18/03/2020
*Title: Don't waste this epidemic.*
Sharing this beautiful & faith-filled reflection for us all to ponder ...
(Translation of an article by a Christian in China)
*1. If you do not believe that the epidemic is allowed by God*, you will waste the epidemic.
Everything happens with the permission of God. The spread of the virus, God did not stop immediately, he must have a higher and better purpose.
*2. If you only rely on outside protection instead of seeking comfort from God,* you will waste this epidemic.
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7)
*3. If you refuse to consider death,* you will waste this epidemic.
Ecclesiastes 7:2 says: "Because death is the end of all men, the living will take it to heart." If you don't want to think about it, how can you take it to heart. Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us how to number our days so that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
*4. If you only want the epidemic to stop as soon as possible, but just to live a normal life without seeking to understand God ’s will and cherish Christ more,* you will waste the epidemic.
-Satan and God have different purpose for this outbreak.
-Satan wants to use the epidemic to undermine your love for Christ, and God wants to deepen your love for Christ. If so you are dead, the virus has not won. But if you still do not cherish Christ, Satan triumphs.
-God's purpose is to take you out of the ordinary things of this world, and to taste the abundance in Christ, "I also consider all things as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”So you also know clearly: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 3:8; 1:21).
*5. If you spend too much time reading the information about the epidemic, but you don’t have enough time to read the Word of God*, you will waste the epidemic.
There is nothing wrong with understanding more the epidemic situation, but you can't help. *_Instead learn more and lead to a better understanding of God's enthusiasm, you will not waste your time. We must know Jehovah, and strive to know the Lord.”(Hos. 6:3)._* *"Blessed is he who loves the law of the Lord and meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in the season, and its leaf dies not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”(Psalm 1:2-3)*
What a waste if we read the information about the epidemic day and night instead of God's Word!
*6. If you treat your sin as casually as before,* you will waste this epidemic.
*_Are you still tolerating sin, just like when the epidemic didn't come? The epidemic is used to destroy the desire for sin: pride, greed, hatred, irritability, laziness, procrastination ... all these are enemies to attack_*.
Don't just think about fighting the epidemic, but think about fighting your lust together with the epidemic. "For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose himself or be cast away? (Luke 9:25).
*7. If you do not make good use of this epidemic and make it an opportunity to witness to the true and glorious Christ,* you are wasting this epidemic.
Christians do not appear by accident anywhere. God has a purpose to all Christians in any situation.
Think of what Jesus said: "They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.”(Luke 21: 12-13).
*Therefore, the epidemic is also a good opportunity to witness for the glory of God.*
❤ Remember: you are not alone. "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:19)
*AMEN🙌🏻*
