SMH - Shaking my head this morning over the increasing deaths and hospitalizations from those infected with COVID 19! I don't care which side of the debate you're on (vaccinations/no vaccinations - masks/no masks) this stuff is real and people are dying out here! You might not want the COVID 19 vaccine but we ALL could use a Booster Shot of Faith!
This post is for anyone who cares to read it, but being transparent, I'm hoping to get the ear of my sisters and brothers in Christ. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has set forth some pretty basic guidelines. You can choose to follow them or not. This is free will. The Creator gave it to ALL mankind but it's especially relevant for Christians. I came across the following recently and it made me think. Free will doesn't mean I do whatever I want. It means I have the freedom to do what is right!
In any case, free will is a wonderful but risky gift from the Lord. Wonderful because unlike His other creations we have a choice. Risky because we've proven over and over how foolishly we can abuse it! Sisters and Brothers I beg you - stop using this gift irresponsibly! Here are some facts straight from the bible we can stand on,
OUR FAITH WILL BE TESTED!
I have Christian family and friends who span the spectrum of debate. I bet you do too. This is post is not to beat them into submission one way or the other. I love them dearly and respect their decisions. I just want to share with you some of their arguments. If you've heard others, put them in the comments box:
a) THOSE FOR IT - I want to be a good steward. God has made this vaccine available like so many others to help preserve my health. I have faith in God that it will do what it's suppose to do.
b) THOSE AGAINST IT - I don't trust the government. It was developed too fast. I heard it causes autism. I heard on social media.... My faith tells me when it's my time to die, I'll die, until then I'm trusting God will keep me safe.
c) THOSE WOULD IF I COULD - I am under a doctor's care and advised not to for health reasons. I follow all other precautions, putting my faith in God for protection and safety from this and other diseases.
What do you see in each answer? A decision was made based on the premise of FAITH! But exactly what kind of faith?
OUR FAITH CAN BE MEASURED!
Searching the gospels, people from all walks of life came to Jesus with urgent requests. I found it interesting how often the requestor had to exercise some level of faith before Christ responded. They didn't walk around waiting to be blessed - they had to actually DO SOMETHING FIRST!! Here are a few examples:
💜Matthew 12:10-13 - Jesus heals a Withered Hand One Sabbath a man with a shriveled hand was brought to Jesus to heal. It was a set up by the Pharisees to see if He would break the Jewish law. Jesus told the man (vs. 13) Stretch out your hand. So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. Omnipotent Jesus could have easily touched the man or simply spoken a word. Healing would come. But even this cripple man had to make the effort. We don't know if he did it in fear or in pain but in anticipation of healing, the man stretched out his hand!
💜 John 11:20-23 - Jesus raises Lazarus Martha's encounter with Jesus after the death of her brother Lazarus is a familiar story. After four days in the grave, decay had begun and even Jesus' own disciples doubted anything could be done. Yet Martha had a strong belief that all was not lost. (vs. 21) Lord, Martha said to Jesus, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. (vs 22) But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. Jesus asked only one thing of her. (vs 27) Do you believe this. She believed and Lazarus walked out of that tomb.
💜 John 2:1-11 - Jesus turns water to wine Mary mentions to Jesus that more wine is needed for this important event. In spite of an ambiguous response from Jesus, she tells the servants (vs 5) - Do whatever He tells you. Jesus then gave a simple command. (vs.7) Fill the jars with water; so they filled them to the brim. (vs.) Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. They did so. Mary had faith that Jesus would respond and took the first step. The servants obeyed which was the second step. You know the end of the story. Trust and Obey is more than just a song we sing!
IF YOU CAN GET VACCINATED DO SO! IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO, WEAR MASKS, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE AND ABOVE ALL STOP DISCOURAGING OTHERS WITH LIES AND UNCONFIRMED STORIES!
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