Who Do You Listen To?

A verse that we hear commonly around Christmas can provide us with a reminder of the reality of
Jesus that can help us during difficulty. In Isaiah 9, we can read:
6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Jesus, who is called "Wonderful, Counselor" here, referred to the Holy Spirit as our Counselor in his earthly teaching.  We can know the counsel of Scripture, which can direct and encourage us in our lives.  He wants to show us the way we should walk - every day.  And, He is also called, Prince of Peace, which can remind us of the peace that passes understanding that He gives. Later in Isaiah, the writer says that the mind stayed on God will be kept by Him in perfect peace.  Our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace can give us that perfect peace today.

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There are multiple verses in Proverbs to point to how multiple voices can help to guide us in the right direction.  These include Proverbs 11:14, which states: "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."  And, Proverbs 15:22: "Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established."

One of the marks of a good leader is to be able to gather information, process it, and take decisive action.  The President within recent days has shown that type of leadership in making the decision to extend the social distancing guidelines another 30 days after yesterday's conclusion of a 15-day period to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.  Contrary to what media outlets and politicians have inferred, Mr. Trump announced his Coronavirus Task Force on January 29, according to the White House website.   Later Vice-President Pence was tapped to head the task force.  A "multitude of counselors" has been formed to provide solid information and analysis.

There has been wildly speculative information that has been circulated.  Last Thursday, task force member Dr. Deborah Birx took aim at studies that have made extreme predictions.  The Hill reported:

Birx, speaking at a White House press briefing, singled out a recent study on the United Kingdom that originally predicted 500,000 people would die from the virus and has since been revised down to predict 20,000 deaths in the U.K. She said the data the government has collected does not show that 20 percent of the U.S. population would be infected with COVID-19, cautioning against predictions that say so.

“When people start talking about 20 percent of a population getting infected, it is very scary but we don’t have data that matches that based on the experience,” Birx said.

“There’s no … reality on the ground where we can see that 60 to 70 percent of Americans are going to get infected in the next eight to 12 weeks,” Birx later continued.

And, of course, there was Sunday's stunning prediction by Dr. Anthony Fauci that perhaps millions of Americans could become infected and "100,000 to 200,000" could die.  At the press briefing later in the day, he qualified that statement that he made on CNN earlier in the day.  FoxNews.com reported:

In response to a question at the briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, reiterated his estimate from earlier in the day that it remained possible that 100,000 to 200,000 people could die in the United States. "What we’re trying to do is not let that happen," he said, calling the extension of social-distancing guidelines "a wise and prudent decision." Over 2,300 people with the virus already have died in the U.S.

The doctor went on to comment on the reliability of models:

"Models are good, but models often generate the kind of anxious question you asked," Fauci said, when a reporter inquired as to how bad the situation could become. "A model is as good as the assumptions you put into the model, and very often, many of these assumptions are based on a complexity of issues that aren't necessarily the same... from one country to another."

The Federalist called attention to a seemingly popular modeling source less than a week ago, declaring: "A scan of statements made by media, state governors, local leaders, county judges, and more show many relying on the same source, an online mapping tool called COVID Act Now. The website says it is 'built to enable political leaders to quickly make decisions in their Coronavirus response informed by best available data and modeling.”"

The article states:

The models are being shared across social media, news reports, and finding their way into officials’ daily decisions, which is concerning because COVID Act Now’s predictions have already been proven to be wildly wrong.

COVID Act Now predicted that by March 19 the state of Tennessee could expect 190 hospitalizations of patients with confirmed Wuhan virus. By March 19, they only had 15 patients hospitalized.

In New York, Covid Act Now claimed nearly 5,400 New Yorkers would’ve been hospitalized by March 19. The actual number of hospitalizations is around 750. The site also claimed nearly 13,000 New York hospitalizations by March 23. The actual number was around 2,500.

Inaccurate predictions were made about Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Virginia, as well.  The Federalist article also states: "Jordan Schachtel, a national security writer, said COVID Act Now’s modeling comes from one team based at Imperial College London that is not only highly scrutinized, but has a track record of bad predictions."  The writer, Madeline Osburn surmises: "Perhaps the goal of COVID Act Now was never to provide accurate information, but to scare citizens and government officials into to implementing rash and draconian measures. The creators even admit as much with the caveat that 'this model is designed to drive fast action, not predict the future.'"

This is not to minimize the threat - this is a dangerous virus and citizens should take the necessary precautions.  But, we do need to make sure that we are getting good, accurate information - in all decisions that we have to make.  It was stated in the White House Rose Garden the other day that the decision was made to extend the social distancing guidelines based on a number of different models.

The Bible talks about seeking counsel from multiple people.  Perhaps you are seeing this with the Coronavirus Task Force.  Even the group's decisions seem to be influenced by an abundance of evidence, or data.  The question for each of us is who or what is governing our decisions.  And, ultimately, we can ask whether or not we are allowing our Wonderful Counselor, who has sent to us His Holy Spirit, to lead us.

Finally, we cannot give in to fear - we will see sobering statistics and hear grim news in the days to come.  But, we can allow our Prince of Peace to become very real in our hearts and minds, allowing us to be confident in the Lord and cautious in our actions.

Driven

We serve a faithful God who is near to us, who guides our steps and empowers us for His glory.  The
34th Psalm reminds us of His faithfulness:
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

When we experience difficulty, we have a great and mighty God to whom we can turn.  If we come to Him in faith, in the name of Jesus, we have the assurance that He hears us and He will act according to His will.  He may not necessarily move in the way we think He should, but we can know that He is powerful and will act according to what is best for us and what brings Him glory.  Out of His great love, He desires to show Himself faithful to His people.

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In the midst of suffering, we can look for ways in which we can bring the comfort and peace of the
Lord. 2nd Corinthians 1 says:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Not long ago, a picture of a lady sitting on top of an SUV made the front cover of the Wall Street Journal.  She was attending a church service in Cambridge, MD - one of what has now become multiple drive-in church services across America.  The MyEasternShoreMD website stated:

The photo, which also appeared in the Irish Times, was taken by Jim Watson of AFP/Getty, and shows a worshipper atop an SUV parked at the service, with the Choptank River in the background.

Local pastor Abraham Lankford announced last Friday that he will conduct at least four weeks of drive in church every Sunday morning at 11 a.m. — the first of which was held Sunday, March 22 at Gerry Boyle Park at Great Marsh Park in Cambridge.

The service on the 22nd was estimated to have drawn 225-250 worshippers.  The article quotes Pastor Lankford: “What we’re going to do is like the old idea of a drive-in theater. Anybody who wants to come to our service can come. You can sit in your car and enjoy the message of hope that we’re bringing..."  The article also noted:

The service consisted of an amplified broadcast of time of worship and a message of hope from the pavilion at the park. Lankford also said people were welcomed to bring toilet paper, water bottles, and similar items to donate to people in need.

“God never goes into recession,” said Lankford, “people do not need to be governed by a spirit of fear.”

Baptist Press reported that:

A mom helped lead her son and his girlfriend to faith in Christ as they sat in her car, listening to Jason Goad, the pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Harrisburg, Ark., share the Gospel during a "drive-in" worship service.

The couple was among a total of six people who came to Christ on the 22nd at the service, which drew an estimated 250-300 people, according to the pastor, who said, "That would never have happened if we had a regular service," adding, "She never would have gotten that chance. I thought to myself 'There are a lot of things that I need to rethink even after all of this gets back to normal.' We may need to do some things similar to this. It was a different dynamic being able to sit and talk in the car like that as they listened. It allowed God to work in a way that couldn't happen in a normal situation, even in a small group or Sunday School session."

