Shellie’s Coronavirus Infomercial

Hello folks, let’s chat…If you’re local, you’ll remember the years I said those words to y’all on KNOE TV8. Many of you still meet me in public and tell me you remember those short videos. I appreciate that, too. Today, however, I want to talk to you about the Coronavirus because we’re all dying unless we’re not. Kidding. Breathe, y’all. I cleared my throat in public the other day, and as I said to my social media friends, if looks could kill, the virus wouldn’t have to!

But, back to my point. What I’m not going to do today is rehearse all the wise, precautionary things we can and should do. You’ve heard that from the experts. This is my version of a Coronavirus Infomercial.

You’re about to have some time on your hands you weren’t expecting. I could make a ton of suggestions as to what we can do with our time, but may I propose the most long lasting and effective choice of them all! Make sure you open God’s Word and eat. In John 6:48, Jesus tells us that He is the Bread of Life. Feast on Him. The rewards are endless. Here’s a short list.

God’s Word overcomes fear.
Isaiah 26:3 reads, “I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me.”
There are 365 records of God saying “Fear Not” in the Bible. One for every day…Do you think God knew we’d need reminders? Do you think He knew we can go from full of peace to wavering in fear, that we can think it’s over-hyped one minute and feel hopeless about what’s coming in the next?

God’s Word breaks chains.
Romans 6:16 says, “You’re the servant of whoever you obey.” My paraphrase, and my point—we live as slaves to ourselves, to our wishes, wants, and habits. Oh, we obey, alright, we obey us— unless we look to the power of Christ Jesus to break the husk of self.

God’s Word is health.
Proverbs 4:20-22 – The Word is health to all of our flesh! That’s not an empty promise. I’ve made my close friends and family promise me if there is ever a time when I’m unable physically to read this for myself, they better have it playing in my room non-stop. That’s how fully I take that promise.

God’s Word equips.
In John 6:57 Jesus said, “He that eats me, even he shall live by me.”
If we feed on the Bread of Life, we’ll not only be less fearful and more equipped for anything that comes at us during this time, we’ll be stronger when it passes. We’ll go through this differently than those who don’t know Jesus—and we’ll have something to give them, not our own strength and promises, but God’s. We can help others because we have helped ourselves to Jesus, God’s all you can eat banqueting table. When we live by Him, because we’re living on Him, we become life-giving spirits to those around us. Times are strange. In them we have the opportunity to be the living witnesses of our Living Lord. Let’s do it. One more?

God’s Word increasingly deepens our relationship with Jesus.
2nd Cor 3: says, “And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are changed into that image from glory to glory just as by the Lord, the Spirit.
How about a story? The beloved farmer and I had just arrived in Houston. Together with our daughter, we went to pick up the Grand Boys of Texas. Phil and Jessica were in the front. I was in the middle seat behind them. When the boys got in, the oldest one hugged me and crawled into the back seat. The little one parked beside me and that one, he couldn’t quit hugging. Connor and I hugged and smiled and hugged again. We had our elbows on the console grinning at each other when Connor pointed to my sunglasses, which I had forgotten I was wearing.

“Take those off,” Connor whispered.
And I did.
Connor pointed at my face and whispered again, “Yes, yes, that! That…”

He had seen my face. Now, I don’t have to tell you what that did to this Keggie’s heart, do I?

This is what awaits us in God’s Word.

Job 42:11 says, I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.”

This is our privilege. Teachers and preachers are necessary and vitally important to the body of Christ. But friends, because of the Cross, you and I can see Jesus for ourselves. Nothing compares to that. Let’s not settle until we can say, like Connor, “Yes, yes…that…”

Speaking of those KNOE TV8 videos, I used to close by saying, “This is Shellie, with hugs for all.” I suppose it would be wise to save that for later…

Blessings,
Shellie

News from the porch–

The Fabulous Five are about to be the Super Six! Yes! The son and his wife will be having a baby girl any day now. Needless to say, Keggie and Pops are pumped! You can expect to see plenty of pictures, soon. 🙂

In other news, I’m excited about releasing some companion projects for Finding Deep and Wide! Watch for them in the next couple of weeks.There’ll be a video series, a free printer friendly digital handout to aid Bible study groups and book clubs with discussion, and a physical workbook available on Amazon. I’ve been working hard on these projects and I’m praying they will help spread the message of the deep and wide life that is ours in Christ Jesus if we refuse to settle!

Have you got your book yet? If you’ve read it and enjoyed it, please consider reviewing it on Amazon. It really does help me, help others.

Let’s see, what else…Oh! Our Rocking It Grand site, that’s the one Chrys Howard and I launched back in October continues to grow. We’re so enjoying coming alongside grandparents everywhere to help them nourish the faith of their loved ones!

I guess that’s about it! Hit reply if you want to chat. I always enjoy hearing from you.

Hugs,
Shellie

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