the coming times described in the Book of Revelation. But I do not believe we are there. I believe this is only the beginning of the birth pains described in Matthew 24:7. Jesus taught us very clearly that things like this would come before the end. Don’t be surprised as these types of events continue to grow in intensity as the sorrows come closer and closer to the end.
INTRODUCTION TO ONE EXTREME ATTITUDE
IGNORING THE POWER OF THE ENEMY
This lesson concerns the issue of extreme positions dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. There are many younger people in the world that think that they are invincible against the virus to believe that it will have no effect on them or anyone else that they encounter. This is truly a non-realistic selfish type of thinking. When I was young, I was no doubt the same way. We all think very little of the consequences of our actions or the consequences of bad choices that result in pain, suffering or death. This attitude is very foolish and not based upon the Truth of the Bible or even basic human common sense. This is an extreme egotistical and self-centered lack of love with no concern for anyone else but themselves (2 Tim 3:1-2).
The reason that I called this Bible study “Corona Who” was because of what God reveals to us in Acts 19:15. In this story there were seven sons of Sceva that attempted to cast our a devil from a man saying “We adjure in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches”. Obviously, these young sons believed they were invincible and nothing bad could happen to them whatsoever. That same attitude is being displayed today. However, God’s Word proves that this was NOT the case. The devil said to these seven sons, “Jesus I know, Paul I know but who are you?” It appears to me like the seven young men in Acts 19 did not consider the power of their unseen enemy that they were faced with. This lack of fear and respect for an unseen enemy is the same as young people today. There is nothing new under the sun!
The devil in this one possessed (infected) man overcame all seven of them, even ripping off their clothes so that they fled and ran away in terror naked. Wow, the parallels to our world is very profound, to say the least. This was just an introductory side subject to the main subject of other extreme attitudes found in the world today concerning coronavirus. I do want to say this introduction to the lesson concerns a few mostly unsaved, unbelieving people of the world. But real and mature Christians should be different. So, let’s change our perspective.
A COMMONSENSE ONLY ATTITUDE VERSUS A FAITH ONLY ATTITUDE
The main subject of this lesson is intended for Christians. I write many of these lessons to help me first and then to share with others second. How should a Christian react to a pandemic virus or plague? We already talked about do not fear it in Part 1. If you have not read that short lesson, I would highly recommend that you begin there first.
I believe the Holy Spirit instructed me to only fear Him. He is the only one that could kill my body and my soul. No epidemic can take my soul unless I blame God for it to curse God and die like Job’s wife suggested. But, what about faith? There are a lot of people searching and finding scriptures in the Bible to stand upon in the face of this pandemic evil. I think that is great and I admit I do that. For example, Psalm 91 is a very appropriate and applicable set of divine promises to quote daily and believe.
Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psa 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psa 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Psa 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
This is an awesome set of promises made to the people of God. I like to read these out loud as often as I am able. Especially during major situations like we are facing. However, it is very important to note that the promised positive outcomes are conditional if we are meeting the requirements to receive them. We are required to dwell in the secret place of the LORD. We are required to say to the Lord “You are my refuge and fortress, You are my God in who I trust”. We are required not to be afraid. In other words, to remain in faith. We are required to set our love upon Him only. We are required to know Him by “Name”. We are required to “Call on Him”. Just note that God’s love is always unconditional, but every promise must be possessed by faith.
Just because we believe God promises us protection does that mean we can ignore the governmental authorities and their warnings? I don’t know about you, but I pray daily for our President asking the Almighty and All Knowing God to give our President wisdom to do his job. If you do the same and believe that God hears and answers these prayers, then why would you or I defy his recommendations to remain inside our homes and limit human social contact with others for a period? Would following his word be us disobeying God or His Word?
If we read 1 Timothy chapter 2 verses 1 and 2 God appears to answer this dilemma. In verse 1 we are instructed to pray for all people. Then in verse 2 God specifically says for us to pray for those that are in authority in our governments. Here in verse 2 God provides us the reason for the prayers “so that we may live a quiet and peaceful life”. I believe that speaks volumes to me. If the government is trying to help us live peacefully and quiet and eliminate our unseen enemy, let’s cooperate. That is my opinion based upon what we will further study today. Let’s move on to the main subject for Christians fighting against an unseen enemy.
