​Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what to do? I have been there and so have you.
 
Millions and millions of people are there right now over the uncertainty of the deadly Coronavirus stalking the world and our nation.
 
Lately I have met with good, godly, sincere people who anxiously wonder what is happening and how it impacts the health and well-being of their families as well as the financial implications regarding their jobs, businesses and the overall national economy. Being quarantined in homes, social distancing and shut down business ratches up the sense of what do we do now.
 
Not knowing what to do when you need to know what to do can be very disconcerting, discouraging and depressing.
 
So what should we do when we don’t know what to do?
 
Take your Bible and thoroughly study II Chronicles 20. I mean really get after it. Dig deep into this inspiring passage. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was hemmed in and being harassed by three hate-filled, arch enemy armies. Suddenly surrounded on all sides by a massive military machine bent on his nation’s annihilation (verses 1-2), Jehoshaphat, stressed and distressed, confessed he felt powerless.
 
In a time of severe, sudden crisis, Jehoshaphat wasn’t sure what to do. And yet, the king did know what to do when he didn’t know what to do. “O our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on Thee.”  II Chronicles 20:12
 
Jehoshaphat took his eyes off his enemies and looked to the Lord. “Our eyes are on Thee” was the king’s response to his powerless position. Fear gave way to faith (verse 3). Instead of panicking, Jehoshaphat prayed. Surrounded and somewhat terrified, Jehoshaphat knew to turn his attention to the Lord. He called all the people to fast and pray (verses 3-5, 13). The king laid out his pressing and perplexing situation before God. Then he waited with as much patience as he could muster up (verses 6-12).
 
I don’t know about you, but I love this guy. Jehoshaphat is so human. I can identify with him and his dilemma. What I admire about this king is that while under a life and death attack, his attitude and action was astounding and outstanding.  I want to learn to respond to life like he did.
 
Not knowing what to do about the enemy armies, Jehoshaphat knew to look to the One who reminded him through the prophet Jahaziel that “the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (Verse 15).
 
Sometimes you and I don’t know what to do because we think the battle belongs to us. We try to figure things out on our own and fight a fight that God wants to fight for us. 
           
The Spirit of the Lord, through Jahaziel, directed Jehoshaphat what to do when he didn’t know what to do (verses 14-22).
 

• STATION yourselves. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. You won’t have to fight. God will battle for you. Hurry to your posts and prepare to witness what God will do for you.

 

• STAND strong and tall. Don’t cower or retreat. Don’t waffle. Take your stand and stand before the Living God who is going to take a stand for you.

 

• SEE the salvation of the Lord for you. Get ready. Stay wide awake. God is going to save and deliver you. He will make a way where there seems to be no way, and you will see it with your own eyes! 

 

• SING and shout God’s praises. The people worshipped God with praise and singing. They even sent the praise singers ahead of the army to the battlefield.

 
So what happened? What needed to happen happened.
 
In response to Jehoshaphat’s faith, God routed the enemy, destroyed them, and Judah collected the spoil (all of the enemies possessions and goodies!). Jehoshaphat and Judah returned triumphantly to Jerusalem. As they rejoiced in the Lord, the surrounding nations took note and feared them and their God. Then Judah had rest (peace) on all of their borders.  
 
Life’s battles belong to the Lord and life changes when God steps in.
 
What To Do The Next Time You Don’t Know What To Do
 
 1. Turn your eyes from circumstances to Christ.
 
            “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” Hebrews 12:3
 
 2. Refuse to panic. Choose to pray and praise God!
 
               “And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes and                             the sons of Amon were routed.”                                      II Chronicles 20:22
 
3. Do all you can do and trust God to do what He can do!
           
            “When the disciples had prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke     the word of God with boldness.”                                                            Acts 4:31
 
 4. Stand by and watch God do His thing.
             
            “And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of     the Lord that He will accomplish for you today.”                              Exodus 14:13
           
5. Reap the benefits of God working on your behalf.
 
            “And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much.”
                                                                                                              II Chronicles 20:25
 
My friend, you may not be surrounded by three invading armies right now, but it might feel like it. Wondering what to do next is normal and valid. There are many people like you who feel overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control. The good news is this: It is possible to OVERCOME when feeling OVERWHELMED! What God did for Jehoshaphat, He will do for you and me.
 
