What exactly is an “essential business”? Every state governor and politician seem to have a different answer.
As you know, “essential” businesses have been allowed to stay open, while non-essential businesses have been forced to close … and remain closed indefinitely.
In many places, liquor stores, pot shops – and of course, abortion clinics – have been deemed essential – while places of worship and prayer are considered non-essential.
On Friday, May 22, 2020, President Trump made a special declaration.
Before the world, he spoke at a press conference with one powerful, clear message:
Churches have been discriminated against...open them now!
He has made an official declaration that churches are essential businesses.
He said, “churches should be opened now.”
In other words, your church can now — based on the President of the United States’ declaration – meet for prayer, for Bible studies, for Sunday morning services, for mid-week service, for special meetings…you can now meet.
Trump said “Houses of worship are essential. Open right now. In America we need more prayers.”
Obviously, the media is claiming it’s a wrong decision that will spike the Coronavirus death rate … it’s contrary to the medical experts … and it’s anti-science.
Bureaucrats who are trying to control religious services are angry and declaring the president wrong because he isn’t listening to their dictates for control and power.
And the governors and mayors who have tried to suppress and delay church openings unnecessarily, have just now been told they can no longer do so.
In fact, the President said that he would be happy to talk to any of the politicians in order to explain his decision, but he is not going to change it.
Frankly, this should have been done weeks ago. It should never have happened that Christian First Amendment rights were trampled.
It should never have happened that Planned Parenthood, Costco, Liquor Stores were officially declared open, but churches were not.
Watch the President’s declaration. It’s just a few minutes but its powerful, clear and changes everything–even in those states where hostility towards Christianity has delayed church openings.
I recently mentioned that my wife and I were in Tennessee and went to church there. It was awesome to be in a fellowship where people were worshipping together.
Your church should be meeting this Sunday.
Your church should be getting together. There is no excuse for further delay.
Now let’s proclaim the gospel.
Let’s pray that there will be a revival that will sweep across America. Let’s pray that those who are broken and hurting will find salvation — that those who are afraid and anxious … who have lost their jobs and lost their businesses … who need help in this economic crisis can find answers in the house of God.
“Not forsaking the assembling of [ourselves] together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another….” —Hebrews 10:25
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.”— Psalm 100:4
“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” —Psalm 84:10
Finally, to those pastors who obeyed God and not man, I honor you.
For pastors like Jack Gibbs, Calvary Chapel Chino Hills and Pastor Ken Graves, Calvary Chapel Bangor Maine. And hundreds of others that have done what is right despite harassment threats of jail, fines, and intimidation, they stood for what was right and good.
Let’s pray for the President. Let’s pray for your church and other churches – that churches reopening will see massive attendance.
Watch the president’s declaration here (2 ½ minutes).
What do you think? Email me at [email protected].