Written Monday, October 5th and published Tuesday, October 6th, 2020. . .
This morning as I got ready to sit and spend time with the Lord Jesus the book of John came to mind. It was verse 4 that stood out to me: “IN HIM WAS LIFE!”
It relates to everything that’s going on right now, the Covid -19 pandemic. My son called me on Friday October 2nd to tell me two his co-workers tested positive for Covid-19. It was as if hearing something like this was normal?
I was calm, I was TOO CALM! I had no fear in me at all! I was amazed. Our conversation flowed like normal and I hung up saying “Ok I’ll see you at home later.”
This is life and “life more abundantly”. If it hadn’t been for this trial I wouldn’t have experienced this peace in my soul. So many of God’s promises are racing through my mind right now, it brings me to tears, that He cares so much for us.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
So we have a team coming out this week to do some work on the house of prayer and I felt I needed to get tested for their safety, and allow them to make their decision. I got more information and was told IHS (Indian Health Services) is doing rapid testing so I’d get the results in an hour. I rushed to the IHS but they did their 50 clients for the day. The man in charge told me they were no longer doing rapid testing but sending them out so it was a 5 day wait, and the group that’s coming is for Thursday so I sat in the car saying “Lord what shall I do?” I called a few people I know and trust and all three of them prayed with me. I was so encouraged. I got that feeling again, only this verse describes it:
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ” 1 Peter 4:12-13
I went into the restroom. I was talking to Jesus saying “Boy, life sure isn’t like it used to be before I knew You.” Then a verse came into my mind:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8
My heart was so full. I had tears in my eyes saying it to myself, “Your eye is on me! You care that I’m here trying to do this!” I went to the desk and said I’m here to do a “walk in,” sat down and continued to read John 1 then I got to verse 9 “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” I thought of how Jesus came into the world, as a baby.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:11-14
I honestly don’t know how knowing this comforted me but it did. A door opened. My name was called and the doctor said “People are talking a lot about how the testing is going, who’s getting tested, and how, but I’m just going to do a Covid test for you.” I said “Oh, ok, a rapid test?” He said “Yes” and it was done! Finished just like that. Then he said if I don’t call you in two hours your results are negative. Oh, what a day, what a week, what a life. My sons and I live up here on this hill, where Jesus sent us. We’ve been isolated since Friday. This evening my son got a call telling him his results are also negative. So we got to have a time of thanking Jesus and praying together, and we got to have bible study!
The Promise of Rest
“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest….” Hebrews 4:1-3
“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:11-13
Our Compassionate High Priest
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
I used to read these words of God’s back when I was in prison.
“Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?” Isaiah 43:13
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
So the plan continues without delay, the team will come to work on the Rosebud House of Prayer for All Nations, and the work will continue. In Jesus Name. Amen