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COVID 19 travel and assembly restrictions have caused ACCTS to cancel or reschedule many planned events, and put others on a "to be determined" basis as we minister during this crisis. Here are some thoughts from our virtual staff meetings:
What is God revealing to us during this hiatus in travel to the mission field? Certainly scripture provides many answers. 2 Chr. 7: 13-15 tells us,
13"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 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. 15"Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place."
The Lord is clearly calling His people to humility and prayer and many are responding - the news is full of stories about communities and politicians coming together in a common cause to help those most affected by closures and illness. As we cope with the inconveniences imposed by government measures to mitigate the virus, we're reminded of Paul's counsel to the faithful in Romans 13:1-3 -
"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same." God is calling us to respect and obey our elected leaders as they deal with this unprecedented situation, and to mediate on His word as to how we can help to
". . walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil," (Eph. 5:16) particularly for those to whom we normally minister in the uniformed services of the world.
Since we are temporarily sidelined from the mission field, what would God have us do? Several opportunities have been revealed to "redeem this time."
- Since processing newsletters and check donations typically requires collecting and handling mail, ACCTS is using this time to implement electronic processing of donations and publications to the extent possible. Over the long haul this will be not only less expensive but also more efficient.
- Follow up with those to whom we minister and those who support us is an important part of our ministry, so our staff is using this time to catch up. ACCTS ministry involves building lasting relationships through frequent personal contact for encouragement and discipleship. Now we are ministering through other forms of communication.
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Psalm 37:7 calls us to
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Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him" We see this as an opportunity to do just that - seek the Lord's guidance for the future of our ministry by praying and planning to discern His will for the post virus environment, even as we wait upon the Him. The virus has prompted more widespread use of communication media. Might we use these developments to enhance and expand ministry?
Finally, we claim the promises found in Jer. 29:11-13,
1For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart," and in Romans 8:28,
"We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. God has already called us to begin planning a world conference of military Christian fellowships in Brazil for 2024, and we are actively partnering with Military Ministries International in Britain, the Missionary Support Organization in South Korea, and the Association of Military Christian Fellowships to pray about and plan how to bring this about. Confident in God's sovereignty over His creation, including COVID 19, we praise His name for the good coming from this crisis, and thank Him for this opportunity to pause and meditate on what He has in mind for the future.
Pray with us that the suffering from the Corona Virus might soon be curtailed around the world, and that in time this episode may be viewed as a global time of revival as more and more people humble themselves, seek God's face, and surrender themselves to Him.
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