Pastor’s Meditation May 2020
 
A happy May to everyone.  As I write these words, I’m like all of you, waiting for life, business, work, etc., to start resuming.  Continuing to pray for health care workers, families that are dealing with loss, and people that need to get back to work. 
 
When I was thinking about what to write for May, I stumbled across an article online that talked about an exhibit at the London Zoo.  Back in 2005 the zoo had a temporary, special exhibit called “Humans in Their Natural Environment.  There were exhibits of live people doing different things, with signs giving information about diet, habitat, & threats.  It was the same information you would read about animals in the zoo, except it dealt with humans.  One of the reasons for the exhibit was to downplay the uniqueness of human beings.  One of the participants was quoted as saying, “When you see humans as animals, the idea is that we’re not that special.” 
 
This mindset stands in stark opposition to what the Bible teaches. God’s word says in Psalm 139 that human beings are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Genesis 1:26-27 says that God has made us in his image.  I think that teaches pretty clearly that we’re special. 
 
David began Psalm 139 by celebrating God’s intimate knowledge of him and the reality of God’s all-encompassing presence in David’s life. God not only formed the intricacies of David’s internal & external features, but God made him a living soul.  God gave all of his human creation a spiritual life and the ability to be in intimate relationship with God.  When you take the time to think about God’s handiwork, you can’t help but be awed. 
 
Human beings are special.  God created us with marvelous uniqueness and the awesome ability to have an intimate relationship with Him.  Like David did in Psalm 139, we can praise God because we’re the workmanship of His loving hands.

Over the past couple weeks, I've had several leaders ask about calling the entire church to a day of prayer and fasting. As a result of this request, I'd like to call all of us and all of our congregations to a day of prayer and fasting.

I'd like to ask everyone to set aside Wednesday, April 22, 2020 as a day of prayer, fasting and seeking the Lord in light of the current COVID-19 crisis.

We have much to lift up in prayer:

• That God would end the COVID-19 pandemic.
• For comfort for those grieving the great loss of life.
• For healing for those afflicted with the virus.
• For protection for the many doctors, nurses, medical professionals, first response personnel, service industry workers, truck drivers and other essential workers who are working to save lives and provide for others' need through this crisis.
• For our leaders: national, state and local leaders - that God would bless them with great wisdom, courage and strength as they lead.
• For the many struggling with depression and isolation during this time of social distancing.
• For God's abundant provision for those who are now unemployed as a result of the pandemic.
• For the many children who are in difficult situations and suffering from the lack of structure and rhythm.
• For the many relationships that are strained and working through the additional stresses brought on by this crisis.
• For our brothers and sisters around the globe who are facing the same challenges and difficulties without the safety nets that many of us have access to in the Western world.

Let's seek the Lord in this season. Let's cry out to Him and seek His mercy, provision and direction for our lives, our families, our churches and our communities.

Let's ask our gracious and loving Father to bring His kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven.
Set aside the day of Wednesday, April 22nd
to share in this day of prayer, fasting and seeking our Lord.

COVID-19 is impacting the whole world.  In many of the poorest areas of the world, the shutdown of places to work means day laborers do not have income and many families are facing starvation.  The Churches of God, General Conference provides ministry in many areas like this in Haiti, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Venezuela and other areas.  Our Global Reach staff in Findlay is working with ministry leaders in those areas to help people in those countries with food and basic necessities at this time.  A special fund has been set up to help.  Please consider giving to GR9325 Global Reach COVID 19 Emergency Relief Fund.  You can send a check with GR9325 in the memo line directly to Global Reach, Churches of God, General Conference, 700 East Melrose Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840.
Pastor Earl
You can give by going directly to the weblink set up for online giving through the Churches of God
https://secure.cggc.org/global-reach-covid-19-emergency-relief-gr-9325
Watch the video from the link below from Global Reach Director Ben Tobias explaining the situation.
https://vimeo.com/407633674?fbclid=IwAR0cTARCPPq_FHCeqK9T5_Jv9_XZEL0VuZURzNRCQyDH7GbHIkKGaKCasDE