COVID-19 information

God is faithful and can be trusted, no matter what happens.

Please pray for the situation – especially for God’s Wisdom and direction for the leaders of our nation and around the world.

1.    Keep your focus on God: We each have a key role to play in encouraging, informing and looking after those around us.

2.   Be wise. We each must take steps to protect ourselves and those around us. It is the simple things like properly washing our hands, and practicing social distancing that will make a huge difference.

3. Stay up to date.  The latest news from the Government of Timor-Leste is available here

John 14:27 (Jesus speaking) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid“

Hakotu Serka Sanitaria maibe nafatin mantein distansia

Dili – Governu liu husi Ministeiro ba Assuntus Parlamentaris no Komunikasaun Sosial inklui Ministeiro Saude halo sosialisaun ba komunidade iha Timor Leste tomak atu mantein nafatin distansiamentu no tuir nafatin protokolo covid 19 mesmu hakotu ona serka sanitaria iha Timor laran tomak.

Iha momentu hanesan mos liu husi ministeiro rua  apelu ba comunidade Timor Leste tomak hodi hakat ba fatin imunizasaun hodi simu vasinsaun covid 19 iha centru saude no fatin vasina nia. Tamba simu vasina importante tebes hodi evita moras covid 19 no hodi aumenta imunidade isin nian.

Nudar sidadaun ida nebe ke diak no hakarak proteje nia an husi moras perigu ida nee tenke hakat ba hodi simu vasinasaun. Husi parte governu nian nafatin apela ba comunidade tomak hodi kumpri ajizensia ida nee.

 

A Prayer for Troubled Times

Need some encouragement today?

Read and meditate on these words and pray them to our Lord.

Let nothing disturb you
Let nothing frighten you
Those who cling to God will lack nothing
Let nothing disturb you
Let nothing frighten you
God alone is enough!
Amen

“Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make you path straight.” Proverbs 3:56 NKJV

SITUASAUN ATUAL COVID 19 | TERCA 30 MARSU 2021

Radio Voz relata Imformasaun Covid 19 husi Centru Prevensaun no Mitigasaun Surti Covid 19 Iha loron 30 Marcu 2021.

KOMUNIKADU IMPRENSA

Dr Rui Maria de Araújo, Kordenador Forsa-Tarefa ba Prevensaun no Mitigasaun Surtu Covid-19 iha Timor-Leste, (CIGC-SS)

Iha loron 30 fulan Marsu 2021, hodi Centro Integrado Gestão de Crises, Sala Situação (CIGC-SS) nia naran, hakarak hato’o ba, no ba públiku tomak, informasaun pur eskritu hanesan tuir mai:

✅EVOLUSAUN SURTU COVID-19 IHA MUNISIPIU DILI

Iha 30 de Marsu 2021, iha Munisipiu Dili iha kazu foun 50. Nune’e, kazu detetadu ka pozitivu iha Munisipiu Dili husi dia 7 de Marsu 2021, to’o ohin, 30 de Marsu de 2021, hamutuk hotu 415.

✅EVOSUAUN SURTU COVID-19 IHA VIQUEQUE

Iha kazu pozitivu ida iha Munisipiu Viqueque. Kazu ida ne’e, kontaktu-besik husi kuzu iha cluster ezistente. Ho nune’e, kazu detetadu iha Munsiipiu Viqueque hamutuk hotu 11.

✅DADUS JERAL

1️⃣Kazu foun ohin: 51

2️⃣Kazu rekuperadu: 11

3️⃣Total kazu ativu: 382

4️⃣Husi horiseik mai ohin hamutuk hotu LNS halo 939 testes PCR, inklui ona iha laran 176, ne’ebé mai husi pedidu autorizasaun esepsionál atu sai husi serka sanitária iha Munisipiu Dili.

5️⃣Total pedidu autorizasaun esepsionál atu sai husi & tama mai serka sanitaria iha Munisipiu Dili, horiseik dia 29 de Marsu, hamutuk hotu 129. Sekretariadu CIGC responde hotu kedas, maibé 13 pedidus la prienxe kriteriu tuir Resolusaun Governu.

