ARCI – 2020 March 22: Test of Faith in Crisis. Social Reset. Corona = Crown >> Glorifying fear or the Lord? Key of Mercy

ARCI – 22 March 2020

Test of Faith >> Where does my faith actually lie?

Questioning & testing my faith

>> Social reset button

What are we actually made of spiritually?
What is in our hearts & who do we put our trust in?

Where we get to interact with the seriousness of the Word of God

Which is not a suggestion , contrary to public opinion
Decisions have consequences

E.g.

>> Leviticus 20:22(NIV)

‘Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out.

>> Do I actually practice the greatest commandment

Do I love God & my neighbor as myself?
>> Corona has come to test this

Therefore…

>> Am I part of the group that is running around to panic buy toilet paper?

>> For those with family ..

>> Am I quarantined with strangers in my house?
… parents that have not been spending time with their children!
… husbands that have not been seen in daylight

>> For those with jobs or business…

>> Am I doing something useful to the world or can the world do without me?
… We see the importance of the doctors, nurses and teachers
…and even the boda delivery guy, the nanny and house worker that we underpay

>> Our faith in God & His Word is best tested in adversity, battle or crisis

A test of the Word of God in our hearts & its demonstration in Words & actions
>> Can I get a manifestation of power out of the Word I believe and profess?

>> Gospel is supposed to be a demonstration of the power in the Word of God

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV)

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5(NKJV)

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Do we as Christians know how to wield the Sword of the Spirit >> the Word of God?

>> The corona crisis has presented itself as a test of my understanding & use of the Word against it

Isaiah 53:1 (NKJV)

Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV) >>

>> For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…
…looking to strengthen or support those who are fully committed / devoted / have faith in Him

Why??

>> Because

Heart of man deceitfully wicked

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NKJV)

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

>> The test before the testimony that is the manifestation of the power of God

Before God can trust us & use us with the next level of power & authority
For some it is KCPE, for others it is the KCSE examination before the next level

And the world is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God to see the Power & Glory of God

Romans 8:13(NKJV)

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

>> Who are these sons of God?

Romans 8:14(NKJV)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

>> How do I know that I am led or influenced by the Spirit of God?

It will be known by the fruit that is produced within me during this crisis

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

>> And what is the opposite of the Love, Power or Word of God?

>> FEAR

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:18 (NKJV)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

>> When I am tormented or acting in fear, I have not understood the LOVE, POWER & WORD of God…

Love of God that surrounds me
Power of God that is more than able to protect me
Word of God that is to comfort me

>> Am I part of the group that is running to panic buy toilet paper against Covid 19?

or….running to the Word to unleash the Sword of the Spirit in Psalm 91 against Covid 19

>> Corona = crown = glory

Am I crowning / giving glory to fear with my thoughts, word or actions or
>> Crowning / giving glory to Christ through His Word?
Depends on who I have given supremacy and air time in my life

Let us conclude with the antidote / vaccine of COVID 91 >> Psalm 91

Wield the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, against it
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty / freedom …2 Corinthians 3:17

Psalm 91 (NKJV)

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the [a]fowler

And from the perilous pestilence.

He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and [b]buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you.

Only with your eyes shall you look,

And see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

In their hands they shall [c]bear you up,

Lest you [d]dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will [e]set him on high, because he has known My name.

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.

With [f]long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation.”

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Main Service >> The Key of Mercy

Elder Edwin

(NKJV)

>> Psalm 102:13

You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.
>> Favor follows mercy

James 2:13

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
The Lord is looking for an opportunity to show mercy before judgement

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
>> When one obtains mercy, they find grace

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
>> There are aspects of life where it is all due to the mercy of God
…ability to dwell in the house of the Lord is because of the mercy of God

Psalm 103:1-2

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
²Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:

Psalm 51:1-2, 17

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
²Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

>> David knew how to activate the key of mercy to open the door of grace upon his life

>> Esther also knew how to do the same

You have to kneel to obtain mercy
Esther had to >> be broken and humbled in front of the king
…and she easily by passed through the protocols that may have cost her her life

>> How did the mercy of God locate me… picked me up from

Favor follows mercy??

ARCI – 22 March 2020

Test of Faith >> Where does my faith actually lie?

Main Service >> The Key of Mercy

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