COVID-19
What to Remember When You Suffer as a Christian
Have you ever suffered for the cause of Christ? Perhaps you took a stand on the inerrancy of the Bible. Or maybe you held to the conviction that Jesus is the way, truth, and life; no one goes to the Father except through Him. John 14:6.
Someone may have distanced themself from you because you held to the Biblical definition of marriage as being between a man and woman.
What can you do when you suffer for the cause of Christ; when our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer being disowned by their family, being beaten, imprisoned, or die for their faith?
Peter, who suffered for his faith, writes that we are to entrust our souls to our faithful creator. “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right,”1 Peter 4:19.
Peter directs us to look at God’s character; that He is creator God and that He who created the world and us is faithful. We can trust Him, knowing that He will remain faithful and make all things right.
Consistent with what Peter writes is the vision John received and recorded in Revelation 19:11 regarding Christ’s return. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.”
Our Creator God is faithful and true and He will act faithfully on your behalf.
FAITHFUL LORD, we praise You that we can trust You and entrust our souls to You.
One of our key verses today is 1 Peter 4:19. To watch Debbie’s teaching on all of 1 Peter 4, click HERE. You can also check out her 1 Peter Bible study, “Experiencing Grace and Peace in Cultural Chaos” HERE. The study includes free accompanying videos and podcasts. You can access them by going to “Bible Studies” in the main menu or by clicking HERE.
Comfort in Dire Moments
During the peak of the 2021 Covid pandemic, someone shared with me the following regarding the dire conditions many faced.
“Make no mistake. When loved ones are removed from your home by ambulance because the virus has hit them hard, you are not going to be able to sit by their hospital bed and hold their hand. You are not going to be able to pop in at 7:00 pm during visiting hours. They are going to have no one other than exhausted and brave hospital staff to see them through days or weeks. During that time, they will be completely alone. Imagine that person is someone you love dearly. Because it is a reality for many.”
Disconcerting? Absolutely. Dire? Yes! What is our hope in dire times? Is there any hope? Yes, we who have placed our faith in Jesus have the assurance that in even the direst of times, our Eternal Father is with us. (Isaiah 9:6)
Bible scholar and commentator Charles Ryrie explains that Eternal Father means “Messiah is eternally a Father to His people, guarding, supplying, and caring for their needs.” 1 There could be no greater comfort in dire situations.
Do you have a relationship with the Eternal Father through Jesus Christ? If so, with whom might you share Him?
ETERNAL FATHER, in the best of times and in the direst of times, thank You for being with us. Embolden us to share the assurance we have in You with others.
1 Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update (Chicago: Moody Press, 2008).
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Is Your View of God Accurate
Some people have a wrong view of God. They may accuse Him of not being tolerant. However, our faith is based on the tolerance* or forbearance of God. Romans 3:25b-26 says, “…in the FORBEARANCE of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” To clarify, God is not tolerant of sin. Rather, sin is so “intolerable” to God that He sent Jesus to die for our sins so we could be made new. God “passed over” or “paid for” sins that had been committed and would be committed. Our forbearing Lord is just. Our forbearing Lord is the justifier (just as if I’d never sinned) of the one who places their faith in Jesus. There is no better time than now for us to share this message with others. People are dying. Many may never have heard the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Please pray God will stir the hearts of believers to share the good news with others and that the unsaved will hear, be convicted, repent, and be saved.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forbearance, for bearing with us and justifying us so we can stand before You as if we’d never sinned. Amazing!
*”Forbearance,” http://www.blueletterbible.org
Is Your View of God Accurate
Some people have a wrong view of God. They may accuse Him of not being tolerant. However, our faith is based on the tolerance* or forbearance of God. Romans 3:25b-26 says, “…in the FORBEARANCE of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” To clarify, God is not tolerant of sin. Rather, sin is so “intolerable” to God that He sent Jesus to die for our sins so we could be made new. God “passed over” or “paid for” sins that had been committed and would be committed. Our forbearing Lord is just. Our forbearing Lord is the justifier (just as if I’d never sinned) of the one who places their faith in Jesus. There is no better time than now for us to share this message with others. People are dying. Many may never have heard the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Please pray God will stir the hearts of believers to share the good news with others and that the unsaved will hear, be convicted, repent, and be saved.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forbearance, for bearing with us and justifying us so we can stand before You as if we’d never sinned. Amazing!
*”Forbearance,” http://www.blueletterbible.org
Comfort in Dire Moments
Recently, someone messaged me the following regarding Covid-19:
Make no mistake. When loved ones are removed from your home by ambulance because the virus has hit them hard, you are not going to be able to follow them there, sit by their hospital bed and hold their hand. You are not going to be able to pop in at 7.00 pm for visiting hours. They are going to have no one other than exhausted and brave hospital staff to see them through days or weeks of barely breathing through a ventilator until they either die or recover. They are not going to be well enough to text you. You are not going to be able to phone the ward to check in on them regularly (staff will be too busy for that). During that time, they will be completely alone, while you sit at home waiting to hear whether they have made it . Imagine that person is someone you love dearly. Because it’s a reality for many. And if that person in the hospital is you, going through it would be indescribable.”