✅TABELA EVOLUSAUN SURTU COVID 19 IHA TIMOR-LESTE, HAHÚ 22 FEVEREIRU 2021 (Tuir klasifikasaun transmissaun OMS nian)

➡️Munisipiu Dili Totál Komulativu Kazu: 415, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 50, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU IHA CLUSTER

➡️Munisipiu Baucau Totál Komulativu Kazu: 26, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU IHA CLUSTER

➡️Munispiu Covalima Totál Komulativu Kazu: 19, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU IHA CLUSTER

➡️Munisipiu Viqueque Totál Komulativu Kazu: 11, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 1, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU IHA CLUSTER

➡️Munisipiu Lautem Totál Komulativu Kazu: 1, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU ESPORÁDIKU

➡️RAEOA Totál Komulativu Kazu: 1, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU ESPORÁDIKU

➡️Munisipiu sira seluk Totál Komulativu Kazu: 0, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: LAIHA KAZU

✅APELU

1️⃣Apela ba komunidade iha fatin ne’ebé maluk sira rekuperadu sira hela bá, favor labele tauk, tamba sira ne’ebé sai husi fatin izolamentu, ekipa saúde sira sertifika ona katak sira la iha ona risku atu hada’et-tutan virus ba ema seluk.

2️⃣Apela ba populasaun Timor-Leste tomak, liu-liu iha Munisipiu Dili, Baucau ho Viqueque atu nafatin hakmatek, lalika sé tilun ba lia-anin ka rumores, pratíka nafatin medida sira ne’ebé ita hotu hatene ona:

▶️Uza máskara

▶️Fase liman beibeik ho sabaun ka dezinfetante ruma

▶️Evita kose liman ba matan, inus ho ibun

▶️Wainhira kumprimenta malu, lapresiza ka’er liman, bensa-liman, rei-malu ka haku’ak malu

▶️Evita halibur malu barak

▶️Hamriik ka tur dook husi ema seluk, mínimu metru ida ho balun.

Radio Voz relata husi #MédiaPaláciodasCinzas

Estudu hosi Fiocruz hetan Coronarivus iha bee valeta nian

Fundasaun Oswalso Cruz (Fiocruz) foo sai katak sira nia estudu ida hetan Coronavirus iha bee valeta nian (esgoto), iha sidadi Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. Maibee, sientista sira dehan katak sira seidauk hatene se bee esgoto nian bele ka lae hadaet coronavirus. Posibilidade ladun boot, tanba virus la bele moris tempu naruk iha valeta laran.

Sientista sira hatene ona katak coronavirus bele mai iha ema moras nia fezes (bee boot), maibee seidauk hatene ho klaru too iha nebee mak virus bele hadaet iha ambiente hanesan nee.

Ho informasaun hosi noticias.uol.com.br

https://noticias.uol.com.br/cotidiano/ultimas-noticias/2020/04/28/coronavirus-esgoto-niteroi.htm

AC kontribui ba hadaet coronavírus

Investigador sira estuda kazu ida nebee akontese iha sidadi Guangzhou, iha restauranti ida, iha nebee ema ida nebee infetadu ona ho coronavírus maibee asintomátiku (katak la hatudu sintoma), hadaet vírus ba ema nain 9 tan.

Hosi ema nain 90 nebee iha restautante laran, sira nebee hetan infetadu mak sira nebee tuur iha diresaun AC nia anin. Tuir dezenhu iha leten, nebee investigador sira rasik halo, ita haree katak ema nebee infetadu (A1) tuur mais ou menos iha klaran, iha meza A, no sira nebee hetan infetadu iha nebaa mak sira nebee tuur iha mesa B no C. Maski sira balun tuur dook liu metru ida ka rua, sira hetan infetadu. Maibe meza tolu hotu nee iha diresaun AC nia anin. Tuir investigador sira, bainhira ema nebee iha vírus ona, nia koalia, nia hasai husi ibun gotíkulas bee nian nebee lori vírus. Bainhira gotíkulas nee boot uituan, sira todan no monu ba rai la kleur no la dook liu metru ida hosi ema moras. Maibee, bainhira gotíkulas bee nian nee kiik, sira hela tempu barak iha ar. No anin AC nian bele ajuda gotíkulas sira semu dook baa-mai, hodi espalha vírus ba ema sira nebee tuur iha diresaun AC nia anin.

