What Is a Pandemic and What Can We Expect?

The volume of information regarding COVID-19 released in the past week is overwhelming.

The initial, simple message has increased in complexity with new tallies daily on how many are infected and what actions governments, educational institutions, hospitals, and businesses are taking to help control the spread of the infection.

With no medications or vaccines currently available, the focus remains on personal hygiene, COVID-19 testing and public health strategies.

But really…what is a “pandemic” and what can we expect over the upcoming weeks as the world responds to this infection?

A pandemic is defined when an infection has “efficient and sustained human to human transmission worldwide.” Some recent prior pandemics have included HIV/AIDS 2005, Hong Kong Flu pandemic 1968, and the Asian flu pandemic of 1956.

There are phases to a pandemic with different public health strategies applied in each phase:

Currently, in the United States, we are experiencing the Acceleration phase, so you can expect a rapid doubling of cases over the next days to weeks. How fast this occurs depends on how successful we are in applying public health strategies.

Over the next week, we will continue to see case identifications with the isolation of those sick patients, enhanced testing for COVID-19 to help us to identify cases, plus the addition of more and more social distancing, which includes things like canceling large public events, closing schools, etc.

The peak of the pandemic will see cancellation and postponement of elective medical care, including procedures like knee replacements, hysterectomies and routine physicals.

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Much has been highlighted in the news regarding COVID-19 testing and social distancing, but one important thing to note is that COVID-19 testing is recommended for only a small subset of people who:

AND

As more tests become available, testing volume will increase. Still, it is important to understand that these tests are primarily to help our public health and medical systems to understand the timing and aggressiveness of social distancing, and to manage medical resources.

For the short term, there are no proven antivirals or vaccines to treat this infection. Medical care will be focused on supportive treatment for those who develop breathing complications from the virus.

As a reminder, if you are concerned that you may have symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath and are wondering if you should seek testing, please consult with your health provider. Medi-Share members should take advantage of the free MDLive telehealth resource, which allows you to speak with a board-certified physician 24/7 who can help guide you on the best next steps to safeguard your health.

Medi-Share, like our nation, will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation. We encourage our members and everyone to stay calm and to follow local public health recommendations regarding travel, avoiding work/school if sick, and implementing social distancing when directed in your area.

We are grateful to be a part of a faith community and are lifting our members, our staff and our nation in prayer. Take comfort from the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6–7: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

 

About Dr. Alesia Greene

Dr. Alesia Greene is a board-certified family physician with leadership experience in clinical operations, clinical quality process improvements, patient safety program management, and patient-centered medical home strategies. She also had a successful military career in the Air Force serving as a staff family physician, medical director, primary course instructor, chief of the medical staff, and ultimately Commander, Chief of Aerospace Medicine. Dr. Greene joined the Medi-Share team in 2018.

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MyChristianCare 

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Source CBN

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Albert Mohler Argues There Is ‘No Such Thing as Christian Yoga’

Albert Mohler Argues There Is ‘No Such Thing as Christian Yoga’


Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler, Jr. says what has been dubbed “Christian yoga” is not a Christian practice.

According to The Christian Post, Mohler said in his podcast, The Briefing, that yoga has roots in Hindu and Buddhist practices and philosophies.

“It is deeply based in both Hinduism and Buddhism and the traditional meditative practices that are inseparable from yoga as physical movement involve those traditional Buddhist and Hindu teachings, and it shows up not only in the word ‘Namaste,’ it shows up even in the basic philosophy of what the body is doing,” he said.

“It also shows up in a distinct theological understanding of the body in motion and the body in pose. It also shows up in a deep conflict between Christianity and both Hinduism and Buddhism and yoga as a dimension of both when it comes to the purpose of the mind and how we are as Christians to exercise the mind.”

Mohler said he knows many churches offer yoga classes, but he also warned that “the mainstreaming of yoga” comes from groups such as Transcendentalists and New Thought groups who are “intentionally trying to create a spiritual practice and spirituality that would serve as a clear alternative to biblical Christianity.”

