Post Covid 19

Post Covid 19

Everyone has been affected in someway or the other by covid 19.

  How has the world changed? How has the Church changed? How have I changed?

GOD'S Purposes Are Being Fulfilled:

With a renewed mind, we are able to look at things with a spiritual and eternal perspective.

The world mourns the death of many people during the pandemic and we do mourn with those who lost family and friends. 

All of us will die one day in some way! While we have our breath, it is necessary for us to make the decision to accept the salvation of the LORD JESUS so that we can be with Him in Heaven eternally. It is GOD'S will that none perish in hell. I believe that the LORD revealed Himself to most of those who faced death alone during the covid pandemic. There were no weeping family members nor spiritual leaders performing religious rituals around the bed. In their isolation, on the death bed, the LORD ministered to them without disturbance and distraction from others. Most of them were glad to receive the comforting love of JESUS. They called on the name of the LORD JESUS and were saved! I believe the LORD used Christian medical personnel as His agents wherever they were needed. Such an angel stood by the deathbed of the patient to shine the love of JESUS and whisper that name that has saving power eternally!

The LORD moved on behalf of these precious souls through the host of intercessors He raised up during this time. They stood in the gap pleading for the LORD'S grace to be extended to the dying and that His cleansing blood would avail for them.

All those who called on the LORD, entered their eternal rest into glory! JESUS said that the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Many who were saved at the end of their lives, entered Heaven first! We should be comforted that our friend or loved one who died, is safely lodged in his or her eternal home!

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! 

For He has done marvelous things; 

His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. 

The Lord has made known His salvation; 

His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. 

He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; 

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; 

Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. 

Sing to the Lord with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a Psalm, 

With trumpets and the sound of a horn; 

Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King. 

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, 

The world and those who dwell in it; 

Let the rivers clap their hands; 

Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, 

For He is coming to judge the earth. 

With righteousness He shall judge the world, 

And the peoples with equity. 

Psalm 98:1-9 

 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting 

That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; 

I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; 

I, the Lord, do all these things.' 

"Rain down, you heavens, from above, 

And let the skies pour down righteousness; 

Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, 

And let righteousness spring up together. 

I, the Lord, have created it. 

"Woe to him who strives with his Maker! 

Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! 

Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' 

Or shall your handiwork say, 'He has no hands'? 

Isaiah 45:6-9 

The Glory of GOD Revealed in All The Earth:

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, 

For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord 

As the waters cover the sea. 

Isaiah 11:9 

 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, 

As the waters cover the sea. 

Habakkuk 2:14 

It is the picture of Gideon's army shattering their pitchers and the torches that were hidden inside, thus revealing the light. As Churches stopped meeting within walls, the Gospel that is not chained, reached people far and wide through the media. Sunday services and messages preached by servants of GOD, hastened to people right where they were, in their homes, institutions, hostels, hotels and so on. Sermons that would be heard by a congregation seated in the pews of a Church building, are now being heard by multitudes across the nations. The good news of JESUS is speedily being conveyed to every soul. The LORD Himself is orchestrating the distribution of the loaves and fishes. The appropriate messages are being divinely sent to those who desperately need to hear. A harvest of souls is being reached before the end of all things! The WorldWide Web has become an effective fishing net for souls to be caught into the Kingdom of GOD!

The Body of CHRIST United:

 Arise, shine; For your light has come! 

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, 

And deep darkness the people; 

But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 

The Gentiles shall come to your light, 

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

Isaiah 60:1-3 

The LORD is divinely connecting His people worldwide in a global network of ministry. Through the various networking programs like Skype, Whatsapp videos, Google meet, Zoom and so on, GOD'S people are connecting together to speak the word and hear the word, to pray together and fellowship virtually. Through edifying conversations and encouragements, the Body of CHRIST is being built up together as a dwelling place of GOD in the Spirit, worldwide!

Renewed Mind:

Novel Corona means new crown. Spiritually it indicates a new mindset.

Our thinking, values, way of life have been unsettled and affected. 