Iha restauranti nee, sira nain 81 nebee la hetan infetadu, mak sira nebee tuur dook liu no sees hosi AC nia anin.

Nee duni, restauranti nain sira no kantor sira tenki hanoin didiak oinsá mak sira sei instala AC ka sistema ventilasaun nian iha sira nia fatin.

Estudu nee sei publika iha periódico Emerging Infectious Diseases, nebee hola parte ba Center for Disease Control of the EUA).

Ho informasaun hosi Observador.pt

Em 90 pessoas, só nove apanharam Covid-19: Como se pode espalhar o vírus dentro de um restaurante?

Iha Italia, estudu ida hatudu katak novel coronavirus bele mos hadaet liu hosi matan been

Peskiza ida nebee publika iha revista Annals of Medicine, nebee halo hosi peskizador sira hosi Instituto Nacional de Doenças Infecciosas Spallanzani, iha Roma, revela katak coronavirus foun bele mos hadaet liu hosi matan been. Nee siginifika katak virus la tama deit liu hosi matan, maibee bele sai mos hosi matan. Tanba ema sira nebee infektadu ona sempri tanis, nia matan been sira sai mai nakonu ho virus no bele infekta ema seluk, liu-liu profisional saude sira nebee tau matan ba sira. Tenki iha kuidadu liu tan.

Ho informasaun hosi www.oantagonista.com

Coronavirus Foun: Profisional saude sira hasoru risku liu

Maski profisional saude sira uza ekipamentu protesaun oin-oin, sira hasoru risku liu, no banhira sira sai infektadu, dala darak sira dezenvolve sintoma grave. Tanba saa ida nee akontese?

Tuir especialista sira, razaun ba ida nee mak tanba profisional saude sira expoe sira nia aan ba kuantidade boot virus nian. Bainhira virus aumenta barak liu iha ema nia isin, moras mos sai grave liu, no iha kapasidade boot liu tan hodi hadaet ba ema seluk. Esplikasaun ida nee mai hosi profesora Wendy Barclay, hosi Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas do Imperial College de Londres. Tanba profisional saude sira sempre kontatu ho ema nebee moras grave ona, entaun sira hasoru risku boot liu. Tuir OMS (WHO) nia estudu, ema ida bele hadaet moras Covid-19 ba ema nain 3 tan, maibee iha sidadi Wuhan, iha China, pasienti ida iha hospital hadaet coronavirus foun ba profisional saude nain 14 tan, molok nia senti isin manas. Tuir profesora Barclay, maski ema ida bele iha isin diak, ninia sistema imunológiko sei susaar tebes atu luta hasoru vírus bainhira vírus sai barak liu ona iha ninia isin.

Iha Itália, too iha inísiu fulan abril, profisional saude nain 6,200 sai infektadu, hosi total ema nain rihun 100 resin nebee hetan positivu ba Covid-19. Iha Espanha, hosi total ema sira nebee hetan moras Covid-19, 12% mak profisional saude sira, tuir levantamentu too iha inisiu fulan Abril. Iha Reinu Unidu, tuir autoridade lokal ida, iha hospital iha área balun nebee ekipa profisional saude liu 50% hetan infektadu. Se la iha kuidadu didiak, ita nia mediku no enfermeiru sira bele hasoru susar boot. No ita tenki kontrole didiak atu hospital sira labele sai fatin nebee sei espalha moras Covid-19 ba nasaun.

