And just like that. 1000 people died in one day. It may not have affected you yet personally but rest assured, before this is over, none of us will go untouched, either personally or someone we know. Lord have mercy and heal our land in your time and in your way.
The first headline I read this morning was that the death toll from Coronavirus had increased from approximately 4,000 to 5,000 in just one day. It breaks my heart in so many ways. It breaks my heart that so many who live in places like I do just don’t get it because with the smaller population we are not seeing the death tolls that places like New York City are. I hear so many people say this thing is being blown out of proportion, but not for the people who have loved ones who are sick it isn’t. I hear people still saying Coronavirus is a government conspiracy, it isn’t real. If that is you, get your head out of the sand and look around. This thing is real! I know it’s real because I personally know people who are being affected by it and they are broken right now. They are standing by feeling helpless while their loved one is alone and there is absolutely nothing they can physically do. It is time we stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking of our neighbors. My heart is broken for those who are either personally sick or have loved ones who are. And finally there is this one, “I don’t want to hear about Coronavirus anymore, I’m sick of hearing about it.” Were about 18-20 days into this thing, you better toughen up!
My policy is usually to not read the headlines first but to read my Bible first, so this morning that was reversed. Somehow I believe that was God’s plan for me this morning though. After reading that headline and listening to a young man share his heart for a couple of minutes the Spirit brought to my mind Proverbs chapter 3. There are so many promises in the first ten verses that my heart went from broken to overflowing in a instant.
Look with me at the commands… God says,
Remember my teaching…
Keep my commandments…
Do not let mercy and truth forsake you…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart…
Acknowledge God…
Stop thinking you’re smarter that God…
Fear the Lord and stop doing EVIL… (Evil just might be that little sin you have denied for years)
Honor the Lord with your first fruits… (this one keeps most people in poverty)
These are all pretty simple to understand and hard to follow, right? All of these things are what God teaches us over and over, again and again, book upon book, in the Bible. We think we are smarter than God. OMG, how is that working out for you?
I’m sorry, I have never in my life used OMG. When things get tense though…
It’s the Dr. Phil coming out of me… “You’re just an idiot aren’t you.” Dr. Phil
“Remember my commands, trust me, stop doing stupid things, get a grip, I made you and you’re not smarter than me Einstein.” God said it, not me…
Now, look at the PROMISES.
You will have better days, a longer life, filled with PEACE.
You will have FAVOR with God and FAVOR with man.
God will DIRECT your steps.
You will have good HEALTH and STRENGTH.
And this is the most difficult one, when you GIVE back to God (we don’t really give God anything that isn’t His already) when we give back to God the FIRST PART, also described as the FIRST 10% of our Increase or INCOME, and yes this is still relevant today. Then you won’t just have enough, you’ll have enough to help others.
I am RICH! There, I said it…My kids say it all the time because they think having a thousand dollars makes one rich. I am not a millionaire, I plan to be someday. (Eye Roll from Misty) she just doesn’t understand :)… I am rich because I really do appreciate what I have. I am rich because I have the greatest family ever, some strange, some interesting, but awesome still. I am rich because I have PEACE that passes all understanding. That peace comes from trusting God, from knowing He is smarter than I am. That peace comes from following His ways, His commands. Am I perfect, NO! But you better believe I ask forgiveness quickly because of my imperfections. Am I rich in the worlds eyes, heck no, but I have a lot, I am so blessed, I have enough for me and my family and I am blessed to be able to help others. You better believe God gets the first 10% of all my increase through the local church, the storehouse. You can argue that is wrong all you want but I have lived it and I have been blessed beyond measure.
I am thinking this morning, I’m ready God! Take me and use me however you see fit. I would prefer to not be affected by this virus in any negative way but even if it should take my life, I know where I am going and that is to be with my Creator forever in Heaven for ETERNITY.
What are you going to do? Scare me with Heaven?
I love you guys,
Pastor Ronnie