The Baptist Press article also called attention to drive-in services in Indiana and Tennessee, with the Tennessee church announcing plans to do two services on Easter Sunday; at that church, the first Sunday drew some 250 people, 80% of whom were not connected to the church.

And, you don't even have to have a drive-in theater to do drive-in church.  WTVM Television reports that New Covenant Church over in Columbus held a drive-in church service in its parking lot.  The article quotes Pastor Colley Williams, who said, "I just love the way that we can come together as a church in our cars,” adding, “I thought it was a crazy idea at first, but after I got to talking with my bishop, [he] said no, that's the smartest thing I've heard yet."

Certainly this is a model that is being used by a number of churches, and reflects an out-of-the-box thinking that has been seen throughout our nation in responding to the Coronavirus.  Churches have been rethinking how they do ministry and reach people, and the practice of faith and the presence of God continue to be seen.

Now, with more clarity regarding how much time we may have to continue to worship while practicing social distancing, we can pray that the Holy Spirit will direct our church and ministry leaders to continue to execute plans to minister, because the need for ministry will increase as we see the statistics of COVID-19 cases and deaths increase.  I would encourage every believer to make sure you are connected to your local church, and remember that the support of your church, as well as ministries, like Faith Radio, that are impacting lives in crisis, is vital.

In His Hands

We can be secure in the arms of our Lord.  He has redeemed us and invited us into a relationship with Himself. We can know peace because He is our place of refuge. Deuteronomy 33 states:
26 "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds.
27 The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, 'Destroy!'
28 Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens shall also drop dew.
29a Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty!

In turbulence, we can look for security, for something to hold on to.  We can know that God holds on to us, that we belong to Him and we can confidently entrust our lives into His care, casting all our cares on Him.  When we consider that He holds us in His hands, that communicates a sense of stability - when we face the unknown, we can recognize that He is the source of all wisdom and will give us direction and peace when we follow Him.

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In our times of struggle, we can remember that God has not forgotten us.  He holds our lives in His
hands, and we find this passage in Isaiah 49:
13 Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted.
14 But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me."
15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

The Coronavirus has helped to launch a plethora of online content, some of it creative, some rather pedestrian.  But, in a time where people are practicing "social distancing," technology is helping people to close the gap.

Tyler Perry is a mega-film producer, a professing Christian, and is tied in to a number of Christian musical artists.  So, when he gave the call to some of his musical colleagues to execute an idea he had, the result served to remind culture at large where our ultimate help comes from.

The Christian Post reports that Perry "said he wanted to start something to make everyone “feel better,” then began to sing the traditional African-American song, 'He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands' and challenged others to add to it."  He said:

"It’s my hope that we add to this simple song in every language from every nation as we let it become a prayer for our whole world! God bless you today,” Perry captioned his video.

“And remember it’s all in God’s hands!” he declared.

So, the #hesgotthewholeworldchallenge was born, and the Post says it has garnered over a million views on Instagram; hundreds of thousands have taken part.  Some of the artists included, according to the story, Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Yolanda Adams, Johnny Gill, Tamela Mann, Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson, Travis Greene and others.

The Gleaner reported on one particular Jamaican reggae singer named Alaine - the article said that for her, "responding to the challenge was a no-brainer...She shared with The Gleaner that she accepted the challenge because she needed it."  The story says:

“I needed to hear myself say, ‘God’s got the whole world in His hands’, and absorb it into my soul. It’s really important for us to be intentional about the words that we speak and the posts that we make. In this world climate, where we are constantly bombarded with bad news or fake news, it’s important for me to be a part of the good news.”

The singer made an announcement about life change a couple of years ago; Jamaican.com reports that:

Alaine Laughton, the singer, announced on social media that she is changing her life path after being baptized a born-again Christian on Saturday, July 21, 2018, in Kingston by Ryan Mark of Pure in Heart Ministries International Church. It is unclear whether the singer will start recording in the gospel genre or whether she will end her music industry career altogether.

Known as a hitmaker, Laughton shared her joy at being baptized with her fans via social media with the message, “Best Saturday morning everrrrrrrrr!!!!! I LOVE GOD sooooo much!!!! I got baptized this morning.. and what a JOY!!!!!! Behold I do a new thing; now it shall spring forth.. shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.(Isaiah 43:19)...

 The meaning of the song is certainly not muted.  SongFacts.com states:

First published in the hymnal Spirituals Triumphant, Old and New in 1927, this traditional gospel song broke into the mainstream when 13-year-old British singer Laurie London released an uptempo take in 1957. It went to #1 in 1958 on the newly minted Billboard Hot 100, making London the first British artist to top the tally. The single also holds the record as the only gospel tune to take the #1 spot. In addition to its pop success, it landed at #3 on the R&B chart.

The article says, "As the title implies, the song is a reminder that God is in control of all aspects of his creation and we should take comfort in his presence," adding, "God's mighty rulership is mentioned throughout the Bible, including Job 12:10, which states: "In his hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of every human being."

And, there's another video that burst on to the scene this past week: led by producer David Wise, a group of Nashville studio singers put together a video that was recorded completely on cell phones, an incredible rendition of It is Well With My Soul.  A Baptist Press article stated:

"I was just overcome with the spirit of the song 'It Is Well,'" Wise said. "The Lord laid that song on my heart. I just said, 'Wouldn't it be so cool if right now, we were able to find a way to make music in a time when we can't be together anymore?'"

He called a friend who is a music engineer and asked if the idea just might work -- or if his friend thought he was crazy.

"I'll do the dirty work," he told his friend. "I'll do the arrangement. I'll make it as easy as I possibly can. Can we do it?"

His friend liked the idea and agreed to help. Things went very quickly after that.

Wise relates, "Every person on that video is a believer in Christ and follower of Christ. They walk with the Lord. You can't make that up. That makes Nashville different, the heart of the people behind what they're singing."  The article says that the video garnered one million views during the first 24 hours of its release.

The songs, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands and It is Well With My Soul contain messages that not only do we as believers need to hear, but that the world needs to hear.  Certainly our lives are in God's hands, and He is calling people to respond to what His Son has done on the cross to bring us peace.  True peace can be experienced through a relationship with Jesus Christ.   When we are trying to hold on, we can know who holds on to us.

I think that these videos, and others that are being released, reflect the power of collaboration. Thankfully, through technology, God has provided ways for us to stay connected.  Online platforms such as Zoom and Skype now enable us not only to communicate virtually and see each other, but to see multiple people - a small group online.  Even though virtual methods are secondary to in-person, yet, God is still bringing people together.  And, bringing people together with Himself.

Huge Impact

I think it's interesting that someone whom we see during the earthly ministry of Jesus acting impulsively, prone to fly off the handle, experience an incredible transformation to become a pillar of
the early Church, and wrote words about being sober-minded. Peter wrote in 1st Peter 5:
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

These are great words for uncertain times.  There is so much about life in general that is so uncertain, isn't it?  Yet, we have solid principles, reliable truths that can sustain us even when we encounter difficult times.  When we are feeling shaky or adrift, we can recalibrate and make sure that we are holding on to Christ our rock, our refuge, our source of strength.  We can experience His resources when we quit depending on ourselves and humble ourselves before Him.

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Christians have the chance to display a sense of confidence in God, a rational viewpoint, and a
Biblically-informed perspective. Our strength can help to enrich others. 1st Peter 1 states:
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

So, what are Americans thinking and experiencing regarding the Coronavirus?  No doubt there is anxiety and discouragement, and Christians can see this crisis as an opportunity to lean upon the resources of heaven and allow God to work in and through us.

Late last week, at the Gallup website, Frank Newport wrote an article that called attention to some of the polling that has been done regarding the virus.  I want to cover some of his material, but first, I do want to call attention to a Gallup poll released earlier this week, showing that President Trump's approval rating is sitting at 49%; that's up 5 percent from earlier this month.  And, his ratings for how he has handled the Coronavirus situation: 60%.  The Gallup website says:

Americans give the president generally positive reviews for his handling of the situation, with 60% approving and 38% disapproving. Ninety-four percent of Republicans, 60% of independents and 27% of Democrats approve of his response.

While the President is attempting to build trust and take decisive action, even though there are critics, state governments as a whole are getting higher marks than the Federal government.  Newport's summary states: "Americans have a substantially higher level of confidence in their state and local governments to handle the coronavirus crisis than they do in the federal government. The NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found a 65% confidence level in state government, compared with 46%...in the federal government. The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows voters give a 75% confidence rating to their state government, 72% to their local government and 62% to the federal government."

Gallup had found that the level of confidence in the Federal government in its Coronavirus response had dropped from 77% in February to 61% in March.  Public health officials are getting high marks; as Gallup says: "The NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found 84% trust the information they get from public health experts, and Pew found that 83% have confidence in 'Public health officials at the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention' to do a good job of responding to the coronavirus outbreak. In both polls, these levels of confidence are the most positive tested, higher even than confidence in state and local officials."

How's the media doing?  Newport writes:

Pew Research's survey shows that the news media are initially getting reasonably good overall evaluations from the public for their coverage of the virus situation. Seven in 10 Americans say the news media have covered the situation very or somewhat well. An even higher 82% say the news sources the respondent turns to most often are covering the situation well.

Despite these positive overall reviews, Pew finds that over six in 10 Americans believe the news media have exaggerated the risks of the virus at least slightly, including almost four in 10 who say the risks have been "greatly" exaggerated (the report also finds that, on the other hand, the majority say Trump has not taken the risks seriously enough).

How is the Coronavirus affecting individual lives?  According to Newport:

The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows that a relatively small 26% of American voters say the virus has changed their lives in a very or fairly major way. Looking ahead, less than half (41%) say it will change their lives in a major way.

He went on to say: "A Gallup survey conducted March 13-16 found somewhat more negative reports, with 36% saying the virus had disrupted their life to a fair extent and another 19% saying the disruption was major. The Pew survey found that 78% of Americans say the coronavirus will be at least a minor threat to their personal health...and 77% saying it will be a threat...to their personal financial situation."

Here are a few things we can consider:

We can remember that in whatever affects us, make sure we are responding in faith rather than fear.  Our ultimate hope is in God Himself - now, He will use government to carry out His purposes, and the Bible speaks to the government's role.  But, Christians can exude confidence in our Lord and call upon His name.  Government is not the answer, man's ingenuity and wisdom are not the ultimate answers - we need the hand and help of Almighty God.

There has been quite a bit of discussion about the importance of data - we can acknowledge that data is very helpful in determining policy; data is increasing regarding the virus.  Sometimes incomplete data can be used in making erroneous projections, so we have to make sure that the data is credible.  Some projections can generate fear, which causes kneejerk reactions; while preparation is necessary, patience in allowing data to chart a path can also help calm fears and lead to rational response.

And, can we agree to put aside this insidious contention that some leaders want to sacrifice or not take proper care of the elderly so that the economy can improve?   To falsely insinuate that people want to do harm to the vulnerable in the name of economic prosperity is irresponsible.  Let's deal in truth and put aside the harsh, false accusations that have been circulating around.

Good News

Even when the news is discouraging, we can have hope in Christ and therefore, we can possess a
reason for rejoicing, because of His might and majesty. Psalm 113 states:
1 Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord's name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high...

All day long, throughout the course of our day, we can be mindful of the presence of Almighty God, and rejoice that we are held in His hands.  Sometimes the information we receive is not encouraging, but knowing that He is with us and availing ourselves of the resources that He has provided can help adjust our focus.  Our faith can be built up by exposure to the Word and our joy and strength can be increased because we know He is there.

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In Romans 15, the apostle Paul writes a characterization of the Church, and the hope that can reside in the hearts of God's people. We can read:
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Here at Faith Radio, we are continuing to emphasize walking in faith, not fear, and we walk by faith while still engaging in practical steps, doing our part to curb the virus, and if we have been infected, to not spread it.

The primary source of our faith being reinforced is the Word of God - the Bible says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by God's Word.  So, in this time of trial, we can build up our spiritual immunity to fear by the inoculation of God's Word.

And, in the midst of dire statistics, we can rejoice in positive signs that we are seeing.  A ChristianHeadlines.com article by Scott Slayton, published last Friday, brought some good news.  For one thing, as he points out, the area where the disease struck early has seen a reduction in new cases.  The article says:

According to Time, Wuhan province had no new cases to report Thursday, which was the first time that had happened since the outbreak began. In an area where thousands of new cases were once being reported each day, this offers a bit of hope during this worldwide pandemic.

There is also news of how certain drugs have the potential to treat the virus, including the approval by the FDA of a new vaccine and the use of a drug in India used to treat HIV.

And, generosity is flowing. I have documented instances in which churches and individuals are allowing God to move through them to reach people who have needs.  That article pointed out instances of professional athletes who are helping out those who have taken an economic hit.  It states:

While many athletes enjoy a guaranteed salary during the shutdowns of their respective leagues, the hourly workers who rely on games for income have been hit hard. CBS News has a long list of teams and players who have pledged to help workers who are out of a job.

One that caught the eye of many was 19-year-old Zion Williamson, a rookie for the New Orleans Pelicans, who pledged to cover the salaries of all workers at the Smoothie King Center for the next month.

Then, there's Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who is a professing Christian.  The article reports:

...Steph and Ayesha Curry said they wanted to help students in the Oakland Unified School District. They are providing more than one million meals so that “no child” in the county “worries where their next meal comes from while schools are closed. Curry, who plays for the Golden State Warriors, said that more than 18,000 students rely on the schools for 2 meals each day."

And, while it is very easy to become discouraged when you look at the increasing number of cases in the United States, as well as the deaths that have come from the Coronavirus, we can also rejoice in the recoveries.  The Christian Headlines piece said that in Maryland, "Montgomery County’s Chief Health Officer told news outlets that the first three people in Maryland to test positive for COVID-19 have recovered. In especially encouraging news, the three were a married couple in their 70s and a woman in her 50s."  They apparently contracted the virus in their travels in Egypt. While the American death rate is hovering around 1-1/2 percent and is expected to decrease as testing increases and more people survive the disease, we will no doubt hear more stories of people who have survived.  That is certainly not to minimize the death of anyone and the acute medical need that some areas are facing, but we can draw strength from survival stories.

You may consider yourself realistic or pragmatic, but we can seek to walk in the joy of the Lord.  Jesus, just before He was put to death told His disciples to "be of good cheer."  That was remarkable, in light of what was about to happen to Him.  We are called to be people of hope because we know the hope of the world.