Ho informasaun hosi BBC News Brasil

OMS: Haluha ona liafuan “distansia sosial”

Buat nebee ita hotu tenki halo tuir iha tempu agora hanesan: hela iha uma, keta halibur malu ema barak, tenki dook malu metru ka rua – nebee too agora ita hotu hanaran “distansia sosial”, Organizasaun Mundial da Saúde (OMS) husu ita labele bolu tan “distansia sosial”, maibee “distansia fizika”.

Tanba saa? Tanba liafuan “distansia sosial” indika katak ita tenki lakon koneksaun ho ema nebee ita hadomi. Loloos, maski ita bele dook malu, ita labele lakon koneksaun ho ema nebee importanti ba ita, tanba nee bele afeta fali ita nia saude mental, hanesan akontese dadaun ho ema barak ona.

OMS hatoo ida nee ida iha konferensia imprensa iha loron 20 Marsu. Doutora Maria Van Kerkhove, nebee servisu ba OMS, dehan katak “maski importanti ita mantém nafatin distansia fízika, ita mos tenki mantem nafatin koneksaun sosial”. Nia dehan tan: “la bandu atu ita hamnasa, la bandu atu ita koalia ho ita nia familia  no buka dalan atu konekta ba malu”

Espesialista sira hatete katak kontatu sosial importanti tebes ba saude mental. Bainhira ita la iha ligasaun ba malu, bele aumenta ansiedade, senti mesak, tauk no laran moruk, nebee bele lori sosiedade ba problema seluk fali: moras mental.

Nee duni, mantém nafatin distansia fizika, maibee buka dalan hodi konekta ba malu.

Ho informsaun hosi CNN.COM

The new way we do ‘Church’

The current global pandemic has greatly affected the way churches are gathering all over the world. In Timor Leste the situation is no different with many churches turning to social media to connect with their members.

But in our country, where our people have no or very limited access to internet, even social media has its limitations.

Because our supporters have stood with Radio Voz over the years, right now we are seeing the station becoming an even more helpful tool to serve the churches in Timor Leste.

So far four churches have asked Radio Voz help to gather their congregation on air to celebrate their Sunday services. Some churches have been able to combine both social media and radio for an even wider reach. It is for us a privilege to be able to provide this support to the people of God in Timor Leste. And we couldn’t do it without your prayerful support.

In addition, at 6:00am each day Radio Voz has the privilege of leading our nation in prayer with pastors’ praying on air for the nation and for our authorities in charge in this difficult time.

We are seeing the Lord working wonderfully even in the midst of this global crises and we invite you to join us in prayer or for the Sunday service. If you’d like prayer please let us know.

God bless

Pastor Elienae

Praying for Our Leaders

Different countries have handled the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways. Some because of a slow response, have suffered terribly. Others have gone for early and complete lockdowns. And yet others have gone for something of a middle ground, with progressive shutdowns. And no matter which approach they’ve adopted, there’s always someone to criticise and complain.

The easiest thing in the world is to be an armchair critic. I’ve seen post on Facebook calling my Prime Minister all sorts of names. That’s sad, that’s really sad because in these times of national and international emergency, I’m pretty sure that there’s not a single leader or government who aren’t trying to do their very best for their people.

These are unchartered waters so we can be pretty certain that our leaders won’t get it all right, all the time. But come on, they are doing their very best.

I wonder whether there isn’t something better, something positive that we can do for our leaders. Writes the Apostle Paul to his young protégé:

1 Timothy 2:2,3 You should pray for rulers and for all who have authority. Pray for these leaders so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him. This is good and pleases God our Saviour.

Prayer rather than criticism and complaining. Not only does your prayer have powerful results, not only is it good … but it’s pleasing to God. How about it?

From our Government:

See and/or download the informative pamphlets, available in Tetum, Portuguese and English, through the following links:

How to wash and disinfect hands?

Reduce the risk of Coronavirus Infection

Prepare your workplace for COVID19

Protect yourself and others so you don’t get sick! 

SITUASAUN ATUAL COVID 19 | TERCA 30 MARSU 2021

Radio Voz relata Imformasaun Covid 19 husi Centru Prevensaun no Mitigasaun Surti Covid 19 Iha loron 30 Marcu 2021.

