S.O.S.

A sinking cruise ship only had time to send a S.O.S. before it went down.  Thousands of passengers floated in the water and clung to the hope of being rescued.  Then, when all seemed lost, a charter boat sailed into view.  Soon its skipper and crew were throwing down lifelines and hoisting people safely onto the deck.  However, time was running out and there was still so many who needed to be saved.
The skipper turned around and called out to those who had been rescued to lend a hand, but few bothered.  Most were too busy getting themselves comfortable on the deckchairs – now that they were saved they only wanted to continue their cruise.

When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are rescued from eternal damnation, it’s natural to have a tremendous sense of relief.  However, once saved, we have the option of making ourselves comfortable and continuing our cruise through life - or we can get off our deckchairs and lend a hand in the rescue mission of those still in deadly peril of eternal damnation.
If we simply cruise through life without concern for others, on reaching our Heavenly destination, we won’t be punished for inaction, but we should keep in mind that we won’t be rewarded either. 

Bomb Threat

A lady arrived early at work and witnessed a terrorist, strapped with a bomb, sneak into the building.  As she fled, she passed her fellow workmates entering the office and wondered if she should warn them.  She hesitated and thought, ‘What if they don’t believe me and nothing happens, how foolish I will feel.’  As the lady silently agonised on what to do, the office suddenly exploded into a great ball of fire.
Later, the police took the lady’s statement.  She told them everything she witnessed.  When the police asked why she didn’t warn her co-workers and save their lives, her response sounded very hollow.  ‘I was too embarrassed - I didn’t think they’d believe me and label me a fool.’

The threat of judgement looms over all who haven’t accepted God’s gracious gift of salvation.  If we as Christians believe there is a ‘Hell’ waiting for those who don’t accept God’s gift by believing in Christ, we should quickly warn our family and friends.    If we are wrong - nothing happens.  But if we are right - there will be a ‘Day of Judgement’.  
When condemned family and friends see we are saved from eternal damnation (by believing in Christ), how would we respond if they could ask, ‘Why didn’t you warn us – we too could be saved?’  We would feel like right cowards if our only reply was, ‘I was too embarrassed.  I didn’t think you would believe me and label me a fool.

Missionary of Circumstance

A missionary is someone sent on a mission.  A Christian missionary is understood to be a spiritually-gifted person sent to a foreign country to overcome language and cultural barriers in order to teach the Gospel.

We have a very narrow view of what is involved in being a missionary if we believe it is only to preach in foreign countries.  Truth is God requires us all to be missionaries within our immediate surroundings.  We are to witness to those who cross our path (by word or by action), whether at school, at home or at the office.  No matter in what field, a Christian should be a beacon of professionalism, grace and virtue.  When those in our periphery ask what makes us tick, we can reply in lingo they understand.
However, missionary work is even broader than this.  Sometimes God requires us to go into foreign circumstances (adversity or prosperity) where our lives are dramatically changed.  No-one complains about prosperity, but when suddenly hit with adversity we could initially curse God and ask, ‘Why have You afflicted me with this tragedy?  Haven’t I tried to follow You with all my heart?’ 
In response, God may convey to us that many people are also suffering through similar tragedies and they, too, have been calling out in confusion and seeking answers.  Because of this, God needed a strong Christian who understood their pain, who could give them answers, comfort and lead them to Christ and eternal life by example. 
When our lives are suddenly and dramatically changed, it could be that God has specially chosen us for a very important mission.

Fishermen

What makes a good fisherman or woman?  Good fishermen arrive at the right spot at the right time. They come prepared with the right equipment.  They know something about the fish they’re after and choose the right sized hook and bait to attract the fish.  Most importantly, once a good fisherman casts the line, he or she patiently waits for the fish to nibble.  If the fish likes the taste, it’s not long before it’s hooked.

