Monday, March 30th, TRC Ministry President Tory Bjorklund delivered an address to a small group of believer in Sri Lanka. Like us, they have been asked to “shelter in place” by their government. Pastor Sathees Kumar coordinated a small virtual prayer group and asked Tory to address the group to encourage them in this difficult time. Here is the transcript of the address Tory gave to that group.
Many would teach us that we do not have to suffer in this world because Jesus has overcome the world through his death on the cross. They teach that because of his suffering we will not experience sickness or suffering. But this is not what Jesus or the original apostles taught. Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble.”
Today we have trouble. We are in difficult times. Even though we have trouble, this is not a time to fear. This is a time for peace and joy.
James tells us to “Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials.” Why? Because it produces endurance.” It makes your faith stronger.
There is no question, these are times of trouble. Some of the people can not work and so they have no income. Some are concerned about becoming infected with coronavirus. The children can not go to school. The adults can not go to work. Yet Jesus instructs us that we should have peace. We should not be afraid. James tells us we should even take joy in times like these. This may be your best opportunity to walk entirely by faith. This may be your best opportunity to grow in your faith, to gain endurance in your faith. How you respond now will prepare you for what God has planned for the future.
In America, people are hoarding things. They are buying more supplies than they need. The store shelves have become bare. People are acting out of fear. This is not a time for fear. This is a time for courage, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
In the days of the apostle Paul there was a great famine in Jerusalem and the surrounding area. Paul and Titus went to the churches throughout other regions and gathered a donation for the Churches in Jerusalem. Also at that time the churches in Macedonia were having great troubles. They were very poor and experiencing great trials of their own. Read what happened when they learned about the famine in Jerusalem. (2 Cor 8:1-5)
Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been a given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. (2 Cor 8:1-5)
Notice that they were very poor and they had great troubles of their own. Yet because of the grace of God they were very generous. This is not a time for fear and for hoarding. This is a time for great faith and generosity. Those who have extra should not hoard it, but should share with those who have nothing. This is a time to demonstrate the grace of God and the strength of our faith. The world is watching. May the followers of Jesus Christ demonstrate our love for one another by caring for each other that the world may know that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world.
Pray for one another. Pray also for repentance and revival in the Christian nations, like America, Australia, England and elsewhere. We need revival. We need to provide a testimony of Jesus Christ to the rest of the world.
I am praying for you. Please pray for me.