Sunday Service: WHAT SHALL WE DO IN TIMES OF CRISIS

WHAT SHALL WE DO IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Yesterday (March 15, 2020), the Crossed Over Citi Church in Illigan conducted an online Sunday service so we can still praise and worship God in our respective homes. Our Senior Pastor, Pastor Bayani Areola shared God’s message on what shall we do in times of crisis.

We are in a situation right now where everyone is panicking because of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). People flock to stores to buy groceries, face mask and alcohol because of fear. Others even resort to hoarding so they could have more than enough. There’s a spirit of fear, a spirit of death, and a spirit of sickness. This is the kind of challenge we are most fearful of because we can hardly see the virus: who’s infected and how does it actually transmit to others. But worry not, we are under God’s control.

In Matthew 24:7-8, Jesus speaks about the last days. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” The sign of the end times is likened to an expectant mother who suffers from pain before giving birth. This is also what happens before the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. People around the world will face tribulations of all sorts: calamities, war, hunger and diseases. Presently, the world is combatting Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) which has become pandemic, meaning it is prevalent throughout the entire country or the whole world. COVID-19 has significantly affected economic activities and people’s lives. More than 50 countries have been infected with the disease and in our nation, there are over a hundred persons confirmed with COVID-19. This raises a huge concern because we never know how long will the disease affect our lives. But we have to remain hopeful and come to the Lord in prayer. Even in the olden days during the time of Moses, God inflicted 10 plagues to Egypt in order to force Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to depart from slavery. The 10^th plague: Death of the Firstborn was the most heartbreaking but God has spared the people of Israel by letting them mark a lamb’s blood above their doors inorder that God will pass over them. In the same way that our God will spare us from the devastating effect of COVID-19!

So, what shall we do in times of crisis like what we are facing now?

1. The first thing that we need to do is found in the book of 2nd Chronicles 7:12-14. "The Lord appeared to him at night and said: ‘I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and will heal their land.’”

God is calling us to repent and turn away from our sins. This is the right time that we come and humble down ourselves to God. We need His divine intervention because we never know the extent and impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Let us seek God for his intervention through our constant prayer. Let’s continue what we have started this week especially the 3:00AM prayer everyday.

2. We have to realign our priorities. We realize that we have been too busy with our work, schooling and we keep on travelling from one place to another. But now, we are discouraged from going out our homes because we can hardly see the virus. There’s a high risk of getting infected if we keep on meeting people, that is why mass gatherings are suspended. This is indeed a serious matter – a life or death situation. But God will fight for us. He will not forsake us. We just have to realign our priorities because this is the most opportune time to establish, restore and strengthen relationships with our family. This is also the best time to have an intimate relationship with God by reading the Bible, by doing the daily devotional, and by sharing the Gospel online.

3. Release your faith, instead of fear. The health crisis has made people panic and most resort to hoarding as much as they could have because of fear. We all experience fear especially that our city is under community quarantine. But God reminds us to pray so we can have peace of mind. We need to release our faith, instead of fear. Fear can paralyze us. It will greatly affect our decisions. In 2nd Timothy 1:7, it says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Let us stay calm because God is in control of the situation. He will never forsake us.

In Psalm 56:3-4, it says “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” Everyone experiences fear because it is part of our emotions. But don’t let fear overrule your life. Trust the Lord in every situation of your life. Every time we praise God and declare his word, faith will arise. Whenever you feel fear, start praising God. Start declaring God’s promises to your situation. God will supply all your needs. The Blood of Jesus is our covering and protection. God will protect us from all plagues, pestilences and calamities. Don’t declare negativities in your life. Don’t panic in the bad news. We still believe that there is good news. The Devil is trying to create fear in the hearts of men. But it is also the avenue of God to speak to our hearts. This is the time of great harvest. People don’t know what to do. Tell other people that there is no other hope in this world except God. Jesus is coming very very soon. It is written in the holy scriptures. This signals God’s second coming.  

In Romans 10:17, it says “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Let us allow God to touch our hearts. Let’s continue reading the bible and performing the daily devotional. It will strengthen our faith and we will be able to share the good news to everyone.

In Psalm 112:7, it says “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Blessed is the man who fears the Lord. They will not be afraid of bad news because they put their trust in God. Their faith is unwavering because no matter what happens, God will always be there.

In Philippians 2:8-11, it says “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on the Cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus Christ gave his life to you and me. He died on the Cross. God exalted Jesus to the highest place. Jesus Christ is Lord!

JESUS’ NAME IS ABOVE COVID-19!

JESUS’ NAME IS ABOVE FEAR!

JESUS’ NAME IS ABOVE SICKNESS!

JESUS’ NAME IS ABOVE DEATH!

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OVER MY LIFE!

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OVER FAMILY!

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OVER OUR COMMUNITY!

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OVER OUR CITY!

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OVER THE NATION PHILIPPINES!

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OVER THE WORLD!

YOU ARE PROTECTED BY THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS! AMEN!

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