COVID-19 SOS (Sword Of the Spirit)

In many ways, Covid-19 through Lent 2020 is God’s invitation for us to go deeper with and in Him. Here, we can yield our disordered attachments, creating space for God to renovate our hearts. This season and its pathway continue to bring us face-to-face with the temptation to have some measure of control and self-sufficiency by trying to turn our stones into bread.

If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. Jesus answered, It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:3-4)

Like John the Baptist languishing in prison and questioning if Jesus was the one, there are moments when I too slip into despair and doubt. I ask - is our God really a good God? And my deep and resounding conviction is yes, GOD is good! He is more than good in every sense of the word, taking what the enemy meant for evil and turning it for good. And He assured me with the tone of a loving and firm Father:

Which of you, if his son asks for bread will give him a stone? (Matthew 7:7-9)

So I began to perceive this season as God’s call to eat, chew and taste the bread of His word - the true source of life - especially when ‘comfort foods’ around me are stripped away. In that place of solitude, God is stirring my spirit, step by step, to move from fear to trust, to victory; from restlessness to solitude; from apathy to repentance and healing; and from distraction to purpose and loving action.

The four sets of following verses are my treasure trove as the season wears on. I pray in the name of Jesus, this COVID-19 SOS (Sword Of the Spirit) call will demolish any strongholds that seek to grip us. We know that when all else passes away, the word of our God will stand forever and free us into a posture of loving action. May the Holy Spirit use this offering of a little olive oil (2 Kings 4:2), to strengthen the amazing solidarity and communal spirit in our cell group, among the SIBKL family, fellow ICM sojourners, and other precious brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

O God, give us grace to grow into the answers to the questions that are hidden in our hearts. 

Let’s do the MCO God’s way! 

Meditate on Christ Only 

More of Christ’s Ordinances 

Make Christ #One 

Malaysia, in Christ we Overcome!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

With the love of Christ, 

Brother Mark

Movements of our spirit from fear to trust…

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear’. Haggai 2:5

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7 

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40

…and from trust to victory

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. Stand firm then…take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6: 12, 14, 17-18

This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you. 2 Chron 20:15, 17

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. Proverbs 21:31

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” John 16:33

Movements of our spirit from restlessness to solitude

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

When Jesus heard what had happened [beheading of John the Baptist], he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Matthew 14:13

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. But you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thess 4:11-12

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 2 Timothy 6:6-8

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

Movements of our spirit from apathy to repentance and healing

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13

There tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says, ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 1:3

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! Ezekiel 18:32

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelations 3:19-20.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wing, And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Malachi 4:2

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. Hezekiah 20:5

Movements of our spirit from distraction to purpose and loving action

Give heed to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted. Psalm 55:2

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough”. Galatians 5:7-9

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. Amos 8:12

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17

But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Mark 4:19

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:8

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. The will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

I know you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2

Above all else, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:13

If you love me, you will obey what I command. Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. John 14:15, Matthew 22:37-39