Scriptures & Teachings

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2 Timothy

In the meantime, despite the anxiety of this virus and responding as best we can, 2 Timothy reminds us that “...God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and a sound mind.” Together, we do not have to be afraid, for we have the tools to do our best to land us all on the other side of this with health and grace. (Rev. Dr. Kelle J. Brown, Plymouth United Church of Christ, 3/5/2020)

2 Timothy 1:7

We must also remember that God has not called us to live in fear, but in faith. As the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline." My prayer is that God will fill all of us with these three gifts, no matter what comes our way. (Brad McConnaghey, Alderwood Church, 3/6/2020)

2 Timothy 1:7

We encourage every family and individual to make an informed and wise decision as for what is best for you and your family. However, please consider Paul's words in 2 Timothy "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" 2 Timothy 1:7 Use this opportunity to reach out to friends and neighbors close by who may be truly fearful during this time and encourage them with the hope we have in Christ! (Epic Life Church newsletter, emphasis in original)

Abu Dawud

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، كان يقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏اللهم إني أعوذ بك من البرص والجنون، والجذام، وسيئ الأسقام‏"‏‏.‏ رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح‏.‏
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to supplicate: "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-barasi, wal- jununi, wal-judhami, wa sayyi'il-asqami
'(O Allah! I seek refuge in You from leucoderma, insanity, leprosy and evil diseases)."
(Hadith of the Week, Muslim Association of Puget Sound, 3/19/2020)

Acts 1:8 TPT

"And you will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces - even to the remotest places on earth." (Churchome newsletter on downloading/using The Churchome App, 3/5/2020, emphasis added)

BTal, Ta'anit 20a

Please remember that the Talmud teaches that resilience means that a person "should be soft like a reed, not hard like a cedar." (BTal, Ta'anit 20a) This outbreak of COVID-19 is stressful, especially for our community here in King County. These times call for flexibility, calm, and kindness. (Temple Beth Am newsletter, 3/5/2020)

Exodus 17:1-7

In my reading of the commentary on this passage, the commentator Terrence Fretheim wrote these words: “God is the creator and has made the world of nature in such a way that it has positive capacities. Human beings need to be alert to the potential resources within creation for resolving creational issues.” [...] At the end of this passage from Exodus, the people ask, "Is the Lord among us or not?" This is always the question in times like these. That question, for me, got answered in Jesus Christ.  The good news of this story, and our story now, is God is right in the middle of it with us all, loving us, leading us, but also expecting us to "co-operate." (Bishop Rickell, Episcopal Diocese, 3/13/2020)

Genesis

Times of trouble are actually opportunities for Him to do a mighty work. In the book of Genesis, it was through Joseph's imprisonment and trouble that the Lord was able to save the Israelites from famine. (Pastor Eric Noh, New Life Fellowship, 3/6/2020)

Hebrews 10:25

We place a high view on the corporate gathering of the body of Christ, and only close our doors in rare, unfortunate, circumstances. We do not want to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:25), so that as disciples of Jesus, we can be encouraged, exhorted, and equipped for the week ahead. (Bellevue Presbyterian Church, 3/4/2020)

Lent

On a personal and pastoral note, it's interesting to me that the Covid 19 outbreak is happening during the season of Lent. "From dust you came to dust you will return" are the words we hear as we begin the season. We're all marked in ash. And it's morbid. And bleak. A rather striking invitation to be real about life and just how fragile it all really is... (Ashley Van Dragt, UW Graduate Christian Fellowship, 3/6/2020)

Micah 6:8

Being together for worship and ritual are vital parts of our life together but Micah suggests that it shouldn't get in the way of doing justice, doing acts of loving-kindness, and walking humbly with God. Heeding the recommendations of our public health departments and canceling in-person worship is ultimately an act of justice, kindness, and wisdom. (Rev. Mike Denton, Admiral Congregational, 3/5/2020)

Numbers

As we cancel plans and hunker down, something about this communal, coronavirus-compelled self-quarantine feels oddly familiar. Here we are bamidbar (back in the wilderness), reliving a story from the Book of Numbers. We got through it then, and we will now, too. (Rabbi Paul Kipnes, Kol HaNeshamah, 3/17/2020)

Philippians 4:5-7 NLT

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. (Pastor Wayne, Lighthouse Christian Church, 3/11/2020)

Pikuach Nefesh

The Mitzvah that cancels all other Mitzvot in Jewish tradition is that of Pikuach Nefesh -- literally, "saving lives." (Rabbi Olivier, Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue, 3/5/2020)

Pillars

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) faced numerous challenges during his life. Each time, he taught us to place our trust in Allah SWT and to be of service to the community. In following his footsteps, the MAPS Board and the core team of staff and volunteers have been working on a comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic under four pillars. On [date/time], you will have the chance to learn about these four pillars and our planned action.  (Muslim Association of Puget Sound, 3/15/2020)

Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Pastor Wayne, Lighthouse Christian Church, 3/11/2020)

Psalm 46

But let us not live in fear or panic. We have a strong faith in our sovereign Lord: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way  and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea... The Lord almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46) (Lighthouse Church newsletter)

Psalm 46:1

God is a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1), and certainly during school closures, remote work, and concern about loved ones. (Bethany Community Church, 3/12/2020)

Psalm 46:1 +

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1) - whether spiritual, financial, emotional, relational, or physical. This is crucial to keep at the forefront of our hearts amidst the unfolding outbreak of the Covid-19 Coronavirus in our area. Our God reigns and nothing happens outside his loving, wise, and good sovereign reach - even disease and death (Dt. 32:39; 1 Sam 2:6; Job 1:20-21; Ja. 4:13-16). Cultivating a Godward perspective grounds our hope and gives us confident poise as we seek to be wise (Ja. 1:5-6; Mt. 10:16) amidst a world subjected to futility, longing to be set free from its corruption (Rom. 8:20). Therefore, we will not fear (Isa. 41:10). This is not the first of its kind, nor will it be the last (e.g. H1N1/Swine flu, Avian flu, Ebola, MERS, SARS) until the Lord ushers in the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 21:1-4). But, until then, we must find the wisest, most prudential path forward when faced with a world gone awry. (Pastor Adam Sinnett, Downtown Cornerstone Church, 3/3/2020)

Psalm 91

For you has God commanded his angels to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you upon their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone. (St. James Cathedral, 3/4/2020)

Psalms 112:507 NIV

"Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken. They will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." (Bellevue Presbyterian website update, 3/4/2020)

Revelation 21:4

These are indeed troubling times, but we know that our God is sovereign and that He loves His people with an everlasting love, and one day soon "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain. For the former things are passed away." (Emmanuel Reformed Baptist Church Facebook, 3/12/2020)

Romans 13

As you likely assumed, in keeping in line with recommendations and requirements from the CDC and the State of Washington, we will be canceling gathering together for worship until further notice. Honestly, none of us know exactly how this will progress and how long this will take, yet we know this won't be a short time. We do this on one level to care for ourselves and protect ourselves from the virus, but also to care for our neighbors by not having more opportunities for the virus to spread. We also want to listen to the governing authorities. This seems like a time that Romans 13 is a pertinent passage. (Dan Claus, Shoreline Christian Reformed Church, 3/19/2020)

Sahih al-Bukhari Vol. 7, Book 71, #624

Narrated Saud, the Prophet said, "If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place." (Hadith of the Week, Muslim Association of Puget Sound, 3/6/2020)

 

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