Crisis

What do we do in times of crisis? Are we ready?

Rember the game hide and seek? Remember the famous line, “Ready or not, here I come”. Was the announcement of my favorite hide and seek game growing up.  It’s also the anthem of any particular crisis in which we find ourselves. The truth is simple: whether you are ready or not, crisis will find you.  The real question is are we ready for it?

To date we have survived POLIO, AIDS, Covid, H1N1, Spanish Flu, Etc...

We have survived many many weather events such as the Blizzard of ‘93, the flood of ‘98, etc. We always rebuild, we always make it. There is one common definite that is always there and that is Jesus.

Many of you dont know much about me, other than what Brittany may have shared or maybe Debbie. I have been searching for 33 years for someone to give me a chance to speak and that was given to me by our pastor, and for that, i am eternally grateful.

My day/night job is being a crisis therapist at the local hospitals. There I hear from people who are at their worse and are looking for someone to save them, to give them help, to guide them in the right direction. Many require me committing them to a local facility like Woodridge, Creekside, or Ridgeview in Bristol. Sometimes people just need someone to talk too. Working in Mental Health is hard. You never know what you are going to face. But Jesus is there.

Myself? I am a wreck. I have many faults. I am broken. I’ve endured more in my lifetime than many will ever know. I struggle with my mental health every single day. But Jesus is there.

It has taken many years for me to arrive to the point where i am at now…I have a beautiful wife and family, a job that i actually enjoy, a beautiful home, my animals and a vehicle to get back in forth. Jesus got me to this point.

Here are 5 scriptures that remind us that Jesus is there:

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Romans 8:38-39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Psalm 77 (Read)

1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. 2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. 3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. 4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. 5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; 6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked: 7 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? 8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” 10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. 11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” 13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. 15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. 16 The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. 17 The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. 18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. 19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

I have some suggestions for us today:

Know for certain you have eternal life! Being saved from sin and death is found only in a personal relationship with Jesus. We don’t have to fear the end.

Be ready to share this hope that is in you. Prepare to share your faith with those around you that are uncertain about their future. Learn how to share the Good News of Jesus.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1.16) Also, Peter must have been asked “how can you be so confident in these unknown days?” he responds, “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3.15)

Cultivate your peace:   This means we are to prepare and use our peace.  Maybe you know someone today who needs peace in their life—you may be that person to bring it to them.

Jesus said “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (John 14:27)

Become a prayer warrior!

Against this crisis and for others. This is a time we turn to the Sovereign Lord who is in control of all and ask for His mercy and grace.

Be ready to serve. Be ready to glorify God by being a “living sacrifice” and care for your community. Meet practical needs if you are able. Ensure the elderly, widows, and single moms are supported. Care for the poor. Love your neighbor.

Find ways to still walk in community with other believers. We need each other “not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10.25)

Trust God and take comfort in Him. He is in control. No matter what happens, we can place our life and faith in His hands.  Everything is on schedule. “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8.28). The Apostle Paul faced uncertainty, persecution, and eventually death itself.  How did he respond? “But, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Rom 8.37-39

Use the seat that you are in now, or come to the alter and pray for our community. If you are the one here who needs Jesus for the first time, come to the alter and i will pray with you. Jesus is the only person who can get us thru this disaster.