Philippians 1:6

"..being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"

His Protecting Presence - Greg Laurie

"Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you"

Psalm 91:7

There are so many things we can be afraid of in life. With around-the-clock news coverage of the coronavirus, our fears only seem to get affirmed. After all, we don’t know what is coming next.

But in Psalm 91, we find this promise for believers: “Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you” (Psalm 91:7 nlt).

Know that God is in control of our very lives. Isn’t that great to know? It isn’t over until it’s over. Until that time, we can live with boldness. 

I read the story of a courageous Christian who was standing before a king who wanted him to deny Christ. The king threatened, “If you don’t do it, I will banish you.”

The Christian replied, “You can’t banish me from Christ. He says He will never leave me nor forsake me.”

The king said, “I will confiscate your property and take it all from you.”

The Christian said, “My treasures are laid up on high; you cannot get them.”

“I will kill you,” the king told him.

“I have been dead forty years,” the Christian answered. “I have been dead with Christ; dead to the world. My life is hid with Christ in God, and you cannot touch it.”

The king said, “What can you do with such a fanatic?”

May God give us more Christians who know something of God’s protection like this believer did. However, there is a difference between trusting the Lord and testing the Lord. Don’t take unnecessary risks and expect Him to bail you out. Yes, He will keep us in all of our ways—but our ways should be His ways. 

-- Greg Laurie

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer - Pastor Mike

Today's Prayer
Psalm 67

Today’s Subject: Our Governing Authorities

Pray we are subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God (Romans 13:1).  Pray for our president and national authorities that they would do what is right and good for our nation.  Pray they would navigate this financial crisis with grace and wisdom to the restoration of our economy.  Pray that unbiblical agendas would not be advanced in this time of crisis as additions to financial aid packages.  Pray that God would surround our governing authorities with godly counsel and that they would heed said counsel.  Pray that God would give our local governors wisdom from on high.  That they would choose for what is pure and peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Pray for our local leaders that they would make proper, Biblical decisions for our community based on our community.

Pray for the salvation of all our governing authorities who have not professed Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.  Pray they would be humble and willing to hear and receive the Gospel.  Pray that our president is born again from above by the Holy Spirit.  Pray our governor would surrender his life to Jesus.  Pray that our governing authorities would recognize the position given to them by God and by His appointment and would, in turn, honor God with their lives and their leading.  Pray that the salvation of our governing authorities would be spark to ignite revival in our country, our state, and our cities.  Pray the Lord would continue to be longsuffering, extending His grace and salvation to those who have not yet believed.

Praise God for His mercy and grace.  Praise the Lord that The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  Praise the Lord that He rules and reigns above all and there is none above Him.  That His will shall be done.  That He is God and there is none other.  Praise Him for His wisdom in appointing the authorities that we have, that we might trust Him in His goodness and sovereign plans.  Praise the Lord that nothing can be done or will be done outside of His power, might and strength.  That He sets up kings and puts them down.  That He turns the heart of the kings as He turns a river for His purposes and His glory.

“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your Way may be known on earth, Your Salvation among the nations.  Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You” Psalm 67: 1-3