What in the world is going on?
That’s the question on everyone’s mind in the midst of this current coronavirus crisis. The other one is how long is this going to last? Together may we lay hold of God’s promise, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2 NKJV) God is with us in this moment, so what in the world is God doing right now?
Interestingly the church of Jesus Christ has had to adapt very quickly to this rapidly changing shift in our culture. We were use to freely moving around in our lives and communities. To come and assemble at will, to worship, pray, and hear the Word of God. How things have changed in such a short time! Now we are gathering together on-line for church.
While reading through the One-Year Chronological Bible, my daily reading was Joshua 3:4 says, “Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you.”
The context of this passage is Joshua leading the people of God into Promised Land, certainly a place they had never been before. The battle strategy by which they took the first city called Jericho was very unique as well. March around town once a day for six days. Then on seventh day, march around seven times, blowing horns, and give a loud shout and the walls of the city will fall down. Very unconventional battle plans. Then Holy Spirit reminded me of the message series I preached from this passage in January 2019 called Lord, Take Us Where We’ve Never Been Before.
God is certainly allowing us to be ‘taken to a place we’ve never been before’ in our lives, families, finances, church, nation and world. Certainly it’s not in a way that we might have expected or desire. It seems very unconventional. But God did say, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV). Most of us have never seen anything like this current crisis in our lifetime. But isn’t that often the way it is with God?
Then the Holy Spirt reminded me of our prayer theme this past January. We spent twenty-one days fasting and praying, Revive Us, O Lord, asking God to send us a move of His Spirit that would revive His church, manifest His glory and reach our lost world?
I was thrilled to hear this testimony that on Sunday, March 15, through the church online service provided by Life.Church that some 15,842 people made decisions for Christ, from the thousands of churches who use their online platform around the world. Then this past Sunday, March 22 there were 28,000 more people who accepted Christ as their Saviour! That’s not counting how many more made decisions on other online platforms that we don’t even know about. Is it possible God is answering our prayer in this current crisis, but in a way we never dreamed? Is God awakening His church. Is God moving in the hearts of people who are worried, afraid and looking for answers in their lives? People who might never consider physically going to a church are starting to visit church services online.
Even at PPT, the stats indicate we had more people viewing our livestream service last Sunday than we normally have in the building on any given Sunday. In fact, there were so many churches livestreaming that it ‘broke the internet’ and there were technical breakdowns around the world! Since everything God ‘allows’, He redeems for His purposes, could this be what God is doing? Thoughts to ponder. Better yet, to fast and prayer into tomorrow. Lord let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Pastor Barry Risto
Prayer Points
Scriptures: Joshua 3:1-5; Isaiah 43:2; 55:8-9
Confess any known and unknown sins.
Father, I thank You that I am able to participate in today’s fasting program.
Commit the month of March into the Lord’s hands. Pray that you will end the month well in Jesus’ name.
Psalm 57:11 – Despite the coronavirus pandemic, “Be exalted, O God above the heavens, and let Your glory shine over all the earth in Jesus’ name”. (pray this seriously)
Joshua 3:3-4 – Jehovah as a household, we have “never traveled this way before” therefore let Your presence overwhelm us in the days ahead in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously)
Joshua 3:3-4 – Jehovah as a church, we have “never traveled this way before” therefore let Your presence overwhelm us in the days ahead in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously)
Joshua 3:3-4 – Lord as a nation, we have “never traveled this way before”, give our political and spiritual leaders the wisdom from above to lead us.
Psalm 121:3 – God Almighty all the chaos, panic and anxiety in the world today is not a surprise to You therefore keep our households, our country and the world safe.
Isaiah 43:2 – Jehovah Shammah, we ask for Your presence in our homes, nation and the world during this pandemic in Jesus’ name.
Isaiah 43:2 - Father, we pray against economic depression in the world (our fortunes, savings, livelihood will not be drowned) in Jesus’ name.
Isaiah 43:2 – Lord, we ask for special protection for our front-line workers (medical, essential workers) against this pandemic in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously)
Isaiah 55:8-9 – Lord we are limited in our capabilities let us (households, country and the nations of the world) end well in Jesus’ name.
In Jesus’ name I break the stronghold of fear over my household, country and the nations of the world. (pray this seriously)
Pray for God’s protection against the coronavirus in our land and nations. (pray this seriously)
Unleash Your protection and providence upon the persecuted church globally in Jesus’ name.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Prayer Conference Call at 5:30 am
Dial: 647-977-2648 (Canada) / 202-602-1295 (USA)
Code: 827-220-552#
Teaching & Prayer Live at 8:00 pm
ppt.church/live
OR
Dial: 647-977-2648 (Canada) / 202-602-1295 (USA)
Code: 827-220-552#