Operation Rescue

[I'm a little late publishing this. This was written at the end of August, almost two weeks before the horrible assassination of Charlie Kirk.]

Sadly, when the Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic in 1912, there was no one that could hear their distress call. There was a ship nearby, but the radio operator had turned off his radio and went to bed. It took the aftermath of that disaster for massive changes to emergency procedures that continue to this day.

Because of that thankfully today when a pilot declares an emergency, there is always someone there to her him. Also, he has multiple options for communication. Once that emergency is declared, it becomes a “formal” action and he has automatic priority over all others, and multiple services are placed at his or her disposal. He has everyone’s attention. Many lives have been saved.

Unfortunately there is another problem, pilots sometimes hesitate to declare an emergency, thinking they can handle it themselves. They are in unknown peril, from anything from changing weather conditions, to a completely solvable problem that they just don’t recognize.

But when they grasp their potential peril, who is there to hear that cry for help?

We are! Now in a second small town, I’ve been thinking about how to get help to those in this unknown peril. I’ve seen many emergencies, and today they are different than previous threats.

What is happening?

Before I attempt to describe what is unfolding, I want to invite everyone to consider a discipleship Bible study group. Why? I’ll explain that at the end.

Here’s 4 reasons why we need to make Bible Study a family priority.

1. We have a trained youth director who can instruct our youth. All youth in our church need to be part of this group, not only for fun and fellowship but for the content of what he can teach them.

2. We have qualified leaders in our church who can lead Bible Studies to strengthen our faith in these days. But we need more to be trained.

3. There is an abundance of materials to combat the evil influences seeping into our culture that we can use.

4. Reports of renewed turning back to the church. This is good news for a change. Multiple sources are discussing a renewed interest in church attendance if there is a sense of connection. People are lonely.

Still, something ominous is happening. Every age group in our church is at risk of the influences that are creeping through our world. And God’s Word has the remedy.

Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to our path.” People studying God’s Word and connecting together is the remedy for what is taking place.

Also, it is good to note, Titus 2:1-7 that the older are to exhort the younger. The groups we form can be divided by age and/or status. Singles are another example.

We want to begin as soon as possible…

*A 60 and up group.

*A 45-50-ish age group.

*A singles group (soon)

This does not include all the age groups needed, but it’s a start. We are looking for those willing to lead. This would add to the groups we already have. These groups can meet in homes, set their start and stop times, select their study materials.

All we ask is they conform to our constitution. We already have capable and trustworthy teachers who are loyal to the Word of God and our church’s mission. And we will need more. This is not a gimmick to get names on a sign-up.

Why is this a priority?

Here’s why.

Don’t be deceived by the political direction things are taking now since the election. However you feel about the current administration, I believe this is only temporary.

Politics are only one small piece of the ominous pie we are facing.

There is a veil or blanket of unbelief that is settling down over the world like never before. Many have lamented this, but fail to grasp it’s effect on all the institutions of our society namely, the church, schools, government, and industry and the family.

But here’s what is new. This veil is itself discipling us. That’s right, we are being discipled, but it is not by Christ.

It is a bug that is getting inside the minds of everyone and dulling the senses. And now for the first time, it has affected all the institutions of civilized society at once. The biggest threat is affecting the most important institution, the nuclear family, it’s redefinition, breakdown and collapse in towns across the land. But this isn’t all of it either. Combined with the digital power of modern tech and communication, it is has now scaled. The noose is tightening around our necks with a 24/7 evil influence, 24/7 surveillance, leading to 24/7 control.

Jesus talked about discipleship. He practiced and demonstrated discipleship with the Apostles. He commanded discipleship of His followers. Yet we haven’t taken it as serious as we should. But the enemy sure is, with it’s own brand of discipleship tactics first-hand. It is virtually invisible to those under it’s power.

One more acronym (continuing the thought from August’s article). F-U-D or fear uncertainty and doubt. This is the result of the world’s discipleship. This is filling the minds of the people and our children if they are not discipled by Christ.

I’ve been observing the long march through the institutions for decades. I’ve seen what other churches and pastors are doing. I’ve listened to experts. That’s why we must stand up as the church—like Noah, and declare an emergency.

There are hopeful reports of a resurgence of interest in spiritual things. Let’s jump on that.

“Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

That’s my view two cents

Pastor Tom ###