See God Move In Difficult Times
TIMES OF CRISIS
The nation is shocked as the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, continues to sweep across the world. As businesses shut down and people are quarantined, the news media reported growing death tolls. During these uncertain times, Pastor Jentezen Franklin wants you to know that God hasn’t forgotten you. He says, “That crisis ALWAYS presents a chance for people to see the power of prayer. When there are no solutions, no cures, no vaccine---prayer becomes the best option when it should be our first option. Prayer also represents the church standing in the gap for others.”
Jentezen sees God at work. He explains, “God has our full attention right now. He’s causing the church to focus outside the walls and bringing everything back to the basics---church in the homes, focusing on what matters most. Because there is fear, it causes people to look up and wrestle with God. This time is also revealing the true hearts of our leaders, for good and for bad.”
CHURCHES RESPONSE
When asked how the Church should respond, Pastor Franklin says, “These times are causing ministries to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Larger churches are caring for other churches and ministries and they have become the first responders to people’s basic needs---stimulus checks just went out, but before that, churches had to step up,” he continues, “COVID-19 is very contagious, but so is love, so is faith, so is hope. Nothing is more contagious as a church on fire-house to house, person to person.”
BEING CONTENT IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE
Before the coronavirus hit, Pastor Jentezen Franklin released his new book, Acres of Diamonds, which focuses on allowing God to strengthen us during difficult times and learning to be content no matter what we are faced with.
In his book, he shares the powerful story that Russell Conwell shared about a farmer who “…was contented because he was wealthy, and wealthy because he was contented.” That was until an old priest told him about diamonds and how just one the size of his thumb could provide wealth beyond his dreams. That night the farmer went to be a poor man because even though he hadn’t lost anything he was discontented. The next morning his journey to find diamonds began and ended with him traveling the world and finding nothing. In despair, he ended his life. After his farm was sold, the new owner noticed a flash of light from the stream and found diamonds. Yes, the very thing the original farmer was searching for was right under his feet the whole time.
One of the most difficult things to learn in life is how to be content. The grass always seems greener on the other side. Many of us have an internal voice that reminds us that we will be happy only when we get the promotion, graduate college, lose those extra pounds, or maybe when we get married and have children. Jentezen challenges us to resist those voices and learn the art of being content. He explains, “Know this: inside of you are diamonds. In order for them to come out, it’s going to take time. It’s going to take setbacks. It’s going to take disappointments. It’s going to take trials. It’s going to take challenges. Just like diamonds are formed over time, with intense heat and extreme pressure, the diamonds that lie beneath the surface of life are created in the same way.”
