REPRESENT

Many of you may have heard the slang term about ‘representing’ or ‘reppin’.

“Are you representing”?

A google search says: Reppin or repping is slang for represent/representing. Thus, reppin is used indicate that someone is represent something, usually their hometown.

Urban Dictionary says: verb. Go and be a good example to the others of your group or in your position.

Are not a vast majority of others in our position? So believing friends, are you being a good example to others in our situation? Do we not have eternal first aid to offer?

Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.  Heb 13:13-15

I have no desire to preach AT anyone — trust me, I am not holding myself up as anything. We’ve all had enough of others from all sides telling us how we should be acting, speaking, reacting, planning, etc. Please don’t blame God for this (I saw this just the other day), let the Lord deal with His own reputation. I just want to ask my believing friends out there to examine themselves prayerfully. Pray about walking in His Spirit more, speaking His truth in love, and being Salt and Light towards others.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16

Besides the Corona Virus, do any of these come to mind? Zica Virus, Swine Flu (H1N1), Bird Flu, West Nile Virus, German Measles, Polio, etc.? Depending on your age, you might remember the Asian and the Hong Kong flu. Of course we have all heard of the plague, the black death or simply bubonic plague. I was bit by a mosquito last night and quipped regarding West Nile, “Does one cancel out the other”?

Do you remember all the fear and speculation when HIV/AIDS became known to world? No one had much of an idea how it spread, and the fear was rampant. South Africa had about 20% of it’s adult population infected which means many children were affected. But we’ve never seen in our lifetimes this level of fear. Think on all the T.V. shows, movies, books, etc. in the last couple decades. Aliens, pandemics, end of the world scenarios, demons, speaking to the dead, devilish murderers, everything dark on t.v., the radio, social media… Fear has already been growing in this world, but they’re fearing the wrong thing.

Being without food (or toilet paper) is temporary, but losing one’s soul is forever. Do you know what would happen to you if you died today?

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt 10:28

I had to confess to the Lord (like many of you), that I have had some fear, anxiety and even regret in the beginning regarding some of this. I’m sure some of you have experienced it to some degree about different things, I don’t see a purpose of even dwelling on what they may be, we need to keep our eyes on Him. For the most part, I’m fine, at peace trusting in Him for more things as I grow up in my life. Being a super-empathizer, I tend to worry about others very much. My children, my grandchildren, my friends, loved ones, my neighbors, strangers — whoever it may be, I care deeply. Of course never anywhere near to how He loves and cares for them so why don’t I keep that I mind more?

Israel in hard times

At some point in talking to Him, I began thinking on the Israelites. I’ve heard a lot of people in the church criticize Israel’s behavior towards God. How could they do all the things they did? All the grumbling, rebellion and outward sin? How could they turn and worship a golden calf? After all, God had delivered them from out of slavery and even mass murder of their baby boys. (Make anyone think of any similarities here with America’s mass genocide of the babies? Or China’s mass murder of baby girls?).

God guided His people day and night, delivered them from their captors, fed them, gave them water in the desert, tents, provisions, the law. And yet? They chose their own wicked ways. God brought them to the Promised Land through many miracles and goodness to them, told them to go possess what He had promised to them. Yet they were afraid, because there were giants in the land. So many who had been through 40 years of wandering the desert would not enter their rest. How is it these people have seen so much provision and answers from their Lord, but trust so little? (O ye of little faith). Look friends, do we not do the same?

Those who would enter His promised land God told:

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deut 31:6

Somehow there are certain types in church buildings that think they wouldn’t have done the things these people did. And maybe not. Maybe not… Maybe they just are more faithful. I’m afraid of what more I might have done wrong had I been born in that time. Reminder: God has not cast away His people and Israel is still ‘His people’ (Rom 11:1). We are too, however we are NOT Israel.

Blessings and privileges of America

We have had many blessings and privileges in America, and I am afraid many of us have taken them for granted and like the 9 lepers, we forget to thank the Lord (Luke 17:11-19). Things like freedom to worship, freedom of speech, availability to medicine, housing, food and healthcare. But we have a run on toilet paper and a shortage of food items for a few weeks and many people are complaining, arguing, crying, in fear, on a roller coaster of emotions, lack of faith and doublemindedness. Above all, a lack of thankfulness for what we have today. (Dear friend, if you are in true need, I am not speaking to you. In fact, please contact me if you are, and I’ll see who/what I can pull together to help and I will pray). But whatever it may be that we are dealing with, we haven’t wandered around in the desert for 40 years. We’d all be goners I’m sure… (Including myself, trust me, I am not being self-righteous here).

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

Endless news watching won’t help, in fact in may hurt some who get overwhelmed. Jesus is the answer, He is who we need to keep our gaze fixed on.

