A New Normal

Posted on April 27, 2020 by drgause@agause.com

The new buzz word we hear daily — ‘normal’. People are asking questions like: When will we return to normal? When is it safe to go back to a normal life? Is returning to normal even possible after the COVID-19 pandemic? But the first question each of us must ask ourselves is ‘what is normal’? For some that means the return of sports events; reopening of bars, gyms, hair and nail salons; the removal of rules that limit their independence, etc. Yet for most people around the globe, normal means returning to work.

Common sense tells us even when businesses reopen and people return to their jobs, we will never return to ‘normal’ as we have known it. Instead, we must be ready to move forward with a new normal. During this disruption of what society assumed was normal has given everyone time to reflect and re-evaluate their lives. People are realizing how much family and friends mean to them. Eighty percent (80%) of parents believe they have formed stronger bonds with their children. Do you actually want to return to the way things were? The greatest positive result is the birthing of a new social group, which is growing every day. Hundreds of thousands have turned to God. This is not a fact you will hear on the main-stream media; you have to search for it, but God is working miracles in every country affected by this crisis.

One individual said, “I’m not really a religious person, but I don’t know who else to turn to but God.” Nick Hall the founder of Pulse wrote — “from Nigeria to India and China — families are gathering in their living rooms, around 18-inch cathode-ray TVs, laptops and HD screens watching our services. The doors to our church buildings may have been closed, but the church has not closed. We are living through a Great Quarantine Revival, and I think God is just getting started.” Another ministry reported 117,000 people professed faith in Christ during an Easter virtual broadcast. EveryStudent.com said over 300,000 have received Christ as Savior. Muslims in mass are converting to Christianity. I found several pages, more than I can list, of testimonies like these.

Believers and new believers must ask what a new normal will look like for them. The dictionary definition for normal means conforming to a standard, the usual, the typical, or the expected and not deviating from a norm, a rule, or a principle. Sociologists add that normal is how to behave in accordance with what a culture has defined as good, right, and important. The first red flag Christians should note, who sets these standards? God has already given us His definition of normal and told us in Scripture what is good, right, and important. This is where too many believers have failed. They live according to the world’s norms and not biblical norms. The church as surrendered to political correctness, not wanting to offend anyone. What we have called normal Christianity is really subnormal Christianity.

Believers must remember that an even greater pandemic has infected the human race, and it began over 6,000 years ago. People refer to it by many watered-down names as mistakes and weaknesses. God calls it sin. The Antidote is receiving Jesus as Savior. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (Jn 1:9). Think about the death and destruction sin has produced.

Believers who follow Biblical norms are being given unprecedented opportunities. Already many are demonstrating God’s love through helping those in need, by giving food, providing hope and encouragement to their neighbors, and sharing the good news of the Gospel. In places under lockdown, the internet has become a powerful tool. But the greatest opportunity lies ahead. The multitudes who are receiving Christ will need mature believers to disciple and guide them through their new life. Long time believers should also examine their lives and ensure they are living God’s normal. We may need to change our values and priorities.

Note several important lessons we should bring into our new normal. Life is fragile. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here (Ps 103:15,16 NLT). The pandemic should teach us what’s truly important in life and what is meaningless. Solomon concluded his life had been “Meaningless! Meaningless!” “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecc 1:2 NIV). We like to think we are in control and masters of our fate. Adam and Eve believed this lie of Satan. Thinking they could control their destiny and be like God, they ate of the forbidden fruit. The world’s only hope is the same as it has always been—Jesus Christ. A hymn written in 1834 states it well. My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

Sustaining Word for the Week: Be ready to move on to a new normal with new values and priorities.

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The Best and The Worst

Posted on April 20, 2020 by drgause@agause.com

Any crisis can bring out the best in people whether it is helping a family experiencing a tragedy, a city hit by a disaster, or a worldwide pandemic. Our son, who lives in Nashville, experienced the best of people first-hand in 2010 when 13.57 inches of rain fell in a 36-hour period, flooding the city including his recording studio. People he never knew randomly drove up and offered their help to clean up. After recent tornados ravaged homes across Nashville, although his home suffered no damage, he shared how people rallied together, helping those who lost everything. Today, in our worldwide crisis, we read of people all over the globe showing their best. Just this morning one headline read: Woman cashes in stimulus check to help feed the homeless.

I wish the story could end with that image in your mind. However, a crisis also brings out the worst in individuals looking to capitalize on other people’s misfortune. Daily, we hear about scams, fraudulent claims, receive robocalls, texts and emails promising cures or claims they can speed up your stimulus money—of course for a price or for your financial information. Then there are those who hoard and price gouge—e.g.  $150 for one roll of toilet paper; $140 for hand-sanitizer or $1 for a single squirt; the most blatant example I saw was four cans of Lysol disinfectant spray for a $10,100. These are extreme examples, but overpriced items are being sold every day.

