This is indeed a time in our history that we have never seen before. These are interesting and challenging days, and it is a time where it seems everyone on the planet is affected.
These are also times that Jesus said would come to pass in the last days. 1 Timothy 3:1-2a, 14a, MSG) declares, “Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches … don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed.”
I know the Holy Spirit has instruction and revelation knowledge to give us as we lean into Him and hear His voice.
In this article, I want to tell you what not to do in this time.
There are plenty of things that we are automatically drawn to because of fallen humanity. However, let me admonish you in the Lord about some things not to give into.
- Do not panic. Even though this chaos is due to a pandemic, which is a “widespread epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large population,” we as the people of God cannot give into the panic that even this word depicts.
I love what The Message Bible says in Isaiah 41:10: “Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear, for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”
We are not to be as the world. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27, MEV). So don’t panic—but praise instead!
- Do not give in to drama. One of the things we know about the devil is that “he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44c). He has been lying from the beginning, and he will continue to lie.
There are so many unbiblical theories floating around all over kingdom come. We have the choice to take all these theories in, or to send them all back to hell where they belong.
The enemy is a deceiver. He masquerades as an angel of light to make you think that everything you see, hear, or think is the absolute truth. However, the opposite is actually true.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT), “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. So, we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see NOW will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
What’s your takeaway? Simply this: don’t focus on the drama. Focus on the divine, instead!
- Do not change your confession of faith. Hebrews 10:23 (MEV) admonishes us to “firmly hold the profession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Why? Because it matters what we say. It matters what we think. It matters what we confess.
The power of life and death is in our tongue, and whoever loves it will eat its fruit (see Prov. 18:21). This means that whatever comes out of your mouth is the fruit you will see and bear.
I want to see the great things of God, so I am declaring the good confession of faith as Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12: “Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
You will be tempted many times to change your confession of faith while people are listening, but don’t give into temptation. Hold onto your good confession! Be determined that you are going to be a light in this darkness, and you will lead many into the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hold fast to your confession of faith. Don’t change it; proclaim it!
- Do not fear or worry. Jesus said in Matthew 6:25a (NIV), “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life.” When He said this, it wasn’t a mere good idea or suggestion. It was a command: Do not worry!
Here’s the explanation: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matt. 6:26).
In reality, Jesus is saying, “It really doesn’t make any sense to do these things because I have you in the palm of My hand. If I care for some insignificant bird, surely, I can take care of you” (my paraphrase).
It is useless and pointless to worry!
Let me propose something for a second. Just think with me for a moment:
What if we said, “You know what, I’m going to take 24 hours and worry about _____.” (Pick anything and fill in the blank.) After the 24 hours, if you knew that you knew that the thing would be resolved simply because you took a 24-hour period out of your life to worry and fret over it, would it be worth it?
Many of us would probably answer yes to that question, but the problem is that, in real life, it wouldn’t work, and it doesn’t work. It seems far-fetched because it is. Worry doesn’t help anything, and taking 24 hours to worry wouldn’t do one bit of good—so why do it? Jesus said, “Don’t!”
Then there is this thing called “fear.” The Word is our final authority, and the Word says, “God has not given us the spirit of fear” (2 Tim. 1:7a). That implies that if we have a spirit of fear, it came from someone else—namely, the devil.
God has given you power, love and a sound mind. Now is the time to receive that power—God’s dunamis—over all the power of the enemy.
Remember also that, to us, God’s power is always coupled with love. His perfect love casts out fear. Glory be to God!
The truth is that
—We are of a sound mind.
—We have the mind of Christ.
—We hold Jesus’ heart, thoughts and feelings.
—So therefore, we shall not be moved.
We know in whom we have believed, and we are fully persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have committed to Him against that day (see 2 Tim. 1:12). So don’t fear it; faith it. Don’t worry; be joyful instead!
- Do not stop planting seed and paying God’s tithe. Without a doubt, now is not the time to stop giving to the kingdom of God. If anything, try and find creative ways so you can always have seed in the ground.
Remember, everything belongs to God—but He is so good that He allows us to keep 90% of what we receive. He says, “Just give Me my 10%!”
The tithe belongs to God and not to us. When we hold back from God what belongs to Him, Malachi 3:9a says, “You are cursed with a curse.” I would rather have 90% of what belongs to me be blessed than to have 100% of it cursed.
Look at the Scripture in Genesis 26:12 (MEV). The Bible says, “Then Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; the Lord blessed him.” Now is the time to prove God. Prove Him and see that He will open up the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing so big that you will not even have room for all of it.
I believe we are getting ready to see a great transfer of wealth that we have never experienced in the church. I’m not sure whom God is going to use or what He will use to do it, but I just know my knower that something is coming, and it is big!
Therefore: Don’t stop sowing and tithing. Instead, stockpile heavenly treasure!
Despite the chaos around us, I want to encourage you in the Lord right now:
—Do not panic.
—Do not give in to drama.
—Do not change your confession of faith.
—Do not fear or worry.
—Do not stop planting seed or paying God’s tithe.
Keep on keeping on in power, love and a sound mind. Keep trusting Jesus and holding fast to your good confession of faith. Stay calm and trust God! Speak His Word, for His Word is our final authority. Keep sowing seed so God can prosper you, just as He prospered Isaac in Genesis 26.
If you will do these five positive things and not do the five negative things, you will see God work miracles because of your faith. {eoa)
Judy Jacobs is internationally known for her declarative worship and powerful message of the gospel. She has ministered personally in over 50 countries and has also ministered through several TV networks such as TBN, TBN Salsa, Inspiration Network, Daystar and through guest appearances with Sid Roth, Marcus and Joni Lamb, Dr. Jason Renville and many others. Pastor Judy serves as the co-pastor of Dwelling Place Church International. She is also the director of the international institute of mentoring and has published five books and eight solo albums. She is married to Pastor Jamie Tuttle, and together they have two daughters, Kaylee and Erica. Sign up for her free “How to Receive Miracles from God” email mini-course at her website, JudyJacobs.com.
L.A. Marzulli