A WONDERFUL MESSAGE.....

I JUST READ THIS FROM THE PASTOR OF HIGHLAND PARK CHURCH....IT IS HOW I FEEL.....

WKRN News 2 came by the church today to do an interview about COVID-19. I told them I will agree to do an interview but I will only talk about hope, faith, Jesus and not fear. I pray they will have the courage NOT edit out the name and gospel message of Jesus because I believe real hope is always found in Him.

I also wanted to email our church family about COVID-19. Why? Because fear and panic seems to be everywhere.

Question: Did you know the #1 command in the bible is FEAR NOT? Are you aware Satan wants people to panic and live in bondage to fear? Satan must be thrilled. Well, I've got bad news for Satan... Jesus came to set us free and Jesus has already won the victory.

So, pastor, does that mean I should NOT listen to the medical, scientific and government leaders?

Not at all. I am listening closely to them for sure! I wash my hands, sanitize, cover my mouth, wear my seatbelt, look both ways when crossing the road and will go to the doctor if I get a fever / cough / shortness of breath but I will absolutely refuse to live in fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind.” Remember: God does his best work in pits, valleys, sickness and tombs. God will do his best work in this too.

Here's how I see this: If COVID-10 makes our godless world realize our need for God, great. If COVID-10 puts godless people on their knees in prayer, yeah God! If this brings faithless people to Jesus and to a place they can honestly say “either way, I want to be right with God and be ok” then praise God. As Christians, there is NO greater time to BE JESUS and spread His message of HOPE to people who are afraid than during hard times!

Psalm 56:3-4 says, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.”

As for me, this morning I prayed “God, you are enough for today. Tomorrow has enough worries of its own. But today, you have given me everything I need to do everything you want me to do. You gave me life today for a reason so let me be Jesus to people living in fear and panic.” Then WKRN called. God is good....

Here’s my point: At the end of the day, because of Jesus, I know I have nothing to fear. How about you? If you have fear today, maybe you need to ask Jesus to come into your heart. Ask his mighty powerful spirit to take away your fear. Also pray and ask that God put into your path of people today that need the hope of Jesus from you. As I said Sunday, "Church….wake up!" Let’s be Jesus. Let’s wash our hands, sanitize, cover our mouth, listen to the experts, go to the doctor but have NO FEAR. This is exactly what I will talk about Sunday. Our need for Jesus!

I will tell you this much, Lord willing, I’ll be at church Sunday. God is still good…all the time. Even in hard times. He’s fully in control. He’s got this. He's not only got the whole world in the palm of his hands, he’s got you and little ole me too. As I say weekly, this world needs more Jesus, not less. Let’s tell them about Jesus today! After all, Jesus is and will always be the only real answer for our world today.

Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God is good and He's still on His throne!

Dale Robble, Pastor