Tag: <span>coronavirus</span>

Division in the Church

As I write this, we’re 15 weeks into the coronavirus shutdown. Some things have opened, but others remain closed or significantly curbed in their operations. One of my chief concerns in this is for the church, Christ’s body of believers.

Many churches have decided to open again despite governors’ mandates prohibiting it. Consequently, we find ourselves in a situation that is creating division within the body of Christ. Emotions often run high in the midst of the fray preventing us from seeing clearly or responding with love.

Christians on one side are insisting that we obey our civil leaders because the Scripture tells us to (e.g., Romans 13:1ff.). Meanwhile, other followers of Jesus point out that the governors’ mandates defy our first amendment rights and God’s command “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Some Christians are listening to the news reports and are fearful of catching the virus or giving it to others. They feel that the government has established these mandates to protect us. And to go against the mandates is careless—if not unloving and disrespectful of others.

Other Christians are listening to their doctors and other health professionals who debunk these precautionary mandates, claiming they are unnecessary and may even cause harm in other ways.

My point is this whole mess has the church divided, and to put it mildly, we’re not treating each other with love and respect in the midst of it.

Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 guide us through situations like this where Christians “quarrel over disputable matters.” The matters back then were different, but the principle is the same. Let’s see what the Lord says:

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.” (Romans 14:1-4)

And in 1 Corinthians 8:1, Paul says, “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.”

Bringing this forward to the present, “We all have knowledge.” We all think we know what’s best, right and proper during this COVID-19 situation. But to focus solely on our “knowledge” only makes us arrogant and divides. Instead, we must follow God’s way of love and accept each other in Him.

Divisions like this over “disputable matters” also greatly damage our witness to the lost and distract us from God’s mandate to spread the Gospel.

Perhaps those within the church who are suffering most from the division are our pastors. They get an earful of rants and accusations from disgruntled church members. Pastors feel the brunt of the anger and hostility of those who don’t agree with the decisions that they and their elders have made. In doing this, we defy the very command of God that we claim to uphold (e.g., to obey our leaders).

It is precisely in times of fear, distress, and calamity that the world needs to be able to see the difference that Christ makes in our lives. But I fear that we are failing miserably at that.

Imagine what would have happened if instead of praying and singing hymns to God while Paul and Silas were in jail in Philippi, they had grumbled and complained and even fought with each other about whose fault it was they were there. The jailer and his family would not have come to know Christ and we would have a report of a gross failure instead of a glowing victory.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ let us love and accept each other. Let’s focus on glorifying God and being examples of Christ to others instead of bickering and fighting. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

Are You Ready for an Adventure?

by Rob Fischer ·

On January 13, 1914, the following announcement appeared in a London newspaper:

“MEN WANTED: FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS. – SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON”

Over 5,000 men and women responded to that ad in which Shackleton sought recruits for his 1914 Trans-Antarctic Expedition!

You might wonder, why are people drawn to an adventure like that? What even constitutes an adventure?

I think G. K. Chesterton nailed it when he wrote, “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly understood. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly understood.” According to that definition, whether we view challenging circumstances as an adventure or an inconvenience is solely up to us.

By its very nature, an adventure stretches us and challenges us beyond what’s normal, otherwise it would be no adventure at all. And precisely because an adventure stretches us, we’re never the same afterward. Those who know this about adventures, not only savor the experience but also the change that the adventure will bring about in them. But those who see only inconvenience, whine and complain and only long for the inconvenience to finally be behind them.

Last summer I challenged my then 16-year-old grandson Jack to an adventure: to climb Scotchman Peak with me. It’s a steep four-mile climb up gaining 3700 feet of elevation. I was delighted to be able to talk Jack into it without too much pestering. It’s one of my favorite hikes and I assured him he’d enjoy it.

But about a third of the way up the mountain, Jack stopped for a break with sweat dripping down his face. He was bent over with his hands on his sides trying to catch his breath. After a few minutes, he said, “Grandpa, I think this hike is going to be a one-time thing for me.” I encouraged him that the view on top was well worth the climb and that I knew he could make it.

When we reached the summit, we were greeted by a scruffy-looking mountain goat! What a treat! It was a cool, crystal-clear day and the views were stunning with Lake Pend Oreille to the southwest and mountain tops all around.

We stayed on the summit long enough to eat a tasty snack. After taking in all these stimulating sensory delights and enjoying a sense of accomplishment, Jack turned to me and said, “Grandpa, I’ve changed my mind. We’ve GOT to do this hike again!” We were only halfway through our adventure and already Jack was changed.

