CROWNED
Megan EB Poff • March 21, 2020
I shall wear a crown... when it is all over...
3.... 2.... 1...
The day is March 21 and I was in prayer and the Lord told me "count down..." and I checked the date and it was 3/21. This is not a doomsday post (although it does seem like a dystopian movie outside right now) but one of promise... and I MUST OBEY MY HEAVENLY FATHER.
So we're going to talk.
I have never been one to be terribly demonstrative in my faith. I always liked to go the quiet route, the safe space, not trouble the water so to say... And truthfully, when I have spoken out about my faith in Jesus Christ, I begin to worry about what others think, or will I be accepted? Rejection hurts and despite what the perception is, Christians are fully human too.
This is not a post about how close to God I am, or that I'm special, or that I'm worthy. I am none of those things... it is CHRIST IN ME that makes me remotely acceptable and worthy in God's sight. So I'm going to lay some truths down that was revealed to me, in the secret, quiet place and just share.
So with that being said, I was in prayer... with all of this isolation and what the outside world is going through, God reminded me of my gifting. He equipped me with discernment. To be totally transparent, I always joke with God and say "Why you gotta make me so deep?" So with that, I have struggled... and prayed... and wrestled with God... because I was like, this is not going to make sense to MOST people... but I must share what God revealed to me... because obedience is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22
So let's talk deep....
In my work, I am a researcher - a musicologist if you will. I study words, and how they are used in music, text painting, interpretation - etymology - and their historical significance.
The Lord asked me, "Why don't you use the same research to my Word and the world?"
So I did... and man are my eyes opened! 20/20 vision indeed!
I looked up they etymology of Co-vi-d 19.
Co - is short for "corona" which means crown: an item placed on the head of someone (OR) rest on top of
Vi - is short for "viral" which means - related to virus (OR) circulated around rapidly
D - is short for "disease" which means - disorder of structure (OR) a particular quality, habit, or disposition as adversary.
Covid literally means: "Crowned in viral disease"
#19 - means "surrender" or "new beginnings" - March 19th was the first day of spring after all.
I was stunned at what the Lord revealed to me. He was showing me that the world, this evil planet that has been corrupted by sin itself and is literally crowned in viral disease.
The devil is a liar and a counterfeit. Just like the Word of the Lord says in John 8:44.
So of course he's going to try to mimic God because he is not capable of original thought!
*BUT I SHARE GOOD NEWS!!!!* THERE IS HOPE!!!!* HIS NAME IS JESUS!!!!*
THE LORD IS REMINDING HIS BRIDE, HIS CHURCH, WE HAVE THE CROWN OF LIFE IN
JESUS CHRIST! We must abide in Him. We must pray. We must be obedient. We must share the good news that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. He alone is total freedom.
John 16: 33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
It will be hard. God did not promise us a life of easy things in His Word, He promised us that we would be overcomers if we REMAIN IN HIM.
James 1:12
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
In Psalm 19 it states:
"The law of the Lord is perfect reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned, in keeping them there is great reward."
In Matthew 22:35-40 it states:
"One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The Lord is telling you, to LOVE HIM with all your heart, soul, and mind. The Lord is also telling you to love your neighbor as yourself. We must be the light of Jesus Christ in these dark times. Is your lantern filled with oil? Are you willing to trust what God has called you to do, and reach out to the hurting and the lost.
JESUS... HAD.... COMPASSION....
Matthew 9:37
"When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest."
Now more than ever we must share our testimony. We must share the gospel. We must be transparent with our walk in Christ. Do you know your field? Are you praying for your loved ones? Every person matters. Every person Jesus defeated death for... give them the hope of eternal life. Do not be fearful of this world, perfect love casts out all fear.
1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
Remember.... YOU SHALL WEAR A CROWN.... when it is all over...
2 Timothy 4:8
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
The only righteousness we have is in Jesus Christ. May I always have the grace of God to continue seeking after my Savior.
All my love,
Meg
Meet Megan
ButtonMegan Poff, a coloratura soprano, is most noted for her works in Baroque and 20th Century Music. She is currently serving in the Music Department at York College of Pennsylvania. Her previous collegiate experience was teaching voice and music literature at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Megan has taught many area professionals who have performed in local theater venues such as: Sight and Sound Theatres, Fulton Theatre, Dutch Apple Theatre, AMT, PRiMA, Hershey Area Playhouse and numerous National Broadway Tours. Her students have also found success in acceptance to competitive graduate music programs, National Television spots and most notably, Broadway. She is a member of NATS and is currently involved with helping facilitate the next round of auditions locally at the Allegheny Mountain Chapter.
Megan is passionate about teaching all genres of music and has made it a mainstay with instruction to teaching voice. Historical reference, detail to communication with text, pedagogical technique are all foundational elements she provides to her students.