KOMUNIKADU IMPRENSA

Dr Rui Maria de Araújo, Kordenador Forsa-Tarefa ba Prevensaun no Mitigasaun Surtu Covid-19 iha Timor-Leste, (CIGC-SS)

Iha loron 30 fulan Marsu 2021, hodi Centro Integrado Gestão de Crises, Sala Situação (CIGC-SS) nia naran, hakarak hato’o ba, no ba públiku tomak, informasaun pur eskritu hanesan tuir mai:

✅EVOLUSAUN SURTU COVID-19 IHA MUNISIPIU DILI

Iha 30 de Marsu 2021, iha Munisipiu Dili iha kazu foun 50. Nune’e, kazu detetadu ka pozitivu iha Munisipiu Dili husi dia 7 de Marsu 2021, to’o ohin, 30 de Marsu de 2021, hamutuk hotu 415.

✅EVOSUAUN SURTU COVID-19 IHA VIQUEQUE

Iha kazu pozitivu ida iha Munisipiu Viqueque. Kazu ida ne’e, kontaktu-besik husi kuzu iha cluster ezistente. Ho nune’e, kazu detetadu iha Munsiipiu Viqueque hamutuk hotu 11.

✅DADUS JERAL

1️⃣Kazu foun ohin: 51

2️⃣Kazu rekuperadu: 11

3️⃣Total kazu ativu: 382

4️⃣Husi horiseik mai ohin hamutuk hotu LNS halo 939 testes PCR, inklui ona iha laran 176, ne’ebé mai husi pedidu autorizasaun esepsionál atu sai husi serka sanitária iha Munisipiu Dili.

5️⃣Total pedidu autorizasaun esepsionál atu sai husi & tama mai serka sanitaria iha Munisipiu Dili, horiseik dia 29 de Marsu, hamutuk hotu 129. Sekretariadu CIGC responde hotu kedas, maibé 13 pedidus la prienxe kriteriu tuir Resolusaun Governu.

✅TABELA EVOLUSAUN SURTU COVID 19 IHA TIMOR-LESTE, HAHÚ 22 FEVEREIRU 2021 (Tuir klasifikasaun transmissaun OMS nian)

➡️Munisipiu Dili Totál Komulativu Kazu: 415, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 50, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU IHA CLUSTER

➡️Munisipiu Baucau Totál Komulativu Kazu: 26, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU IHA CLUSTER

➡️Munispiu Covalima Totál Komulativu Kazu: 19, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU IHA CLUSTER

➡️Munisipiu Viqueque Totál Komulativu Kazu: 11, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 1, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU IHA CLUSTER

➡️Munisipiu Lautem Totál Komulativu Kazu: 1, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU ESPORÁDIKU

➡️RAEOA Totál Komulativu Kazu: 1, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: KAZU ESPORÁDIKU

➡️Munisipiu sira seluk Totál Komulativu Kazu: 0, Kazu Foun iha oras 24 ikus: 0, Klasifikasaun Transmisaun: LAIHA KAZU

✅APELU

1️⃣Apela ba komunidade iha fatin ne’ebé maluk sira rekuperadu sira hela bá, favor labele tauk, tamba sira ne’ebé sai husi fatin izolamentu, ekipa saúde sira sertifika ona katak sira la iha ona risku atu hada’et-tutan virus ba ema seluk.

2️⃣Apela ba populasaun Timor-Leste tomak, liu-liu iha Munisipiu Dili, Baucau ho Viqueque atu nafatin hakmatek, lalika sé tilun ba lia-anin ka rumores, pratíka nafatin medida sira ne’ebé ita hotu hatene ona:

▶️Uza máskara

▶️Fase liman beibeik ho sabaun ka dezinfetante ruma

▶️Evita kose liman ba matan, inus ho ibun

▶️Wainhira kumprimenta malu, lapresiza ka’er liman, bensa-liman, rei-malu ka haku’ak malu

▶️Evita halibur malu barak

▶️Hamriik ka tur dook husi ema seluk, mínimu metru ida ho balun.