A Proposed Balanced Church Reaction
to What is Happening in the World
I’d like to propose a viewpoint from scripture of a possible way to balance what the church’s attitude and response to this situation coronavirus might be. I’d like you to read it and make up your own mind, if it is what the LORD is saying to you today. There are a lot of people on TV and the internet that may not agree and that is OK. If the LORD leads you to them and they agree with what the Holy Spirit is saying to you then do that. Trust in the Holy Spirit on the inside to guide you and not any human.
What should we be doing in the church today? Of course, beyond not living in fear we should all be praying and asking our Lord for wisdom and guidance. Also agree with the Bible and know that God did not send this on the world. Yes, He allowed it to occur. But, usually these evil acts of Satan are granted permission because of human sins coming to fullness (Rev 17:4). I don’t have time to explain or teach that part of the subject. Please understand that this coronavirus is not God’s wrath. We are under grace until the end of the church age occurs (Luke 21:24). Then the tribulation will bring forth the full wrath and judgments of God. Can we agree that coronavirus is not God’s fault? I sure hope and pray we can. Let’s now observe what is happening in the church today to compare extreme opposing and unbalanced views.
In the church today, there are people who would claim that we are foolish to close or limit church services just because the government says to do so. We can easily come up with logical reasons why we should not obey. However, I believe that response and attitude is what the devil wants the church to do. If churches started to defy and resist governmental leadership and authority to not limit the numbers, and if anyone got sick and died as a result of that encounter, that pastor and church could be held legally and criminally liable and negligent. This would give the government the beginning rights to shut down every church service permanently. Having the government bring charges against you is not living a quiet and peaceful life. No that sounds like we could become like living in a China or North Korea where many churches must meet secretly and they are thrown into reeducation camps if they are caught. Therefore, I am of the belief that churches should agree or at least respect leaders and follow recommended guidelines for keeping people safe. Also remember that not everyone in a church has the same level of faith as the pastor. The pastor might be risking the life of a new baby convert thinking they should be able to resist the devil the same as they do. That is just not how it works in the Kingdom of God.
I believe that there are at least two extreme Christian positions of error in this fight against Coronavirus found today in the church. 1). There can be people who ONLY have faith in the Word of God and ignore the government directions and these do not normally take any commonsense precautions against the coronavirus. Or 2). there can be people that ONLY obey the government using natural precautions while totally ignoring the Word of God. I believe that both extreme approaches and attitudes are not what the Bible teaches us to do. I believe based upon what we will learn today we should be doing both. Let me introduce you to a wrong example of taking just some of the Word of God and omitting God given common sense:
There are a few people in the world that call themselves Christians and do some very foolish things. One group takes a bunch of poisonous snakes into their church services and picks them up to prove that they are being protected by God’s Word to not be bitten and die. They base this belief on a literal reading of Mark 16:18. A lot of these people have been successful, but some have died attempting this. I assume that those that were bitten and died must not have been a true Christian? No, the Bible does not teach that we should be handling snakes in church to prove we are saved. These people stand on what they think the Word says and totally abandon their God given common sense. What a dangerous religious mindset! This is just foolishness and we can prove it by the Bible. Can we begin to see where the Holy Spirit is taking us?
Do you recall what happened to Jesus after He was baptized by John? Was Jesus the Son of God (Acts 8:37) and God in the flesh (John 1:1-14)? Yes, He was. What was Jesus’ approach to doing something foolish to prove He was God’s Son and God would protect Him? We can read about this in Luke 4 during His temptation after a 40 day fast:
Luk 4:9 And he (Satan) brought him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
Luk 4:10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
Luk 4:11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Luk 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Can we see the application in this test of Jesus to what some people are doing handling snakes and what we all are facing today in the world with coronavirus? In these passages, Satan uses scripture and quotes it to Jesus after telling Him to jump off the top of the temple. Where did this verse come from that was quoted to Jesus? You probably already know it came from Psalm 91. We just read it at the beginning of the lesson. It is one of the same verses that I am reading today. I pray it is one of the same verses that you are quoting today also.