As Christians, we should all desire to be good Fishers-of-Men?  Sadly, all too often, we ignore the rules of the good fisherman when evangelizing in the unsaved world.  We choose a spot and a time that is convenient to us (usually when and where the fish are not biting).  More often than not, we arrive unprepared and unequipped.  We bring no bait (patients, compassion and tolerance).  If we do happen to see a fish (someone interested in the Word), we zealously dive in causing a frightful splash and try to catch the fish with our bare hands.  Tragically, the result is always the same.

In a War of Words

In warfare today, we do not use the weapons of yesteryear.  Swords, spears and bows are completely ineffective against machine guns, tanks, battle ships and aircraft.  If we rush into battle armed with outdated weapons we can expect to quickly be shot down.

Today, we are in the centre of a spiritual warfare and as Christian Soldiers our orders have been clearly defined, ‘Go out and save souls’.  In order to do this we need to communicate the Gospel.  To communicate we need words and these are our weapons. 
Satan is trying to make our weapons ineffective (an easy way to defeat an enemy is to disable their armaments).  Many powerful spiritual words that were so effective and full of meaning in times past have been rendered useless today.  Meanings change overtime.  Added to this, the misuse from cults and religious nit-wits has damaged the good certain spiritual word can do.
We should be careful selecting our weapons when presenting the ‘Great-News’ of salvation to the unsaved world.  This does not infer that we should ‘water down’ God’s word.  We should communicate in the language of today with concise words that our peers understand otherwise our message will quickly be shot down.

Teaching Under The Influence

We all know the impending disaster of driving while under the influence of alcohol.  When someone gets behind the wheel that is not in a fit state to drive - lives inevitably are destroyed.  The golden rule has been hammered home: ‘if you drink, don’t drive’. 

We should also be aware that teaching while under the influence of discouragement, disillusionment and depression can have disastrous effects.  When feeling discouraged, the most encouraging thing we can do for our congregation, friends and children, is to keep our mouth shut.

To Each His own

God did not create only one plant, with one flower, with one fragrance.  There are many different plants each having unique flowers with their own colourings, characteristics and distinct fragrances. Some flowers attract bees, while others attract birds, butterflies, beetles, ants and others mice.  A flower’s fragrance is designed to attract certain creatures for the process of pollination.   Plants also flower in their own season. To what extent depends if they are firmly rooted in rich, watered soil and how much light they are receiving. 

Plants are great illustrations of teachers of God’s Word.  They have different appearances, colourings and personalities.  Teachers that grow in God’s Word, feed of Christ’s light, speak the Truth without hypocrisy in their own personal style, will bloom in their own season.  Their fragrance will compel a certain type of person who is attracted to the Truth presented in a way they understand.  Just like the bee, these people will be pollinated (with the Gospel) and when they go out into the world will spread it around.
God did not create one flower to appeal to all creatures – nor did He create one teacher to appeal to all people.  God has illustrated this in the Twelve Apostles.  Each of them had their own distinct personality, characteristics, styles and uniquely different fragrances.

Quality over Qualification

Just because a bird has wings doesn’t mean it’s going to fly.

If we think God is going to use us simply because we have the right human qualifications (diplomas, beauty, strength, skills) we may be in for a rude shock.  God does not look at outward appearances - He looks at the quality of the inner person.  The Pharisees were qualified to do God’s will but sadly failed to have the right inner quality.  Instead God used the unqualified (shepards, fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes) who displayed the right qualities.   God will use anyone who makes themselves available, is faithful to His promises and totally dependant on His power.
Quite often qualified people rely on their credentials instead of relying on God.  In the spiritual realm, we should not focus on our assets.  As soon as we feel eminently qualified to do God’s will, it is usually the time we are disqualified and like the ostrich and emu, will never reach the heights He intended.   God prefers us to have the right qualifications with the quality to back it up; however, He has demonstrated that He favours quality over qualifications all the time.  Let us not forget that our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was only humanly qualified to be a carpenter.