Disconcerting? Absolutely. However, we who have placed our faith in Jesus have a blessed assurance in even the most dire of times. In Isaiah 9:6, we’re told in relation to Jesus that among His many names, “ETERNAL FATHER, Prince of Peace” are included. Charles Ryrie explains that Eternal Father literally means, “Father of Eternity; that Messiah is eternally a Father to His people, guarding, supplying, and caring for their needs.” There could be no more comforting thought in dire situations. We have a Father of Eternity who is present with us and our loved ones. He is present – guarding, supplying, and caring for those who look to Him. Who do we need to share the good news with today?
ETERNAL FATHER, our hearts are overwhelmed with Your provision for us in Christ Jesus. Move every one of us who calls Jesus our Savior to boldly speak the truth and hope that we have with everyone in our sphere of influence.
A New Normal
The ushering in of Covid-19 in January 2020 ushered in what is called by many “a new normal.” What is meant by “new normal”? People not greeting one another with a handshake or hug. Social distancing. Wearing face masks. Gloved hands. Not gathering to worship. There is speculation about if and when we will return to life the way it was pre-Covid-19. We are told to trust the medical experts and follow their advice. People are trying to adapt, to trust. We don’t know what the future holds, but as the saying goes, we know who holds the future – a faithful creator. First Peter 4:19 encourages believers, “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a FAITHFUL CREATOR in doing what is right.” Will there be a day when the mandate is to denounce the One we worship? Yes. That day is already here in many countries. Christian persecution has always existed. When that day comes, what are we to do? We are to entrust our souls to our Faithful Creator even as we entrust our souls to Him today.
FAITHFUL CREATOR, we praise You that we can trust You and entrust our souls to You.
Comfort in Dire Moments
Recently, someone messaged me the following regarding Covid-19:
Make no mistake. When loved ones are removed from your home by ambulance because the virus has hit them hard, you are not going to be able to follow them there, sit by their hospital bed and hold their hand. You are not going to be able to pop in at 7.00 pm for visiting hours. They are going to have no one other than exhausted and brave hospital staff to see them through days or weeks of barely breathing through a ventilator until they either die or recover. They are not going to be well enough to text you. You are not going to be able to phone the ward to check in on them regularly (staff will be too busy for that). During that time, they will be completely alone, while you sit at home waiting to hear whether they have made it . Imagine that person is someone you love dearly. Because it’s going to be a reality for many in the coming weeks. And if that person in the hospital happens to be you, going through that ordeal completely alone, it would be nothing less than terrifying. Please stay home and only go out if absolutely necessary. Social distancing is imperative right now for your family and mine.”
Grim? Absolutely. The worst to think about. However, we who have placed our faith in Jesus have this blessed assurance. In Isaiah 9:6, we’re told in relation to Jesus that among His many names, “ETERNAL FATHER, Prince of Peace” are listed. Charles Ryrie explains that Eternal Father literally means, “Father of Eternity; that Messiah is eternally a Father to His people, guarding, supplying, and caring for their needs.” There could be no more comforting thought in response to the above message. We have a Father of Eternity who is present with us and our loved ones in our alone moments. He is present – guarding, supplying, and caring for them and us. This is a blessed assurance. Who do we need to share the good news of Jesus with today?
ETERNAL FATHER, our hearts are overwhelmed with Your provision for us in Christ Jesus. Move every one of us who calls Jesus our Savior to boldly speak the truth and hope that we have with everyone in our sphere of influence.
Is Your View of God Accurate
Friends, I have no idea why my daily posts aren’t going out to you. I’ve been scheduling them. Thanks for you patience when there are glitches. Thank you for your prayers that God use HCM and stir my heart to ways we can reach out to people with the good news of salvation during this time when so many are dying. The time is urgent for us to care for people’s souls while doctors are caring for their bodies.
Some people have a wrong view of God. They may accuse Him of not being tolerant. However, our faith is based on the tolerance* or forbearance of God. Romans 3:25b-26 says, “…in the FORBEARANCE of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” It’s not that God is tolerant of sin. Rather, sin is so “intolerable” to God that He sent Jesus to die for our sins so we could be made new. God “passed over” or “paid for” sins that had been committed and would be committed. Our forbearing Lord is just. Our forbearing Lord is the justifier (just as if I’d never sinned) of the one who places their faith in Jesus. There is no better time than now for us to share this message with others. People are dying. Many may never have heard the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Last week I sent you ““Covid-19 – Test for Another Invisible Enemy.” If you missed it, please read and share with others. If you prefer to watch, you can do that here: video. And, please pray that God will stir the hearts of believers to share the good news with others, and that the unsaved will hear, be convicted, repent, and be saved.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forbearance, for bearing with us and justifying us so we can stand before You as if we’d never sinned. Amazing!
*”Forbearance,” http://www.blueletterbible.org