As I watched the Olympics (a favorite pastime of mine) I not only watched for USA athletes but also those from India. I follow the news and events in India and was looking forward to see how their competitors would do. India sent more athletes to the Olympics than in the past and got a bronze medal in women’s wrestling and a silver in women’s badminton. For such a large country that is not much. The men lost their doubles tennis bronze match and a female gymnast lost in bronze medal competition in the vault. One of their very best athletes didn’t even participate because of a doping scandal. Some of the momentum from the games has carried over to motivate current athletes in India as well as inspire those who are just beginning.
India is challenging its young athletes to train better and harder and to increase their focus their commitment to excellence. If that large a group of people can get their act together they can be a real force in world athletics in years to come. They definitely are far from their potential.
I can’t help but thinking of another large group of people who are not impacting their world nearly as much as could be done. The worldwide church is a massive, powerful group of people, but we don’t seem to be having much impact on the direction things are going in our country or the world. Clearly we are not meeting our potential. Perhaps we, too, need to increase our focus and commitment to putting Jesus first in everything we do and to sharing Him and His truth with the world around us. Maybe our focus gets too tied up in the activities of daily living, or improving our conditions and church programs or making material advancements.
Despite persecution and death, the early Christians were committed to following Jesus whatever the cost. They were able to turn their whole culture from materialism, hedonism, immorality and self-centered pursuit of pleasure as the main goal in life. The Biblical world view they lived and spoke of improved life for everyone. The same needs to be done today. It can happen if the church reaches its potential. And who is the church? You and me. That’s where it starts. I can’t do anything about you but I can renew my commitment and focus to be the best child of God I can possible be and share Him with others. I hope you do the same.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
How are you doing in your walk with the Lord? Are you in top shape spiritually, or have you lost something in your relationship with God? How are you doing with the basics: Bible reading, prayer, worship, holiness in life and talking to others about Jesus? What areas of life do you need to work on to get back in top spiritual shape? What should do to start today, to start right now?
INDIA UPDATE: Studying the Bible is now totally complete and starting distribution. We have 5,000 Telugu and 1,000 English copies. The translators are working on Preaching and Teaching the Bible, and the English copies will soon be printed.
PRAY God would bless each new book about Studying the Bible and use it for His glory, that those who receive them would study them and apply what is inside so God’s Word can be better spread and understood.
Pray God would help the translators and printers who are working on Preaching and Teaching the Bible. The cost for each book is $10,000. We have paid $13,000 but still need $7,000 soon for the work going on. Pray God would provide that. Any size donation is gratefully appreciated.
Jerry Schmoyer
Christian Training Organization
india.christiantrainingonline.org/