What Do I Do NOW
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What Do I Do NOW
What Do I Do NOW
Once again it has been quite a week for everyone and I know it has been quite stressful for most and even put some in panic mode.Because of this the elders of the church have been meeting and praying so that we can to the best of our ability help guide this church through this situation we are in now.So for now I can’t tell you the series we will be doing but we are united as a group and seeking God for what we feel He is saying and my commitment is to seek God diligently each week to see what to share each week.Last week our take home was about how God made a promise to us in
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
My guess is as the situation became worse that may have become a real challenge to do. You know it’s right but very hard to apply.We will talk about that.Let me share what I see.Right now everyone is very confused and even a little fearful.So because of this people are looking for answers, we all want to know what to do, what is happening, talking looking for who really knows what is going on.Who has the back channel to the real information.But here is what I have seen. Everyone seams to have all the answers.Everyone but the guys running the country that is.All this is doing is making everyone get more anxious and confused.Right now we need facts and need to know where to get the real answers.So let me tell you the real facts. Ready.
THE FACT IS: ZIMBABWE IS BANKRUPT.
What does this mean? It means that Zimbabwe has spent more money than it made and therefor it is broke.That is the fact. People want to know who is to blame, how broke is it?If you need to blame someone blame Eve. Sin, selfishness etc.More money was spent than what was made and so broke.So what happens now.First of all because of us being fearfully and wonderfully made by God.He created us with an emotion called grief.Grief is a little unique because we go through stages of grief.Like now when you hear Zimbabwe is broke you need to grieve a bit.For the most part what happens is it goes in five stages:Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression then Acceptance.Grief is not sinful its just an emotion that happens when bad events take place.And we need to go through the process.So where are you on this scale:Denial? Probably not. Anger? Probably a lot. Bargaining? This is not bargaining using bond notes. It’s bargaining with God. If you help me through this then I will do……. Maybe this has depressed you? Or maybe you have come to the point of Acceptance.Let me tell you there is no right place to be. You are where you are.No matter where you are on this scale you want answers.So where do you go for answers.That is what today is about.Where do you turn for answers?Our take home will be to learn three points today.#1 Where do we turn for answers and guidance?#2 We need to learn a truth about you.#3 We need to learn a truth about God.Pray#1 Where do we turn for answers and guidance?Let me start where not to turn.Social media.This is not meant to be funny but it is.People get so crazy with what they believe because someone said so in social media.Here is the latest.1 MDC is behind all of this to create a GNU government.Prof Ncube caused it to get you to spend your money before he guaranteed that money would be 1:1Someone was willing to pay ____ for a Honda fit.Donald trump wants to buy Zimbabwe.Jeff and Tammy have lots of USD.Finally this mess is because of the way Mugabe was treated.I kid you not people believe this. Where do you turn?God’s Word.Let me read one of my favorite verses.
Where Do We Turn For Answers and Guidance?
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
One of my life goals is that when I pass away I will know that I have helped people find a love for the Bible.And in getting a love for the Bible we need to know first and foremost what the Bible is for and how to use it.The Bible is not for the purpose of just gaining knowledge.You can know a whole lot and not benefit.Take Satan. He knows the Bible better than any of us. The proof that he knows it is he always tries to twist it.Look what he did to Jesus.So let me tell you what God’s Word is for when it comes to getting answers and guidance.It is the picture right here.God’s word is lamp to my feet and light to my path.There is a picture behind this lamp.It is a very small clay lamp. It was used at night like we would use a torch. But it was very different from a torch. With a good torch you can light up a long way.I think that is what most of us would like when we think of getting guidance from God’s word. We want great big answers and to know the future way out.But what this verse is trying to teach us is that God promises through His word to show you the next step. It is also used to show you obstacles.This means you will not be able to open the Bible and find what does God say about Zimbabwe right now.But here are a couple things He will show you.
Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Now we need to know what do we do with this?Do we say oh boy, God who made heaven and earth can do anything so I am going to ask Him, or claim, or proclaim His help over Zimbabwe and ask Him to restore it.No that’s not what this means.It means where are you at on this grieving chart?Anger, God will come help you with this.Are you depressed, God will come help you with this.Are you confused, God will come give you peace.That you can trust.Now you may not like this one but some are really angry and even bitter against the government.The smart thing to do is don’t let that own you.He tells us to pray for the leaders.Here’s why.Part of the lamp on the path is to show you the dangers that could get you to stumble.Being bitter and angry does not change the situation but messes you up. It gives the devil an opportunity to get a foothold in your life.That’s not nice.So in God’s word guiding us there is a couple truths to learn.#2 A Truth About You2 Timothy 1:7
A Truth About You
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
While we are going through this challenging time we need to learn that God has given us the power to go through this.He has not given you a spirit of fear.When we don’t look to His word for direction you can get very fearful.But His truth for you is that He has already given you the power to go through this, to keep loving Him and others and you have the power of self control.This is not something you should believe and trust.Maybe you need to start each day this week meditating on this.As our young people like to say: You Can Do This.Use self control.#3 There is also a truth a bout God.
A Truth About God
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
You may wonder why would you read the Great Commission.Two big reasons.This teaches us a truth about God we need to know right now.God is in control not the devil.Could someone say amen.This makes a real statement. Who has authority in heaven and on earth right now?God does.We have the power to believe this. It’s called faith.There are times we need faith to move mountains but there are times we need faith to hold onto our rock and trust what God says about Himself and us.He knows what is going on.He is not freaking out. God is not anxious. God is not in a panic. God has not lost control. The devil is not winning.Zimbabwe is bankrupt. Your upset about it.He has the authority to help you grieve through it.He wants you to stay living on purpose.Living to be a light for Him. Let me repeat this again.Zimbabwe is bankrupt. It hurts. All it means is it will not be the same.Remember Apple was broke 1997. Microsoft bailed them out.Now today it is the most valuable company in the world.Does that mean Zimbabwe will be. No but it could.God’s Word is what needs to guide us. One step, one day at a time.Because of God’s power that He has given you, you can do this.God is in control.