As these things settle down, let us make sure they are settling in line with GOD'S ways.

This is the time to diligently seek the heart and mind of GOD. We need to know which laws that were instituted need to be followed through in our lives. Which rules and regulations have to be dropped. Which suggestions we need to turn away from. Many rules were imposed during the season with a reason. If they become our way of life, they can be detrimental to our spiritual well being. Certain suggestions we practised during the pandemic, would be meaningless habits post pandemic. These habits would waste our time and energy and divert our focus and dilute our passion.

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, 

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, 

holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 

And do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Romans 12:1-2 

 Submission and worship

We have to know the difference between submission and worship. Submission is willingness to obey. worship is unquestioning obedience. Worship belongs only to GOD. There are times we have to disobey world authorities so that we may obey GOD!

 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, 

whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, 

as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers 

and for the praise of those who do good. 

For this is the will of God, that by doing good 

you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-

- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. 

Fear God. Honor the king. 

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, 

not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

For this is commendable, 

if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 

For what credit is it if, 

when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? 

But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, 

this is commendable before God. 

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, 

leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 

"Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 

who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; 

when He suffered, He did not threaten, 

but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 

1 Peter 2:13-23 

 But so that it spreads no further among the people, 

let us severely threaten them, 

that from now on they speak to no man in this name." 

And they called them and commanded them 

not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 

But Peter and John answered and said to them, 

"Whether it is right in the sight of God 

to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." 

Acts 4:17-20 

It is therefore necessary for us to sort out the habits we have formed during covid 19 into two lots: Those that need to be kept and developed and those that need to be discarded.

 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, 

abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 

having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, 

that when they speak against you as evildoers, 

they may, by your good works which they observe, 

glorify God in the day of visitation. 

1 Peter 2:11-12 

 Do not love the world or the things in the world. 

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, 

and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; 

but he who does the will of God abides forever. 

1 John 2:15-17 

 Again, a new commandment I write to you, 

which thing is true in Him and in you, 

because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 

He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, 

is in darkness until now. 

He who loves his brother abides in the light, 

and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 

But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, 

and does not know where he is going, 

because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 

1 John 2:8-11 

Babylon  - Lust

 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited, Nor will it be settled from generation to generation; Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, Nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there.
Isaiah 13:19-20

Let us pull down thoughts that stand against GOD.

 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 
2 Corinthians 10:5 

This should not be done using our carnal mind but with our spiritual mind. We should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and obey His promptings. Much thought and planning is going on among leaders of states and nations in the world in relaxing the restrictions imposed during the pandemic. Questions are being asked as to what restrictions are to be removed and when they should be removed. Every leader seems to think differently and of course it relates to the manner in which the nations was affected. We also need to be diligent in this process as Churches and individuals. Let us make sure we are lifting our gaze and our feet are standing on higher ground post covid 19.

Let us allow the LORD to touch our mouths afresh so that we may speak and write words that root out the kingdom of darkness and plant the Kingdom of GOD.

 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant." 
Jeremiah 1:9-10 

Let us move out of the spiritual Babylon of carnality and worldliness. 

Let us move into the spiritual Jerusalem, the city of peace.

Jerusalem - Love

 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. 

Isaiah 65:17-19

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:10

 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:25-29 

Washing and Sanitising

  "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 

Exodus 31:13 

 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:7-9

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 

Hebrews 10:19-22

 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children."
Matthew 27:24-25

The only way of cleansing our soul of sin and sanitising, is through the blood of JESUS. It is the LORD Who sanctifies us.

Self Isolation and Quarantine 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25 

Self isolation and social distancing were rules that were put in place for a purpose. Let us beware this does not become a way of life for those of us who are a part of the Body of CHRIST. The Christian life is based on relationships. Times of quarantine and self isolation were exploited by most believers to seek GOD and make their connection with Him stronger. 