You and I CAN DO SOMETING when we don’t know what to do. We can focus our faith, calm our fears and look to God to show us what to do.
 
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, AND HAVING DONE EVERYTHING, TO STAND FIRM.”                     Ephesians 6:13
 
A Word For Your Week: Do what you know to do when you don’t know what to do!
 

​Panic. Hysteria. Fear. Toilet paper hoarding!
 
The whirlwind of panic is swiftly sweeping across the world because of the coronavirus.
 
In the Bible (Mark 4:35-39), a sudden, violent storm arose on the Sea of Galilee. The gale force winds accompanied by boat-swamping waves were so severe that the followers of Jesus thought their boat would sink and they would drown in the depths of the churning waters. (Mark 4:35-41).
 
Enter PANIC.
 
 Peter and his buddies pushed the proverbial panic button. They pressed it hard and long. But while Peter and the boys panicked, Jesus slept like a baby in the back of the boat.
 
Simply amazing! Jesus sleeping while the boat is sinking.
 
The Lord’s followers couldn’t understand how the Master could sleep at a time like this. Peter was so panicky, that he woke Jesus up and accused the Lord of not caring about the disciples. Two blunders: waking the Lord up from a nap and accusing Him of not caring. Have you ever accused the Lord of not caring about you when you were going through a life storm?
 
Peter, at the height (or depth!) of his personal panic attack, thought they were going to perish.
 
Jesus didn’t panic even though panicky Peter pathetically attempted to convince Him the ship was going down to Davey’s locker.  Hey Peter, drowning was not the plan of the day. The Lord and His followers were not going to perish. God was sending them across the lake to do ministry, not to the sea’s bottom to die a miserable death.
 
Instead of panicking like Peter, Jesus took charge. “And being aroused, Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.” Mark 4:39
 
Proactive, bold, and confident, full of faith, the Lord got up, rebuked the wind and told the sea to be quiet! The winds died down and the waves ceased.
 
Perfect calm in a perfect storm.
 
Then Jesus lovingly but firmly rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. Peter panicked because he lacked faith. The boat wasn’t sinking, but the disciple’s faith was. Jesus had given them authority over trouble. Instead of exercising it, they panicked and would have perished had Jesus not been on board.
                                    
The lesson for you and me: Don’t push that panic button, JESUS IS ON BOARD!
 
Are you prone to pushing panic buttons?
 
Let’s talk straight about our current national situation. From Washington to Wall Street to Main Street, panic buttons are sounding loud and clear. Governmental leaders, financial gurus, political pundits, pulse-taking pollsters, media maniacs, vote-seeking politicians, and people everywhere are screaming panic at the top of their individual and collective lungs! Self-righteous, self-absorbed, self-seeking, self-ambitious people in strategic places have stirred up storms in order to tempt good people like you and me to panic!
 
Trust me on this. There are people in places pf power and influence who want you and me to push the panic button.
 
Panic means someone has to bring calm and order to the situation. Guess who the deliverers might be? They are the people pushing the biggest panic buttons! Their goal is to control your life and mine. They will manipulate storms to stimulate fear and stampede people to panic.
 
 Be on guard against panic because panic producers are in reality power hungry peddlers of confusion and disorder that paves the way for them to ride in on their white horses and save the day.
 
Sounds like end times, Anti-Christ stuff doesn’t it?
 
Without question potentially devastating storms have arisen and are threatening to swamp and sink our ships.  Worldwide viruses. Health issues. Tumbling stock markets. Personal and family finances. Rising food and prescription costs. Upcoming national election. Taxes. Up and down retirement funds. Terror threats. The car breaks down. Scuttlebutt your company is laying off workers. Health issues. Relationship stress. Negative media messages.
 
Panic button stuff—if you panic and forget that Jesus is on board!
           
A feeling of perishing can lead to panic attacks and pushing panic buttons. Panic people abound. Bless their fearful little hearts. Panic attack is the theme of this season. Here are a few observations about potential panic producing situations.
           
 

• Storms are sudden but don’t last forever.
• Storms test our faith and trust in God. 
• God never puts His people in a boat to drown them.
• God’s people have authority over the winds and waves of life.
• Panic can make storms look bigger than they really are.
• Pushing panic buttons is an emotional non-solution to calming storms.
• Panic decisions are never right decisions.
• Don’t fall into the trap of pushing the panic button because other people are.  
• People of faith can rest in the middle of a terrific life storm.
• How we handle storms is the way our children will handle storms.

