WHAT’S IN THE BUCKET?
We are all part of the bucket chain that takes the truth of God’s Word and passes it to other people in this country and elsewhere (India specifically). I get the privilege of passing it to the pastors in India but that wouldn’t be possible without your help and support. We’ve talked about all aspect s of that. We haven’t talked about what is in the bucket, though. We’ve said it is the water of the Word of God but let’s look at that more carefully. If we don’t deliver the right contents to the pastors in India it won’t help them, no matter how efficient our bucket brigade works. It’s all about the content of the bucket!
Buckets in a brigade must contain water. Empty or half empty buckets don’t help, nor those filed with rocks, plants or other materials. It must be water. Those on the front lines in India need God’s Word (Ephesians 5:25-27), not human reasoning or the latest philosophies. Delivering social solutions, liberal philosophies, worldly answers or empty promises won’t help. These people need to know the facts of the Bible in their heads and how to apply them through their mouth, hands and feet. They need to be encouraged, motivated and equipped to apply the truths of God’s Word to obstacles they face in life and ministry.
Water is a basic fundamental element necessary for physical life, just as the Word of God is absolutely necessary for spiritual life. Water is needed for plants, animals and people to grow larger and stronger. The Bible is necessary for spiritual development as well. Both water and God’s Word bring cleansing and refreshing. Both quench thirst in a way nothing else can.
Our focus is not on the bucket, those who pass it nor those who offer support. It is on one thing, the contents of the bucket, the infallible, never-changing Word of God. That’s what the pastors and Christians in India need. That’s what everyone everywhere needs. So do I. So do you!
Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
1 Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, long for the guileless milk of the word in order that by it you may grow unto salvation.”
1 Timothy 4:6—“Being nourished with the words of the faith.”
I assume you feed your physical thirst with a variety of thirst-quenchers and seldom go thirsty for long. Is the same true for you spiritually? Spend some time now drinking in the water of God’s Word.
by Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer, Christian Training Organization