Pentecost, the Coronavirus, and the Abundant Life by Ruth L. Snyder

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” John 10:10-11 NIV.

One of my Bible College professors used to challenge us to, “Live beyond the comma!” He referred us to John 10:10 and urged us not to be satisfied with life, but to seek ABUNDANT life or LIFE TO THE FULL.

Jesus reminded His disciples that a thief comes with the sole intent of stealing, killing, and destroying. Satan is definitely a thief. He wants to rob us of all the good things God has in mind for His children. In contrast, Jesus gave up everything He had and came to earth for the sole purpose of giving, living, and redeeming mankind by dying on the cross and rising again. That’s what we have just finished celebrating at Easter.

In John 15, Jesus told His disciples to abide in Him so that they could bear fruit (verses 1-17). He warned them that the world would hate them, just as it hated Jesus (verses 18-25). Then Jesus told the disciples that He was going away, but He would send the Comforter or Counselor, the Holy Spirit (John 15:26-16:16). The Holy Spirit’s job description included:

• Convicting the world of being guilty of not believing in Jesus (vs. 9)
• Convincing the world of righteousness (vs. 10)
• Condemning the world with judgment (vs. 11)
• Guiding Believers into all truth (vs. 13)
• Revealing what is yet to come (vs. 13)
• Glorifying God by making known God’s will (vs. 14-15)

Jesus celebrated the Jewish feast of Passover (which commemorates the escape from the bondage of Egypt) with His disciples the evening before His crucifixion. He became the ultimate Passover Lamb to take away the sin of the world and set us free from bondage to sin.

Fifty days after Passover, Jews celebrate Pentecost. In Acts 2,  we are told that the Disciples were all together for Pentecost (verse 1), and while they were together, the Holy Spirit filled them and enabled them to speak in tongues (verses 2-4). The rest of the book of Acts shows us the amazing things the Disciples were able to do because they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Fast forward to today. It is all too easy, especially in North America, to get so caught up in living, working, and pursuing our dreams, that we miss the abundant life. I believe that God still speaks to us today. The problem is that often we don’t listen. Sometimes God does drastic things to get our attention. Could that be why He has allowed the Coronavirus?

This time of isolation, job loss, economic downturn, and school closures has caught everyone’s attention. People are scrambling to figure out what caused the virus, how it is passed from person to person, and how to stop it before it kills everyone. Many are evaluating their lives as never before. What is important? What should I change? How will I live differently?

God calls us to do more than merely exist. Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us. We no longer need to be slaves to sin. With God’s help, we can live victorious, joyful, productive lives...even in the midst of the Coronavirus. We should be so full of the Holy Spirit, that no matter what happens, His love, joy, peace, and all the other fruits mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 overflow out of us and splash on those around us. Instead of living in fear, we should be demonstrating God’s love to those around us. Instead of wondering when life will return to “normal,” we should be using our time wisely and being faithful in what God calls us to do.

For me this means:

• Maintaining a consistent devotional time where I seek God, learn from Him, and ask Him to show me what He wants me to do. Praying!

• Keeping my kids busy with good things

• Giving thanks for the many blessings in my life 

• Reaching out to others by phone and Zoom 

• Learning from people like Pedro Adao (Check out his FREE 30-Day 4:14 Challenge - from Esther 4:14 "For such a Time as This")

• Getting ready to launch my book coaching program (I will be doing a 4-Day Live Launch, starting on April 27th. Join my Facebook Group if you're interested.)

• Making new friends online and asking God to show me how to bless others

 How are you using (redeeming) your time?

Never To Be The Same! by Alan Anderson

Every so often I open up a bit to people. In this post I believe I am talking to myself more than anyone else. Perhaps that is healthy. Anyway, here goes. I hope readers find some meaning in the following words. They remind me I am in constant need of the grace of God. Nothing else will do!

My wife and I are on a spiritual journey these days. It is indeed a time of conscience examination and growth. The Christian life is never boring, that’s for sure! A whole new chapter of our God story is opening up. We are transitioning from our “Baptist” roots to orthodoxy. To us, it is new and maturing. This is not criticism. It is moving forward to us.

“When the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, He brought a new and powerful experience of God’s presence and power in their lives. They were never the same again. The experience of God in their lives through the presence of the Holy Spirit was powerful and personal.”—Father Anthony M. Coniaris, Introducing The Orthodox Church, 1982, p. 65.

Lent, Easter, Pentecost is all about Jesus. Then again, what part of the year isn’t? It is He who loved us before the foundation of the world. The One who forgives sinners, like me. Jesus, the One who cared for the welfare of his mother, His apostles and the world, even as He hung on the cross. Our lives are all about Him! Our lives can never be the same again!

The whole Lent to Pentecost season reminds me of how complacent I can be. It reminds me that I am prone to sin. It also reminds me God still loves me. He has not forgotten me even when I may think He has. The season embraces me with the love that will not let me go. It is humbling!

For me, to write is an expression of the life I have because of Jesus, the One who paid the price of my sin. He is a reason for when I write of experiences of suffering I make no effort to hide how painful suffering may be. Without the suffering of Jesus no one would appreciate or embrace the wonder of freedom, salvation or grace. Joy would lack its enthusiasm for there would be nothing to contrast it with. Joy would just be a word.

Oh Father who gave His Son! Oh cross that made joy come to life! Oh Jesus, the Son, who gave the cross significance! Oh pain conquered through His willing sacrifice! Oh Holy spirit, through whom we have never been the same! May we forever be thankful! May joy shine from our faces!

Now and forever we will never be the same! Now and forever I will never be the same!

Questions or comments welcome dear readers!

Blog: ScarredJoy@wordpress.com