Have you seen the insurance commercial where they use the same script in two different scenarios? The first scenario is a young girl getting her first car. She is excited as she says, “Is that my car?” The camera angle pulls back and we see a cute little VW gleaming in the sun. The next scene is a business man returning to where his car is parked and he angrily says, “Is that my car?” The next scene reveals a vehicle that has been stripped of parts and wheels sitting on blocks. Same words two different meanings. Vacation Bible School (or VBS) is just around the corner. You may be thinking, “Oh Great, VBS again”! This phrase also can be interpreted two different ways. I hope it is a sentiment filled with anticipation and excitement. By volunteering to serve this year, you can and will make a significant difference in a kid’s life. In the days after 9/11, people rushed to New York to volunteer at ground zero. Volunteer rescue teams diligently searched the ruble of the Twin Towers for people who were lost and trapped. Did you ever stop to realize that is exactly what we do in VBS? We are seeking to save lives that are lost and trapped in a life that ends in an eternity without Christ. Which of us would not try to save a child who is drowning? I believe that each of us would be willing to do all that we could to save a child in such desperate need. Consider this, a child who believes in Christ is saved and has been rescued from the clutches of the devil and the tortures of hell. Is that not something to fight for? Won’t it be something to rejoice about? VBS is one of the means by which we are doing everything in our power to save kids by introducing them to the Savior of their souls.VBS is an opportunity for us to share the love of Christ with children who may never otherwise hear about Him. It’s hard for us to believe but there are kids in this community who do not know who Jesus is. Herschel Hobbs, a respected SBC pastor, related this story. “In Vacation Bible School in our church we sought to reach children who were not involved in church life. A teacher asked one such boy, “Do you know Jesus Christ?” The boy replied, “Is his middle initial ‘H’?” The boy had never heard the name of Jesus except in a profane way. How sad!” For some, VBS may be the only time they will ever be exposed to who Christ is and His offer of salvation. It is a window of opportunity to explain how much God really loves them. Telling people about Christ is every believer’s responsibility.
Think about this for a second. VBS is a natural way in which each of us can share our faith through our words and by being a living, breathing witness for Christ. I cannot think of an easier more convenient way to share the “Plan of Salvation.” More importantly, sharing the message is expected. All we need to do is be willing to open up and share what Christ has given to us. 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14). All of us are to preach (tell) of Jesus.Believe it or not your life is preaching to a lost world. People are watching you. They want to see how you spend your time? Why? Because where you spend your time tells them what you consider valuable. Children, more than most, recognize this very fact. When they sense and know that they are important they are that much more receptive to listening to us share about Christ and His free gift of salvation. Push for the Prize. God did not save us to give us better jobs, longer vacations and cooler gadgets – we are “to press toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:12). That upward calling is to tell others about the Christ and His grace, mercy and salvation. We are in a race with time and we are to be concerned with those whose lives are headed toward destruction. We are to tell everyone, and especially kids, about Christ, His gift given to us because of His mercy and His grace. Don’t wait for someone else to do it. It is a failure on our part when we believe that someone else will serve and do the work. Each of us has a part to play. You and I were not saved to sit, we have been saved to serve. This summer is a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord and make a difference in a child’s world. One thing is for certain. Nothing will happen if you don’t serve. “It is a commonsense rule that applies to all the situations of life: Without serving that which we need to achieve, we simply can’t achieve it. Life is a series of giving that we might gain. Only where there is input can we expect an output. Only when we deposit, can we expect return. Don’t participate, don’t expect. No pain, no gain. Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could” (Pastor Philip Makari). Now is the acceptable time to serve your Lord or as John Wayne said, “WE’RE BURNING DAYLIGHT…”PRAY NOW FOR OUR VBS and keep praying. The simplest and most effective thing for a believer to do is pray. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matt.7:7-8). Care enough to ask, seek and knock. God always honors His word. When He says ask, ask. He says seek, then seek. He tells us to knock, then let’s knock until our spiritual knuckles bleed. Pray for the Lord to do big things. In our weakness, He is made strong. Pray He will work in each of our lives and especially the kids’ lives during VBS. Pray for them to be saved. I pray that you will commit to serve and be a part of it of what God will do. Remember, We can do nothing apart from God but God chooses to do nothing unless we are a part of His work. LET’S MAKE THIS AN AWESOME VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IN 2017. Your Pastor, Dave Rowser