God's not been caught off guard by C19. Nope! He's working.

God hasn’t fallen off His throne.  He hasn’t lost any of His Sovereignty during this COVID-19 lockdown.  He ain’t surprised.  Therefore, there’s hope for you.  

Due to that escalation of the pandemic and all, you know there’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty, causing panic, anxiety, some lack, and stress. The world is at home and online. Many are now feeling bored and depressed, but we believers can be there for people to sow seeds of hope, to pray, to answer some questions they are asking, and to even win some people to Christ. Yes, globally win people. 

Seems like gas prices are at an all-time low. Schools, sporting events, concerts, graduations, funerals (went to one for my roommate Bill from our college days last week..online), and weddings have been cancelled or postponed. Church services have moved from meeting in-person to virtual live-streaming. Some now meet in their cars. Only so called essential businesses remain open, and all that’s sent unemployment rates skyrocketing. You know. 

Everywhere you look in the city or in rural settings, faces are covered in masks, and hands are in gloves. What’ll the new normal look like? 

“The only hope for this or any other society is to hear the Word of the Lord and obey.” ~ John MacArthur 

“Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life.” ~ Ravi Zacharias 

As the days at home in isolation increase, as small minded politicians overreach for more control over the people, so does the increase of need for true hope. It’s interesting how the Lord is using the pandemic to accomplish His purposes through His Church and tactful online evangelism. 

Here’s what’s so cool.. is Global Media Outreach is on pace to clearly Present The Gospel To The 2 Billionth Person Online! Yep Two Bil -- glory to Jesus! 

There is a man named Jose in Indonesia. A few weeks after accepting Jesus as his Savior, he sent in a message for his Online Missionary saying, “Thank you for your email and the word of Jesus you are bringing to my life. As the world is going through this COVID-19 crisis, we are isolated in our home, and I want to take advantage of this quarantine and bring spiritual changes to my life and to my family.” 

Man, what a story -- such a great testimony! All glory goes to God! Jose turned, trusted, yes accepted Christ. He’s already in the Bible wanting to learn, and to grow spiritually in order to help lead his family to Jesus and in the ways of the Lord.

Most of us have never experienced anything like the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the fear of this deadly disease, families are now taxed with job loss, financial stressors, homeschooling, and countless cancelled plans. Days run together and life feels surreal. Who even keeps track of the days now? But, this isolation has caused a surge in people searching the internet and social media for answers. 

“Without Christ there is no hope.” ~ Charles Spurgeon 

"Jesus gives us hope because He keeps us company, has a vision and knows the way we should go." ~ Max Lucado 

“The Spirit of God first imparts love; he next inspires hope, and then gives liberty..” ~ Dwight L. Moody 

This one God Who freely Forgives, can Heal, Fix, Restore and Redeem! 

Been reading some in the news these days. Seen some of it that’s true; likely some of it is not. Gobs of fake news these days. 

I'm trying not to spend too much time reading those articles because it can distract me from what I need to do and how I need to respond. We’ve got bigger fish to fry so to speak. Not really fry.. I’d just rather share the simple Gospel than try to reform sinners and saints (that’d be an exercise in futility). 

There’s a surety in God's Word, I'm going to focus on the list of things He does each day for us.

People around the world now are seeking viable answers like never before in record numbers. We've been seeing an increase in the number of “Gospel Visits” through our GMO ministry. Perhaps you desire to make a difference in eternity. Over the past week, there’s been many days of over 500K visits per day. My SoCal pastor normally has about 100 people respond when he presents a clear Gospel invitation, but he’s had over a million people watch his Online-only Sunday service and has seen over 40,000 people click the button to make a profession of faith in just four weeks. 

I've played a small part. Feel blessed! Since May 21 in 2013 I’ve had the joy and privilege of leading a team of thirteen balanced, spiritually healthy GMO missionaries who are constantly reaching out to needy people. God works.. and we then brag on the Lord who saves! 

For a view of what GMO missionaries are doing today, yes, of what's happening each day, just go to this site www.witnesstoall.com

God can use you too. He delights to bless and use people. As the Lord leads, get involved. These numbers reset each day at Midnight CDT and now more than ever people are searching for the truth, for answers, and for hope. You can know the Lord! And witnessing is a calling for all believers to be and do. I mean across the sea, or across the campus or street. Pray about it, God can use you as an online missionary to help and win people! 

When we step out something happens. When we all step out that’s like a revolution!  

Dare ya if I may: Give thanks. Focus on Christ and the list of things He daily does for us (in Psalm 103)

“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.” "You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." Psalm 119:114 

"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:5 

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:11 Facebook.com/shareJesus 

I feel for Generation Z.. and for those other ones as well.

How can it be that the loneliest, most stressed-out generation.. is Generation Z.. the most connected generation of all time? Something needs to be done about this!

So SO much anxiety in peeps... with that suicide rate up. I hate that! Somethin' must be said!

What does God say? The Bible says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;" Philippians 4:6

On average, adjusted for age, the annual U.S. suicide rate has increased 24% from 1999. Many people really feel down, empty, lonely, afraid, abandoned, forgotten, totally worthless-insignificant, guilty and hopeless.  

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages (CDC).

Every day, approximately 123 Americans die by suicide (CDC).

There is one death by suicide in the US every 12 minutes (CDC).