Radio Voz relata husi #MédiaPaláciodasCinzas

The Best and the Worst

It seems that in times of crisis, we see both the best and the worst of humanity. So, what are you showing the world? Your best, or your worst?

Different parts of the world have suffered vastly different infection and death rates from the COVID-19 virus. Italy, Spain, parts of the US like New York City … in places like that, it’s really serious with tens of thousands of deaths. But even in a country like India where to date the infection rates are very low, there’s huge upheaval and misery going on.

And under those circumstances, you do indeed see the best and the worst of humanity. My wife was at the supermarket the other day buying a single packet of toilet paper when a woman physically pushed her away and grabbed it out of her hands. Really?

Look, in times like these our survival instinct does cut in and by all means we should be doing what our governments tell us in terms of social distancing and isolation. Absolutely!

But for anyone who believes in Jesus, now is the time to shine His light. Now is the time to serve, to help that elderly neighbour, to keep in touch with family members, to sacrifice for others. Jesus put it like this:

Mark 10:43,44 Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

When we give others our best, the light of Christ shines into dark places.

The Big Shut Down

By now, most churches have cancelled their usual Sunday services. People are retreating into their homes and other than the long lines at the supermarkets, the streets are quiet. How are you handling it all? Hmm?

Call me crazy, but while everyone else is retreating into a shell of self-interest and self-protection … I think that you and I have a huge opportunity.

What the world needs right now is for God’s people to stand up; to step out with a quiet, calm confidence and share the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.

Because let me tell you, when the people you know see the confidence you have, the assurance you have, the peace you have in your heart … they’re going to want to know where that comes from.

So while the rest of the world is panicking, be Christ to them. Love them, encourage them, lead them, tell them … about this Jesus who died and rose again … for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will it Impact Me?

Let’s be honest – the big question that we all have with this whole Corona virus thing is: How will it impact me?

Obviously, it is going to cause some serious suffering. Already many have died, many have lost their jobs or their businesses.

And let’s be honest, there’s more to come which can strike even in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus.

Remember those twelve disciples in a small boat on the Sea of Galilee? The storm hit in the middle of the night, they were in fear for their lives … and then Jesus came walking out on the water, scaring them even more.

But Peter cried out, “Lord if it’s you, command me to come out on the water.” Jesus answered, “It is me, come.”

And right there in the middle of the storm, Peter stepped out of the boat while the other eleven, stayed back, cowering in fear.

So in the middle of this storm – what’s your plan? Step out in faith, or hang back in fear?

Praying for Our Leaders

Different countries have handled the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways. Some because of a slow response, have suffered terribly. Others have gone for early and complete lockdowns. And yet others have gone for something of a middle ground, with progressive shutdowns. And no matter which approach they’ve adopted, there’s always someone to criticise and complain.

The easiest thing in the world is to be an armchair critic. I’ve seen post on Facebook calling my Prime Minister all sorts of names. That’s sad, that’s really sad because in these times of national and international emergency, I’m pretty sure that there’s not a single leader or government who aren’t trying to do their very best for their people.

These are unchartered waters so we can be pretty certain that our leaders won’t get it all right, all the time. But come on, they are doing their very best.

I wonder whether there isn’t something better, something positive that we can do for our leaders. Writes the Apostle Paul to his young protégé:

1 Timothy 2:2,3 You should pray for rulers and for all who have authority. Pray for these leaders so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him. This is good and pleases God our Saviour.

Prayer rather than criticism and complaining. Not only does your prayer have powerful results, not only is it good … but it’s pleasing to God. How about it?

He Has it Covered

How strong is your faith in these troubling times? Come on, with this whole Corona virus thing unfolding – hey, people are dying … will you catch it too? How strong is your faith?

I read this recently on Facebook: The way we deal with uncertainty lets us know whether Jesus is ahead of us leading, or behind us just carrying our stuff.

It’s pretty confronting. Look I know the Corona pandemic is serious. And yes we should be taking sensible precautions.

