My Son Joel and I occasionally eat together when I’m passing through the Atlanta area (where he pastors). Usually grabbing a salad or sandwich at one of the busiest commercial airports in the country, Peachtree DeKalb in Chamblee, Georgia. After lunch one day I made this snapshot. What a collection of aircraft! Our restaurant table actually overlooks the runway!
Today’s Bible Study Lesson …
This view immediately reminded me of a missionary agency that uses airplanes to serve the Lord! I’m particularly thinking of Missionary Aviation Fellowship, but other such similar organizations exist now as well.
Yes, they fly missionaries to and from their posts, often in remote jungles. And have been doing so for many years now. Plus, medical evacuations, deliveries of urgent supplies, and no telling what else.
Serving the Lord’s people … any way possible!
Now Bible verses are flooding my mind.
Paul wrote in Romans 12:6-7 of Believers who were “gifted” with the ability to “serve.” He uses the Greek word for “ministering.” His words: “Having then (spiritual) gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us … like MINISTRY (one of those gifts), let us wait on our MINISTERING.” He’s saying … SERVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART! Give it 100%. Be diligent!
Folks (these “servers”) who do not care to be in the “spotlight,” but long to do things for Jesus, often in an out-of-sight manner. Like flying a delivery of penicillin to a mission compound somewhere along the Amazon River in Brazil. Or bringing an evangelist to an otherwise inaccessible field of service, for a time of revival!
Galatians 5:13 pretty much obligates us all along this line. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.”
I just found (earlier today) a word for “helping” that I had never noticed before, a Greek noun. Paul’s ship was in a storm, on that Lucan voyage to Rome. And the ship was about to be broken into pieces, so violent was the weather! Which when they (the crew, the sailors) had taken up, they used HELPS, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.” Acts 27:17, where the word for “helps” is “boetheia,” only found twice in the whole New Testament. It means “to run” (“theo”) when you hear a needy “cry” (“boe”). To turn toward the distress! To do all you can to (quickly) aid a hurting person!
Oh, to be a helper to the Lord’s children!
To do what I can …
“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren (in context, the Jews … but generally to any Believer), ye have done it unto Me.” Jesus’s Words in Matthew 25:40, in a Parable. Help a fellow Christian … same as helping Jesus!
Then … “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My Name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41, serving again!
Paul one more time … “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good (serve) unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10, particularly helping the saints of God!
Wow!
Let’s go get busy!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell