What Precautions Is Kapahulu Bible Church Taking To Make KBC Gatherings As Safe As Possible In Light of COVID-19?

As many of you are aware, the COVID-19 (a.k.a. Coronavirus) has found it’s way to Hawaii. The first confirmed case was found this past Friday and a second was discovered on Sunday. This shouldn’t cause wide-spread panic, but we should be wise and vigilant in our response as a faith community.

KBC will be taking extra cleaning precautions at this time. This includes:

• Wiping down all common area touchpoints (e.g., doors, light switches, countertops, etc.) Throughout the day with an EPA certified disinfectant.
• Searching for hand sanitizers* to be placed in common areas throughout the building

* currently, most stores are sold out of hand sanitizers and our current stock levels are low.  

What precautions can people take when they come to KBC?

We encourage everyone to take certain steps to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus, flu, and other illnesses, including:

• Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available
• Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Staying home if you are sick
• Covering your cough or sneeze
• Disinfecting objects and surfaces regularly

In addition, we encourage everyone to take commonsense precautions and consider creative interactions (like elbow bumping instead of handshaking).

I’d like to also encourage you to stay informed as information becomes available by going to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.” 

One last advice for all of us from the apostle Paul:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I love you all and I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

In sub-mission,

Pastor J 

Trusting God Secures Our Hope

The Lord said to Moses, "Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." Moses built an altar and named it The Lord Is My Banner; and he said, "The Lord has sworn; the Lord will have war against Amalek from generation to generation." Exodus 17:14–16

This follows the Israelites' first battle after leaving Egypt. God promised them that He would utterly destroy their enemy (the Amalekites). But the battle against them would take place from generation to generation--the battle would be ongoing. 

God wanted His people to trust Him in spite of the presence of their enemies. However, since the Israelites left Egypt just weeks before, they had been grumbling against Moses because they feared they would die of thirst and hunger. Their complaints were ultimately complaints against God because they didn't trust Him. 

God had promised the Israelites security and peace as He fought their battles. He had more than proven Himself trustworthy through the ten plagues of Egypt, through the crossing of the Red Sea on dry ground, through bitter water being made sweet, through provision of food from manna and through water from the rock. And yet they still were struggling to accept that God would be their secure hope throughout all the difficulties life brought their way. 

God has promised us life eternal with Him through the miraculous life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The miracle of His Son far outweighs the miracles of the Israelite Exodus. And yet we struggle to accept God as trustworthy when faced with life's difficult experiences. 

The Israelites will have their nation in spite of the Amalekites (foreign enemies) as a reminder of God's trustworthiness. We (as Christ-followers and true children of Abraham) have our faith, joy, strength, and hope in a fallen world as a reminder of God's trustworthiness. Just as He will one day utterly destroy Israel's enemies, He will one day return and sets all things right. 

The lesson we all need to learn is to trust God through the difficult processes of life--our hope is secure. 

When Running Is A Great Offense

From my morning Bible reading:

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:12-13‬

Claim this promise in the seasons of temptation. Choose to rely on God's strength through his Spirit’s empowerment. Seek the way of escape and utilize its path.