 
So Christian, what are you going to do? While panic’s voice stalks our land, will you cry with the misguided throng or trust in Jesus who inhabits your heart and is your life? Has this man-produced “perfect storm” caused you to hunker down in panic mode in the bunker of fear and unbelief? Or do you have “perfect calm” in this season of storms because you are hunkered down with Jesus in the bunker of faith and trust in Him?
 
If you are struggling with a spirit of panic, do this right now” Panic, hush, be still in the name of Jesus!
 
If in the future if you are fearful and the panic button is looking good to you, get over it right away. Rebuke panic. Reaffirm your trust in the Lord. If you think you have to worry about something, think about what our nation will be like if the panic button people have their way?
 
When Jesus is on board, everything will turn out all right!  
 
“The steadfast of mine Thou will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.”      Isaiah 26:3-4
 
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”                                                                                                Isaiah 41:10
 
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, not let if be fearful.”                                      John 14:27
 
A WORD FOR YOUR WEEK: When tempted to panic, DON’T!!!

Growing people energize me.
 
There is nothing more refreshing or uplifting than talking with someone who is growing in their personal life.
 
I have the privilege, honor, joy and sacred responsibility of helping hurting people find healing, restoration and renewal through God’s love in Jesus Christ. My ministry’s emphasis is renewing purpose and restoring joy.
 
The restoration process is based on biblical truth and principles that God has established so you, me, and others can heal our hurts and restore our lives. I thank God every day for the opportunities I have to see lives changed in powerful ways.
 
A major key to healthy, triumphant and joyful turnarounds in life is going and growing forward. 
 
If I could shout it from the very tip-top of Mt. Everest, I would tell this spiritually and emotionally growth-stunted world to GROW UP and GROW FORWARD!
 
Many people miss so much good in life because they remain stuck in non-growth ruts. Mired in the muck of yesterday, they have no idea how good it is on the other side of the past. Yesterday’s failures steal the possibilities of tomorrow’s success.
 
The Bible tells us that Paul was a go forward and grow forward guy! God’s goodness and grace had radically revolutionized his life (I Corinthians 15:9-10). Writing to the Christians in Philippi, in the shadow of an executioner’s sword, he shared with his brothers and sisters in Christ the pivotal decision he made to grow forward.   
 
“But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14
 
His decision to grow forward was based on three things.
 
First, he did “one thing”.  ONE THING! A single, strategic decision altered his entire life course. Paul focused his faith on forgetting yesterday and reaching for tomorrow.  
 
Second, Paul chose to forget the what was behind and to reach for what was ahead. He made a conscious, willful decision to look, go, and grow forward. The apostle of grace was determined to slam the door on the past and open new doors to the future.  
 
Third, Paul “pressed on”. A powerful word here that means he reached and grasped and lunged like an Olympic athlete that is running full speed to cross the finish line in a race. The runner’s goal is to hit the tape first and be declared the winner!
 
What was Paul “pressing on” for? Running in the faith race, Paul ran for the prize of prizes. The lofty goal of the high call of knowing, loving and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
At the end of his earthly life, Paul wrote in II Timothy 4:7-8  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord , the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
 
Fighting a good fight, keeping the faith, finishing the course and receiving the crown of righteousness is all about growing up and growing forward.
 
Paul’s deepest aspiration was to “know Him” Philippians 3:10 reads “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
 
 To know Him means to personally experience Christ, not just be informed about Him.  
 
Knowing Jesus will lead to growing in Him. The only way to grow in Christ is go grow forward. You see, Jesus is not dead in a grave, but resurrected and alive forever! The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the greatest go forward and grow forward event in time and eternity!  
 
My fellow Christian, going backwards is a downward call. Growing forward is always an upward call. Which call are you listening and responding to?
 
 Three Timely Tips For Growing Forward
 

1. Look ahead, not behind.

 
Focus on the future, not the past. We arrive at God’s destination by looking out the windshield of life, not in the rearview mirror. The familiarity and false security of yesterday will rob you of the fantastic opportunities of today and tomorrow.
 
Keep your head screwed on right. Refuse to look to the left, right, or back. You and I  never gain ground when we are walking backwards! Choose to look straight down the road. Growing forward people travel there and are waiting for you to join them.
 
