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Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit.

Jeremiah 29:5 (NKJV)

Israel found themselves in captivity at the hands of the Babylonians because of their sins and rebellion against God. God promised to rescue Israel from their captivity, but only after 70 years had passed. But God also spoke through the prophet Jeremiah and gave Israel some words of encouragement during the time they would spend in captivity. He said, "Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit." In other words, bloom where you are planted. Sometimes we may find ourselves in places or situations that are less than ideal. There may be seasons of our lives when we are stuck in the middle of where we came from and where we want to be. If that is you, let this word from Jeremiah be an encouragement to you. Bloom where God plants you. Make the best of a difficult situation. Find ways to be productive with the limited resources you have available. Just remember to be faithful to God and trust His plan. He is working everything out for your good and His glory!

One of the hottest topics in the news these days is the covid-19 vaccine. Should we get it or should we not get it? Is it safe? What is actually in it? What about the side effects? What about the long-term effects? Does it really provide protection from contracting covid-19? Will it really reduce the chances of becoming deathly ill? Should the federal government have the authority to mandate it?

Whether you've already made your decision to take the vaccine or not, you have probably asked yourself these and a thousand other questions. But if you have read the news and followed what is trending on social media recently regarding this topic, you are probably more confused now than when this whole thing started. One news outlet will report one thing and another news outlet will report the exact opposite. I've personally reached the point to where I do not feel like I can trust the media or the government on this issue.

We can argue whether we believe that covid-19 occurred naturally or was man-made. However, the one thing that we cannot argue is that covid-19 is real. I have experienced it personally and it has made members of my family extremely sick. I have several family members and friends who have had to be hospitalized. I know several people in our community that have been put on ventilators. Sadly, I also know several people who have recently died from the effects of covid-19. So the decision whether or not to take the vaccine is of extreme importance and one that could have serious short-term and long-term implications for our health and that of our family and friends.

Since we are all faced with such an important and potentially life-changing decision, how do we know whether or not we are making the right decision? Should we refuse to take the vaccine and simply have faith and trust God to protect us from this virus and to heal us if we should get it? Or is the vaccine the answer to our prayer for protection and a life-line that God has provided in order to rescue us from this virus? If we refuse to take the vaccine are we refusing the very answer to our prayer God has provided?

As a Christian, the ultimate source for wisdom should not be the news, or the CDC, or the President. We have the greatest source of wisdom already available to us in God's Word. The question that we should really be asking ourselves is what guidance does God's Word give us on this subject? I believe there are three principles that we can take from God's Word to apply to this situation to help us make an informed and biblically sound decision regarding the vaccine.

1) Don't Automatically Dismiss It, Seriously Consider It

Acts 17:11 (NKJV)

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonians, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

When Paul preached to the Jews in Berea, they received Paul’s words with gladness, but they went to the Scriptures themselves to confirm what Paul was saying was true. We need to have the same mind as the Bereans in how we approach the vaccine. We do not just need to blindly accept what the media is telling us about the benefits. Facebook, Twitter, and even mainstream news outlets have proven that they are not a reliable source of accurate information. So we cannot believe everything that we read or that we hear regarding the vaccine. However, we should not just automatically dismiss it either. Even though trustworthy information is difficult to find, we should do our due diligence and we owe it to ourselves to find out as much information as possible about the vaccine and carefully consider the evidence that is currently available. Then we will be in a better position to determine whether the things that we have heard are so and we can weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks in order to make an informed decision.

2) Don't Stress About It, Pray About It

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which passes understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The decision of whether or not to take the vaccine should not be made out of anxiety or fear. The Bible tells us that, "God has not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). The Bible also tells us that fear involves torment (1 John 4:18). But there is no fear and there is no torment in going to God in prayer and asking Him for guidance. God instead offers us His peace and He is able to guard our hearts and minds against all anxiety and fear. When you pray about whether to take the vaccine, ask God for His wisdom and guidance. The Bible tells us that "if any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5, NKJV). Ask God to give you wisdom and direction for your life and to help you make the right decision for you and your family. God will give you what you ask for and you will have peace over your decision.

3) Don't dwell on it, Trust God in it

Romans 14:5

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.

