In case you ask somebody something and you don’t get an answer remember Nehemiah 5:8!!

The last sentence!

“A passion for souls is rare among church members to – day. The great mass of Christian people feel not the slightest responsibility for the souls of their fellow men. It never so much as dawns on them that they are their brother’s keeper. If they can manage to save their own souls, that is the end of their concern.

The reasons for this apathy are not far to seek.

1. Absence of conviction that every impenitent soul is utterly lost.

2. Absence of concern for the lost.

3. Absence of conception of the value of a soul.”

A little child in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed the offering plates. When they neared the pew where he sat, the youngster  piped up so that everyone could hear: ” Don’t pay for me Daddy, I ‘m under five.”

We found a really good one today, written by J. O.  Sanders and the title is:  “The Divine  Art of  Soul-Winning.”

The Foreword is by WM.  P.  Nicholson and he is writing:

“There are few to-day who have the knowledge of and passion for soul-winning that Mr. Sanders has.”

He continues:

“There never was a time when such a book was more needed than to-day. There are so many believers everywhere who have never won a soul for Christ, and are missing such joy here, and will miss such reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ, all because they don’t know “HOW” to go about the work, and there are so few who will take the trouble to train them.”

“…. in the days of Noah,…. ”     “…in the days of Lot.”

BUYING AND SELLING!

You can’t miss the special posters in the shops today. Postie Plus has a “Queen’s Birthday Winter Clearout.” The poster at FARMERS says: “Farmers Queen’s Birthday SALE – All stores open until 6PM Monday 1ST JUNE.” In front of one of the local pharmacies it says: “Queen’s Birthday Special 12 c Digital Prints.” On my way to the shops I saw a flyer lying in the dirt. On one page of the flyer was the picture of a crown and the following writing: “Queen’s  Birthday Weekend WINE SALE.”

I remember something about BUYING and  SELLING in the Bible.

And there it is in Luke 17:26-29

“Just as it was in the days of Noah,… People were

–eating,

–drinking,

–marrying and

–being given in marriage….

“It was the same in the days of Lot. People were

–eating and

–drinking,

—buying and

–selling,

—planting and

–building.”

Second Corinthians 2:2

I have heard the following while listening to sermons on Romans. And today I am reading the same again. Two different sources in harmony.

Not many people have influenced history like the apostle Paul. He was highly intelligent.

But he did not address the  political problems of his time. He did not address the  social needs of his time. He did not address the problem of slavery. He did not address the burning questions of his time.

BUT – HE PREACHED THE GOSPEL!

First Corinthians 2:2

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

About one week ago I  found my mobile phone unlocked in my satchel. Surprise, surprise, it should have been locked. I know also how much credit I have on my mobile at any time. Don’t be surprised about that! The mysterious user of my phone made a call for more than twenty Dollars.

Only a small incident!

Just a prank?

But I was reminded again about a place in Essen/Germamy, where a youth pastor worked for many years. Above the entrance door to the main auditorium was written in  the German language:

“DU GOTT SIEHEST MICH”

Yes, it was a Saturday, when I talked to somebody about the best translation into english of  “Du Gott siehest mich”. We came to the conclusion that a good translation is:

“YOU GOD SEE EVERYTHING I DO.”

Next day was Sunday and in church our pastor was talking about the same thing. I was listening carefully.  And there was something I had to write down. I had paper, the church newsletter and somebody gave me a pen to write.

I have the church newsletter here before me. On the last page is some empty space for SERMON NOTES. I wrote there the following:

“GOD IS WATCHING YOU (ME)”

The Lord was also watching the mysterious user of my phone one week ago! He is watching the unbelievers and the believers!

“DU GOTT SIEHEST MICH”

Only one sentence, but a most powerfull message! Don’t you agree?

Manchmal liest man Nachrichten und Gebetsanliegen von Missionaren, mit denen man Schwierigkeiten hat. Das hatte ich vor kurzem, als ich Nachrichten von einem Missionsfeld las.

Lesen sie bitte weiter, um herauszufinden, was ich meine.

Ich bin selbst Missionar gewesen von 1966 bis 2004 und habe viel von Thailand und von hier geschrieben nicht nur in Briefen, sondern auch in christlichen Zeitschriften. Da war sogar eine Zeit in Thailand,  als mich der Redakteur (editor) einer Zeitschrift ermutigte , laengere Artikel fuer  sein Blatt zu schreiben. Ich war so begeistert von allem, dass ich so schrieb, wie ich die Sache sah. Nur spaeter kam der Editor nach Thailand zu Besuch und in der naechsten Ausgabe des Magazins war zu lesen, dass die Berichte ueber Thailand sehr uebertrieben waren.

Vor vielen Jahren besuchte einmal ein Missionar Neuseeland und hatte Versammlungen in grossen Kirchen. Spaeter las ich in seinen Nachrichten, dass er sozusagen Erweckung in  die Gemeinden  brachte. Ich sprach darueber mit jemand, der die Situation in NZ genau kennt und er sagte nur:  “Der Missionar sprach in  sehr lebendigen Gemeinden.”

Was sollen wir nun zu diesem Thema sagen? Ich selbst kann im Moment keinen SCHLUSS finden!

Das beste ist wohl, mit dem Schreiber – der Schreiberin – der Nachrichten Kontakt aufnehmen oder selbst auf das betreffende Missionsfeld fahren.