 2. Be willing to s-t-r-e-t-c-h!
 
Allow the Holy Spirit to stretch you where you need stretched! We all have room to grow. Not everything is perfect in our lives! We know where we need to grow. So, let go and let God grow you up. People who stretch and grow forward are the ones who really enjoy God’s richest blessings in life.
 
S-t-r-e-t-c-h and be blessed!  
 
3. Reach for God’s very best.
 
Do you believe God has a wonderful plan for your life filled with abundant blessing? If you do, reach for His promises and grab hold of His plans to prosper you and make you successful in Christ. Be bold. Don’t hold back. Reach for the Lord’s best with the arm of faith.  
 
God’s very best awaits those who make the effort to go and grow forward.   
 
If you want to GO UP, GROW UP! If you want to get ahead, GROW FORWARD!
 
 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”  II Peter 3:18
 
A Word For Your Week:  Go forward by growing forward!

​Enough is enough.
It is time for Christians (who I am addressing today) to take a stand against the irreverent, rampant, revolting, unchecked evil that is ravaging our nation.
Let’s call evil what it is. Evil is evil. Evil will never be good.
Evil people are boldly, unashamedly, unapologetically, fanatically in some cases, standing against everything that is holy, righteous, good and decent. Unafraid, emboldened by the evil one who they blindly serve, evildoers stand up and speak out for what they erroneously believe. Deceived and duped by the devil, they spew their poisonous ideology on naïve people.
I have a question.  Why is it that many of God’s good people are strangely, eerily silent as evil attempts to destroy America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and history?  
I have an idea. It takes courageous commitment and unshakeable convictions to take a stand in our current culture. Demonic forces, evil people and weak Christians put pressure on you and me to sit down and shut up when we should be standing up and speaking up.
People who stand for nothing will fall for anything. There are people, even in the church, who fall for anything because they stand for nothing.
Think about this. Not taking a stand for what you believe is taking a stand that you really don’t believe what you say you do.
If you don’t clearly define where you stand, someone else will define your life for you, and you may not like their assessment!
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said “I will build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” The Lord declared that His church, the body of Christ, would prevail against hell’s gates. The original intent of the verse means that God’s people would push back the gates of hell, not be pushed back, pushed around and pushed down by gates of hell.  
How in the world, with a promise like that, can the church of Jesus Christ not prevail over the evil that hell has unleased through its gates? You, me and fellow believers must ask ourselves if we are prevailing or failing in the presence of Satan’s demonic hordes and evil minions.
In the Bible, Peter exhorts us in I Peter 3:15 to defend our faith. “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
Defending Christian faith means Christians should take a stand for Jesus Christ in their daily life. You and I should be ready, prepared to share our faith with the people God puts in our path.
 If you profess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, do you stand up for His name and His Word? Is your faith in Jesus settled, firm, steadfast, immovable, unshakeable? Would you be willing to lay down your physical life for the Savior?
Taking A Stand For The Cause Of Christ

• Search your heart. What do you stand for today? Do you stand for good and stand against evil?
• Do you take a stand that the Bible is the Inerrant, authoritative holy Word of God and Jesus is the only way to heaven? He alone is the way, the truth and the life? John 14:6
• Do you take a stand for sanctify of life for all ages, especially the innocent unborn who are murdered in a mother’s womb by abortion?
• Do you take a stand for moral/sexual purity standards and boundaries defined by the Bible? Do you stand against all forms of abominable sexual immorality and perversion, including homosexuality, same sex marriage and mutilation of gender of males and females?
• Do you take a stand against mental, emotional, verbal, physical, sexual abuse and exploitation of defenseless, children and senior citizens?
• Do you take a stand for pure, decent, dignifying speech, standing against crude language, cursing, profanity and swearing that permeates our society in private and public?
• Do you stand up for truth and stand against lies from the mouths of liars?
• Do you take a stand when “Breaking News” contradicts, makes fun of, mocks and blasphemes the Bible, ridiculing, maligning and marginalizing Christians who believe in God’s Word?
• Do you take a stand to respect and support law and order, lawful authority and law enforcement personnel?

