Part 4.
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Psalm 46:10-11 NKJV — Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
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File / Archive
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An unprecedented event has happened in the United States, they have now been placed on hold. March 11, 2020 was a witness to a halt in the action before there was even a jump ball.
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Courtesy of NBA
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Shortly before a scheduled NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz, officials were notified that a player from the Utah Jazz had tested positive for the coronavirus. While the teams were finishing their pre-game warmups, officials met on court and proceeded to the scorer’s table to announce the game had been postponed. Then the dominoes began to fall.
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Courtesy of AP
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The National Basketball Association on the same night suspended its season indefinitely. The league also said in a released statement, “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine the next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
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One day after the National Basketball Association suspended the current season to prevent spreading the coronavirus, the National Hockey League has halted its season, Major League Baseball suspended spring training and pushed back the start of its regular season, and the NCAA canceled its winter and spring championships. That includes March Madness, which was set to tip off March 17, 2020.
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Courtesy of Tampa Bay Times
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Now the happiest place on Earth is not so happy anymore. The Walt Disney Company said that it would close several major parks because of the coronavirus. Disneyland, located in Anaheim, California, and its sister park, Disney California Adventure, were the first locations to announce the shutdowns, citing updated warning guidelines on gathering in public spaces from the state health department. It was only the third time in history that Disneyland closed its gates to guests.
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A few hours later, the company said in a statement that “out of an abundance of caution” it would also close the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning on Sunday, March 15, 2020 through the end of the month. Disney Cruise Line will also suspend all new departures on Saturday, March 14, 2020 for the same amount of time.
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Courtesy of AP
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Despite reassurances from airlines that air travel remains safer than going shopping, the toll of the coronavirus on the industry continues to mount. On March 10, 2020, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines announced they would be reducing some domestic flights nationwide. The news came nearly one week after United Airlines made a similar announcement.
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The cascade continues as even church gatherings. public schools, colleges, universities, concerts and weddings are being precautionary or delayed. The United States and the world is at a stand still. Normal routines have been disrupted, so what is our next move?
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Courtesy of FOX News
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On March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump announced a new series of measures to combat the coronavirus and treat those who are affected. Speaking in the White House Rose Garden, The President declared a national emergency that could free up 50 billion dollars to help fight the pandemic and said that he was empowering the secretary of Health and Human Services to waive certain laws and regulations to ensure the virus can be contained and patients treated. Steps are being made and they are commendable but naysayers question the motives of the President and feel the bottom line is all about money. It is true that many businesses and organizations have and are suffering financial losses. The NBA, NHL, MLB and the NCAA lost revenues are staggering and costing into the millions. Financial stability is important but not as important as our stability with God. The Lord does have a message to those looking for stability;
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Proverbs 8:10-14 NKJV — Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength.
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Courtesy of AP
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Because the COVID-19 outbreak has become a pandemic, the world has been thrown into chaos. We see it on the news and on social media. With all the trouble we wonder if it is even safe to go outside? Our leaders tell us that they have everything under control but the unrest continues. Behind their pulpits our preachers tell us that all we need is Jesus but why is the world around us falling apart?
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Maybe one of the most asked questions is – why? “I believe in God but nothing ever goes right. My life is a major disaster. Now they tell me that there’s a virus that has no cure and if I get it, I could die. There’s no use. My life is over. I guess this God thing is not for me. What am I doing wrong? I pray but I guess He doesn’t hear me, am I beyond hope? I go to church but I’m so busy with work and “stuff” that I don’t have time to read the Bible or go to prayer meetings. Revivals? Please? With the kids going to school, my job and bills to pay, I don’t have the time. Isn’t Sunday morning enough?”
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The concerns about the coronavirus and in life are real but that should be an obvious sign on how much we “do” need the Lord. How can we receive the guidance and protection of the Lord? There’s a commonly used passage by pastors that tells us about the protection and the promise of God but we should take a closer look at the scripture. Starting with the most important verses of Psalm 91.
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Psalm 91:1-4 NKJV — He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
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It is important that we turn to the Lord in a crisis such as this but it is also true in all trials and tribulations we go through in life. Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart, let Him in and have the security you need in your life;
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Psalm 91:5-16 NKJV — You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall 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 I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
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