Issue 922 – The Big Blue Marble – November 29, 2022

Our little planet looks like a blue marble in the sky in this NASA photo of the earth from space. We are blessed to live on a fantastic planet created by God just for us to enjoy and have dominion over it.

The Lord put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with a call to go forth and multiply. That is a task that, by and large, people have done. 

A recent number I read shows a net increase in the world’s population (births-deaths) of 157 per minute. That is 9420 people an hour, 226,080 daily, and over 82 1/2 million a year. That’s a lot of people.

The growth is spread globally, with the bulk in Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa and other lesser-developed regions. That is an incredible number of people to reach with the gospel every year, even without considering those already here who haven’t heard.

Yet, God calls us to reach out with the good news, the euangeleon, the gospel. 

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

Matthew 28:16-20

Of course, it is impossible for any individual or congregation to reach everyone. Still, we are all called to reach out to someone.

We are responsible for reaching out to those we know and supporting outreach to those we cannot reach ourselves. That happens through local, national and international missions and church planting.

In North America, for decades, many more churches closed yearly than were planted. Church closings are part of the natural life cycle of a church; communities change, but new church starts should also be part of the cycle.

With the rediscovered passion for church plants in North America, that trend has changed, and more churches are being planted than closing. That’s great news, but we must continue that trend here and abroad.

Yesterday, Kathy and I were pleased (and blessed) to attend one such church start. It was the official opening of the Ukrainian Bible Church in Edmonton. The members are primarily a group of recent Ukrainian refugees to Canada, most of whom have been here less than a year.

Despite their circumstances, this group is committed to reaching a lost and hurting world. They were welcoming people with a passion for Jesus. The truth of the Scriptures was clearly proclaimed.

Our role is minor in the scheme of things. Our local congregation, Immanuel Fellowship Baptist, supports some of the refugees in practical ways through food hampers and possibly some help with English. Another church has provided them with a place to worship, and still another helping in other ways. Each group belongs to a different denomination or association, but we share a love for Christ and His people.

There is a world of lost people out there. We are called to reach out. 

Perhaps we cannot do it on our own, but as the combined church, God can (and does) work through us to accomplish His goals.

The world’s population is expanding, and they all need Jesus. What are you doing to help reach them?

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2022 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

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