What was Jesus’ reaction and attitude towards this awesome promise of God? Wow, this really is important for us to see. Jesus did not say “You are right and I’ll jump” thinking God will protect Him with His angels. No, Jesus applied common sense and the Word of God combined. Jesus knew about the law of gravity that He created and said, “It is also written, I shall not test the LORD my God”. Are we potentially testing our LORD God when we quote Psalm 91 believing God will just automatically protect us without applying common sense that He should have also given to us? What else is written in the Bible that we need to quote to Satan? I believe that is a great question to consider. Please let’s not ignore the rest of the Bible for a verse that we think is all we need to know.
If the Holy Spirit instructs us and leads us to go and lay hands on someone with coronavirus to heal them, know that is a lot different than us just presumptively walking down a street to get take out at a restaurant with potential coronavirus personally serving us. One is an act of obedience and the other is just satisfying a carnal appetite. I knew a pastor that was led by the Holy Spirit to drive home a different way than what he normally did, but he reasoned and thought it was too much time to go that way. His not being led by the Holy Spirit almost cost him his life in a significant car accident. God tries to lead us not to be in some places and just quoting a verse thinking He will protects us is very foolish. There are times for obedience in faith and there are times of the application of our God given common sense. There is probably a lot more that could be said here but I will end.
Thank you for reading these Bible lessons. Thank you also for sharing this Bible lesson with your friends and relatives. Leave us a comment and share what the Lord has been saying to you. If you don’t agree with this, please feel free to share that also. Let’s please continue to pray for each other. Let’s also be led by the Holy Spirit. Let’s also read and quote the Word of God to the devil. The Word of God is our sword of the Spirit. But, also trust God’s given common sense to follow the leadership directions of our elected leaders federal and state. God Bless you always. I love you. I am praying everyone will be safe.
If you would like to continue reading, please select “Part 3“.
~WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DIED TODAY?~
Today, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and Savior or you do not have the confidence to KNOW what would happen if you died suddenly it is time to get your life in order. I believe NOW is time to resolve your uncertain eternal destination after this life ends and before it is too late. Some might think I’m not a bad person and have not committed any bad crimes, but God says our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to His standard of Holiness. By default, without making a choice we are all headed to a lake of fire that burns very intensely to be separated from a loving God that already forgave us. That is a very sad reality. One wise man has said NO ONE is ready to live, until they are ready to die. Please go to “Salvation” and read and pray the prayer to receive the free gift of forgiveness & eternal life. This will be the greatest decision that you will ever make. Thank you and God bless you.
Corona Who? Who or What is Our Primary Focus?
(Ver 1.1) God Bless you today. This is Part 1 in a series of messages addressing a need for hope & encouragement in the days of potential coronavirus stress. Thank you for reading and sharing your comments. It seems that almost everyone in the world is focused upon only one thing. Human normalcy of a daily scheduled routine existence has escaped many of us. Many have lost their jobs and income. These types of loses seem minor compared to others that have lost their life on this earth. The News media is consumed with one story. A solitary focused upon an agenda that is opposed to God. The underlying motivation of the message is focused upon producing fear in everyone. But, the Word of God says in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love and of a sound mind”. Therefore, the media message does not speak for God whatsoever. Recognizing the source of the message will help me redirect my focus upon God. I hope that helps you also.
I know that, I personally can easily become consumed with watching the developments of this pandemic on the news. This is clearly Satan’s attempt to keep me from the Word of God. Perhaps you recall the Parable of the Sower. The enemy came immediately after the Word of God was sown to eat it up to stop it from producing fruit. How is Satan able to do this? It is not like we think. Because everything that is happening occurs in the spiritual realm of my mind. Things today are changing so rapidly. What is happening today in the news reminds me of a scripture from the book of Isaiah that describes Satan’s methods to try to overcome me:
Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
This verse starts by speaking of a people that fear the name of the LORD. This is a good fear and not related to the type of Satan’s fear being produced from the Coronavirus reports. This corona-virus is nothing but an alternative form of “terror”. This “terror” does not come from people blowing themselves up or chopping your head off, no this is a different type of “terror” from an unseen, invisible with the naked eye source. But the result is still the same. The news media is feeding this terrorism for ratings and money. Let’s know that!