The news can be overwhelming at times, and can even have the tangible effect of weighing us down.  We have to diversify - it's not healthy, mentally or emotionally speaking, to expose ourselves to a steady diet of discouraging news and information.  We can be challenged to surround ourselves with a balanced diet of information. And, that diet should ideally include a healthy portion of God's Word.

In all things, we can rejoice in how God is working - we can identify what He is doing and think about that.  He is moving through His people in unprecedented ways, and lives are being changed. And, we can allow Him to do a profound work in our own hearts.

Moral Authority

I want to return to a verse in 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 and read the following verses, that speak to
our stance in world we live in. Several of these verses were cited by a particular state leader recently. Here we go:
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

These are difficult days that we are facing, with life and death implications, with decisions to protect ourselves and our families, as well as to consider how we can be good providers for them, as well as those who are in need.  Life can sometimes be difficult for the child of God, but we can know the strength of the Lord in the challenges we encounter.  In and of ourselves, we are weak, but we can display the power of God through our reliance on Him.

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We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, His representatives in this world, and ideally, people can
see Him when they look at us. 2nd Corinthians 5 states:
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

For many, this was the second consecutive Sunday of online services that occurred all across America, and not only are we seeing the statistics of how many people are actually taking part, but how God is working to bring people into a saving knowledge of Christ.

The opportunity to reach people online who would not necessarily visit a church service has been enhanced by the Coronavirus situation.  Lee Strobel had tweeted out this past Saturday night: "It feels odd to preach to an empty auditorium, as I did last wknd, but God still works thru live streaming. Our church had 49,087 people watching last wknd and 350 salvations. That's just one church. Think what He'll do thru so many other churches during this crisis!"  Greg Laurie, who has been a leading voice in offering a Biblical response to the Coronavirus, tweeted out that in the past two weeks, 5000 people have given their lives to Christ, with over 3,000 this past week out of 359,000 who attended online.

One of the more unique online presentations of the gospel came from the state of Mississippi.  Thanks to author and media host Todd Starnes for calling it to our attention.  On Facebook, a gentleman by the name of Reeves read Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 4:8 and 9, which say, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed..."

The speaker read three passages of Scripture and offered two prayers for his state, including prayer for national leaders according to Todd, who related that Reeves "shared a familiar passage of Scripture from the Gospel of John 3:16." He said, "You’ll notice it doesn’t speak to Baptists or Methodists or Pentecostals or Catholics or any other denomination,” adding, “For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

This Sunday morning Facebook message was not a sermon, it wasn't delivered in a pulpit, and it offered some practical steps, like taking care of those who are elderly and practicing "social distancing."  So, why even bring it up?

Because Mr. Reeves is known to residents of Mississippi as Tate Reeves - Governor Tate Reeves, who, although he is no doubt very involved with his official duties, felt it was necessary to provide spiritual perspective.

We can remember to pray for our state leaders, including Governor Ivey and her team in Alabama - because the President seems to understand federalism and the relationship of the states to the Federal government, there is a lot of responsibility that state leaders bear. There are local and national leaders who also need our prayers.  Congress has been debating for several days a significant aid package that is designed to bring relief to those adversely affected by the Coronavirus, and it should not be a massive entitlement program that is stuffed full of legislators' pet projects.  Hopefully, the seed investment in the American economy can reap big rewards once the crisis has passed.  We can continue to lift up our leaders, that they would have supernatural wisdom to navigate the challenges before them.

We can also remember our role to be a voice to the culture - and that is a concept that transcends the current crisis.  We can be mindful of our opportunity and responsibility to be ambassadors for Christ and to show His love to a world that needs hope.  We can be confident that God will use us to draw people to Himself.

Essential

Jesus is our example of compassion; in His earthly ministry, He healed the sick and walked out His power over the enemy - He proclaimed abundant life in contrast to the devil's hopelessness.  We
possess His compassion, and are told in 1st Peter 3:
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

It is very easy to be cynical in times of crisis - we become discouraged when we are inconvenienced and when the things we enjoy may not be in as abundant supply.  But, we can view our adversity through spiritual eyes and even consider how God might use our interrupted times to turn our hearts more fully to Him.  We may need to adjust our level of compassion and augment our devotion to Him - when there is change, it is an opportunity for us to change within.

+++++

When we feel confused or fearful, we can depend on the Lord to show us what to do.  The antidote to fear is love, so we can take steps to make sure that we are motivated by the love of Christ in the midst of difficulty. 2nd Corinthians 4 instructs us:
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

There are government leaders who get it: in times of crisis, faith-based organization are uniquely positioned to provide necessary, and I would dare say "essential" components such as spiritual hope and direction.  In a crisis such as a natural disaster or the spread of a virus, I would argue that the Church certainly has an essential role.

I found a Christian Post article from 2005, which said that then-President George W. Bush was dissatisfied with the Federal response and stated that he "...urged charitable groups to continue their good works and Americans to continue giving money to support the private sector." He is quoted as saying, "Please give cash money to organizations that are directly involved in helping save lives -- save the life who had been affected by Hurricane Katrina,” adding, “We’ll continue to work together to do our duty and to help our citizens who hurt, and help this great part of the country rebuild.”

Fast-forward almost 15 years later, and we have this recent quote, also from the Christian Post, from Vice President Mike Pence:

Americans are responding to the novel coronavirus pandemic with “common sense, compassion and generosity,” Pence said and praised religious leaders and faith communities for their continued service.

“Making the hard choice to suspend services, to have online services, even while those ministries are continuing to support food banks and come alongside of the most vulnerable,” he said.

“And of course the chorus of prayers that is coming up from communities of faith around the country is making the difference that it always has in the life of this nation.”

He and President Donald Trump had promised to “remind people that on the weekends that you’re not in the pews, it’s still a good idea, if you can, to go ahead and make that donation.” He explained that “all the ministries are continuing to play a vital role in our communities and we encourage your continued support.”

There was a conference call with faith leaders that occurred almost two weeks ago, according to McClatchy, which was originally intended to be about encouraging participation in the census, but the Coronavirus became a hot topic.  The article says:

The White House is turning to faith-based groups and church pastors who command large audiences to promote guidance on how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as new cases continue to emerge across the country.

On a call with religious leaders last Wednesday, the White House Office of Public Liaison asked the heads of some of the nation’s biggest houses of worship to encourage congregants to wash their hands and take other precautionary measures to help reduce the number of coronavirus cases in the United States.

“The White House is telling us to tell our congregation to adjust and submit to the information and to advice,” Alberto Delgado, pastor of Alpha & Omega Church in Miami, said.

Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference is quoted as saying, "We are disseminating that information, in a very fast, accelerated manner,” adding, “Churches can get people to do things in an expedited manner, arguably in competition with the social media people. So it’s very powerful, the church coming together, and giving instructions.”

 Across our country, churches and ministries are responding in their communities. Witness what is happening in Los Angeles with Angelus Temple and the Dream Center, according to a ChristianHeadlines.com article from this past Friday; the Center...

...has been open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to provide free hot and boxed meals all week — not just to families with children from the Los Angeles Unified School District, but to anyone who stops by for its drive-thru or pick-up service.

The center will also be distributing meals this weekend.

Angelus Temple pastor Matthew Barnett said food distributions have gone smoothly.

The church is averaging 5,000 meals a day as well as 150 daily visits to the elderly to provide them with food. Chick-fil-A and Pink’s Hot Dogs have donated food, he said.

Sports figures have become involved, as, "Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Justin Turner and Clayton Kershaw are among those who have donated money and have even called businesses to supply food."

