Living Today With A Focus On Tomorrow

December 2008

Occasionally I am asked why I emphasize obedience to Jesus as our first act of discipleship. The simple answer is that if our initial act of surrender and acceptance of salvation from God through Jesus is genuine, it will be followed by sustained change in our behavior. Our lives will move from aimless wandering and reaction to focused service and significance.

Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians in chapter 2, and verse 10 that ‘we were created to do good works, which God prepared beforehand…’ Jesus goes on to tell us of the nature of these ‘good works’ in the 25th chapter of Matthew, He speaks of the coming judgment in verses 25:31-46, and specifically, how we are to serve him in verses 34-40.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked and clothe You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’”

These words describe the actions of the many members of your Kansas-Nebraska disaster relief team. In 2008, they have sacrificially given their time and resources to serving others in need. The simple reality is that giving of their lives in service to the many less fortunate, has impacted both the lost and Jesus himself. Their obedience should be an example to us all as we search for significance in our daily lives.

It is often said that disaster relief service is the best kept secret of Southern Baptist life. This is probably true as most Southern Baptists don’t hear of the work of their fellow church members until the tragedy of disaster happens to them personally. Recounting the many hours, days, and weeks spent in preparing, training, deploying, feeding and serving those in need does not come close to describing the impact of this service.

Scripture tells us that all of heaven rejoices when one heart, one soul, accepts Jesus as Savior. We also rejoice in each testimony of the acceptance of Jesus as savior. Those of us in disaster relief also relish the opportunity to answer the often asked question, ‘Why do you do this?’ To be the heart and hands of Jesus in the life of someone in need is a great reward unto itself. It is very satisfying to live out scripture doing the good works prepared beforehand.

Disaster relief is an effort to accomplish the stated purpose of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists to help churches ‘disciple all peoples.’ It is not simply a program, organization, or a function, but the sum of all the sacrificial efforts of disaster relief team members living out acts of significance in their daily lives. So, what is the financial cost to deliver that cup of cold water? To date this year, the cost to support volunteer disaster relief and rebuild operations, have exceeded $50,000.

Most of us enjoy lives of relative comfort and except for the personal tragedy experienced as the result of a tornado, flood, or fire, may often find it difficult to feel the hurt of those affected. Nevertheless, we are called to a life of serving those less fortunate among us. Some of us are physically unable to go. Some are financially unable to give. And still others are simply unable to get away from the responsibilities of daily lives as fathers, mothers, business owners, and community leaders to personally participate.

So how can we all be a part of delivering that cup of cold water? Together, we can all pray for God’s continued guidance and leadership. Those among us who are physically able can volunteer, train and go to aid those in need. And all of us can give sacrificially to become the heart and hands of Jesus in the lives of those in need.

May you all experience the joy of significant service in your lives as we all participate in discipling leaders, deploying disciples, and loving God.

To volunteer to help meet the many needs of Kansas-Nebraska’s disaster relief ministry or explore the possibility of gifting equipment or other resources please contact your pastor, local associational director of missions, or me at (316) 204-7889 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 

Please make all donation checks to KNCSB Disaster Relief and send them to 5410 SW 7th St, Attn: Lori Crawford, Topeka, KS 66606. Thanks for joining us in significant service as disciples of Jesus.

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