Covid-19 has spread worldwide, sending nations into lockdown as health services struggle to respond. In the United States, over 6 million cases have been reported, along with more than 190,000 deaths.
It took India only 20 days to jump from 1 million to 2 million cases. That nation now has over 3 million cases and 60,000 deaths. What is God’s role in this pandemic?
Did God cause Covid-19, or is He only an observer? Is this virus a judgment from God? What does the Bible say?
To address these and other questions, I’ve invited Dr. Erwin Lutzer, pastor emeritus of Moody Church in Chicago, for a new series of programs. Dr. Lutzer served at Moody Church for 36 years and is a renowned theologian and author of over 50 books.
His latest book, Pandemics, Plagues, and Natural Disasters: What Is God Saying to Us?, serves as the basis for our discussion. In our two-part series, we are making available 7 programs in these 2 new series in which Dr. Erwin Lutzer lays out many of the important biblical answers God gives to these questions.
For example, does God always have our well-being in mind, even when He doesn’t immediately relieve the loss and suffering of this world? What comfort can God give to someone who has suddenly lost a loved one? How has God used pandemics and tragedies throughout the Bible to speak directly to His people?
Dr. Lutzer also explains how Christians can find lasting joy and relief during times of widespread trouble. Why? Because we can know God’s promise that we will ultimately dwell with our glorious Lord in heaven for all eternity.
Our Resources This Month
As part of this series, we are offering three special packages to you this month. First, if you would like all 7 TV programs in this series entitled “Pandemics, Plagues, and Natural Disasters: What Is God Saying to Us?” on 2 DVDs, plus Dr. Lutzer’s new book, they are available together in a special package for $98.
Second, if you would like all 7 TV programs, plus 3 copies of Dr. Lutzer’s new book, they are available in a special package for only $125.
Third, if you would like all 7 TV programs, plus 5 copies of Dr. Lutzer’s new book, they are available in a special package for a gift of $150. This will allow you to keep one book for yourself and share copies with family and friends.
You may request these items right now by calling us at 1-800-805-3030. And you may call that same number any day, 24 hours a day.
Or if you wish, you may order the DVDs and the books at our website at JAshow.org/resources where we have a secure place for you to give your gift. Of course, you may also share your gift by mail.
If you have not already requested a copy of these programs for yourself or as a gift to others, let me encourage you to do so today. Along with these six television programs, we have written two study guides with extensive notes that will further clarify our answers in these series.
Each study guide contains three sessions for your personal study or Bible study group.
Audio Bible Outreach Updates
I’ve just received an update from Morgan Jackson and our friends at Faith Comes By Hearing. When Morgan last joined us on the program, we shared our prayer request regarding Covid-19 restrictions that had presented many challenges to their audio Bible distribution.
While they continue to face some difficulties, audio Bibles are being distributed again—and your gifts are making a tremendous difference! In our latest report, we discovered your gifts have helped us now reach over 4.5 million people in audio Bible listening groups!
These people are not only hearing the gospel, they are gathering weekly to listen through the New Testament and discuss it together. Of those in audio Bible listening groups, approximately 50 percent will make a decision for Christ, meaning your gifts have now helped us reach 2.25 million new believers. Praise God for your generosity to impact lives for eternity!
Coming Soon on The John Ankerberg Show
While we are overwhelmed with gratitude at how God is changing lives through audio Bibles, did you know 2.8 billion people have never heard the gospel? As our world faces many economic and humanitarian needs, many forget the greatest need of all—the hope of Jesus Christ.
Our next prayer is that God would help us reach over 5 million people through audio Bible listening groups. Imagine a city of people the size of Houston or Atlanta all listening to the Word of God! What would it look like to see over 2.5 million new believers through our ministry together?
This movement has grown far beyond our original plans and has become a work of God touching lives in more than 110 nations. You can serve as a missionary right where you are today through your prayers and gifts to the unreached.
As we near our year-end focus on bringing the gospel to every person, would you join me in praying for those who will hear these messages? Ask God to raise up new missionaries along with us to make disciples of all nations.
Praying for Your Needs and the Needs of the World
I often mention that my wife and I pray for you and our other friends each day. It’s true! We intercede on behalf of your needs, asking the Lord to bless you and your family.
However, I rarely mention that there are many others praying for you. Our staff members daily take in new prayer concerns by phone, email, and social media, asking the Lord to help individuals with a variety of needs.
This month, I want to ask you to share any prayer needs you have in your reply to us. I will pray for you, as will others on our team, as we seek the Lord’s will for your time of need.
When God’s people pray, the Lord moves in powerful ways to change our circumstances. As you share your request, please also join us in prayer for those who watch our programs worldwide. In 40 years of ministry, we’ve never seen more open doors to reach people. Yet at the same time, we are facing one of the most difficult times in our world.
I look forward to hearing how we can better pray for you as we minister together in the days ahead. We love and appreciate you. You are in our prayers each day.
For those still waiting to hear,
John and Darlene