CBN reported on a partnership involving the humanitarian relief organization Operation Blessing:

Operation Blessing, a charitable wing of the nonprofit Christian Broadcasting Network, compiled and handed out hard-to-find essentials, like cleaning supplies and face masks, to first responders, according to WAVY-TV.

Through a partnership with Home Depot, the Christian organization is also giving away some 30,000 pounds of food to 12 distribution centers across the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area, where Operation Blessing is headquartered.

The partnership also obtained a thousand N95 industrial-strength masks, as well as the "disaster buckets," with those cleaning supplies inside.

This is a glorious opportunity for the Church.  While there are those who would want to marginalize the work of Christian ministry in the world today, we recognize that we have the capability to 1) provide hope 2) command resources 3) organize volunteers and 4) release power.  And, that is only a partial list.  We may be approaching a point where leaders are determining what is essential in the midst of our current crisis - I would submit that in bringing hope - spiritual and physical - to people, Christian churches and ministries have an unmatched role.

We can also think about what each of us can do.  The President has asked us to take necessary steps during a 15-day period, of which we are now about at the halfway point.  We can be sources of encouragement and examples of responsibility.  For instance, if we are being asked to exercise social distancing, then we should do that.  If our pursuit of our own plans would deprive someone else of needed medical supplies or others, perhaps we can reconsider those plans.  We can be shining examples of selflessness, following the direction of Christ and His Word.

Don't Imagine

The Bible has much to say about the use of our mouths, and in times of difficulty, when people are
looking for hope and in need of encouragement, we can realize the power and influence that God has given to us. In Proverbs 18, we can read:
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

We can certainly weigh our words, making sure that our hearts are right, since Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  So, there is much that we can choose to say, and choose not to say.  We can check our hearts so that we are speaking truth with the right tone and the right attitude, and look for ways in which we can bring encouragement to people who are beset by anxiety and worry.

+++++

In these challenging times, we can look for ways in which we can communicate truth in a way that
encourages and brings hope to people and honor to God. Ephesians 4 states:
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

Imagine this: a group of celebrities, some of whom will be appearing in an impending blockbuster movie, putting together an Instagram video of a classic song, with the intent of bringing hope in the desperation of the Coronavirus crisis.

But, when the song happens to be Imagine, by John Lennon, the whole thing just seems to lose its luster - hardly a hope-filled song, you know the one, that starts out, "Imagine there's no heaven...," the one that trumpets having "no religion," and for the Hollywood set, having "no possessions" might be a bridge too far.  But, the wish is that the whole world "will be as one."

This celebrity mashup was apparently initiated by Gal Gadot, who will be starring in a new Wonder Woman movie in a few months.  The BBC described this project:

Gadot enlisted fellow superheroes Natalie Portman (Thor) and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) for the cover, with more than 20 others each singing a line of the song.

Will Ferrell, Amy Adams, Kristen Wiig, Sia and Cara Delevingne also took part.

The star said she had chosen the song for its "powerful and pure" message of unity during the coronavirus pandemic.

She had been inspired by a clip of an Italian man playing the song on his trumpet on his balcony to his neighbours who were self-isolating.

John Stonestreet of Breakpoint had a wonderful response on Twitter:

Uh... so, you are telling me that to imagine this world is all there is, people have no source of intrinsic value, and history is headed nowhere should make me feel better about a pandemic? https://t.co/6T1Bk3gZAn

— John Stonestreet (@JBStonestreet) March 19, 2020

The video has received mixed reviews, with even some bristling at the idea of celebrities calling for "no possessions."  It does seem celebrities are having a hard time striking the right tone here in the crisis.  Vanessa Hudgens likewise had some trouble in trying to comment on the virus, saying on Instagram, according to CBSNews.com: "It's a virus, I get it. Like, I respect it. But at the same time, like, even if everybody gets it, like, yeah, people are gonna die, which is terrible but, like, inevitable?" She later said her comments were taken out of context.  Matthew McConaughey's comments seemed to be a bit more appropriate.

Fact is, we can try to provide the right words of hope and encouragement in the midst of a situation that we have never been in before.  And, I am thankful that there seems to be an abundance of customized content online, as churches rush to get up and running on streaming worship services, and pastors and speakers are producing devotionals, Bible studies, and inspirational comments.  Bible study material is being made available online for free - we have a unique opportunity to grow spiritually in the midst of this crisis!

Christian musicians are taking advantage of the opportunities, as well.  I mentioned the livestream Will Graham and two members of the Afters are doing tonight, since the Will Graham Celebration in South Georgia was cancelled.  Comedian Michael Jr. and Christian musical artist JJ Weeks have special Facebook Live presentations this Sunday night.  Christian bands Unspoken and Apollo LTD did a special online concert last night, and Andrew Peterson will be reading portions of his latest book on Facebook beginning tonight; he's already been part of a Facebook Live streaming event.

Also, good news from the producers of the movie, I Still Believe, which had an impressive opening weekend last weekend, but its box office run was altered as the result of the Coronavirus:

Next weekend, find hope at home. See #IStillBelieve on demand beginning March 27. pic.twitter.com/MzUGlcgaPq

— I Still Believe Film (@istillbelieve) March 19, 2020

We can continue to reflect on how we can be connected during this time of social distancing and widespread cancellation.  The Church has not been cancelled, and we can expect God to move in incredible ways as His name is lifted up and His Word is spoken and sung.  You may not be a social media presenter, as such, but perhaps there is a way God can use you to bring encouragement and truth to someone else.

This is certainly a time to come together, but not around the humanistic ideas of popular culture, typlified by the anthem, Imagine, by John Lennon.  I would encourage an alternative:  what about I Can Only Imagine? by MercyMe, a song that instead of offering, "no heaven" and "no religion," offers a stunning look at a Savior who came to bring us into a relationship with Him so that we can experience hope not only in this world but the next, as well.  We can look outside of man's limited capabilities and expand our thinking to seek the hand of God and call out to Him to work mightily, giving wisdom to our leaders and our scientists, and bringing peace in the midst of hopelessness.

How Are We Doing?

Jesus told us in John chapter 16 that would would encounter trouble in this world - but He desires for us to look to Him and recognize that He gives us the power to overcome, to walk in triumph even in
difficulty. 1st Peter 4 states:
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

The possibility of a worldwide virus did not come as a surprise to our God.  And, in the midst of trying times, we can know that He is at work.  We are seeing signs that He is bringing people together, that people are motivated to do compassionate work, and that His name is being glorified. Trouble can force us to look outside ourselves for help and develop a dependence on the One Who has made us; He has not deserted us, He is with us, and we can cry out to Almighty God.

+++++

In Romans 12, we can see a template for compassionate, Christ-centered response in the actions in
which we participate. We can read:
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

So, how are we as a society collectively doing regarding the Coronavirus - not necessarily the health statistics, because those findings are literally all over the map, as federal, state, and local governments are laying out their plans and health professionals are assertively testing and determining who has the virus, how to treat them, and how to keep the disease from spreading.  And, we are seeing some positive cooperative efforts.

Well, there are some researchers at the University of Southern California that have taken the temperature of the behavioral nature of U.S. response, and the results are encouraging. One of the study leaders, Daniel Bennett, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California, said, according to the Mercury News: “A majority of people are mobilizing,” adding, “People are taking action but we could be doing more.”

The article says:

Overall, 85% of those questioned in the USC poll said they have been washing their hands or using hand sanitizer more frequently because of the coronavirus, and 61% said they have been practicing some kind of “social distancing” to help reduce their risk of infection.

