Whose Report Shall You Believe...

So much is going on around us today; it can cause your head to spin and your heart to become faint.
It seems everywhere you turn there is bad news and now we have the report of the "swine flu'.
I am astounded at the level of fear these two words have released upon the world, this country and more amazingly the church.

My children and I were talking about the swine flu and the affect it is having on people, mainly the fear aspect. Our upcoming family vacation is a cruise to Mexico.
Upon hearing the report of the virus, our phones begin ringing off the hook. We were flooded with text messages and emails.
The first thing people wanted to know was “are you still going”? The second thing was to offer advice on how they would not go. The third was to release their fears over us, telling us how there is no way they could go, they wouldn’t get off of the boat, they would ask for a refund, they are afraid to go outside, they’ve purchased masks. The fourth thing was to speak death over us. Telling us how we could get sick and die, our kids will get sick and possibly die. We were amazed as 99% of this came from those that believe, they that name the name of Christ. As saints of the most-high God, why are we troubled? Why are we that are called by the name of the Almighty being found in a place of fear and trembling?

We must know at all times and in all things, God is in control. The state of our nation and the "swine flu" did not take God by surprise. Trust me the Father is not sitting in heaven saying, "Oh Myself, what should I do" He is not moved by the reports, He has a plan and His plan is in effect.
Hosea 4:6 says my people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge. Notice He did not say the world is destroyed He said MY people. The word destroyed in this reference is damah (dawmaw) which meanings include; be brought to silence, be undone, utterly dismayed. This is why it is important to know the God we serve, that we will not be moved, undone or utterly dismayed when these things happen.

While this flu/virus should not be taken as a grain of salt, we cannot allow fear to overtake us.
As believers, God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.2 Timothy 1:7
During these turbulent times, we must remember that we serve a good and faithful God. There is not one disease, virus or any other illness on this earth that can overtake the hand of the Lord.

Remember SARS, the Bird Flu; the Avian Flu? Pandemics come and go but the Lord, He remains. So many are quoting and rehearsing what “they” are saying but what I want to know is what God saying, His word brings life and His word abides forever.
He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but His words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). Did not Jesus say: “see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass”, and did he not also say “but the end is not yet”.

It is imperative that we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrew 12:2) like never before.
When our eyes are fixed on God all other things pale in comparison. Fear falls away, worry diminishes and truth prevails.
What is the Truth? The Truth is God is GOD! We cannot sit up and worry about what if, worry by the way is a negative form of meditation and we are to meditate and think upon what is true.
Php 4:8 admonishes us in this: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Does this to mean we are to sit around in a bubble, no not at all, this is a real virus that can and has taken lives according to reports. We are to exercise the wisdom God has given us. Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough take the standard precautions you normally would.
Do the things that are common sense to do, but certainly, we are not to live in fear. Fear cripples and paralyzes you, preventing you from living the full and abundant life the Lord would have you to live.
We are also to pray, 2nd Chronicles 7:14 says; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.God is a healer and His desire is to heal our land, will we use this opportunity as the church, as believers to bend our knees in intercession for a troubled nation, a disturbed world? The word of God declares He sent His word and healed them and saved them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:20).

Right now is a prime opportunity for the church stand up so the Glory of the Lord may rise upon us.
Isaiah 60:1 says; Arise, shine; for thy light is come and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
This “crisis” presents open doors for us to witness to of the goodness of God. We need to present to the world a true image of who God is. If the lost see us shaking in our boots, what good is our God to them? People are looking for hope, stability, strength and it must be found in the body of Christ. How can we convince a lost and dying world that God is a healer, a deliverer a miracle maker if we are more afraid than they are? The Philistines didn’t fear the children of Israel because they were cowering from Goliath, but when David made a stance and the giant came tumbling down they saw that God was God and it changed their perception. When people don’t see us running to and fro in alarm it causes them to stop, take note and ask why are you so calm? When I speak to those around me and they engage in conversations of terror, I am able to tell them of the peace of God that passes all understanding. I am able to share with them the good news of the Savior and that perfect love casts out all fear.

As the scare and threat of “swine flu” has been heightened, the cruise line has taken measures to ensure the health and safety of their passengers. They are not porting in Mexico at this time. When we heard this, my thoughts were if the cruise line would go to this level to protect those in their care, how much more will God.

There is a report in the land declaring all that this virus will do, but I ask you today whose report shall you believe? We shall believe the report of the Lord!