Good News - June 2020

16 JUNE 2020 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition YOU ASK WHY He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5 NASB). As we are now in the midst of our third month of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to take a step back from my usual focus on Chris- tian apologetics and encourage you with a sim- ple COVID acronym that will help us shift our focus and strengthen our resolve during this un- precedented season of shutdowns and social distancing. For too long the word “COVID” has injected fear, confusion, uncertainty, doubt, and perhaps even anger into our hearts. To be sure, much of the so-called “news” media has done little more than pour gasoline onto this fire of fear as the people of America fo- cused on doing everything in their power to be good neighbors and good citizens, making every effort to slow the spread of the virus and reduce the number of those infected. As I write this, it would appear that, by God’s grace, the medical reporting from around the country shows that this goal has been accomplished; states and counties are cautiously beginning phased reopenings of businesses and pubic venues. I have no doubt that the vast majority of the American people will continue to do the right thing and play their part in continuing to slow the spread of this virus throughout the summer months. I have written a short book, entitled COVID-19 and the Christian Response, which is available to you free as a downloadable E-Book. You can go to the Cross Community Church website at thecrosscc.org for your copy. But from this point forward, it is my prayer that when you hear the word COVID, you will be inspired to worship the One who is the Lord of all—even the Lord of this dread global pandemic. Here is the COVID acronym: Christ Our Victory In Doubt, Discouragement, Disappointment, Darkness, Disease, and Death Let’s take a closer look at the acronym. C = Christ “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all na- tions.” (Luke 24:46-47) O = Our “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). “Since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God . . . Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14, 16). V = Victory “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57) “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has tri- umphed” (Revelation 5:5). I = In “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46). “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). D = Doubt, Discouragement, Disappointment, Darkness, Disease, and Death “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5 ESV). “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). No matter what happens while this terrible virus runs its course, whenever you hear the word COVID, remember that Christ is Our Victory in Doubt, Discourage- ment, Disappointment, Darkness, Disease, and even Death. Jesus always has the last word. He is the living Word of God! Jesus is sitting on His throne, sover- eignly in control of all things, and He is working all things together for His glory and for the good of those who are His. And Jesus is coming back to finish what He started! One day He will return to earth to make all things new, and the new heavens and new earth He has promised to create for us will be so perfect and so glorious that we will not even pause to shed a tear over the dark times which seem to be brooding over the entire world at this time. They will not even be a distant memory as we behold the perfect splendor of Christ, who is and always will be the Light of the world, world without end. Amen. Until that day comes, Christian, keep looking to the One who holds you in the palm of His nail-scarred hand and has promised never to let you go. This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN! If you would like to download your free copy of my newest book, COVID-19 and the Christian Response , simply visit bit.ly/COVIDbook Tommy Boland is senior pastor of Cross Community Church in Deerfield Beach. He blogs regularly at tommyboland.com. Tommy Boland Senior Pastor, Cross Community Church C.O.V.I.D.

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