That included 45% who said they have been avoiding contact “with people who could be high risk,” and 42% who said they have avoided large crowds and public events.

Almost 1-in-5 Americans have begun to work from home in response to the crisis.

Regarding emotional responses to the threat of the virus, the article relates:

Asked how often they have felt “nervous, anxious or on edge” because of the outbreak, 24% of Americans said they have felt that way on several days, while 7% said they have during more than half the days, and 7% said they have everyday. Another 61% said they have not felt that way.

And, almost half of those surveyed indicated a belief in prayer as an effective way to respond. The findings showed that 33% of those surveyed rated prayer as a "extremely effective method" and 16% said it was "somewhat effective."

We can continue to make it our aim during this unprecedented time in American history to make sure that we are acting as the people of God should - we are called to respond Biblically to the events that occur in this world.  This includes prayer and adopting a mindset of faith, rooted in God's Word.  And, we can make sure that we are being compassionate toward those around us.  We can also demonstrate good citizenship.

We can also develop a sense of confidence that our preventive actions are producing positive consequences.  We can make sure that we respond boldly and realize that what each of us do can make a difference.  Practical, inspired action can produce an effective result.

Imprisoned

Paul wrapped up his description of the armor of God in Ephesians chapter 6 and encouraged the
readers to be in prayer for one another. Let's get a running start beginning in verse 17:
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

You may find yourself with a bit more time on your hands these days, and it certainly can be an opportunity for spiritual growth, including Bible study, fellowship with God, and prayer.  Paul talks about being "watchful," standing with the saints, and asking God to use Him to speak truth, even though He was in prison.  There are enormous spiritual priorities and responsibilities to which God has called us, and as functioning members of the body of Christ, He desires to use us in order to pray for His strength and glory to be manifested, even in hardship.

+++++

We can be inspired by the stories of the early Church, members of which endured trials and hardships, yet experienced miraculous events and their faith was strengthened.  In Acts 12, we find
that Herod had placed Peter in prison; we read these verses:
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.

We read that the angel led this captive set free out of the prison and back to a gathering of church members.

While the attention of the world has been focused in on one particular, destructive virus, there are still a number of viruses, spiritual in nature, that afflict this world.  Because of the fallen nature of humanity, the virus of sin is still alive and well, and we have seen it manifested in the self-preservation that some are exhibiting, a by-product of the selfishness of the human heart.

The Coronavirus has led to fear and panic, and we have to be careful that we are not paralyzed by the fears of what may come on the earth or into our individual lives.  But, people without Christ are especially vulnerable to hopelessness - that's why we are in an especially ripe time period in which people can be introduced to our Savior.

The virus of religious hostility and persecution lives large in this world today, and one particular American ministry leader has been experiencing it firsthand.  According to The Christian Post, this past October, Tennessee pastor Bryan Kevin Nerren... "who leads the International House of Prayer Ministries in Shelbyville and operates a nonprofit organization called Asian Children’s Education Fellowship, which has been training Sunday School teachers in India and Nepal for 17 years, was targeted and arrested as he stepped off a flight in Bagdogra, India..."

Nerren was arrested for possessing $40,000 in what he says were ministry funds for two upcoming events and to support 13 ministers.  The article reports:

After about an hour of questioning, he was cleared to fly, but when he arrived in Bagdogra he was arrested for violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act because he didn’t complete a document to account for the funds. But the officials in New Delhi did not provide Nerren with the necessary forms.

Now, four members of Congress have submitted a letter on Nerren's behalf to the Indian Foreign Secretary last week: Senator Marsha Blackburn of the pastor's home state of Tennessee, Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, as well as home-state Representative Scott DesJarlais, and Georgia Representative Jody Hice, who has also been a pastor.  The lawmakers wrote:

"...We are immediately concerned with the health of the Nerren family, including Mr. Nerren’s daughter with special needs, who has been hospitalized with pneumonia as Mr. Nerren remains in India without a clear point of return..."

The four also stated: “He submitted an application for compounding, filed an affidavit with the court indicating submission of the application, and compiled $7,000 to be transferred to Customs upon Customs’ finalization of the appropriate paperwork,” the letter explained. “He has completed all of these required actions. However, Customs is now requiring the submission of a waiver of forfeiture for the money lost, a request that was not included in the original conditions – and to our knowledge is not required by Indian law.”

The American Center for Law and Justice has established a petition, and the Post reports that almost 170,000 people had signed it.

There are several considerations for us today.  For one thing, while there is rightly a great deal of emphasis on the Coronavirus, by no means should that relieve us from staying sharp on other issues that are Biblically important.  The enemy is certainly not resting, and perhaps this is a good time to gather strength in the Lord, especially when our routines have been altered.

And, we can recognize the spreading virus of Christian persecution.  There is hostility toward the gospel today, and while there is certainly concern over China's transmission and handling of the Coronavirus, perhaps we can remember to pray for the Chinese government and those Christians there who are being persecuted.

We can also continue to acknowledge that Christ cures the plague of sin and comforts the persecuted.  In our prayers, we can always look to Jesus as our Great Physician, calling on Him to take away our physical infirmities, and perhaps allowing Him to go deeper in this time of struggle to unveil spiritual maladies that reside deep in our souls, so that His healing balm may be applied.

And, remember to diversify your news and information intake.  That's my philosophy for The Meeting House - I do want to continue to provide solid information relative to fighting this virus, but I also want to inspire and challenge you in your Christian walk, as I have attempted to do since launching the program over 15 years ago.  We should keep up with the latest on the virus, but we can also realize that the world has not come to a standstill, and we can be prepared and strengthened in the Lord to follow His direction.

Needs of Others

We should, in times of crisis, make sure that we are taking care of ourselves and our own households.  But, we, in the spirit of Christ's love, be cognizant of the needs of others.  Philippians 2
provides some insight:
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

It's important that we are being responsible in times of crisis, such as the health situation we are facing right now.  We can take the authorities seriously, and be sensitive to ways that the Holy Spirit may be directing us.  Because God has given so much for us and He is the giver of all good gifts, we can reflect that charitable spirit - by not being excessive in our buying habits, making sure some is left for others, and protecting others by protecting ourselves.

+++++

Jesus taught about the act of loving others as akin to loving God - our love for our neighbor should
flow from our vertical relationship with the Lord. Paul wrote in Romans 13:
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

The quest for hand sanitizer and other cleansing products has caused consumers to buy extra amounts during this age of Coronavirus.  Anticipating the increased demand, two brothers went from store to store throughout the states of Tennessee and Kentucky, apparently with the intent of selling it online and making a handsome profit.

Real Clear Politics followed the reporting of Hunter Hoagland of WRCB Television in Chattanooga.

Hunter Hoagland, a reporter with Chattanooga NBC affiliate WRCB, spoke with the man covered in a New York Times article this week who hoarded 18,000 bottles of hand sanitizer intending to resell them for as much as $70 each on Amazon and Ebay.

"Noah Colvin took a 1,300-mile road trip across Tennessee and into Kentucky, filling a U-Haul truck with thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer and thousands of packs of antibacterial wipes, mostly from 'little hole-in-the-wall dollar stores in the backwoods,'" the Times reported Saturday.

After Amazon and Ebay prohibited the sale of such items to combat price gouging, Colvin was left "sitting on 17,700 bottles of the stuff with little idea where to sell them."