“The Bible doesn’t have a list of acceptable and unacceptable stretches, exercises, or poses, but the Bible does make very clear what is to be a…

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With Their Whole Country in Lockdown, Italians Lift Spirits by Singing Together from Balconies

Neighborhoods all over Italy are on lockdown following a surge in coronavirus cases, but that hasn’t stopped them from finding ways to keep their spirits up.

Thousands of Italians have ventured out onto their balconies to sing aloud together in an effort to feel more connected.

The word has gotten out on social media, calling people to join in while still practicing social distancing. 

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In one neighborhood in Rome, a popular doorman has turned into a musical ‘conductor’,
putting on a mask and gloves to lead his building residents in a daily singalong of “Volare”, a classic 1950s song that means “To Fly”.

One Twitter user wrote, “People of my hometown #Siena sing a popular song from their houses along an empty street to warm their hearts during the Italian #Covid_19 #lockdown.”

People of my hometown #Siena sing a popular song from their houses along an empty street to warm their hearts during the Italian #Covid_19 #lockdown.#coronavirusitalia #COVID19 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/7EKKMIdXov

— valemercurii (@valemercurii) March 12, 2020

Ryan Meilak tweeted, “People locked inside turn to their windows and balconies singing so everyone feels less lonely. Here is #Naples singing “Abbracciame” (Hug me). #Coronavirus #CoronavirusUSA.”

Italy. People locked inside turn to their windows and balconies singing so everyone feels less lonely. Here is #Naples singing “Abbracciame” (Hug me). #Coronavirus #CoronavirusUSA pic.twitter.com/DHVPvxbB8d

— Ryan Meilak (@rmeilak) March 13, 2020

And residents of Siena and Napoli have been singing the popular song “Abbracciami Forte,” which means “Hold me tight.”

This is poetic. People of Siena, Napoli, Rome go out on their balconies and sing together during lockdown. The name of the song below is “Abbracciami forte”, which means “Hold me tight.” In the end, only love prevails. Forza sempre, strength, always. pic.twitter.com/lGxmSyl6sb

— Ayse Kaya (@akfirat) March 14, 2020

Italy reported 349 new coronavirus-related deaths in the country Monday. That increased the total number of deaths to 2,503 out of 28,000 confirmed cases in the country. Italy has been hit hardest by the coronavirus out of any European country.

The country has a high percentage of elderly citizens, with 23 percent over the age of 65. AP reports most deaths in the country have hit people aged 80 or higher.

Source CBN

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PODCAST: Augustine of Hippo, Part 8 (History of Christianity #167 with Daniel Whyte III)

This is Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the History of Christianity Podcast #167, titled, “Augustine of Hippo (Part 8): Minister and Theologian of the Western Church (Part 3).”

When I became a believer in Jesus Christ, I somehow had the false idea that Christianity began when I got saved. I had no concept of the hundreds of years of history that Christianity had gone through since the time of Jesus Christ over 2,000 years ago. I have found that many believers, young and old, have the same false idea. The purpose of this broadcast is to dispel this notion by sharing with listeners the history of Christianity from the ministry of Jesus Christ all the way up until the present day in an easy-to-understand format. You don’t have to worry: this is not a lecture. This is a look at the basic facts and figures of Christian history that every believer and every person needs to be aware of.

Our Scripture for today is Romans 5:12 which reads: “Sin first is pleasing, then frequent, then habitual, then confirmed; then the man is impenitent, then he is obstinate, then he is resolved never to repent, and then he is ruined.”

Our History of Christianity quote today is from Robert Leighton. He said: “Sin first is pleasing, then frequent, then habitual, then confirmed; then the man is impenitent, then he is obstinate, then he is resolved never to repent, and then he is ruined.”

