Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
One thing that's common to us all is hardship. We all have been a bit shocked by the rapid developments in connection to the Coronavirus. Many lives are being impacted as the economic adversity has been significant. Let us not lose sight of the one who controls the Universe.
God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in the time of trouble. He has promised to cover us with His feathers and to be our shield. He has even declared that no plague will come near our dwelling.
Psalm 91
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall
be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 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. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
Paul warns us in Ephesians to put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We are constantly under attack and Satan's goal ultimately, is to annihilate Christians.
John 10:10
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Child of God,
We are in Perilous times as we see the days approaching but let us not look to the left nor to the right but continue looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith as he endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of God.
Now, the safest place to be is always in the center of God's will. When God delivered Israel from Egypt he brought them into the wilderness he proved his faithfulness unto his people. As we begin this journey there will be times of doubt, fear, mistrust and the lack of confidence in God's word. God cannot lie, he cannot fail and he'll come through for us. God is worthy of our Praise, God has revealed his faithfulness through all generations of time from Adam and Eve to this very present hour because He is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever.
Deuteronomy 7:9
"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations."
Everything taking place great and small is a parable whereby God speaks to us. And the message is to heed the call and fully surrender our ways aligning them according to his Will.
Romans 1:18
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."
Romans 1:19
"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."
Romans 1:20
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
Romans 1:21
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
Romans 1:22
"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."
Romans 1:23
"And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things."
In this season God is asking us to trust in him with all our heart and lean not unto our own understanding but in all we do to acknowledge in him to direct our paths.
As a whole we are feeling the effects of God interrupting our plans, giving us a disruptive moment, a bend in the road as he is clearing our calendar because we have become so superficial of things, carnal minded and masters of idolatry. God is a jealous God and besides him there is none other. We have made images of ourselves and worship our possessions. We have decreased and devalued the importance of our Creator. We have time for everything under the sun but God. We make our schedules and that gives an indication of where God holds priority in our hearts and lives.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (Amplified Version)
"But you shall remember with profound respect the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore (solemnly promised) to your fathers, as it is this day."
Over 40 years ago you couldn't find a liquor store open on Sunday. You didn't go shopping, you didn't go to the mall because Sunday was a day of honor, respect, reverential fear, a heart of Thanksgiving and gratitude for everything God has done.
In this state of great disturbance and uncertainty we have learned a lot about ourselves and even more about this world. Never has uncertainty been any greater than it has these last few weeks. Yet, one thing I know is that we are all in the same boat together.
It doesn't matter how you voted in the last election. You're in this situation. It doesn't matter what your desire in life is. Today, you are being interrupted by this circumstance. It doesn't matter what your economic standard is. It doesn't matter if you're rich, poor, educated or uneducated. It doesn't matter what side of the tracks you live on. Every individual under the sound of my voice is going through turmoil but do not fret as God is the way maker, provider, and he is our provision and will protect his people in overcoming this national crisis. God is working it out for our good. All praise and glory for he is merciful. If we will do what we can, God will work things out in our favor and perform Supernaturally the things in which we cannot do. We serve an on time God.
For he is powerful and we ought to fear him as he can destroy both soul and body.
Matthew 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."
Matthew 5:45
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
We've learned to miss little things that express a form of love and our presence like
a smile, hug, or handshake. Don't ever despise or take for granted the ways we communicate to people and what they mean. For some they miss their Church, Pastors, Leaders and Congregations.
We have a vivid illustration of how the Apostle Paul felt in a small measure when he wrote letters to the Churches he started. In his expressions and greetings, he said,
I long for you. I miss you. Oh, that I could come to you. I assure you after this situation is over, we will understand what it means: "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the house of the Lord." You miss things like a simple routine trip to your local grocery store. You may miss things like the car line at school where you drop your kids off. So, they can learn to read, write and do arithmetic. I guarantee you, there's going to be a lot of fresh apples being sent to the schoolhouses. Parents, will now have a special gift to pray over the teachers that are sitting in front of their students. For others, they miss simple conversations light and fun. Instead of heaviness and feeling burdensome. In heavy seasons the Bible's instruction is to: "Put on the garment of Praise, for the spirit of heaviness."
