Why is this happening? What is God doing in this season of upheaval?
All of these quotes in italics are from the Bible
Isaiah 26:20 is an interesting verse….
Come, my people, go home and shut yourselves in.
Go into seclusion for a while until the punishing wrath is past
Jesus also talked of a time to pray behind closed doors
Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.
I believe this is an opportunity to connect, or reconnect with God, free from the normal distractions and routines of life.
Isaiah 55:6
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
God is wanting and waiting for people to turn to him at this time of crisis
Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
Acts 17:27
…God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
This is a season to look up. Jesus invites you into his bubble.
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
The reality is, the closer we get to the return of Jesus, the more the earth will experience difficult times. This is what Jesus foretold.
Just like that of a pregnant woman in labour, once the birth pains start – they come more frequently and intense until the birth of the baby.
See Matthew chapters 24 and 25 from the Bible.
Jesus advice for such days was:
Matthew 24:42
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
Jesus is calling people to turn to him before that day when he returns when it will be too late to decide. This is not to force anyone into a decision by fear, rather- it is an invitation for us individually to respond to. Am I going to trust my present circumstances and future to myself and my limited understanding? – or do I decide to entrust everything to God who loves me and alone holds the future?
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and may God bless you during this lockdown and through to the other side.
For more faith information and inspiration please look into the following websites…
www.Biblegateway.com(To look up bible verses also in different languages)
www.lifetv.co.nz (Christian faith stories from Kiwi’s- browse by topics)
Unpacking life video collection (Christian faith stories from Kiwi’s)
Rhema media (Three NZ Christian radio stations and online from youth to seniors)
Shine tv channel 25 (faith inspired programmes, teaching, movies & kids shows)
http://www.nzprayerline.org.nz/ (prayer website)
0800 508 080 ( prayerline to leave a request for prayer or to talk to someone)
(The above was written by a friend and emailed to me)
We are in isolation now, but the good news is that Jesus came and died for us so that we never have to be isolated from God. He came to reconcile us to God and to each other.
We face fears and worry about the future, our lives, and ultimately death but Jesus came to give us a hope and a future that will be free from pain and suffering. He promises to wipe away every tear and make all things right. He defeated sin and death so that we no longer have to fear death. Therefore we can live with joy and hope even in the threat of death
Jesus stepped down from His ‘bubble’ to rescue us. He humbled himself, gave up His life to defeat this virus of sin so that we no longer have to try in our own efforts to fight this virus of sin. He clothes us with His own righteousness and frees us to live a life that is free from fear.
(Emailed to me by someone else)
Did Jesus Rise From the Dead?
Cross Foundation 