APRIL ABUNDANCE

I linger longer than I should as I mull over words to express God’s presence in my life this month of April.

COVID19 has been front and center.

Each night we hear a new report on the news.

We sift through words as we seek actual facts.

The best doctors inch forward to figure out what is happening.

The virus affects each individual differently.

No two immune systems are alike.

Some are strong enough to carry the virus yet feel nothing.

Some immune systems are so compromised that their few good cells attack each other.

In almost all cases, the auto-immune system is changed.

Those who survive a deep viral attack may have to live with a ‘compromised immune system’ for the rest of their lives.

This virus will never go away but will linger at arm’s reach . . .  forever?

That’s exactly what happens when we are attacked by and consumed with our ‘sin nature.’  

We have this ‘virus’, called sin, floating about.

Some of us are fragile, divided in our walk with God, walking the thin line that can, at any time, lead us into the dis-ease that can consume our immunity to sin.

Are we immune to sin?

Is there an antidote that will protect us from being devoured by the dis-ease of sin?

Of course there is.

But the antidote is not easy to swallow.

The antidote need only be consumed once but we need to take a daily booster to keep our dis-ease at bay.

We can say, ‘Yes’ to Jesus, the One whom God sent to us to consume our sin, devour it forever.

 BUT there is always a caveat.

We can say, “YES” but we have to die.

We have to die not only through the action of baptism, the symbol of drowning all our sins and rising again to new life, but we have to die to our old ways through daily remembrance of what it means to say “yes” to following Jesus, the Christ.

The only way we can keep the virus at bay is through daily due diligence.

Six feet apart.

Thick mask in public places.

Washing hands until they are chafed red.

The only antidote to this deathly disease is prevention . . . keeping the disease away.

The only antidote to death of our soul is through giving our life to Jesus.

There is no quick shot, no ‘fix’, no ‘once and done.’

Once we say yes and know in our soul that the Holy Spirit is directing our path, we must continue to give a ‘boost’ to our vulnerable soul.

Daily due diligence will keep our soul healthy and happy.

Daily due diligence can become as simple as putting on that mask.

Daily due diligence can be as easy as washing our hands every time we touch anything that might carry germs.

Daily due diligence with Jesus is just as simple as saying

‘good morning Lord,’ each morning we wake.

Daily, read words from Jesus that draw us closer to Him.

Daily, pray to the Lord that your day is His day, your plans are His plans, your path is His path.

Daily, invite our Lord to protect and direct your path.

Being firmly connected with God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit is so daily.

So is battling the virus.

Let’s do both.
. . . . . . . . . . 
The words below were created by some diligent soul who had enough time to muse regarding COVID19 and our sequester.  I send this to you to linger over and enjoy.

GOD’S OFFICIAL LOCKDOWN

The official lock down started March 23 and will likely end May 1st. 

That is EXACTLY 40 days.

The Latin root of the word "quarantine" is "forty".

So what does the Bible say about 40?

The flood lasted 40 days.

40 years Moses fled Egypt.

40 days Moses stayed on Mount Sinai to receive the Commandments.

Exodus lasted 40 years.

Jesus fasted for 40 days.

40 days for a woman to rest after giving birth.

Optimum number of weeks for human gestation is 40.

A group of theologians thinks the number 40 represents "change”. It is the time of preparing a person, or people, to make a fundamental change.

Something will happen after these 40 days. 

Just believe and pray. 

Remember, whenever the number 40 appears in the Bible, there is a "change".

Please know that during this "quarantine" rivers are cleaning up, vegetation is growing, the air is becoming cleaner because of less pollution, there is less theft and murder, healing is happening, and most importantly, people are turning to Christ. 

The Earth is at rest for the first time in many years and hearts are truly transforming.

Remember we are in the year 2020, and 20 + 20 = 40.

Also, 2020 is the year of the United States Census. Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born during a census.

Lastly, 2020 is perfect vision. May our sight focus on the Lord and living according to His perfect vision for us knowing He holds us in the palm of His hand.

May these days of "quarantine" bring spiritual liberation to our souls, our nation, and our world.