Spectacular Testimony - Wise Testimony

A man and his wife were on a journey when they suddenly came to a deep ravine.  There was a little bridge that spanned to the other side.  The man cried out, ‘I will not trust that bridge.’  So he started to climb down the ravine.  As he descended he slipped and fell.  Yet miraculously, he was not hurt.  As he dusted himself off he suddenly saw a hungry lion charging towards him.  The man pulled out a dagger and wrestled with the beast.  Miraculously, the lion could not land tooth or claw and the man managed to slay the hungry animal.  Picking himself up, the man went on to the raging river.  As soon as he dived in, the raging waters smashed him onto rocks and sent him down a water fall.  When he surfaced, he found he was surrounded by crocodiles.  Immediately, he swam to the closest shore with crocodiles snapping at his heels.  Miraculously, they all missed and the man was able to drag himself ashore.  The problem was, he was still on the wrong side.  The man looked at the waiting crocodiles and sighed; he knew he could never pass them.  So, he climbed back up the ravine from whence he came and walked nervously towards the bridge.  Ever so carefully he crept over the bridge, his knuckles white as he looked down the ravine far below.  Inch by inch he slowly progressed until finally he made it to the other side.  He kissed the ground and jumped into the air with glee, ‘I’ve made it!  Who’d have thought the bridge was perfectly safe?  Look Honey, I’m finally here safe and sound.’
‘That’s nice darling,’ replied the man’s wife, who had been patiently waiting.  ‘Shall we proceed?’

Sometimes, the most spectacular testimonies are a sign of great stubbornness.  For some, God has to perform great miracles and take them to the very edge before they will finally pay attention and listen to His voice.  A wise testimony would be: Life was going well – I heard the Gospel and I realized life could be much better – I needed no second invitation.    

Missed Opportunity

It is too late to close the gate once the horse has bolted - to put on a parachute after jumping - to strap on a seatbelt following the accident or to erect a pool fence after the baby has drowned.  Regretfully, they are missed opportunities of doing the right thing at the right time. 

It is also too late to ‘give’ the Gospel to someone who is dead.  During our lifetime we have a golden opportunity to relay the ‘Greatest News of All’ (John 3: 16) to loved ones and those in our periphery.  However, this is not an eternal opportunity.  Without warning, they or we could be gone.  We should do everything we can to insure we don’t ‘eternally’ regret missing the golden opportunities available to us NOW.

Living in a Sick World

On entering a hospital, you quickly see it is filled with sick and injured patients in need of treatment.  You will also note the patients all suffer from different ailments - some have cancer, some kidney failure, others broken bones - the list goes on.  Doctors and nurses use different procedures and techniques for each circumstance – there is not one treatment that cures all.  The remedy for a cut finger will not be successful for those who have kidney failure. 

We live in a sick and dying world where every nation is like a patient.  However, not every nation suffers from the same illness.  Some are afflicted with poverty, some with tyranny, while others have war or famine.  Prosperous countries are chronically sick with indifference and dependencies. Our job, as Christians, is to help bring these nations to good health (salvation), but how do we convince these nations to take their medicine (God’s Word)?  That which works for one nation won’t necessarily work for another.  A nation suffering from war or famine will require different treatment to a nation suffering from apathy. 
We should firstly pray that God will work into every nation’s circumstances so its people will see the need to seek treatment.  Then we should pray that God sends the right doctors (missionaries) who know those special treatments that will lead to a successful administration of the cure (salvation).

Suffering from Spiritual Leprosy

Leprosy (or Hanson’s Disease), destroys the nerve system leaving a patient without feeling and completely numb to pain.  Disfigurements attributed to leprosy are in fact ‘untreated’ infections that turn gangrene.  Those with leprosy are said to be the hardest patients to treat - because they don’t suffer feelings of pain and discomfort, they completely ignore their injuries and don’t seek aid until it is too late to treat.  

