An Encouraging Word

As the world seemingly crumbles around us, it is wonderful to know that God is sovereign and that His glorious plan to restore His fallen creation continues unabated. We here at Colonville Bible Church are coming to the close of this year’s Vacation Bible School, and through it all my heart is encouraged to see all of these little ones get so excited about the Word of God. All week they have been committing passages of Scripture to memory, much-needed truth to mold and shape their minds towards having a proper Biblical worldview. While some view VBS as “another church program” this is intentional Kingdom work. We receive such joy from witnessing these young ones get so excited to hear of God’s grace and forgiveness, of His power, plan, and faithfulness. Making disciples of Jesus is one of the primary objectives of the Church. Jesus instructs His disciples with these words in Matthew 28:19-20:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

As I had stated in my previous blog post, God’s plan and purpose for His people during the present age is the work of harvesting, the work of sowing seeds by declaring the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the work of cultivating the crop by making disciples through teaching the authoritative Word of God. While much of the world today has become calloused towards even the notion of being a Christian, children are different. Children, though sinners like the rest of the human race, are more willing to hear the truths of God’s Word and be molded by them. This is what makes VBS so great! While it is true that there are times of silliness involved, VBS is an important and powerful tool to help lead these children towards divine truth. Personally, I am one who is sternly against the notion of incorporating entertainment into our church services, however, VBS skits and stories, though somewhat entertaining, have a way of gripping these kids' attention and leading them towards Christ. The more we are able to reach these little ones with Biblical truth, the greater hope we have of protecting them from the volatile ways of the world. In order to disciple anyone, young or old, we have to build intentional relationships in which we are invested in. VBS is a useful tool that allows us to begin this process. Already there are kids that I have only recently met, and yet due to our VBS skits, they see me as “the sheriff.” In only a short time I have earned their trust, and now I, and others here, must be faithful to declare the gospel and invest in these young one's lives.

I am writing this short blog post to encourage you all. Don’t let the plight of the world break your spirit. Fight the good fight while there is yet time to fight. Glorify God in all things and be intentional in discipling making. Christ is coming soon! At His return may we be found faithfully working the harvest, carrying out His will, and obeying His commands.
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John 15:7-11,
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”