Today, in the History of Christianity, we are looking at “Augustine of Hippo (Part 8): Minister and Theologian of the Western Church (Part 3)” from Dr. Justo L. Gonzalez’s fine book, The Story of Christianity (Volume 1).

But Augustine remembered when he both willed and did not will to become a Christian. This meant that human will was not as simple as Pelagius [PELL-AY-JEE-US] characterized it. There are times when the will is powerless against the hold sin has on it. The will is not always its own master, for it is clear that the will to will does not always have its way, nor can the will do that which its fallen condition does not permit it even to imagine.

According to Augustine, the power of sin is such that it takes hold of our will, and as long as we are under its sway we cannot move our will to be rid of it. The most we can accomplish is to struggle between willing and not willing, which does little more than show the powerlessness of our will against itself. The sinner can will nothing but sin. Within that condition, there certainly are good and bad choices; but even the best choices still fall within the category of sin.

This does not mean, however, that freedom has disappeared. The sinner is still free to choose among various alternatives. But all of these are sin, and the one alternative that is not open is to cease sinning. In Augustine’s words, before the fall we were free both to sin and not to sin. But between the fall and redemption the only freedom left to us is the freedom to sin. When we are redeemed, the grace of God works in us, leading our will from the miserable state in which it found itself to a new state in which freedom is restored, so that we are now free both to sin and not to sin. Finally, in the heavenly home we shall still be free, but only free not to sin. Again, this does not mean that all freedom is destroyed. On the contrary, in heaven we shall continue to have free choices. But none of them will be sin. At that point, our minds will be so overwhelmed by the goodness of God that sin will be as unimaginable as not sinning is now.

Back to the moment of conversion, how can we make the decision to accept grace? According to Augustine, only by the power of grace itself, for before that moment we are not free not to sin, and therefore we are not free to decide to accept grace. The initiative in conversion is not human, but divine. Furthermore, grace is irresistible, and God gives it to those who have been predestined to it.

In contrast, Pelagius [PELL-AY-JEE-US] claimed that each of us comes to the world with complete freedom to sin, or not to sin. There is no such thing as original sin, nor a corruption of human nature that forces us to sin. Children have no sin until they, out of their own free will, decide to sin.

Next time, we will continue looking at “Augustine of Hippo.”

Let’s pray.

—PRAYER—

Dear friend, simply knowing the facts about Christian history without knowing the One on Whom this faith is based will do you no good. If you do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, may I encourage you to get to know Him today. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can be a part of the church in this life and in the life to come. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Until next time, remember that history is truly His story.

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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Suspends Church of England Services Amid Coronavirus Lockdown but Weddings and Funerals Will Still Go On

Methodists follow suit, with mosques advised to stop congregational activity

The Church of England has suspended all services until further notice, saying it must become “a different sort of church in these coming months”.

However, weddings and funerals may still go ahead, a spokesperson said. The Methodist church also suspended services from Tuesday.

In a joint letter to parishes, the archbishops of Canterbury and York said the coronavirus pandemic was a defining moment for the C of E. They said: “Are we truly a church for all, or just the church for ourselves?”

The church must now be “rooted in prayer and serving others”, Justin Welby and John Sentamu said.

The letter said, where practical, churches could remain open as places of prayer for the community, but social-distancing recommendations must be observed. If possible, services should be conducted by clergy and live-streamed.

The archbishops said congregations should still be at the forefront of providing practical care and support for the poor and vulnerable during the crisis.

They wrote: “Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day … Please do carry on supporting the local food bank and buy extra provisions for it.

“Ensure the night shelters wherever possible are kept open. There are many very encouraging schemes happening right across our country in communities to focus on caring for the most vulnerable and do continue to play your part in those.”

The Church of Scotland cancelled its 2020 general assembly, which was scheduled to take place in Edinburgh in May. Almost 1,000 people were expected at the event, and the Duke of Cambridge was to attend as the Queen’s representative.