Nostalgia. It’s a word that most sums up a complicated emotion when it comes to grief. In the Webster dictionary nostalgia means: "a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition”. The etymology of the word nostalgia comes from combination of the Greek words: “nostos” which means return home and “algos” which means pain. So nostalgia truly means painful homecoming. It’s apparent to me how this emotion is a tough one. Home is a place of security, familiarity and peace. Pain is an emotion of hurt, discomfort and sorrow. When you combine these two emotions together it is the recognition that you cannot go back to once was, and the holidays are a nostalgic reminder that you cannot have what “once was” when love ones have passed. In 2015, my Father was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and my Mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer that same year. As a believer in Christ, it was honestly the most confusing season in my life. Within three years, both of my parents slipped into eternity 18 months apart from one another. Illness had taken their physical well-being. If I’m being honest, it was incredibly hard to reconcile the glorious power of God and His miracles while having death literally surround me. I was angry. I was hurt. I was heartbroken. I thought... “God, why do you hate me so much to take BOTH of my parents? Why aren’t you the healer that you say you are in your Word? Why me?” I embraced victim-hood so quickly at that time. But The Most High is long suffering and revealed to me His truth. He brought to me passages in His Word that reminded me I’m not alone in my pain... that Jesus was literally a man of sorrows as mentioned in Isaiah 53:3. That in Him I can find peace and comfort. So while the holidays approach and the existential dread of being reminded of what I no longer have... my Mom unloading presents from her car or my Dad singing a Christmas Carol somewhat off key, I AM reminded of the greatest gift to mankind Jesus who the Prophet Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 9:6 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given unto us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” That last name I hold on tightly to... The Prince of Peace. He gives the most ultimate freedom from disturbance, pain and even nostalgia - this is why I keep going in the faith. That is why even though the holidays are hard, I understand that the Savior of the world bore our sorrow, bore our grief and understands us at the deepest level possible. It is truly the greatest gift imaginable. This is why I can celebrate simultaneously the joy and nostalgia of Christmastime. While, yes... I miss my parents, memories had and sorrow for memories we will not have. I am reminded that this life is a temporary one. Jesus isn’t limited to a holiday, and He gives me as mentioned in Isaiah 61:3 “a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning.” Joy to the world, indeed! For Jesus is the greatest gift of all. Remember that as you sing your Christmas carols this year and unwrap your presents from loved ones. It is always and should always be only about Him.
Will post more later... when I find the time! So much to share, but I'll be posting soon. Promise. XO ~ Meg~
Hello Music Fans! It has been a long time since I wrote on my blog. It's shameful, I know. I was somewhat distracted with other events happening this past year that did not allow me the freedom to write as often as I wanted. I'm back now, and with a promise to be faithful to my weekly outro. With everything going on in the world regarding health and wellness - I thought I would give a quick tip to help with homeopathic remedies as we know that hand washing, avoiding germs by keeping your hands away from your face are the common sense ways to stave off colds and flu. I had a foreign exchange student in my early years of teaching. One day in the studio, I was feeling poorly. Tickle in my throat... sniffles... bad headache.... She suggested that I go home and boil a pot of water. Once the water was hot enough for my feet to feel the heat (but NOT burn), you soak them. Put your feet in the hot water (NOT BOILING WATER... there is a difference!) and let them soak for a minimum of twenty minutes. Afterward, while your feet are still wet, take the fuzziest socks you own and put them on. DO NOT DRY YOUR FEET BEFORE PUTTING THE SOCKS ON. It will defeat the purpose. Go straight to bed. I did this and miraculously I woke up with no symptoms. I felt 100% better and thanked her upon our next lesson. Amazingly, your feet have nerve endings which are connected to the ear, nose and throat. If we give our feet a chance to relax in hot water, this also allows freedom for your body to respond appropriately. Do this when symptoms first arrive, otherwise it might be a wasted effort. And always... drink lots of water! Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! - Meg
Hello Music Fans! Hug a church musician this week. They need love! Haha. This is a day many Christians observe as "Good Friday" and we will soon have "Resurrection Sunday" - or what mainstream call Easter (more on the origins of that later...) to celebrate the sacrifice, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This isn't necessarily a musical blog today - didn't feel led to write one. I have sensed an urgency in my spirit that I wanted to acknowledge God's sacrifice of His son shedding His blood for us. I feel at times, modern day or mainstream Christianity has conflated the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus with prosperity gospel. Sure, God wants us to prosper. He has so many blessings for his children - but it's not this heretical name it and claim it, blab it and grab it doctrine that I hear so many television spiritual stars preach. In honesty, it's quite the opposite. In the book of 1 Samuel 15: there is a quote that stood out to me... "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice" - The Lord certainly blesses people and it is when they OBEY Him. As I was reading the gospels and meditated on the story of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus went to pray to His Father in Heaven. He asked, "Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." This is mentioned in Luke 22 and Mark 14. If you read carefully, He sought the Lord three times - He asked God to remove this suffering. God did not remove that cup. He allowed His son to be innocently executed on behalf of a nation who needed Him. Jesus is our passover lamb as prophesied in Isaiah 53:7. I say all this because as Sunday approaches, we will celebrate Jesus as a risen Savior. I personally do not designate my Savior's resurrection for one week in the year, but nonetheless it says a lot about God's plan and purpose for our lives! Jesus is the King. He sits on the right hand side of the Father Acts 7:55-56. He DESERVED that spot because He obeyed the Father. His obedience became the sacrifice for you and me. God wants to reward His children. He wants to bless us, yes... but don't get it twisted. There is a reason why this pilgrim's path is somewhat a difficult terrain. It requires believers to live like Christ, to love like Christ. It requires us to completely obey God and lay it all down for His glory. James 1:17 states: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." JESUS IS THAT PERFECT GIFT. It would be in the best interest of believers to start living like Him, sacrificing our carnal desires for the spiritual ones - I think when that happens, maybe... just maybe... others can see the abundant love we have, because we knew the cost of God's love. Be Blessed Everyone!
