Author: Jeffrey Bush

Everybody — Somebody — Anybody — Nobody

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. 

There was an important job (the Great Commission) to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. 

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. 

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. 

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. 

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. So how can you get involved in the Great Commission? Can you give, pray, or go? 

The Pastor and His Relationship to the Missionary

Excerpt from the book “Missions For The New Millennium” by Dr. Don Wardlaw

1. Are we ready to take the challenge which lies before us?

2. Are we ready to make the changes necessary to keep our missionaries mission ministries going?

3. Are we burdened?

4. Can we face the reality?

5. Is our maturity level high enough?

6. Will the Lord join our efforts?

7. With no long-range plans, what can we expect?

8. Will we continue the same old status quo?

9. What was the faithful missionary’s approach thirty to forty years ago?

10. What is the faithful missionary’s approach today?

The Man Who Tried to Conquer the World

From chapter 22 of book Tales From India; Truth From Heaven by Dr. William Jeffcoat

Alexander the Great went forth with his great armies in hopes of conquering the world. Some claim that he did. One kingdom after another fell into his grasp. Yet it was the kingdoms of India which finally convinced first those who followed him and finally the great leader himself that such a dream of world dominion had come to its end. 

During his long journey home, the disillusioned conqueror of kingdoms fell ill in Babylon. He realized then that his might and his wealth were but passing fancies. As he prepared to depart from this world, he began to loosen his grasp on earthly vanities. 

Legend tells us that he gathered his generals around him and told them, “I will depart from this world soon… I have three wishes… please carry them out without fail.” He continued by saying, “My first desire is that my physicians alone must carry my coffin. Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones that I have collected in my treasury. My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin.” 

Those who stood nearby assured their great leader that his wishes would be followed with utmost care but then inquired as to the reasons for such desires. He replied by explaining each request. He wished for his physicians to carry his coffin so that all might realize that no man can prevent death. His own physicians were powerless to prevent this moment. The path to the grave was to be strewn with wealth as a reminder that he would take neither gold nor silver with him beyond this life. He had spent his life pursuing riches but would soon leave his treasures to other men. His hands were to extend from the coffin that he might even in his death say to all, “I came empty handed into this world, and empty handed I go out.” 

The first time that physicians are mentioned in the Bible, they are being instructed to embalm a dead man (Genesis 50:2). No man can prevent this moment that is faced by all men. Neither can the dead take a single coin beyond this life. The Scriptures tell us plainly, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7). 

Letter From an Atheist that Changed CT Studd

A tract written by an atheist dramatically changed the life of C.T. Studd, (1860-1931) and his perspective of the short time we have on this earth. It seemed to help him turn from lukewarm Christianity to being on fire for God. After reading the tract, he walked away from great financial wealth and being one of the greatest athletes in England’s history, to become a missionary in China and Africa. What did the tract say? It said: 

“Did I firmly believe, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away all earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought, and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in its cause alone. I would take thought for the tomorrow of eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences should never stay my hand, nor seal my lips. Earth, its joys and its griefs, would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth to the world and preach it in season and out of season and my text would be, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”

Mr. Studd said, “I at once saw that this was truly consistent Christian life. When I looked back upon my own life I saw how inconsistent it had been. I therefore determined that from that time forth my life should be consistent, and I set myself to know what was God’s will for me. But this time I determined not to consult with flesh and blood, but just waiting until God should show me.”

So think about the tract and ask yourself, “What does it profit you to have all and not serve Christ?”