Isaiah 61:3
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."
We turn to the word of God in uncertain times and as uncertainty moments arise I am certain: God almighty, is still on his throne. I am certain: The word of God is true from page to page and cover to cover. I am certain: Every promise in the Bible is good for a thousands generations. I am certain: Even though man may plan, plot, and devise schemes God is still in control. It is God who exalts and it is God who uses man on this earth to fulfill His purpose. I am certain: God is a healer. I am certain: God is faithful. I am certain: God is all sufficient and enough. I know that he has given his angels charge over me. I know he will protect me. I know he is a help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless. I know that his goodness and his mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I know in whom I have believed and I believe he is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all I can ask, think or imagine. I know who he is, and his name is Jesus Christ and he is the resurrected Savior, the son of the living God. The bright and morning star. The fairest of ten thousand. The Lion of Juda. And he is the soon coming King! The reason I know is that His word has told me and his holy spirit has confirmed in me and I hear his voice saying, "Lift up your heads and rejoice because your Redemption draweth nigh." Hallelujah!! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!!
Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:29
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Romans 8:30
"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
Romans 8:31
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
Romans 8:32
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
Romans 8:33
"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth."
I consider Romans 8:28 an outlook indicator. How you read this verse determines your outlook on life. Your outlook determines your out come.
We are all in this same situation together. We're all facing trials and struggles like we've never known before but each and everyone of us have the opportunity to choose our own perspective. Which gives us the choice to decide the outcome.
Many take offense to Romans 8:28, and live in a realm of denial. They say, all things haven't worked together for my good. Look what's going on in my business right now. I've got family members who are sick and they can't get medicine. All things haven't worked together for my good. This foundation of denial causes them to struggle. The longer you live in denial the more difficult a situation becomes. Denial goes two ways. There are some people who deny this verse can be true. While others deny that struggle can ever occur. We will go through a season of lack but God created you to conquer lack. You will go through a season of weakness but God will bring you through that season of weakness and stronger than you've ever been before. We need to understand what David said, "It was good that I had been afflicted." Why? Because it was in his affliction that he learned God's faithfulness. It was in his night season where he learned how to run to the secret place of the most High and dwell under the shadow of the Almighty. The name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous run into it and they find safety.
When you come into a season of struggle like we're in right now. Do not be defeated because if you're breathing and the sun is shining then God has a purpose for you. I'm speaking to families right now that don't know what to do and are overwhelmed. Turned to Jesus, he's for you. Don't let defeatism enter in your heart, mind or your spirit because we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.
Today, I want you to make the decision where ever you are to rejoice. Rejoice, that you are saved. Rejoice, that the blood of Jesus is strong enough to conquer every sin and shackle of shame in your past. It is strong enough to conquer every sickness and disease in your body. It's strong enough to protect you. Rejoice, as God has a plan for you. He has a plan to prosper you and not to harm you. Rejoice, that in the darkest of midnights the name of the Lord is a light. Rejoice, that in the mist of the storm you're worshipping the master who controls all the winds. Rejoice, that many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Be confident knowing, "All things work together for good." All things aren't good but God will work them into good. This virus is not good and is disrupting what we consider to be normal but we have a God that is greater than this virus. And he said, I'll use it for their good and my glory. So, that I can make my name known. I am the living God and besides me there is none other and I know him not.
What is your outlook: Determination? Denial? Are you walking around feeling defeated? Don't deny the problem because the problem is real and greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. What about our God. He sets the galaxy spinning into motion with a Word. He spans the heavens by the palm of His hand. The nations are a drop in the bucket to him. He is not just Jehovah Jireh, he is Jehovah "Mega" for He is huge!
