Could it be a time for “UNPRECEDENTED” faith ?

A lot has happened since my last blog entry...On March 13th.

The word “ unprecedented” for instance has been used so many times each day ...😳

Our nation is starting to lock down, like many other nations around the world. One of the interesting things about this pandemic is, that it is an equalizer...none of us are immune, we are all equal and all stand the same, regardless of wealth, nationality, location, gender, religion...position in society,  anything.

I know something else that is an equalizer...and that is the love of God. I truly believe  that... it is us that put the distinctions and gaps in that love... when we are wealthy we don’t seem to need Him, and some based on location and a whole pile of other factors don't see the relevance of this loving God.

But gosh right now we sure do need a miracle or two from Him and many of us are seeking Him every night at 7pm for just that.

Many are frightened, there was a moment a few days back when it got to me also... I had received an email note which put the wind up me, and if we are all not careful we will allow the fear to be stronger than our faith...and it truly needs to be the other way around.

Faith over fear... a time for “Unprecedented” Faith.

One of the things that has helped me personally, is doubling my quiet times each day, I am finding that at 7pm when I am praying, I lengthen that time and find my soul and spirit and flesh, just chilling out... even to the point of nearly falling asleep ...that’s not a bad position to be in, to be that relaxed that you could nod off.

So I am going to throw some challenges out to those who read this blog... be creative, look for personal revival in your relationship with Jesus, read your Bible more than normal, play worship songs to help still you spirit. Ring others, FaceTime them, read a few more books, especially spiritual ones that will help build faith in you. Pray with others on the phone or skype.

Take responsibility for your own spiritual development in this time of isolation and change some habits, drop some of the bad ones off, and start some new good habits.

Connect and interact with others online, our small group met online last night and it was really good.

Before every great revival in the world there has often been a personal revival in the lives of individuals... perhaps we are in that very time.... what you do with your forced time in isolation is up to you completely really... use it to go deeper and harder for Jesus and with Jesus.

One final thought:

This is a crazy event that is shaping the whole world. In many ways breaking the ways we have functioned and in the directions we have been heading.

There will be another day when the whole earth will be shaken... and that will be the day when Jesus returns to the earth.

Perhaps... perhaps we are being prepared for that day...   Christians believe that this day will come and it is our belief that when it does..... the world will be shaken way differently to how it is right now.

This is not meant to be a fear statement, it is a faith statement.

its all about Jesus, and we must be asking the question these days...what is God saying to us right now.

His love hasn’t changed and He is still there awaiting us to turn to Him.

What stops you from doing that ?      

Fix that in your life now.

Crank it up today.... your faith that is.

May He bless you with peace today in your soul.

Is this Virus our opportunity for revival ?

I was thinking this morning that our lives are very precarious.
We are buffeted around by all kinds of things.  In our country 2020 started very badly, unbelievable bushfires ..the largest ever seen... and now the world faces this crazy virus.

Life as we know it is most likely going to change for a little while, as we sort our way through the mess.

It is highly possible that we may be stopped from gathering in church as an assembly... for pure health and safety reasons.

If that happens, may I remind you that our relationship with Jesus isn't determined by church on Sunday.  It is determined by our daily interaction with Him through prayer and private worship and the reading of His word.

Whilst the church experience is so critical for us all and hugely important, it doesn’t stop us from being Christian, in fact this very virus could easily cause a revival on the earth at a very deep level in us each.  Think about that.... what if all we have left is HIM. ??? What if all we can do, is stay at home and pray ? What if all we can do in our isolation is pray and read the bible and worship, in its truest form...just He and Me ?

If you are a minister, and Officer...can I encourage you to consider ways to help your people in this...plan now.... back to written messages, emailed to build faith in our folks.... back to recorded sermons to go online with and communicate the love of Jesus online, start thinking about that now, it may very well come when the church will be scattered and not gathered.(for a little while)

In these potential times of “scattering”, we still have opportunity to minister, we just need to adapt and be intentional about our Call, to be who God called us to be.

It isnt time to shut up... or shut down.... its a great opportunity to shout out and stand up...

Our people need Jesus, we all do.... and This is a time for us to remind the world that Jesus died for our sins that we might in fact be set free... that can be done in many ways.... and isn't just reliant on us standing at a pulpit in a Sunday morning.... our pulpit can be a camera video message, and a phone call, or an email....

This might just be the best thing for us, to reestablish who we are as the church.

Please don't think I am downplaying COVID19...I am not, what I am thinking is that in amongst the challenge of it, that all of us face...no matter who we are, we have another opportunity.... until the internet is shut off, we can still use that from home.... we might not be able to go outside of our homes, at some point..maybe.... but that doesn't stop us from ministry.... we need to be proactive, and intentional and strategic.... and the Kingdom of God will not be disturbed because we (the church) can’t gather.  Be creative.... think it through, plan now.... it might just cause a revival of faith inside you.

#just my thoughts on this friday morning in March.