Any senior like myself has watched the world slowly devalue life over the last three decades. The first step downward was believing an unborn fetus has no value. Now, euthanasia is legal in certain places for the suffering, the mentally challenged, and elderly. Putting people to death is permissible because wicked people view these individuals as having lost their value to society. Having ministered for over forty years and traveled in multiple countries, not much surprises me about what people say or do. But one statement this week made my blood boil came from a Congressman. My first thought, “This is why our country is in a mess.” He said that letting more Americans die of coronavirus is the lesser of two evils compared to the economy tanking and losing the American way of life. In other words, our ‘way of life’ is more important than life itself. Other leaders have expressed similar distorted priorities, suggesting that elderly people should sacrifice themselves to coronavirus to save the economy.

Life is the greatest gift God has given to man. You might have thought His greatest gift was salvation, but Christ’s sacrifice revealed the value He placed on human life. He was crucified and died in order for man to once again receive life, which he lost because of sin. The last thing God created was man in His own image. The Lord formed the body of Adam from the dust of the ground. But Adam was just a lifeless lump of dirt until God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being (Gen 2:7). Paul wrote For we are His workmanship (Eph 2:10). The word workmanship means God’s masterpiece, or the greatest of His creations. Jesus declared His purpose. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (Jn 10:10). This contrasts with the devil’s goal. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (v10). What is Satan’s object of destruction? It is not our ‘way of life’. He wants to steal and kill and destroy the life God has given us.

Don’t allow anyone to deceive you into believing your life is not important. You are the highest on God’s priority list. He created you for a purpose. That purpose doesn’t mean we are performing some physical action, but it may be your prayers, your example, your wisdom, your witness of hope or sharing God’s word, etc. No ‘way of life’ has any importance if you don’t have life. Our primary function on earth is to worship and praise God. Note two verses. For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness (Is 38:18). The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death.But we will praise the Lord now and forevermore. Praise the Lord (Ps 115:17 MSG)!

The happiest people I’ve known lived on the opposite end of our ‘way of life’. Most lived in mud-brick houses and I have moved some of them with all their possessions in the trunk of my car. Never heard one complain. Instead, they praised God for life and the knowledge of Him.

What’s number one on your priority list? Has the best or the worst come from you in past weeks?

Sustaining Word for the Week: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God” (Corrie Ten Boom).

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Today

Posted on April 13, 2020 by drgause@agause.com

The Holy Spirit normally gives me thoughts for a Sustaining Word, days and sometimes even weeks in advance. Several are in my mind now, but none seem appropriate for these uncertain times. The world is realizing that tomorrow may look nothing like today. Just a little over three months ago, people around the globe celebrated the arrival of a new year. With it, they brought hopes and dreams of a better life in the upcoming year. Individuals made resolutions for changes they would make and the goals they would accomplish. “This year we’ll take that cruise then for six months visit all these cities. Then we’ll start a new business and make a huge profit” (cf. Jam 4:13). One topic, doubtful anyone discussed, was a mysterious pneumonia from an unknown source sickening dozens in China. Not until February 11 did health officials name it COVID-19.

Today, it would be nearly impossible to find a household in the world where the coronavirus isn’t the central concern. All the hopes, dreams, resolutions, and plans people made have been turned upside down. But if anything, this should bring us back to a basic aspect of life—life can only be lived one day at a time. Woven through the fabric of scripture in numerous examples is the fact the Bible doesn’t promise us a tomorrow. God designed us to live one day at a time. We tend to presume tomorrow will arrive as always. This makes it easy to get lost in the troubles we expect to happen tomorrow and can’t enjoy what God has provided for today. Jesus taught So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matt 6:34). James warned that no one should make arrogant claims about what they will do tomorrow, Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow (4:14 AMP).   

The most important truth we can learn during this worldwide crisis is the Lord God structured life to be lived on a daily basis and designed man to depend on Him. God established a pattern in creation by demonstrating He compartmentalized time into days. He didn’t speak some magic cosmic word, and instantly everything was in place. The Lord created the universe one day at a time over six days; there was evening, and there was morning, marking the first day (Gen 1:5 NET); There was evening, and there was morning, a second day (v8). By the seventh day God completed His work and rested from all His work which He had done (2:2).

Throughout the remainder of scripture, He taught His people the fundamental concept of living one day at a time trusting Him for tomorrow. Israel’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness provided the most vivid example of the Lord’s daily provisions. When they became hungry, He gave them quail and manna. However, this came with stipulations. Israel must gather it morning by morning. No one could pick up a week’s supply or even enough for tomorrow with the exception of the sixth day before the Sabbath. If they disobeyed, the manna bred maggots and began smelling. We can be sure some worried if it would be there again tomorrow, but for the next 40 years, God’s provision was always there day after day. God told Moses through this you shall know that I am the Lord your God (Ex 16:12). Israel learned they could trust God for their daily needs.