A spokesperson said the church was considering whether to suspend services, with an announcement expected shortly.

Quakers have decided to continue to meet for worship until advised not to but will refrain from physical contact.

Paul Parker of Quakers in Britain said: “Quakers usually shake hands at the end of their meetings for worship, as an expression of unity. But the act of shaking hands itself is not a core part of Quaker faith and there are many other ways Quakers can share this greeting.”

He said many meetings were experimenting with online silent worship: “In extraordinary circumstances, we’ll do our best to become a virtual worshipping community.”

The Methodist church said services would be suspended, baptisms would not take place in public worship, and those planning weddings should consult their minister.

“While funerals may still take place, we would advise that the number of people attending is limited as per the government’s advice,” it said in guidance issued on Tuesday.

SOURCE: The Guardian – Harriet Sherwood

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When you fear for your finances: How to avoid the ‘prison of anxiety’


NOTE: Welcome to our first Special Edition Daily Article responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

I will publish an article like this each weekday afternoon as we look at a breaking news story in the context of biblical encouragements to “fear not.”

In these days, it is vital that we fight fear with faith. I hope these Special Editions will be a source of biblical hope for you.


President Trump and the coronavirus task force held another press conference today as the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the US.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the White House was asking Congress to approve a massive emergency rescue package to help businesses and taxpayers. This after stocks fell yesterday in the worst day for the market since 1987’s “Black Monday.” The New York Times reports, “Not since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has a crisis enveloped so much of the economy so quickly.“

If you’re like most Americans, you are worried not just about the global economy or the national outlook but about your personal finances and retirement accounts.

But we’re not the first followers of Jesus to have such fears.

How to avoid the ‘prison of anxiety’

Paul founded the Philippian church in the face of great opposition. He and Silas were beaten and imprisoned before they were released and asked to leave the city (Acts 16:6–40). The congregation they left faced the threat of similar political and religious persecution. Many must have wondered about their financial security and their futures.

To them, the apostle offered these transformational words: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God” (Philippians 4:6). “Do not be anxious” could be translated, “Be worried about absolutely nothing.” There are no exceptions here.

Instead, we are to pray about “everything” with “supplication” (specific…

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ISIS Warns Members to Stay Out of Europe Because of COVID-19

ISIS Warns Members to Stay Out of Europe Because of COVID-19


Despite years of ISIS pushing its soldiers into Europe to inflict acts of terror, the group has about-faced in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and is now telling them to stay out of Europe. 

“The healthy should not enter the land of the epidemic and the afflicted should not exit from it,” said the group’s al-Naba newsletter, according to CBN News. The virus is a “plague” and “torment sent by God on whomsoever He wills,” the group continued.

ISIS encouraged any terrorist in Europe to remain in order to inflict “the infidels.” If members are healthy, however, they should “flee from the one afflicted with leprosy as you flee from the lion.” They also pushed hygiene habits, including washing hands and covering their mouths when sneezing or yawning.

The terrorist group has been on alert regarding the growing situation ever since the outbreak began in China last December. 

According to Homeland Security Today, the al-Naba newsletter blamed Chinese officials for not fully revealing the scope of the coronavirus’ spread, which, according to them, is a punishment from God for China’s mistreatment of the Uyghur Muslim population.

“The real numbers for the dead and the ill are many times what they announced,” ISIS said. China is “claiming the recovery and discharge of some patients with the disease … to reassure people, and to reduce the catastrophic effects.”

The…

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PODCAST: Whyte House Family Devotional Reading of Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening #60 with Daniel Whyte III

This is Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International with the Whyte House Family Devotional Reading of Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening podcast. This is Episode #60.