My friends, it is truly time for you and me take a stand for what we say we stand for.
Jesus took a stand when He died voluntarily on the Cross. His shed blood secured salvation for you, me and all who will believe. How can we not stand for Him who died in our place?
There are brothers and sisters in Christ today, right now, in the world who are being killed because of their faith? Regardless of the persecution and suffering, they courageously choose to take a stand for Christ, knowing it may well cost them their earthly life.
My brothers and sisters in Christ. take a stand. Stand up for Jesus and the Bible.  Arise. Get up off your spiritual fanny (I said is nicely) to stand up boldly for Lord.
Take a stand now while you can. Stand by yourself if necessary. Stand up to evil with the Good News!
Multitudes of people are spiritually lost. Their hearts are empty. Without Christ, they are hopeless, helpless and powerless to save themselves from sin, death and the grave. Stand with Jesus to win the lost to Christ before it is too late.   
 “Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Act like men, be strong. I Corinthians 16:13
A Word For Your Week: Take a strong stand for Jesus Christ and Christianity every day.   

​As a kid growing up, I remember, and you may too, the little rhyme “Sticks and bones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Cute. But shame on our parents for lying to us!
Words can hurt. Deeply. Haunt us. For a long time.
On the flipside words can heal. Make a positive difference in our lives that lasts for a lifetime.
As a Christian who loves the Lord, His Word and the country I am blessed to reside in, I am very concerned for our culture. Our words toward one another hurt more than heal.
What I call moral rot is imploding our society. Good, godly character is absent in so many. Though the economy is at all-time highs, private and public moral behavior has sunk to all-time lows. Our deeds and words in so many quarters are absent of dignity, decency and plain old respect for God and people made in His image.    
Sadly, and to our personal and national shame, our words are riddled with ridicule. Peppered with vile, virulent, vicious and violent connotations. Our words for others have degenerated into disgusting, disrespectful, demeaning, belittling, cruel, crass, crude, rude, profane speech. How easily people hurl insults, cast aspersions, falsely accuse and assassinate reputations and character with hateful speech. Our words, if we are not careful, can marginalize, vilify and even demonize others.
America doesn’t have a grammar problem. Education won’t solve the spiritual problem we have of speaking evil from evil hearts.  
Does it matter that your words matter? Yes, it does. Words have tremendous power to make or break relationships.
The Bible has some definite things to say about our words. Here are just four references worth thinking and praying about.
“Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21
“But no man can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come blessing and cursing, My brethren, these things should not be this way.” James 2:8-10
“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” Luke 6:45
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
Straight talk huh? Little comment necessary.
What if you and I were diligent and disciplined to speak words according to Paul’s guidelines in Ephesians 4:29? Gracious words. Kind, caring words. Words that build up and encourage. Words that support. Words that extend people the benefit of the doubt. Words that bring out the best in others. Words that spur others on to success.
If we would return to the Lord (II Chronicles 7:14) and speak godly words to each other,  revival could commence. A refreshing wind of spiritual, emotional, and relational peace, joy and unity would sweep across the fruited plains!
I will pray and vote for that!  
Watch Your Words

• If you are a professing Christian, do your words and speech line up with scriptural truth, righteous principles and godly words in the Bible?
• Before you open your mouth to say something, ask yourself:  Will my words build up or tear down, encourage or discourage, inspire of deflate, bless or curse?
• Ask those who love you and know you best what they think of your words. Listen humbly. carefully and sincerely. Make adjustments where necessary.
• When you use words you shouldn’t, repent, turn away from them, ask the Lord to forgive you, then make things right with people who your words hurt.
• Ask the Lord to help you overcome bad habits concerning words you use that do not honor Him and dignify people. Swearing like a sailor is not a badge of honor. Pure speech is God’s will for His people (Ephesians 5:4). If you have a “potty” mouth, clean it up!
• Guard your heart so your words will be good, not evil.
• Tame your tongue. May your words be a fountain of blessing, not a cesspool of cursing.
• Be a person of your word, good words, from a good heart!

A personal word from me to my fellow Americans: Clean up your words. Wash your mouth out with soap like my mother did to me when my words didn’t please her. I can still taste the Ivory soap between my teeth!  My friends, let’s return to days of dignity and decency with our words toward one another.
Words are a blessing or a curse. Which will you choose? Words that bless or words that curse?
“Words that do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.” Mother Teresa
A Word For Your Week: Watch your words because your words matter.