CALL ON ME AND I’LL ANSWER

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“If you hold on to me for dear life, I’ll get you out of trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation.”

Psalm 91:14-16 (TMB)

A few weeks ago, a family shared with my husband and I that they were so scared they would run out of bare necessities such as food and sundries. We inquired if they had the finances to make the purchases? They reported that money was not an issue and they were “thinking” about running to the store. They were really afraid of leaving their house. This is an example of how we sometimes do not look at fear in the face. We lag and procrastinate. We do not take the necessary time to figure out what is truly real verses what we are allowing to fester and then eventually become an imaginary problem. We sometimes stand there and hope the “boogey man” will disappear. We open the door for the enemy to blow situations out of proportion. We forget that faith needs corresponding action, or it is dead. After ministering to this family, they realized that all they really needed to do was get into their car, walk into the store and purchase the items needed (alright maybe not this simple nowadays). By the way, they called us the following day, reporting that they completed the task and humbly admitted that they were immediately relieved of fear. Praise the Lord!

Lately, with all the news that has been going on with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is the potential to end up with an unhealthy soul. I’ve heard people expressing feelings of being overly tired, occasionally anxiety-ridden, compulsively active with short phases of depression and an occasional fit of paranoia. These emotions are real because some have truly been going through trials and tribulations. In fact, several people that I know personally that are working from home, enjoy being at home; however, the adjustments have been far from easy. They are needing to tutor their children who are now being schooled at home while working. Some have shared that they know of family and friends, fortunately who have now recovered, but had tested positive for the virus. Many have been concerned for their loved ones especially the fragile elderly. So many have had interruptions with their income with the slow down, stay home mandates. Utility bills, rent and mortgages are now past due. Special occasions such as proms, parties, graduations and everything that was so normal are now on hold.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Wouldn’t you say it is the perfect time to call upon the name of the Lord? A time to get clear perspective, be re-tooled and refreshed in that Secret Place? At times we may think that just because we are feeling a certain way that we are not doing well. Allow me to encourage you that we all are experiencing many various feelings. In fact, I want to remind us that Jesus had feelings. Jesus knew Lazarus would rise again. Still, he wept. Embracing “pain” is not negating faith. It is actually a part of being in the likeness of God.

Feel what you feel. But the key to remember is found in so many Bible verses. It is not what is happening around us but how we respond to the situations. It is imperative to read God’s Word and allow His Word to “read” and check the condition of our hearts. This is the means to which the Holy Spirit is able to help us. He’ll remind and instruct us how to handle life. For example, when we are in doubt, feel fenced in, experiencing limitations or fear, we should inquire and ask the Holy Spirit for help in how to be delivered from such predicaments. Why don’t we walk forth, together again this day, right now and look to Jesus, the One who started our lives and is able to complete it? Take the time to recall the goodness of God for all He has already done. Press in and say what you mean. Agree with God that no weapon formed against you will prosper and all authority has been given to you. Cast down every vain imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Also say with confidence that God will meet all your needs according to your rich inheritance in Christ Jesus and you have a spirit of love, power and a sound mind. Hallelujah.

Also, be still and recollect the resurrection power of what Jesus did for each of us at the Cross. Visualize Jesus’ Blood being shed from the top of His head to the souls of His feet, then from the top of your head to the souls of your feet. Declare that you overcome by the Blood of Jesus and the words of your testimony (Revelations 12:11) and as He is, so are you in this world (1 John 4:17b). (Pastor Darlene Tsuha)

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“I am blood-bought! I choose to hold on to You for dear life as You help me go through each moment of open-door opportunities. I am calling on You and I know that You will answer.”

TODAY’S BIBLE READING
Our Bible Reading Plan gives 25 daily readings per month. There is no scheduled reading for today. You can use this time to catch up on any readings you may have missed, or read through previous passages again.

CALL ON ME AND I’LL ANSWER