Here is a part of the exchange between the reporter and Matt Colvin:

HUNTER HOAGLAND: Standing in a shirt that says "family man-- family business," he says he never anticipated the struggle other families would go through because of a shortage.

Would you say you're sorry?

MATT COLVIN: Sorry for purchasing -- sorry for buying all this? ... uhh ... No, I don't think that I would.

HUNTER HOAGLAND: After facing backlash online, Colvin says he's making plans to donate the rest of the sanitizer.

Hoagland's Twitter feed has a running narrative what came next; he tweeted out:

JUST IN: Office of @TNattygen says the stockpiled medical goods were taken to a local church where they’ll be spread throughout the community & a portion of the sanitizer will go to KY where the brothers cleared shelves. Colvin says he was willing to donate.
@WRCB

A spokesperson for the TN Attorney General's office is quoted: "I just want to make clear that donating the sanitizers does not mean they are off the hook legally. If evidence establishes they engaged in price gouging we will seek appropriate penalties."

Hoagland reported that Calvary Chapel of Chattanooga received the items, which will be distributed under the supervision of the Attorney General's office.  A church spokesperson said that the local sheriff will be coordinating getting the products into the hands of "first responders, nursing homes, and anywhere else it is most needed."

This is a classic example of someone taking advantage of a crisis and attempting to profit from it.  And, I think it sends a clear message in the arena of loving your neighbor.  As the President said Sunday, grocery stores, which are facing extreme buying of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and cleaning products, had urged Mr. Trump to tell the public to reduce their buying.  Fact is, if some people are excessive in their buying, it reduces the number of people who can get what they need.  In times of limited supply, one person's gain can become another's loss.

Following the directives of authorities regarding trying to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus is an act of loving your neighbor as well.  It reminds me of a recent conversation I had: you may not be concerned with getting the virus; after all, healthy people may see a lessened effect of the virus.  But, if you are exposing yourself to the vulnerable, then you have to question whether or not you are walking in the love of Christ.   You may not be afraid - and we should not be, but we can be practical to protect others.

Staying Connected

With concerns about a rapidly-spreading virus, we can recognize the special purpose that God has for
His Church. Colossians 1 states, referring to Jesus:
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

There is a spreading virus, but even though there is physical separation that has been enacted by public officials and agreed upon by church congregations, we can continue to seek out ways to spread the love of Christ.  We can trust the Holy Spirit regarding his direction on ministering to others - it could be something very simple, like checking in with friends or loved ones, especially the elderly, or it may be organizing a service project to help people out in times of need.  We can rely on His creativity and His direction.

+++++

The Church has a divine purpose in this world, and we have been given incredible power by the Spirit of God to express the presence of Christ.  Ephesians 3 states:
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord...

It certainly wasn't the conventional way, but the Church met yesterday.  A number of churches that had the technology to do so were able to stream their services online, and congregations across the country, if they did met, had serious advisories regarding the precautions that they would need to take.  With new guidelines, there will be a place for creativity in the days to come regarding ways we can stay connected.

And, while the Church met in an unorthodox way yesterday, these troubled and uncertain times provide an unprecedented opportunity to serve others.  We can serve others by continuing to exhibit faith and the face of fear and pointing people to hope in Christ, which is the anchor for the soul.

There is also the opportunity for the Church to serve.  It has been pointed out that in the area of disaster relief, faith-based and charitable organizations relieve the enormous pressure that is on governmental entities.  This could be regarded as a disaster, as well.

A sampling of some of the actions being taken by churches across America include these:

In Lakeland, Florida, Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene has been accepting food donations for needy children.  Bay News 9 reports that:

With schools closed across Florida, many worry about how some students will eat.

For many low-income families, school breakfasts and lunches are often the only meals these children receive.

Mandy Stock, the Family Ministries Leader at the church, said, "I didn’t want a baby to go hungry. I know that God is good and he will find ways to provide..."  So, she started a food collection drive to supplement what the local schools are providing. But, she is concerned about the transportation area: "There is concern because a lot of it is, even these school sites that will be open for food, the students have to walk there. If they’re being watched by older brothers and sisters or if families can’t drive them there or they can' walk to the school site, they’re not going to have access to that food..."

While Church of the Highlands was one of the churches across Alabama and the nation that went to an online-only format yesterday, it is getting involved in a unique way, providing the use of its Grandview campus on Highway 280 in Birmingham as a testing site for COVID-19. CBS 42 reports that "Assurance Scientific Labs has teamed with Church of the Highlands and Christ Health Center to expand capacity for Coronavirus testing."

Yesterday, in a press conference at the White House, Vice President Pence made these remarks, according to the White House website:

We also want to express great appreciation to the American people. Not surprisingly, it is inspiring to see the way tens of millions of Americans are responding with compassion, with common sense. And we want to express particular gratitude to communities of faith that participated in today’s National Day of Prayer. We’ve seen places of worship implementing policies to keep those most vulnerable safe. And also, we’re seeing communities of faith already stepping forward to support and to encourage those most vulnerable.

I heard tell of a church back in Indiana that’s actually no longer having services until April 10th, but in the meantime they’ll be offering daycare to the children of healthcare workers in Central Indiana. And churches all across the country are taking the opportunity to reach out and put feet on their faith, and it’s truly inspiring.

That's what we do - that's who we are.  We are the Church, endued with resources by Almighty God, full of love and compassion, and directed by the Spirit of God regarding how those resources are to be used for the good of others, so that the name of Jesus might be lifted up.

In these times of uncertainty, the Church can bring stability and encouragement.  While we may be physically separated for time, we can still connect in a variety of ways.  Technology can bring us together, whether it be Internet and social media, or an old-fashioned phone call to check up on the vulnerable in a congregation.  We can maintain the awareness that we are one body, and the cancellation of church doesn't mean the cancellation of the Church.

His Choice

We have been given the power to be able to withstand temptation, so that we do not damage our
fellowship with God through sin. James 1 states:
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Temptation will come; we just have to make sure that we are ready when it does.  We have to adopt a pro-active mentality, as well as a strong desire to resist it when it comes.  The enemy will tempt us with a motivation to destroy us, but we can triumph in Christ with an opportunity to glorify Him and grow in our walk with Him.  We have to be discerning to see when the temptation comes and make sure we don't place ourselves in compromising situations.

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It's important to be on guard in interacting with people that do not share our deeply-held beliefs - we can certainly strive to be having an impact for Christ, and have to make sure the converse is not
coming to pass. 1st Corinthians 15 states:
33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."
34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

I certainly cannot commend the television show, The Bachelor, or others in its family of programs, such as The Bachelorette.  These programs, in my opinion, offer a parade of promiscuity and present a worldview that runs contrary to God's plan for sexuality.

But, periodically, you will have contestants who profess to be Christians, like, as the Christian Post highlighted: "Sean and Catherine Lowe; Luke Parker, who was widely ridiculed for his Christian views on sex before marriage, and others."  In fact, Parker's determination to save himself for marriage put him at odds with recent Bachelorette Hannah Brown, even though he was apparently one of the leading suitors.  They famously clashed on matters of faith and sexuality.

Brown, a former Miss Alabama USA, has been linked to former Bachelorette contestant Peter Weber, who was this year's Bachelor, in the season that concluded this week.  And, the stunning announcement came that Auburn's Madison Prewett and Weber would pursue a relationship, even though she had walked out of the show, driven by her strong Christian beliefs on saving herself for marriage.