Some adventures, like mine with Jack, we consciously choose to embark on, while other adventures are imposed on us. Israel’s forty-year trek through the wilderness was an adventure they initially agreed to without really knowing what it would entail. From all their grumbling and complaining, they viewed their experience as more of a huge inconvenience than an adventure.

Yet, at the end of those forty years, Moses reminded them, “The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” (Deuteronomy 2:7)

God’s people witnessed His mighty works, His protection and provision first-hand. Their adventure was truly monumental! They now knew God in ways they had never known Him before. Their adventure taught them He is faithful and loving. But they only gained this experience because they stepped into the adventure.

This current COVID-19 situation was imposed on us. But we have the choice whether to see it as a gross inconvenience or as an adventure. Those who are inclined to see it as an inconvenience long for everything to return to “normal.” Those who view it as an adventure, not only savor the experience now but look forward to the change this adventure will bring about in them.

How about you, are you ready for an adventure? I am! “Lord, we commit ourselves into Your loving care! Please help us to glean everything from this experience you have for us by approaching it as an adventure in faith.”

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT)

Social Distancing vs Social Isolation

by Rob Fischer ·

God designed us for social interaction. Some of us might think we’re loners, but if you’ve watched any of the “Alone” television series, you have to admit that even the most independent of souls suffer when isolated. When God created Adam, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)

Social distancing is a temporary strategy for preventing the spread of the coronavirus. And beyond its intended purpose, some other good things have come about due to social distancing and sheltering in place. Families who live under the same roof are spending more time with each other talking, playing games, and walking and hiking together. I’ve heard more than one person predict a baby boom in nine months due to the sheltering-in-place order!

But not everyone is experiencing the positive side of social distancing and sheltering in place. Ripped from normal interactions at work, the gym, church, school, coffee shops, restaurants, and a myriad of other social gatherings, some are in danger of slipping from distancing into isolation.

Social isolation has detrimental physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual effects. Some of these include stress, melancholy, depression, worry, anxiety, loneliness, substance abuse, pornography, eating disorders, and other self-destructive behaviors.

Nobody is immune from the ill-effects of isolation. Even the great prophet Elijah succumbed to its dark pull. In a spectacular demonstration of God’s power, Elijah had just bested 450 prophets of Baal. But immediately following this spiritual and emotional high, the wicked queen Jezebel swore to kill Elijah.

What did Elijah do? He was afraid and ran for his life. Then, he left his servant along the way and continued running alone (1 Kings 19:3). He isolated himself. He became so depressed that he asked the Lord to take his life. Apparently, he wasn’t eating because the Lord had to provide for him and urge him to eat.

This pattern of isolation went on for at least forty days. In verse 9 of that chapter, we find Elijah in a cave. Like a wounded animal, Elijah has dragged himself off to die alone and rejected. The Lord compassionately asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” From what Elijah tells the Lord, we surmise that he was moping. He was throwing a pity party. Basically, he told God, “Everyone else has forsaken You, except me. I’m the only faithful one in Israel, and now they’re trying to kill me.”

Lovingly, the Lord demonstrated His presence with Elijah. Then, God gave him a series of tasks that all had to do with people, taking him out of his isolation. Then the Lord said, “By the way, you’re not the only faithful one in Israel. I have seven thousand others in Israel who are still faithful to Me. So, you’re not alone after all.” (vs. 18)

But let’s not be too hard on Elijah. If we’re honest, we can probably all intimately identify with what Elijah was feeling. In such circumstances, isolation is like a drug. We know it is self-destructive, but we yield to it because we feel so beaten down.

7 Strategies for Resisting the Pull of Isolation

Stay connected with people every day. Call someone you know simply to chat and stay in touch. Reach out to distant friends you haven’t heard from in a while and catch up.
If possible, get outside into the fresh air every day. Go for a walk or a hike. Get some exercise.
When you go shopping, observe precautions, but go out of your way to interact with people safely.
Limit the amount of news you watch or listen to. The media thrives on sensationalism and being bombarded with it can be discouraging and depressing.
Spend time with those in your household: pray together, read the Word, sing together, play games, make love with your spouse, go for walks or drives together.
Order takeout from a local restaurant to support them during this lean financial time and make a point to interact with them.
Meet regularly with a spiritual partner via phone or some other technology. Share your joys and challenges with each other and pray for each other.

And you probably know some additional ways to resist the pull of isolation.

Those who live alone may be most vulnerable to isolation during this time, so remember to connect with them and offer encouragement and help.

“Always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

Feeling Like You’re Under House Arrest?

by Rob Fischer ·

As we hunker down in our homes to curb the spread of COVID-19 and comply with government orders, it may begin to feel like we’re under house arrest.