Suicide generally.. often goes underreported. It's sad and actually really selfish. Think about those who factually love you, even if today you don't "feel loved." Guess what. Every day you are very loved and can know that love!  

Dude, the ultimate Solution has a Name: Jesus.

The answer ...it's believing prayer with the right address on it, believer. To God through Christ.

Bro, loved-one, and friend.. turn every worry of yours.. every fear and anxiety into a simple prayer with thanksgiving. It'll be heard! Expect and thank daily. Yup, every day there is good stuff to thank the Lord for. He's merciful (go look up the full definition). Look! Got some stress, some anxiety or some fears? 

Feel down, have ya blown it? God sometimes allows us to fail in the less important, so that we will succeed in the more important. Sometimes God allows failure in our lives so that we will grow. Acknowledge your failures. Do that with your sins too (not all failure is sin--it's not always sin). God will forgive. Need peace inside? Why go on pretendin' that broken people aren't broken? Why pretend that our world is not fallen?

Nearly 800,000 people die by suicide in the world each year, which is roughly one death every 40 seconds.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-24 years.

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Number of emergency department visits in America due to an assault: 1.6 million.

A Miami SWAT policeman recently told me that 17,000 murders happen in America every year. He would know, but I'm thinkin' that's old and has now gone up.

So many hate the police today. It ain't a skin prob, it's a sin prob. It's wrong. I hate this kinda hate. Every 53 hours a policeman or woman is shot and killed in America. This must stop! Something must be done to stop this.

You like order right? The vast majority are really decent moral people (wouldn't get into the force otherwise..) who need your prayers. #BackTheBlue!

I want Generation Z free from anxiety -- well!.. and those of the other ones well too. There is a JOY to be had in this world gone crazy.

Choose JOYFUL in the Lord. Choose happy, choose to be brave, gentle, above reproach, blameless, godly -- a good example. 

Listen up. Take the time..with Him. Let's know Christ well, and make Him well known. 

Tactfully, respectfully, wisely go tell em about the one who loves them most. Facebook.com/shareJesus

Choose happy! You can do this, Sport.. can live carefree and full of JOY in the Lord.

Hey Buckeroo, the Bible has a lot to say about anxiety, but the word itself may not be found all that often. In the English Standard Version, it is used 8 times. 

In the New International Version, it is found 7 times. The King James Version does not use the word at all. Synonyms like trouble, heaviness, distress, and cares are used in its place.

The specific causes of anxiety are probably more than can be enumerated, but a few examples from the Bible point to some general causes. 

In Genesis 32, Jacob is returning home after many years away. One of the reasons he had left home was to escape the anger of his brother, Esau, from whom Jacob had stolen the birthright and blessing from their father. 

Now, as Jacob nears his homeland, he hears that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob is immediately anxious, expecting a horrible battle with his brother. In this case, the anxiety is caused by a broken relationship and a guilty conscience.

In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah is distressed because she was unable to conceive children and she was being taunted by Peninnah, her husband's other wife. Her distress is caused by unfulfilled desires and the harassment of a rival.

Ditch your fears and worries. In Esther 4, the Jewish people were all anxious because of a royal decree allowing them to be totally massacred. So many people hate the Jews again in our day -- it's wrong! Show them love instead please. Show it towards all peoples. Anyway Jewish Queen Esther was also anxious because she was planning to risk her life on behalf of rescuing her people. Not always as easy as rolling off a log. Fear of death and the unknown is a key element of anxiety. Hey, let's ditch our fears and bad feelings by praying in faith. 

Hey, not all anxiety is sinful. In 1 Corinthians 7:32, Paul states that an unmarried man is “anxious” about pleasing the Lord, while a married man is “anxious” about pleasing his wife (ESV). In this case, the anxiety isn't a sinful fear but a deep, proper concern.

Probably the best-known passage on anxiety comes from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6. Our Lord warns us against being anxious about the various cares of this life. For the child of God, even necessities like food and clothing are nothing to worry about. Using examples from God's creation, Jesus teaches that our Heavenly Father knows our needs and cares about them. If God takes care of simple things like grass, flowers, and birds, won't He also care for people who are created in His image? Rather than worry over things we cannot control, we should "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things [the necessities of life] will be added to you" (verse 33). Putting God first is a cure for anxiety.

Many times people have a sin breakdown. Bottomline.. often times, anxiety, stress or inordinate-concern is the result of sin, and the cure is to deal with the sin. Psalm 32:1-5 says that the person whose sin is forgiven is blessed, and the heavy weight of guilt is taken away when sins are confessed. Is a broken relationship creating anxiety? Try to make peace (2 Corinthians 13:11). Is fear of the unknown leading to anxiety? Turn the situation over to the God who knows everything and is in control of it all (Psalm 68:20). Are overwhelming circumstances causing anxiety? Have faith in God. When the disciples became distressed in a storm, Jesus first rebuked their lack of faith, then rebuked the wind and the waves (Matthew 8:23-27). As long as we are with Jesus, there is nothing to fear.

We can count on the Lord to provide for our needs, protect us from evil, guide us, and keep our souls secure for eternity. We may not be able to prevent anxious thoughts from entering our minds, but we can practice the right response.

Philippians 4:6, 7 instructs us to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." GotQuestions? Thanks. God has answers. Turn and trust.