We must each be convinced in our own minds what the right decision is for us and our families in regards to whether or not to take the covid-19 vaccine. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer that is right for every person or every family. However, whether you and your family choose to take the vaccine or not, put your complete trust in God. If you choose not to take the vaccine, trust in God that He is able to protect and heal you and your family. If you choose to take the vaccine, trust in God that He is able to protect you from severe side effects from the vaccine itself. Whatever you do, trust God. Do not put all of your trust in a man-made vaccine. Do not put your trust in your own human wisdom. Psalm 118:8 states, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Regardless of your decision, be convinced in your own mind that after carefully considering it and after praying about it and asking God for wisdom and guidance, that you have made the right decision and there is no need for anxiety, worry, or fear. There is only need to continue to maintain your trust in God.

Pastor Tony L. Schachle, Jr.

I still remember where I was when I heard the news that the first plane had flown into one of the buildings at the World Trade Center in New York City. I was in a small classroom in the engineering building at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Someone had been watching one of the TVs in the break room down the hall when the news broke. As soon as we heard the news, we all hurried down to the break room and crowded around the TV. We watched in disbelief at what was taking place. We were all saying to one another, what a horrific accident! Our immediate thoughts went to the countless lives that had no doubt already been lost and those who were still trapped in the building. Then, as we continued to watch, the unthinkable happened. A second plane flew into the second World Trade Center building. Instantly, the room went silent. No one said a word. We all knew what this meant. This was no accident. This had been done deliberately. This was at a minimum an act of terror if not an act of war.

It is hard to believe that this year we are remembering the 20-year anniversary of 9/11. In addition to the attack on the Twin Towers, a plane was flown into the Pentagon and another crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers stopped an attempt by the hijackers to fly their plane into the White House. In all, 2,996 lives were lost that day. 2,977 victims plus the 19 al-Qaeda terrorists who carried out the suicide attacks on our nation. Of the 2,977 victims, 412 were first responders. This included:

• 343 firefighters (including a chaplain and two paramedics) of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY),
• 37 police officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD),
• 23 police officers of the New York City Police Department (NYPD),
• 8 emergency medical technicians and paramedics from private emergency medical services,
• 3 New York State Court Officers, and
• 1 patrolman from the New York State Fire Patrol.

9/11 is a day that our nation will truly never forget. My family and I have had the honor of viewing first hand the 9/11 memorial and touring the 9/11 museum that have been built near where the Twin Towers once stood. I can tell you that it is truly an emotional experience. It is hard to imagine the level of terror that those men and women endured that day and the heroism of the men and women in uniform who ran into danger instead of away from it in order to try to save as many lives as they could.

We remember 9/11. We remember the 2,977 innocent lives that were lost that day. We remember the first responders who gave their lives trying to save others. We remember the countless heroes who stood in the face of terror and chose to put the well-being of others above their own. But I believe that there are some lessons from 9/11 that our nation has unfortunately forgotten.

As soon as the events of 9/11 happened, there was a nation-wide call for prayer. There were pleas for churches to pray. Church attendance skyrocketed. America was united against a foreign enemy. For a period of time, we appeared to truly be “one nation, under God, indivisible.”

However, America today bears no resemblance to what she appeared to be after the events of 9/11. Today, instead of turning to God in the face of tragedy and difficulty, our nation turns to science and technology. Instead of asking the church to pray for God’s healing and blessing, our nation categorizes churches as non-essential and enact laws to try to close them down. Instead of being united, our nation is growing more and more divided today on issues of politics, race, religion, and vaccines, just to name a few.

America has truly forgotten the lessons we learned following 9/11. America has forgotten that she was established “under God.” America has forgotten that God is still in control. America has forgotten that God still raises up kingdoms and brings down kingdoms. America has forgotten that God could bring America to her knees once again. America has forgotten that the church is an essential part of not only individual communities, but also our nation as a whole. America has forgotten that the church is a place where people can find refuge, relief, meaning, purpose, healing, encouragement, peace, strength, and most importantly Jesus!

As our nation is currently reeling from a pandemic, political upheaval, and racial division, this is not time for the church to go into hiding, stay silent, and bow down to political correctness. It is time for the true church of Jesus Christ to come out of hiding, speak up for the truth, and stand up and be the spiritual powerhouse that Jesus came to earth to build! Jesus said, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, KJV). When the church is on the move, nothing can stop it!

America may have forgotten the lessons she learned from 9/11 over 20 years ago. However, do not let us as the church forget who we are, who built us, and what our purpose is on earth. Let us continue to push back against the gates of hell! Let us continue to fight against the evil and demonic influence that is trying to destroy our nation and our religious liberties! Let us continue to be the place of refuge for the lost! Let us continue to be the place of relief for the hurting! Let us continue to be the place where people can still find the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus Christ! I pray we never forget who we are and who Jesus is!

Pastor Tony L. Schachle, Jr.