Look at this verse’s ending statement. God speaks of the enemy coming in like a flood. That is an amazing statement and it describes the news media today very clearly. Spoken words are symbolized in the Bible as a type of “water”. Fast moving waters are described symbolically as representing many spoken words. This type of analogy is like a flowing river or a flood. For example, Jesus said in John 7:38, “He who believes in me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water”. These waters are good types of words that Jesus spoke of. But in Isaiah 59:19 these are not positive life producing words being called a flood. The flood of words being spoken of here are only words that produce fear, anxiety, panic, worry, doubt and insecurity. The intended result of these types of rapidly flowing words are used by Satan to produce death the opposite of what Jesus said should be coming out of a believer’s mouth.
The message from God to me is to not stop listening to the news completely but rather to change my priority to focus on the Name of the LORD and fear Him alone. When I fear God more than what can kill me here on this earth, I will begin to see things from a new perspective. Here is a verse that should be considered during this time of uncertainty:
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
This is truly a profound statement. Corona-virus can kill some people’s body, but not their soul (spirit, mind, will and emotions). Satan is trying His best to get me to take my eyes off the Word of God. How about you? My prayer today is that I not let Satan’s distraction of a flood of negative words in the news to get me down. I pray that for all of you also. I plan on spending more time reading and studying the Word of God than I do watching the news. In the next lesson, the LORD willing, I will try to continue this series by helping to balance taking natural common sense precautions with standing firm upon the Word of God’s Truth. Thank you for reading and please leave a comment. God Bless you.
If you would like to read the next lesson please click “Part 2“.
~WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DIED TODAY?~
Today, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and Savior or you do not have the confidence to KNOW what would happen if you died suddenly it is time to get your life in order. I believe NOW is time to resolve your uncertain eternal destination after this life ends and before it is too late. Some might think I’m not a bad person and have not committed any bad crimes, but God says our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to His standard of Holiness. By default, without making a choice we are all headed to a lake of fire that burns very intensely to be separated from a loving God that already forgave us. That is a very sad reality. One wise man has said NO ONE is ready to live, until they are ready to die. Please go to “Salvation” and read and pray the prayer to receive the free gift of forgiveness & eternal life. This will be the greatest decision that you will ever make. Thank you and God bless you.
Praying for the Nation and the World!!!
(Ver 1.1) Sunday, March 15, 2020. We are joining the cry for a National Day of Prayer. The President of the United States requested that we all unite and pray to our Most High Creator God. The world is facing a severe crisis situation at least one major world organization calls a “Pandemic”. A new virus recently originated from a province in China and has spread rapidly to almost the entire world in a very short time. There has been too many deaths that have occurred from this new virus. Therefore, we will obey God and follow His Word:
2Ch 7:14 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.
The people of God need to begin to humble ourselves before the awesome Supreme Judge of heaven to begin to pray. Christians must make a decision to be Holy like He is Holy. Then we must earnestly seek His face. Repent for our sins and the sins of the nation. Sins like lies, hatred, adultery, homosexuality, abortion, etc. But, first and foremost for the sin of removing God, the Bible and Prayer from our public schools. Our nation has declined since this Supreme Court decision was forced upon every person in the nation. Since then we have raised generations of children with godless morals and values. Today, almost everyone does what is right in their own eyes. Father forgive us for our complacency and passivity to not stand with you and your written Holy Word and ways. Forgive us and cleanse us from all of our unrighteousness. We plead for the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from every unrighteousness thought, motive, word spoken and action. Let not any of these wrongful ways be held against us in the courts of heaven to allow Satan access to legally kill, steal or destroy us. Thank you for hearing our prayers, forgiving our sins, and healing our land. Lord Jesus be our advocate in heaven, intercede for your people and let your blood shed speak better things than the accusations of our enemy accuser. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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