Introduction
COVID-19 made 2020 very difficult and despite a vaccine being available, it seems like 2021 won’t be spared either, thanks to the new more contagious strain.
The election related drama that has been unfolding in America is also adding to everyone’s anxiety.
In the midst of it all, it’s easy to forget who Christ is, so here are a few reminders for all who confess (with their mouths and in their hearts) that Jesus is Saviour and Lord.
As I touch on each of these points, I will share a few verses from the Bible, which I strongly encourage you to look up and study yourself (don’t just take my word for it). That said, I came across many verses that would be appropriate for this post but I would end up sharing the whole Bible here, so, the few you read here are by no means the only ones. I encourage you to look into the Scriptures yourself so that the Holy Spirit can help you learn God’s Word and become more rooted in Christ.
As you read, I pray that the LORD will encourage you, strengthen you, comfort you, challenge you, bless you and above all else, glorify Himself.
Jesus/the LORD is in charge.
Please turn to John chapter 19, verses 7 thru 11.
7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”
8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.
10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”
11 Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
John 19:7-11
The religious leaders have handed Jesus over to Pilate and want Him dead. Pilate, like any earthly authority, tells Jesus that he has the power to decide His fate. Jesus informs Pilate that he wouldn’t be in power unless the LORD willed it.
Just because the LORD God allows something to happen, does not mean that He approves of it!
Here’s a very relevant example: The outcome of the US elections is not a surprise to the LORD and wherever you stand on the matter of who won/lost and how it was won/lost, if you are a born-again Christian, do not for a moment think that any of this is a surprise to the LORD.
If you cannot have complete faith in the fact that the LORD allows things to happen for His purposes to be fulfilled, then I can guarantee you that you will cease to experience the hope, joy and peace that is ours in Christ!
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
Matthew 10:29
The LORD who determines the fates of the sparrows, is the LORD who determines the fate of the whole world and all who live in it!
I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
Job 42:2
Job knew that the LORD is the One who decides everything, that no one can stop Him.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, do you believe that the LORD our God is ALWAYS in charge?
Jesus/the LORD wants us to focus on Him.
It is understandable that many Christians are rattled by the pandemic and the turmoil surrounding the US elections.
Rather than getting sucked into all these happenings and spiraling into hopelessness and despair, I urge you to look to Jesus and remember His words.
Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:32-33
Jesus told His disciples they would abandon Him at His arrest but reminded them that they can have peace and face any tribulations because Jesus has overcome the world!
My dear brothers and sisters, how is our current situation any different?
Can you not hear the Holy Spirit echoing the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in your hearts and minds? Because Jesus has overcome the world, we can too!
Speaking of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for Christians to focus on Christ unless God the Holy Spirit enables them to do so, much like the work that the Holy Spirit does in our salvation.
Please allow me to remind you what our Lord Jesus taught us about the Holy Spirit.
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:16-17
The Holy Spirit helps us to understand God’s Word, know Christ and to live our lives the way Jesus wants us to live it. In every situation, we can be certain that the Holy Spirit will counsel us and guide us in a manner that honours Christ. The Holy Spirit helps us to glorify Christ in everything – this is impossible for us to do on our own. I think it is important for me to explicitly state that the Holy Spirit does not give “fresh revelations” or “new revelations” – the Bible already has everything we need to live godly lives and the Holy Spirit helps us to do just that!
I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
John 16:12-14
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if we confess Jesus as Saviour and Lord, then His Spirit dwells in us, helping us to be more Christlike everyday by bearing the fruits of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, are the fruits of the Holy Spirit evident in your life – in your words, thoughts, actions and attitude?
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Are you submitting to the Holy Spirit daily, listening to and obeying His counsel, thereby imitating Jesus our God and Saviour OR is your life more a reflection of some other spirit?
Jesus/the LORD warns us we will be persecuted.
If you confess Christ as Saviour and Lord, two things are certain: not only will we be blessed in this life (I am not talking about prosperity gospel here), we will most certainly face persecution. Jesus has said so Himself.
So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Mark 10:29-30
If we are hated because of our faith in Jesus Christ, let’s not forget that the world hated Him first.
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
John 15:18-21
Jesus wants us to be prepared for all that is happening and all that is yet to come.
These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
John 16:1-4a
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, when you/we face persecution, may you/we be reminded of how blessed you/we are!
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Matthew 5:10-11
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, when you/we feel like we can’t go one, may you/we be reminded of Christ our strength!
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Don’t lean on your own understanding, but steadfastly trust in the LORD!
Conclusion
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, please remember that we are helpless without Jesus.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, please continue running the race because Christ has already guaranteed our victory!
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Hebrews 12:1-3
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, please keep sharing the Good News of Jesus as He commanded us to.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20
Father God, I pray You will help us to listen to Your Holy Spirit and humbly obey Your will and direction for our lives, so that in our words, thoughts, actions and attitude, in every area of our life, we will truly imitate Jesus our Lord and Saviour, so that the world may see the good works You have ordained for us to do LORD and glorify You in heaven.
In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.
Thank Sri 🙂
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