 The widow at Zarephath who gave Elijah what she had planned as her last meal saw God’s provision day by day for many days. The Lord didn’t fill her jar with flour or overflow her jug with oil. But every morning there was enough. The jar of flour was never empty and the jug of oil never ran out (1 Kings 17:16 NET). Jesus taught us this principle in His model prayer, give us this day our daily bread (Matt 6:11). Note what it does not say: give me a weeks’ worth of bread, or please fill up my pantry with enough bread and canned food for a month. Following His prayer He said do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on clothing (v25)? Look at the birds, they don’t store up grain, but depend on the Father in heaven who feeds them, and you are more important. Ask yourself, “Have I ever seen a bird pacing up and down a power line with a worried look on its face?” No, birds sing and rejoice for what they have today.

Living one day at the time doesn’t mean we never think about tomorrow. The key comes in Jesus’ command. Do not worry about tomorrow or do not be anxious about tomorrow. The Message Bible says, Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Sustaining Word for the Week: Are you enjoying what God has provided for you today—your family, your time with Him, your salvation, and all the blessing He wants to give you? Don’t let tomorrow control today.  

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Now, You Have Time

Posted on April 6, 2020 by drgause@agause.com

If we gave out prizes, men would win hands down, but it’s not an award you want on your shelf. Only 15% of American men go to the doctor for a regular physical wellness exam. The number one excuse they give, “I don’t have time.” However, far more essential for both men and women is a spiritual wellness exam. Paul says, Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves (2 Corin 13:5 NIV).  He even says to do this regularly—each time we take communion; A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup (1 Corin 11:28 NIV).

Let’s consider several reasons people avoid spiritual checkups. Lack of time remains high on the list of excuses; however, the major reason is people fear what they may discover. People often told me they would attend my classes if they didn’t have to take a test. A true teacher never designs an exam to eliminate students; it is to evaluate where they need improvement. God never allows us to be tested in order to disqualify us from His Kingdom. Christ’s goal is to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 1:24 NIV). We can’t correct our failings unless we know and acknowledge the problems we have.

The first step begins with a spiritual self-exam. A word of caution: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9 NKJV). It is tempting to devise a test that only addresses our positive achievements. Note what a spiritual exam is NOT. It’s not a punch list of our religious activities. The focus of a self-examination must weigh the thoughts and intentions of our heart and how they manifest in our character and behavior. A deceitful heart can misdirect us to compare ourselves to others and conclude, “I’m better than average. I have higher moral standards. I do more for the church; I give; I attend regularly; I treat others with respect. I must be Ok.” One writer put comparison exceedingly blunt—It is like one manure pile boasting that it smells less than another manure pile.

The second essential stage comes when we recognize something is wrong and need a specialist. David knew his external was in a mess. So, he prayed God would examine his heart and internal character. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way (Ps 139:23, 24). I didn’t know I had cancer or an E-coli infection until I allowed doctors to exam me with their high-tech instruments and complex blood test. The keyword for the physical and spiritual is ‘allowed’. We must allow the Holy Spirit to search. I learned I had internal issues I could not see or fix myself.

God is testing our country and world, not so He can impose the ultimate judgment and destroy us, but He is conducting a spiritual examination. My son said God has us in ‘timeout’ so we can examine our relationship with Him as individuals, as churches, and as a nation. Nothing is more common than to point out the faults of others and ignore our own. “It’s their fault. They are wicked and evil people. If they would repent, God would heal our land.”  No, it begins with me.

Paul used two different words when he wrote, Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves (2 Corin 13:5 NIV). Examine means to test for hidden faults or weaknesses. If they are hidden, it shows we need the Holy Spirit to expose them. The word test means to evaluate by a standard. Any exam requires a standard. The measuring stick is not other believers; not church doctrine; not legalist rules; not a self-generate list. We only have One standard. His name is Jesus. The first question we should ask, “Am I living a Christlike life? Am I like Jesus yet? Am I falling short?”

I realized this week not everyone will repent and turn from their wicked ways. Only Noah and his family were on the ark. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah didn’t repent. Revelation says when the angel pours out the fourth bowl of judgment on the sun, Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory (Rev 16:9). The good news is the more people repent and turn to God, the brighter His light can shine through them. His light will overwhelm the darkness. “You are the light of the world . . . Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:14,16).

Let me close with the Message Bible’s translation of 2 Corinthians13:5. Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.

Sustaining Word for the Week: Now, you have the time. It begins with you.

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