I came across an article on the Christian Post website almost a month ago about young Miss Prewett, which quoted her as saying: “Faith is more just this passed-down thing to me, it’s literally my whole life and all of who I am...I want, in a marriage, someone who also has that relationship with the Lord and loves that about me and wants to raise a family in that way. And I do want to know that we’re able to be on the same page with that and push each other in that way and grow in that way together.”

At the time, she had shared with Weber about her Christian faith and admiration for her father, who serves on the Auburn basketball coaching staff.  At the time, she had not told the bachelor that she was saving herself for marriage.  But, she did, and it apparently did not drive him away.

As the finale approached, Weber, pressured by his family, especially his mother, was told that the relationship could never work.  The Post, in a story this week, reported:

Season 24 of "The Bachelor" concluded last night with a shocking twist, as Weber decided to pursue a relationship with contestant Prewett despite his family’s protest that her “religious” convictions would “change” him.

In previous episodes of the show, Prewett, who said she is saving herself for marriage, was heartbroken that Weber was intimate with other women during the Fantasy Suites week of the show. She wasn't sure if she should continue on "The Bachelor" but the couple hoped that “love could conquer all.” She was eventually chased off by his family, who continued to tell her that he was a party guy and that their lifestyles were very different from one another.

In a promising development, The Christian Post reports that, "Before viewers watched the finale, there were clues that Weber chose Prewett because he was spotted attending Hillsong Church. It was pop star Justin Bieber, who also attends Hillsong, that shared Weber's appearance with the public."

He told Demi Lovato on the Ellen show: "We watch 'The Bachelor,'” Bieber told Lovato. “[Peter] was at church the other night …I went up to him and I was like, ‘I feel like I know you.'”

Through it all, Madison seems to have become a moral voice in a morass of sexual ideas gone astray, and perhaps Peter has become attracted to that.  Chrissy Clark at The Federalist surmises:

It’s painfully obvious everyone in Peter’s direct sphere of influence, whether it be his ex-girlfriend Hannah Brown, his family, or the reality television producers, do not hold him to the same high standards that Madison does. These are the same people telling Peter his relationship with Madison cannot work because she’s too different and too religious.

When Madison met Peter’s family, they were shocked she would dare ask him to not sleep with other women, they questioned whether Peter could wait for sex until marriage, and reminded Peter their lifestyles were vastly different because he likes to go to the “club” while Madison prefers to attend church.

Clark writes:

Maybe he’s just in pursuit of another reality TV contract.

Or maybe he is fascinated and attracted at a life that calls him to something higher than letting his private parts make his life decisions. Weber is experiencing what many Christians experience living in an increasingly secular culture. Everyone around him is judging his situation and jumping to conclusions about him. His sphere of influence is urging him to go in a different direction, but Weber is being called to live a life more prosperous than the one he is now.

In Madison’s Instagram biography she posted Proverbs 31:8, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” Madison has spoken up for Christian women who feel silenced by living in an increasingly secular, sex-trivializing, and judgmental culture. Now, it’s Peter’s opportunity to consider what that might mean for him. We can only pray he rises to the challenge.

Some might think it strange that Madison Prewett decided to participate in The Bachelor, but there was certainly an opportunity for her to be a light in a rather dark set of circumstances.  You could say it's a microcosm of the world in which we live - we are surrounded by temptation and worldviews that contradict our own; while we shouldn't walk or run into temptation, rather flee it, but when it comes, we have to be strong and reliant on the Lord. 

The truth is, we should be seeking to impact the people with whom we come in contact in a positive way, for the Lord.  And, in relationships, there is a sense of give-and-take, and we have to make sure that we are not being negatively influenced by people who do not share our values. People have to be careful not to end up in toxic relationships that could corrupt their walk with Christ.

Growing Up

Throughout the course of our lives, we can build on a firm spiritual foundation.  Timothy was an individual raised up by God to help train and teach the early Church, and was someone who learned
the Scriptures even from childhood; we can read in 2nd Timothy chapter 3:
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The can illustrate for us the power of parents teaching Biblical principles to their children.  Fortunately, there are all resources through which this can occur - the primary responsibility, Biblically speaking, is on the parents, but the local Church can also play a critical role in being sensitive to getting God's Word into young hearts.  And, you have ministries that also specialize in children's work and tons of materials that can assist parents in spiritual training.  We can be devoted to seeing that the next generation is learning God's Word.

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The book of Deuteronomy prescribes a path through which children can be taught spiritual truth, and
the training of children in the Lord is certainly prioritize for Christian parents. Deuteronomy 6 says:
6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

The selection of a church home may be driven by a number of factors, and one of the leading ones, according to a new Barna study, is how the church serves children.  The survey summary states:

One of the key findings of Guiding Children to Discover the Bible, Navigate Technology & Follow Jesus shows that nearly six in 10 highly engaged Christian parents (see About the Research below for a full definition) say children’s programming is the primary reason they chose their current church (58%), proving that even though children may be small, they carry big weight when it comes to family decisions about where to worship.

As the article points out, this can be a motivation for churches to make reaching and teaching children a priority.

Church involvement also spills out into other areas, as the data indicates:

For the six in 10 Christian parents who report attending church on a weekly basis, we see that their high involvement in church is echoed in other domains of family life. These are church-engaged families, and their faithfulness in a worshiping community correlates with other faith-forming activities.

For instance, among those determined to be church-engaged, over half - 56% - of the children are in youth group and 40% are in Bible study.

The research summary defines highly engaged Christian parents in this way; they have:

...attended a Christian church service within the past month (other than for a holiday or a special event); strongly agree that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and contains truth about the world; strongly agree that they believe Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death; strongly agree that they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today; and strongly agree that they desire to pass faith on to their child.

Evergreen Parenting Course developer Hettie Britz, who has been a guest on The Meeting House, is quoted in the article, stating, "Spiritual development is closely tied to moral development phases,” adding, “How growing children process the ideas of right and wrong, safe and unsafe, good and bad. These are very abstract concepts for a while and only become concrete later in childhood. When we as parents demonstrate both God’s justice and his forgiveness in consistent ways… it is the best spiritual gift we can give our children.”

In a companion article, Britz describes the stages of spiritual development.  She outlines:

From ages 3 to 5 there’s a phase of wonder. Kids are very much impressed by the miracles God can do.

Then, what she terms as "the crack" in spiritual development phases occurs: "The 5-year-old starts getting ready to understand some of that and the 6-year-old, depending on their development and personality, can move onto a next phase that’s very, very different."

That is followed by the age range of 6 to 10, which is "almost ruled by fear," she contends. Britz writes, "Kids become acutely aware of how real dangers are in the world around them...They see the world a bit more clearly. During this time, one of their primary felt needs is to know, 'How can God protect me?'"

The next phase is "from age 11 onward," in which "there is a stronger focus on morality. There is an acute awareness of sin, uncertainty whether they are good enough for God." She adds, "This is a wonderful phase for them to be introduced to concepts of grace, forgiveness, confession and the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live the Christian life."

These are some interesting observations that can be instructive for us in the process of training children.  And, it's important to understand the responsibility of the home and the Church in spiritual development.  Deuteronomy 6 shows us how parents can be proactive in teaching children throughout the course of life.  We can be reminded to look for teaching opportunities.  We also remember that God is teaching us through the events of our life, even in the times in which adversity strikes and things might not seem so pleasant.

For many, spring break is coming up, which is an opportunity for families to engage together, including participation in spiritual activities.  We can anticipate what God wants to do as we are sensitive and responsive to the promptings of His Spirit.