Along these lines, I’ve been thinking a lot about the Apostle Paul when he literally was under house arrest and in prison. I think we can find hope and purpose from his responses to his confinement. This is especially true for several reasons.

First, Paul truly was under arrest. He spent two full years in prison in Caesarea (Acts 24:27), then it took him roughly four months on a ship full of prisoners and wintering in Malta to reach Rome. Then he spent another two years under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30 and Philippians 1:12-14).

Also, keep in mind the kind of drive Paul had. If he were alive today, we would call him a “Type A” individual. He was entrepreneurial and a go-getter in spreading the Gospel. He was extremely passionate about helping new believers grow in their faith. And by the list of trials he suffered (2 Corinthians 11:21-33) we could add “adventurer” to describe him.

All this would naturally make it even more difficult for a man like Paul to be confined against his will. But look at how Paul responded to his confinement and see what encouragement we can glean from that:

He stayed in contact with churches and individuals by writing to them. While incarcerated, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and 2 Timothy. The positive, godly impact that these letters have had over the past two millennia are beyond reckoning.

Stay in contact with those you love by whatever means possible and encourage them.
Through His relationship with Christ, he maintained a joyful, positive outlook. We often refer to Philippians as “The Letter of Joy.” And yet, he wrote it from prison! (See Philippians 1:18-20; 4:4.)

Read Philippians and take its message to heart. Ask God for His supernatural joy and strength (Philippians 4:13). Avoid complaining, grumbling, negative talk or thinking. Instead, be thankful (Colossians 3:17).
He valued and spent time with those he loved. In each of his prison epistles, Paul talks about those who were visiting him and how much he valued their company (Colossians 4:10-15).

While we are sheltering in place with our loved ones, let’s enjoy each other and spend time together. Be creative in how you spend time together.
He read a lot. We know this from the fact that he quoted so much from the Old Testament in his letters. Also, he urgently requested that Timothy bring his scrolls, and especially the parchments when he came (2 Timothy 4:13).

Take time to read both for pleasure and edification. Read the Bible, Christian books, novels, etc. Reread these prison epistles to see what else you can apply to your current situation.
He kept growing in his relationship with Christ. Being in prison didn’t halt or retard Paul’s growth in Christ (see Philippians 3:7-17).

In fact, when we respond well to trials, they propel us forward in our walk with Christ. So, press into Christ as Paul did (Ephesians 3:20).
He continued sharing the Gospel with others. Paul saw his situation as a new and unique opportunity to share Christ with people he would not have otherwise met (Philippians 1:12-18).

With the “social-distancing” mandate, we have some unique challenges in this regard. So, how can you creatively share Christ with others at this time? (Philippians 1:12)
He prayed continually, trusting the Lord to meet ALL his needs. He talks about his prayers in all his prison letters, and in Ephesians, he even included two of his prayers for them (Ephesians 1:15-23 & 3:14-21).

Spend time in prayer daily with your loved ones. Pray what God lays on your heart. Pray for an end to the coronavirus. Pray for our government officials. Pray for those who are sick or have lost loved ones. Pray for the Lord to meet all your needs (Philippians 4:6-7, 19). Pray for spiritual awakening in our country and around the world! And pray for the Lord’s soon return!

Let me leave us with this verse from Philippians 1:27, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Amen!

The Big Question

by Rob Fischer ·

Someone asked me if I thought the coronavirus pandemic represents God’s judgment. I’m not qualified to answer that question. But perhaps a better question would be, “What is God saying to us in the midst of this crisis?” That’s a question each of us can answer individually.

Whether in times of prosperity and happiness, or times of severe challenge and grief, God is always extending His mercy, His grace and His love toward us. David declared in Psalm 145:8-9, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

God is always reaching out to us. Jesus said, “I came to seek those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10) We’re told that “God is not willing that any should perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) And when Jesus was here on earth, He healed everyone who came to Him regardless of who they were or what they’d done.

One thing I do know is that it is always fitting to assess our relationship with God and others. And life situations like what we’re dealing with right now tend to sober us and make us reflect on our lives and what really matters. Times like this strip away all other distractions and help us see more clearly.

Do you need to get right with God? “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) And, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Is there someone you need to forgive? “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)
Are you fearful? “The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:13-16 NLT)
Is it time to reassess your priorities? People and our relationships with them and the Lord are ultimately what matter most. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Finally, let’s continue to pray. Pray for an end to the coronavirus. Pray for the safety of others. Pray for healing for those who have been infected. Pray for our country’s leaders. And pray for spiritual awakening here in America and throughout the world.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

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