My husband and I were shut in a hotel room for 14 days. As there was minimal distraction, whenever I made that connection with the LORD, the line was so very clear! His voice was sweet and His guidance unmistakable! That was the only experience I did not want to leave behind when I walked out of that hotel room. The tall westfield tower seen from the hotel window is a snap shot in my mind reminding me of the importance of getting connected and staying connected!

Seeing and hearing are important channels through which we make connections with the outside world and especially with people. Through the period of covid 19 shut down, individuals desperately looked for ways of seeing and hearing their loved ones who were separated from them. The advanced technology made this possible and very effectively too!

Fellowship is a very important part of the life of the Church and so most assemblies were able to meet and conduct their sunday services online.

 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

Matthew 18:20 

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. 
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27 

Even as physical gatherings have ceased for a period, let us ask the LORD for wisdom to improve our relationships from carnal and soulish to spiritual, edifying bondings. When we begin our meetings again, let there be such reverence because of the fear of GOD. Let there be order, yet a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Let the beauty of holiness be evident in our midst. Let the light of GOD shine brighter as relationships are corrected and strengthened. Let the selfless pure love of CHRIST be the hallmark of the Christian gatherings.

 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
John 13:35 

 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16

The salt will then create a thirst that will draw in people from the neighbourhood seeking for the Living Water! Just as insects are instinctively attracted to lights and lamps, individuals will hasten to come out of darkness to the marvellous light!

As we lived through the reality of many mortals facing eternity within a short period of time, let us become passionate for souls and evangelise lovingly, boldly and wisely.

Social Distancing

 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 

Matthew 8:2-3

A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; 

A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 

Ecclesiastes 3:5

There was a purpose to refrain from embracing for a season. Let us beware that distancing ourselves from each other does not become our way of life when the virus is not prevalent anymore. If a kiss is the expression of love that someone needs, let us not withhold it from them if it is in our ability to do it!

Let brotherly love continue.

Hebrews 13:1

We were asked not to touch one another, but to maintain a social distance of 1.5 meters except from those we lived with. Having been deprived of this expression of love for a season, let us now value others in our lives and touch, shake hands, hug and embrace one another more warmly and more meaningfully.

 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
1 Thessalonians 5:26

 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
1 Corinthians 16:20

 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
2 Corinthians 13:12

 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 Peter 5:14

It does not mean that we stopped loving others just because we couldn't express it with a touch. In fact not touching an individual who was fearful of contracting the virus was the way to express love to that particular individual, even if you had no fear of transmitting the virus either way. We need to bear with one another with understanding. 

The love of GOD flows from the heart, bringing compassion towards another, signalling the mind to reach out with kindness and acts of love. We have control of our mind to decide on what to do and what not to do, depending on the situation. The flow of love is accentuated by the expression of the acts of love. If acts of love are constantly withheld, the flow of love is hindered. Of course, you can show love without touching someone, but touch is an important aspect of the expression of love! in fact it is an expression of our faith!

 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:26

The purpose with which GOD shakes the nations is to bring about a spiritual revival. A spiritual revival begins with the rekindling of our love for the LORD reflecting in our love for one another, flowing to those in the world. There is an exciting sense of a great 'pandemic' or worldwide revival following the covid pandemic. Let us be aware of the great wrath and opposition of the enemy, holding onto his last straw against the great work of GOD through His people. He will do his best to quench our love for the LORD and our love for each other in various subtle ways and also bring division within the Body of CHRIST. Let us be keenly conscious of this and be diligent to know the will of the LORD in every situation and heed the promptings of the gentle Holy Spirit.

Have I emerged from covid 19 the same as pre covid 19?

Am I angry and bitter?

Am I better, with a closer relationship with the LORD and a greater revelation of Him?

Do I value the individuals in my life?

Even if we go back to our old routines, let us do them with a different focus, different attitude and with passion for GOD and love for others. Then, we will be not be going backwards but progressing forwards in our spiritual life. Let post covid be a a great leap in our spiritual walk!

 "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. 
Isaiah 43:18-19 

 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
1 John 2:28