Look to Jesus for Healing

This whole situation with COVID-19, the Coronavirus, reminds me of the story told in Numbers 21:4-9. "Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” 6 So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived."

What a story! I am NOT in any way suggesting that COVID-19 is God's judgment on the world, but I do see some similarities between modern culture and the Children of Israel:

1) Europe was the birthplace to some of the world's greatest revivals, but now is a post-Christian society;

2) I believe the USA is moving toward, if not already become a "post-Christian" society;

3) A nation founded on Christianity (that was the religion of the Pilgrims & forefathers) is now accepting worship to any god;

4) Americans have pushed God to #2 position, and replaced Him with other gods (i.e. - the stock market, sports, shopping, work, electronics, etc.);

5) Many Americans have placed their trust in big government to supply their needs, rather than depending on God;

6) Americans have become self-absorbed, while Jesus was others-oriented (consider the TP & hand sanitizer hoarders during this crisis);

7) Many have come to see God as a cosmic vending machine and will quickly turn against Him, if they do not get their way;

8) Many have replaced Sunday, the Lord's Day, with the worship of recreational hobbies;

9) Many have deteriorated to the place at which they consider God as an option, as long as He does not impose on their schedule or lifestyle;

10) Too many proclaim to know God; but in their works, they deny Him.

So what is the answer to stop this spiritual decline and departure from the only true God, Jehovah? Where can we find real healing? We must follow the example found in Numbers 21 and exalt the Lord, fix our eyes on Jesus, repent of our sin, and live in light of eternity! As a nation, we are praying for healing from a disease and God does want to heal our land, but He also desires to heal our soul. Healing will come when the Church gets back to basics, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

COVID-19 Helpful Resources

I am sure that you (like me) are being inundated with information regarding COVID-19. I can only put-up with hearing this stuff and the apocalyptic comments for so long, and then I start hitting "delete" whenever I see an email that starts with "Coronavirus." Below, I have tried to sort through the clutter and provide resources that you might find helpful:

1) FLORIDA CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE & WEBSITE - 24-hour hotline that is dedicated to answer your questions or concerns. The number is 1-866-779-6121. The call center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Florida Health website can be found at https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

2) SoFlo TESTING SITE LOCATIONS:
A. As of today, 3/20/20, Coronavirus screeing is now available in Pompano Beach. To schedule a time, Broward Health asks that patients first get a written prescription from a physician and then call (954) 320-5730 to register. Those who qualify will be required to present a photo ID, the written prescription and the registration confirmation number
B. In Weston, Cleveland Clinic Florida is scheduling appointments for drive-through testing at their Weston Krupa Center, located at 3250 Meridian Parkway.
C. Community Health of South Florida, Inc. is testing its patients through a drive-through set-up at the Doris Ison Health Center, located at 10300 SW 216 Street, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
D. CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, also has a drive-through test site. Testing is limited to healthcare workers & those age 65+ with obvious signs. Be prepared for a wait time of 2 hours and to be asked to exit, if you do not meet the criteria for testing.

3) BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA
- Baptist Health is making Care on Demand available through a phone app. Download the app and use the the code CARE19 for free access.

4) CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL - CDC Website

5) GRACECHURCHSFL.COM - We will try to keep our website updated whenever useful information is available.

Using Technology to Share the Never Changing Message with an Ever Changing World

Last month, the stock market was enjoy an 11 year bull market, housing prices were trending up, families were planning spring break, workers were considering retirement, workers were enjoying their jobs, and churches were doing business as usual. (I am not implying that "business as usual" is a good thing at any time for any church.) Everyone was enjoying life and saw only blue skies on the horizon... then entered COVID-19 / Coronavirus.

The world changed seemingly overnight; paralyzed with fear due to uncertainty. Where do people go when then are afraid? Often, they seek solace in God and return to the Church. For example, immediately following the attacks of 9-11, church attendance increased drastically. But, this time it is different. We are being told not to gather in groups of more than 10, so where do people go this time to seek God?

The answer is - they go to the Church. The Church has never been a building, although many mistakenly call it such. The Church is a "called out assembly" of those people who have accepted God's gift of salvation through the sacrificial and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. The Church spans the globe! It includes people of all nations, tribes, and tongues. We meet at various times, speak different languages, worship according to our culture, and meet in different places. Some services are held outside; others inside. Some in beautiful buildings; some in huts. Some in houses, basements, coffee shops, hotels, public schools, and so forth. The place of gathering does not matter, but obedience to the command found in Hebrews 10:25, "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together...;" that does matter!

With the recent precautionary efforts to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, the Church is using a new method to meet - online. This method certainly should not replace the physical gathering of worshipers, after this health threat is over; but it is a good option for now. People will be able to worship together (virtually) from the safety of their own homes, until this pandemic passes. Technology can be a great tool, when used properly.

I can hear the critics now, "Bless God, that's not church!" They are right, the Church is not limited to a service (physical or virtual), the Church is the people... the called out assembly.

For the sake of protecting those in our congregation who are at high risk, as well as, letting our community know that we care about them enough to help protect them; Grace Church is moving our services online-only this week. Our method is changing, BUT our message is NOT! This cutting edge technology will allow us to continue to deliver the message of the Gospel and I am excited about that! We get to proclaim Christ to the nations as quarantined people tune in from around the world. That's exciting! So, if you do not usally attend a worship service, I invite you to join with us this Sunday at 10:45am via Facebook Live. Yep, we're using new technology to worship together, learn from the Scriptures, and introduce people to an "ALL IN" faith in Jesus Christ.