People living in the prosperous nations can be said to be suffering from Spiritual Leprosy.  Because they are not hurting, they are the most difficult people to give the good news of salvation.  Those in nations afflicted with poverty and war are far more responsive to God’s great offer of salvation because they are feeling the pain and are seeking a cure.
Living in a rich nation, it’s easy to become dependent on outside stimulus for entertainment.  It is not long before the nation is over-stimulated, desensitized to violence, indifferent to the feelings of others, numb to the surrounding natural beauty and neglecting important priorities.  Sadly, this leads to Spiritual Leprosy which results in a nasty infection of national apathy.  However, because the nation is not suffering, it does not seek the aid (Salvation) that it so desperately needs.   No wonder evangelists and missionaries have far more success in saving those in third world nations than they do in their own.

The Matchmaker

A matchmaker is someone who observes two people who they think has the potential of becoming a happy couple.  They then scheme to bring about a marriage and act as a go-between answering any questions.  When both parties are pleased with what they have heard, the matchmaker may stop acting as a go-between by arranging an introduction.  The couple can then start a personal relationship, which will hopefully end in marriage.

As Christians, we are called to be spiritual-matchmakers for those in our family, neighbourhood, workplace, etc.  If any lonely souls are seeking a spiritual relationship we should tell them of the most Perfect Person we know – Jesus Christ.  When they initially start asking questions about this Stranger, we can confidently say, He is a Gentleman as well as a Lord; He is always reliable, loyal, honest, caring, brave and would willingly lay down His life for those He loves.  If all goes well they will be very excited about meeting this Inspiring Person and immediately wish for an introduction.  This will hopefully lead to an eternal-spiritual-marriage (salvation) and the start of a glorious relationship.   

Sheep & Shepherds

Sheep are relatively dim-witted animals that easily stray - shepherds are those entrusted to care for them.  In times past, shepherds played pipes to encourage their flock to follow.  However, every flock has its stubborn sheep - for this the shepherd carried a crook to discourage the wayward sheep from leading the rest into danger.

As a pastor/teacher we may have a large flock to tend, or as a parent only one little lamb.  No matter how few sheep are entrusted to us, we all have shepherding duties.  God expects us to use pipes (kind words) to encourage our sheep to better pastures.  God also understands that it’s sometimes necessary to use a crook (harsh words) to discourage a wayward sheep from heading down a dangerous path.  Yet we should keep in mind, though they are our congregation, students, children or relatives, they don’t belong to us - they belong to God who has entrusted them to our care. 
When God sees a ‘bruise of reprimand’ on the soul of one of His sheep, He will ask the shepherd to please explain.  If the shepherd can reply, ‘I used my stick to discourage that stubborn sheep from walking into harm’s way.’  God will say, ‘Well done My good and faithful shepherd.’  However, if the shepherd says, ‘I used my stick in frustration and anger.’  Remember, the Lord also has a stick and does not permit cruelty to innocent lambs in His flock.

Building Roads to Salvation

When a road is to be built, constructors do not just pour tar over the landscape.  Firstly, they survey the land to determine the best course.  Next, they remove all obstacles and grade a path.  Then, a solid foundation is laid and packed, and finally the road is sealed. 

For many people, coming to God is a hard journey through misconceptions, prejudices and fears.  As Christians, our job is to make their journey easier, by providing good roads for them to travel. 
When building a road to salvation, firstly we must survey the terrain (considered the best way to present the Word of God).  On coming to an obstacle (an issue hindering a person reaching God) we should endeavour to remove it without criticism or judgement.  Once we have cleared the way, it’s time for the foundation (the Gospel).  We should lay it down simply and without deviating from the path.  Then, compress it by answering their questions to the best of our ability. 
Finally, we should seal the foundation with a graceful attitude – without being argumentative if they don’t agree.  By charitably accepting their rejection, it allows them freedom to travel another day.
If we make a road that is easily travelled, God will bring those seeking salvation into our life for an unobstructed journey to Him. 

Laying Tracks

Generally, trains can only travel where railway tracks are laid.  If a train is to go into new territory, tracks first have to be laid. 

God desires to be part of everyone’s life, but just like a train, He is restricted to where He can go.  God created mankind with free-will and as a consequence He can not force Himself on individuals and nations that choose to have nothing to do with Him.