I believe God wants us to ask big as our asking is an expression of our faith.
Let us not deny that the world needs Jesus now more than ever. This virus has given the people the opportunity to find out what they really love. It's put fathers and Sons together, Mothers and Daughters back in the same home. You find out do you really love family time or are you more into yourself. One thing about struggle, it will tell you exactly, what's important right away. It doesn't matter what you're going through, good times, bad times, hard times. The question is, do you love the Lord? Well, do you! It's that simple. It's cut and dry and directly to the point.
Matthew 6:21
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
1 Timothy 6:10
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
1 Timothy 6:11
"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."
1 Timothy 6:12
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Prayer for Healing:
"Lord, we pray right now for those who need healing. In the name of Jesus Christ, be this a diagnosed condition, undiagnosed, curable, incurable, long-term, short-term, painful, none- painful, in the blood, the bone, the tissue, the skin or the organs. We pray that your virtue would flow into their bodies, and work a complete cure, that pain would cease and that divine health would flow. Lord, there is nothing too hard for you. We seal this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus." (Amen!)
Prayer for Strength & Provision:
"Lord, we humbly come before you and ask that you forgive us for our displeasing ways.
For trampling over your precious blood and for not being content with such things that has been given unto us. I call upon you to meet every need of every business man, of every father of every mother, of every son, of every daughter. I call upon you father to bring out a harvest of abundance in this season. When those who are faithful are still sowing, When those who are faithful are still doing, When those who are faithful are still reaching, When those who are faithful are still striving. Lord, I call upon you to bring hope to every troubled heart. I call upon you to bring Joy to every season of sorrow and to every tear that is being shed. I ask that you catch it in a vase heavenly father and turn it into a shout of praise and victory. Lord, touch your people and help them realize you are faithful. I call upon you to bring strength to those who are weary and peace to those who are tormented. I call upon you to bring healing to broken hearts and ruined lives by the hand of others. Father I call upon you because your name is great and greatly to be praised. You are wonderful, you are mighty. You are from ever lasting to ever lasting. You are highly exalted, there is none liken unto you. We mention your name because principalities, powers and rulers of darkness cannot stand against the name of Jesus. We worship your name because you inhabit the praise of your people. We declare your name because it is a banner that gives us victory. It pulls down strongholds, it removes burdens and destroys yokes. It turns sorrow into laughter. We lift our voice and we declare that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God you have that all seeing eye that is watching us. You know our coming in and our going out. You are with us in the storm as you are omnipresent. Lord, we cannot hide from you. Father, we lift up all these request in the name that is above every name. Heavenly Father, we ask that you would be pleased with our sacrifice of praise for you today. In the mighty name of Jesus, we proclaim and decree this prayer and seal it under the blood of the lamb as we call those things that are not as though they already exist. We thank you for making that way of escape for your people and the Church said," (Yes & Amen!)
Open Spoken Blessing:
I want you to raise your hand as I speak this blessing over each and every person reading this right now because there is no distance in prayer. The power of God is real and what you're about to hear is his word being spoken over your lives. So, raise your hand and receive all that God has for you.
"Lift your hands toward the Lord, May the Lord bless you and may the Lord keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you. And may the Lord be gracious unto you and give you his peace. May this day, a day of trial be the first day of victory. May the fear that you have been facing be totally conquered and replaced by the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. May the hopelessness that you have felt be replaced by the divine confidence as we go forward in faith believing knowing that if God is before us, who can be against us. Let this day, be a day of new beginnings. When you as a person determine that you and God are more than enough for any problem that you are facing, walk in victory, think in victory. For the God that we serve is the God of all hope. And that hope is going to bring us through this great and national crisis. Our confidence is in the Lord because he has never failed and he never shall. May his Holy name be glorified in this nation because of his great explodes healing our nation and His people. Be blessed in the authority of Jesus name." (Amen!)
In His Grip,
Pastor Wendy Schenkel
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