People are angered at the hoarders — some hoarding in fear, others to make money or price-gouge. Preppers telling some ‘I told you so’ and blaming people for being without. Yet many of those people couldn’t ‘prepare’ even if they wanted to, their income simply won’t fit the bill. And some being blamed for hoarding who are simply shopping for many neighbors at a time (I met one such elderly neighbor the other night, shopping for 8 of his neighbors at a time even though there wasn’t much). Then there are those who are angered or upset at those who talk about the virus all the time, and others mad at those who they say ‘bury their heads in the sand’. Others railing about the severity of it and nobody taking it seriously, yet other seeming voices of reason answering another way (whichever side you are on). I don’t mind the discussion, I am troubled by the lack of peace in some. Bickering, snapping, anger, fear, or even complaining that their needs aren’t being met. Blaming others, pointing fingers, saying things they may regret.

Be a part of the solution, make a difference in your own sphere of influence.

Clamp our hands over our mouth Lord. Help us to turn to Your Word to grow our faith. Help us to remember to pray for more things vs. dwelling on worrying about something we cannot change. Lord we believe, help our unbelief.

Some are quite concerned about their financial situation, even those who are ‘rich’ have been affected greatly by this drop in the market and could lose their very home and retirement that they’ve saved for all of their lives. Those who live paycheck to paycheck or live on tips are in a precarious situation and are scared. But God has told believers He will meet our needs. So I ponder that and consider what I think are my needs vs. what I have become used to.

I sit here in a comfortable, sturdy house where it’s raining outside (this was written over time, it’s not raining now). Oh sure, I could think about what’s ‘going’ to happen. But here I am, in warmth and safety for the moment. I have food for more than today and in many places people do not have any of these things. I have family who love me, friends who care, and I know where I will go if I died at this moment, do you?.

I am sure you have heard the hundreds of possibilities being discussed out there due to the millions of ‘news’ videos, conspiracy sites, speculation and fears from even ‘experts’. But in truth, all those people don’t just don’t know all, and maybe not much even in some cases. And all the doctors (and all the president’s men) don’t really know what tomorrow holds. God alone knows.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matt 6:34

Why are we spending much time doing more than encouraging others, praying, continuing in His Word and leaning on HIM? Why do we feel the need to share our rants, our conspiracy theories, our anger or hatefulness towards others? Conversely, if those videos and links bother you, move on by with a prayer or speak in love if you feel it’s not helpful.

We should be dwell instead on praying for our friends, families, neighbors. Loving God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength and others as ourselves. Instead some are living in fear and anger. Instead of complaining about others not doing this or that, how about doing your part? Pray for opportunity to share His love. Do good to others, even those who hate you. Pray for your enemies. Pray for our leaders instead of criticizing them non-stop. Be in prayer also for those serving others in the medical field, the fire departments, police and sheriffs. Most especially, pray for those who serve in drive throughs, take outs, and grocery stores, many who are bearing the wrath of the person who can’t have more than one Toilet paper pack or none at all. Surely we can spare some time to do this. PLEASE, speak kindly to those who serve you. They didn’t cause this situation and they don’t make the rules. Love one another, and show love by your tone, your smile, your encouragement. If you can do for someone you know is in need, do something, anything. A small gesture goes a long way.

What can we do practically speaking?

Those of us who have believed upon Jesus as our Savior are guaranteed and eternity free from any of these concerns and worries. If you do not know for sure where you would go if you died today, PLEASE, ask me more if you are unsure or go to the top links on the page.

Those of you who know Him?

• Pray about how you can be a light to others. Pray for opportunities to do so.
• Please, answer wisely, don’t be harsh. Prayerfully consider your speech before you speak/type (Pr 15:1-2)
• Pray about those who are wicked in the background. God knows who they are, He is able to deal with them.
• Your anger does not produce the righteousness of God, get some time in His Word, and please, bridle your tongue if you are speaking from your flesh, the tongue is a great evil and is like a forest fire in spreading harm (James 2:19-26; 3:2-12)
• Your fear does not add one thing to you (or others), so try to somehow be a part of the solution, don’t be a part of the problem.
• Pray more for each step — Acknowledge God in more of your ways.
• Trust in Him with all of your heart
• Lean on Him, not your own understanding.
• Pray for all men.
• Love your neighbors and love your enemies.
• Try hard to be kind, please.
• Work on being tenderhearted to others
• Be forgiving of one another.
• Be clothed with humility.
• Cast your cares upon Him.
• Be serious, vigilant, resist the enemy
• Do it Stedfast in the faith knowing the same afflictions are happening to your brethren elsewhere.
• Remember, God doesn’t give us the Fear, but He gives us power, love and a sound mind.
• Try to keep your mind on Him and focus on only the things you can do something about
• Pray about your situation and leave the things you can’t control in His capable hands, that is trust.
• Remember, God has said He will never leave us or forsake us. He is our helper, don’t fear what man can do to us.
• Keep your mind stayed on Him.

Make a list of your own verses/passages that will help and until then, keep choosing the good part (Lk 10:38-42)

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps 27:1

Arise, O Lord, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O Lord, That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah Ps 9:19-20

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. Ps 145:18-19

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? Ps 56:3-4

Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence. If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.  In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. Ps 94:17-19

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33