Still, some people will lose their livelihood. Some people will get sick and yes, some people will die. That’s the reality.

And yet, God wrote down every one of your days before any of them ever existed. Today, tomorrow, next week, next month.

None of this is any surprise to Him. And He has it all covered. From this day, through to your very last day on this earth.

He has it covered. So yes, be sensible but don’t be afraid.

It’s Time to Shine

I guess we’re all at the point of adjusting to a new normal. A normal of social isolation. A normal where many people are withdrawing into their shells amidst this COVID-19 pandemic.

Yep, people are doing it tough – from a health and safety perspective and financially as well. Life as usual has been profoundly disrupted and it’s not very pleasant, wherever you live, whatever your circumstances.

And yet in Christ, we have hope. Now, you and I might say, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.” But that has no absolutely no impact whatsoever on whether indeed it’ll rain tomorrow or not.

But when God uses that word “hope” in the Bible, He means “certain hope” – a rock-solid, done deal kind of hope.

Writing to a bunch of Christians who at the time were suffering horrendous trials … Peter writes this:

1 Peter 3:15,16 Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.

As you and I draw close to Jesus during these difficult times, He blesses us with a certain hope in Him; with a peace, with a joy in the face of adversity that to many of those around us simply doesn’t make sense.

It’s time to let that hope shine out of you. Let others see it. And when they ask you why you have this warm and peaceful countenance about you, tell them. Tell them about Jesus.

The Opportunity of Social Distancing

This whole social distancing thing takes some getting used to doesn’t it? Whether you live somewhere where you’re in lockdown, or you just have to maintain a safe distance, it really is quite jarring to be so separated from other people. But I wonder whether God isn’t, in the middle of all of this, handing you and me an opportunity.

We all like hanging around with people who encourage us. I have a friend called Keith. Now Keith is often late for meetings, in fact sometimes he forgets completely. And when he does show up a cup of coffee seems to take twice as long with him as with anyone else. But let me tell you, I always walk away from time with him feeling so encouraged. He just has this way about him of lifting you up with kind words.

In these strange days in which we find ourselves, many feeling isolated, many feeling worried or depressed, God is handing you and me the opportunity of being a great encourager.

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.

I wonder, who could you be encouraging today? Let’s face it, we have so much technology at our fingertips that in these days of social distancing, we’re more than capable of picking up the phone and sharing an encouraging word with someone.

Encouragement. It’s a simple act of love that won’t soon be forgotten. How about it?

Your Mind Matters

With social distancing and isolation, people seem to have a lot more time on their hands to think. But not all of that thinking is all that helpful.

Yes, these are worrying times. There’s a risk of catching the COVID-19 virus. There’s an increased risk of dying. There’s the risk of losing your job or your business. Now sure, we can self-isolate and governments are trying to help. But still, many people spend a lot of time worrying.

And here’s how it goes … we imagine all the things that could possibly go wrong and then we let them weigh us down as though they’re all going to happen at once. It’s pretty depressing stuff.

But it takes exactly the same amount of time and energy to worry, as it does to look ahead with a sense of trust and hope. Paul the Apostle, sitting on a dungeon floor in chains, on death row put it this way:

Philippians 4:8,9 Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

When those dark thoughts come knocking just refuse delivery and think about the good things that God has done for you.

Bottom line? Mind your thoughts because your mind matters.

Don’t Be Afraid

Let’s be honest. This whole Corona virus thing has a lot of people rattled. The world’s in panic mode. So, deep down inside, how are you handling it?

When all you hear in the news is how bad things are … stock markets crashing, retirement savings evaporating, businesses folding … it’s easy to go with the flow. It’s easy to let panic set in.

Yeah, we know that God is in control, well, at least in theory. We know that we should have more faith, but, well … you know …

King David faced more than his fair share of threats. But right when He was in fear for his life, this is what he discovered:

I sought the Lord, he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

With all my heart, I believe that that’s what God is saying to you today. Seek the Lord. He will answer you. He will deliver you from all your fears.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information is available from the Australian government’s website:

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources