FAITH

By His Grace: You can depend on God through it all

Edith Nevis

It has been said many are now weary of COVID-19 and all it entails. With each passing day, the thought of regaining some sense of normalcy is becoming an illusion. What has taken its place are unforeseen circumstances and extended shelter-in-place, which has seemingly disrupted life as we know it.

A change of this magnitude has never before occurred. If you're not careful, it can sway your faith toward unbelief. But fear not, for we have a Savior who shall lead the way through it all.

“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

During these uncertain times ahead, you and I must place a full trust in the Lord. Our dependency on the Father must not waver. How do you achieve such a level of confidence when the world is seemingly in turmoil? When we change our focus, then our perspective changes too.

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

How to reach a full level of dependence in God during COVID-19 begins with these promises:

  • The Lord is your foundation of support, which is solid, strong and dependable.
  • The Lord is your stronghold, where you may enter from harm’s way.
  • The Lord has freed you from sin and its consequence.
  • The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one in the same, accessible to mankind.
  • The Lord spiritually strengthens all who believe, enabling you to deal with life's circumstances.
  • You can have absolute faith in the Lord's ability to care for you.
  • The Lord is your shield no weapons can penetrate.
  • The Lord has paid the ransom for your eternal position in heaven.
  • The Lord is your refuge, your shoreline of safety.

The word of God makes clear, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

This verse comes with a condition “If you” followed by a promise “I will.”

"Remain in me" refers to you and I being rooted in Christ. Walk with the Lord; talk with him, make him the center of your life. His written words are to be engraved upon our heart, readily accessible to be utilized and openly declared in every situation.

When reaching this level of faith with unshakable confidence, submit all requests to the Father.

It shall be done.

The Lord is the vine that bears good fruit in all who live in him and him in them.

God receives the glory.

When faced with a difficult challenge go quickly to the word of God and see what he said about the situation. The Bible is our personal guidebook from God to help guide us through this life, even during a world pandemic. All is required is to Trust and believe.

Remember who your true resource is and depend on him. Jesus!

Out of fear of lack, being without, where our “must haves” hold you and me bondage, especially when so many jobs have been lost and the economy has yet to fully re-open, I realize for some this is easier said than done.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Our journey going forward requires you and me to navigate through what is now the new “norm” in life. We must travel through uncharted grounds not knowing day-by-day what is next. The world may appear unpredictable, but rest assured God is not. He is faithful to his word and more importantly he is very capable of caring for you and me.  Will you try him for yourself?

As your relationship with the Lord grew, so will your confidence for without faith you cannot please the Lord.

Furthermore, God told us to test him, see if he wouldn’t come through.

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

When you allow God to be your resource in all things of life -- health, wealth, family and self -- you don’t have to struggle.

You are precious to God, and he loves you very much.

Will you accept him into your heart today?

To make sure you will be heaven bound to be with our lord and family for eternity, a relationship with the son of God must be established. There is no other way to the father but through the son. When you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Please repeat this prayer: "Lord Jesus, forgive my sins I committed against you. I believe Jesus died for my sins and has risen again. Please come into my life and heart and lead the way. I confess you as my lord and savior from this day forward. In Jesus’ name, amen."

Welcome into the family of Christ.

Until next week, be blessed and continue to bless others along the way. Go in peace.

Bible references: Isaiah 58:11 NIV; Psalms 18:2 NIV; John 15:7 NIV; Mathew 6:26 NIV: Malachi 3:10 ESV. To obtain the full benefits of each verse, please read the five verses before and after each verse.

Contributing Writer Edith Nevis can be reached at 985-857-2200 or at edith.nevis@houmatoday.com