Charles Spurgeon was a prominent English Particular Baptist preacher. He was very influential among the Christians of various denominations during his age and even today, and is commonly called the “Prince of Preachers”. After some time of alternately searching for God and running from God, he had a powerful encounter which led him to give his life to Christ. Spurgeon was only 16 when he preached his first sermon and he began publishing books shortly afterward. At the time of his death, he had preached nearly 3,600 sermons and published 49 volumes of commentaries, sayings, anecdotes, illustrations and devotions. Spurgeon said, “encouraging thoughts are like honey to the heart”, and wrote this devotional in hopes that its uplifting messages for each day of the year would bring comfort and refreshment to our walk with God. He was inspired by Isaiah 50:4 which reads, “He wakeneth morning by morning. He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned” and Psalm 63:5-6 which says, “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips; when I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches.”

Ephesians 1:11 reads: “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

When Jesus gave himself for us, he gave us all the rights and privileges which went with himself; so that now, although as eternal God, he has essential rights to which no creature may venture to pretend, yet as Jesus, the Mediator, the federal head of the covenant of grace, he has no heritage apart from us. All the glorious consequences of his obedience unto death are the joint riches of all who are in him, and on whose behalf he accomplished the divine will. See, he enters into glory, but not for himself alone, for it is written, “Whither the Forerunner is for us entered.” Heb. 6:20. Does he stand in the presence of God?—“He appears in the presence of God for us.” Heb. 9:24. Consider this, believer. You have no right to heaven in yourself: your right lies in Christ. If you are pardoned, it is through his blood; if you are justified, it is through his righteousness; if you are sanctified, it is because he is made of God unto you sanctification; if you shall be kept from falling, it will be because you are preserved in Christ Jesus; and if you are perfected at the last, it will be because you are complete in him. Thus Jesus is magnified—for all is in him and by him; thus the inheritance is made certain to us—for it is obtained in him; thus each blessing is the sweeter, and even heaven itself the brighter, because it is Jesus our Beloved “in whom” we have obtained all. Where is the man who shall estimate our divine portion? Weigh the riches of Christ in scales, and his treasure in balances, and then think to count the treasures which belong to the saints. Reach the bottom of Christ’s sea of joy, and then hope to understand the bliss which God hath prepared for them that love him. Overleap the boundaries of Christ’s possessions, and then dream of a limit to the fair inheritance of the elect. “All things are yours, for ye are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.”

PRAY.

Thank you for listening to the Morning and Evening podcast. If you do not know the Lord as your Savior, here is how you can be saved from Hell and walk with the Lord morning and evening until you go to that wonderful place called Heaven when you die:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 18:8: “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at [email protected] and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

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PODCAST: The Scripture & the Sense Podcast #446: Amos 4:12 with Daniel Whyte III

This is Daniel Whyte III president of Gospel Light Society International with The Scripture & the Sense Podcast #446, where I read the Word of God and give the sense of it based on an authoritative commentary source such as the Bible Knowledge Commentary or Matthew Henry Commentary. This podcast is based upon Nehemiah 8:8 where it says Ezra and the Levites “read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” The aim of this podcast is that through the simple reading of the Word of God and the giving of the sense of it, the church would be revived and the world would be awakened.

Today we are reading Amos 4:12.

12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

________

That was Amos 4:12. Now here is the sense of it.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary reads:

Therefore, because Israel had resisted these chastenings and had continued her sinful rebellion, God would pronounce her sentence of doom. This is what I will do to you refers to God’s devastating sweep through the land as predicted in 3:11–15. The nation was commanded to get ready for this terrifying moment—prepare to meet your God, O Israel. Some understand the word “prepare” as an invitation to repent before this final catastrophe. Since the word, however, was often used of war preparations, “prepare to meet your God” is most likely a military summons to an awful confrontation. Israel was to face God’s final judgment.

____________

Thank you for listening to the Scripture & The Sense Podcast. Remember to read the Word of God each and every day and pray without ceasing to God for wisdom to understand it and apply it to your life. Most importantly, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Please stay tuned for a complete presentation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ so that you can get your soul saved from Hell to that wonderful place called Heaven when you die. May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.

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