We are a week away from the start of our annual Vacation Bible School, a week of bible stories, arts and crafts, games, snacks and silliness. There is some debate and discussion of the efficacy of vacation bible school. It is a lot of work, often a lot of money and a lot of arm twisting to get volunteers. Often we query, what's the return? Which leads, inevitably, to the question of what's the point? Are we trying to gain new souls for Jesus? Are we trying to recruit new members to the church? Are we providing some wholesome diversion for children or maybe a respite for parents during the long, hot summer?
The answer, I think, is yes to all of these questions. Most importantly we are creating a forum, a time and a place, to share the love of Christ. Loving others is not in the declaration of love. We can not rest with the claim that, why yes we do love our neighbors. We have to put some skin in the game. Enthusiastically welcoming a few dozen children into our church, creating skits and games, making puppets and terrariums, and animating the parables of Jesus is our way of showing Christ's love. We model God's love of world and of the individual to the children, to each other and to anyone who cares to look.
What is the return from the investment of time, talent and tithe in VBS? What is the return of any ministry? How can it be measured? Maybe we are scattering the metaphorical seeds or maybe we are nurturing the seeds planted by others, maybe we will see some harvest. As is often the case when dealing with God and when dealing with people, we must take a step in faith that where we are faithful in sincerely sharing God's love, with patience, kindness, self-control and all the other fruits of the Spirit, God will be faithful to use our efforts to His purposes. VBS is not a means of making art and memorizing scripture. It is the time and place we set apart to love others as Christ loves without measuring the return.
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2 comments:
You make this sound like a MYSTERY that needs a good DETECTIVE to identify clues and solve the case.
there are two identical jesus Christ revelation 17:8
the antichrist is the spirit of this world, the prince the power of the air. Revelation 16:13-14, Ephesians 2:2, Daniel 8:5, Revelation 13:18, 2 thessalonians 2:9-10, Acts 20:26-30. men preaching another gospel, another jesus. Matthew 24:24. WE are that generation that Christ saw at the mount of temptation. WE are that generation according to matthew chapter 24 when Christ told his disciples!
2 Corinthians 11: 13-15! Satan is mindful of the things of man not of God. Isaiah 14:12-14, Luke 4:31-34- making buildings, people playing instruments with man's hands for worship, etc. revelation 18:22-23
Revelation 16:17 and Revelation 11:15-18 the Lord and his Christ take over both worlds. the spirit and the natural world after revelation 11:11-13.the spirit world of the great city receives her hour of judgement! this brings in the last day and hour for all mankind and the earth!
the testimonies of the two witnesses are received and those of revelation 15:2. the seventh shofar sounds to unseal the mystery of God. the seven angels with seven vials leave the temple after the judgment of the Great City, which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt.
must watch and hear video on youtube titled, "Christ testimony of the churches -around the world." there are two identical Jesus Christ revelation 17:8.
most of revelation is happening in the spirit world. that's why Jesus said it would be like the days of Noah and Lot. the abomination of desolation is happening in the spirit realm inside all these man made buildings set up for worship. the Christians and catholics, etc are not aware of what's happening to them and around them in these places, (churches -any four wall building representing God to gather believers of Christ). these churches around the world are all connected to "The Great City" Revelation 11, which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt and Mystery of iniquity. Church leaders around the world are searching of the earthly signs. this will not happen until the very last day and hour. God will not allow man to destroy the earth with nuclear bombs. read matthew 3:12 and Revelation 20:9. God sends his son to the earth with the fire behind him consuming all his enemies which are left from the resurrection of the dead and those that are alive. the body of Christ is gathered as the son of man appears at last sound of shofar, he is coming while the wheat are gathered and the tares are left as the chaff and earth is consumed by the fire of God.
The true outpouring of the Holy Spirit of truth happens before the 5th shofar and 5th vial is poured. Revelation 7:3-4,13-14 Revelation 9:4! Joel 2:28-29-this happens in the homes of God's people and their family members (read Isaiah 26:20-21)! the people of God flee all man made churches, anything of the identical jesus christ movement. then Joel 2:30 which shows the aftermath of the sixth and fifth shofar sounds and fifth and sixth vial poured. then Joel 2:31-32 happens...
what all revivals, signs and wonders happening in these churches, huge ministries around the world is revelation 16:14 and revelation 19:19-20
this message is not a joke. this is not a game. I am telling the truth! God's people must come out of the identical jesus Christ movement NOW and seek God in prayer without ceasing and seek God's forgiveness and be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ!
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