A troop carrier

"In the 1940s the United States  commissioned the SSUS ship. It was an 80 million dollar troop carrier built for the Navy. Designed to carry 15,000 troops into war. The fastest most reliable ship. It could go anywhere in the world in less than 10 days, it was a beauty.

 The only catch was...

 it never carried any troops. Instead it became known as a luxury liner. But as a luxury liner it could only carry 2,000 troops who could enjoy 3 bars, 2 theaters, heated pools, 19 elevators, and the comfort of the first fully air conditioned passanger ship.

 Instead of a vessel for battle the SS became a means of indulgence for wealthy patrons who wanted to sail peacefully across the Atlantic ocean. 

Lets ask ourselves a question. Are we as the church a troop carrier or are we a luxury liner? Because the two look radically different. 

The faces of soldiers preparing for battle look a lot difference than the faces of patrons enjoying their bon bons.  Our use of resources are different.  Our pace will be different.  A troop carrier has an urgent mission to accomplish, the luxury liner is free to enjoy the ride along the way.. 

 May we not loose sight of an eternal battle that is waging around us. Are we going to endulge ourselves in the peaceful comforts of this world, or are we going to engage outselves in battle for peoples around the world."  - David Platt

 I want to call you to get on board a troop carrier and to give your lives and take the gospel to the ends of the earth no matter what it costs you. Life isn’t about catering to our comforts.  Its about risking it all for the glory of God and so that every man and women can hear the word of God. 

There are 30,000 children dying everyday from preventable diseases. 2 million deaths a year from AIDS. 80/1000 children in Haiti alone will not make it to see their 5th birthday.

And if we are to honor God with our lives I think we will do something about this and stop sitting on the side of the pool requesting for more hors d'oeuvres  to be delivered to us. . May we not make God cry any more than he already does for these people. We are in war time not peace time.  Peace time is coming but it's not right now.

 

Let us not dissappoint our King.

2.6 million starving people

1.75 billion poor

490,000 orphans in Haiti

a murder every 6 minutes

a suicide every 90 minutes

2 million death a year from AIDS

We are in a war. And we as Christ followers must urgently respond to this crisis

We spend 705 billion dollars on entertainment and recreation per year

65 billion dollars  on jewelry

31 billion dollars on pets

And for international missions ....

5 billion.

We are called to love our neighbor. We are responsible for these hungry souls. And we are letting God down. Oh yes the devil is winning the battle. Oh but he won't win the war. Let us not allow him to think he is winning. Let us not loose any more souls to his schemes. I think our God has tears in his eyes every day. He is loosing children left and right and hes pointing at us and saying "please do something. This is why I created you. As soon as they all hear, I will come back."

Matthew 28:18-20

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This was the last command Jesus gave.

May we not turn a blind eye to this.