Life here on earth can be very complicated and challenging much of the time. Not only do we have to deal with many spheres of responsibilities within our own lives, we also are daily confronted with the broader problems of the culture around us. Such complexity can feel overwhelming if it is not constantly kept in its proper perspective. The burden on many Christians is that we feel the need to solve all the problems that we see—whether personal and local or global and corporate in scope.
The solution to feeling overwhelmed is to put our lives into their proper eternal perspective. This life is a “vapor” according to James 4:14 (NASB)—meaning that it is here and gone very quickly, when considered from the perspective of eternity. Therefore, we must make the best use of whatever amount of time the Lord allots for us. And since we can’t do everything before us, we need to prioritize our activities and focus on those that will have the greatest impact for the Kingdom of God.
We need only look to Jesus and mimic His priorities if we wish to be used by God for the greatest good. What did Jesus come into the world to do?
“… and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21
“And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:9-10
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” I Tim. 1:15
Of all the needs in the world, the greatest need is for the forgiveness of sins. Most people don’t know that’s what they need. That’s why they need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. The very reason why Jesus came to earth—“to seek and save the lost”—is why we should be engaged in evangelism and missions in whatever ways we can and for our entire lives.
It is this focus on evangelism and missions that makes me so excited about Bethlehem College & Seminary. This is our overall aim: to produce graduates who will have a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples and, therefore, desire to spread the gospel to the lost everywhere in the world.
You may have already received an invitation from us regarding the Bethlehem College & Seminary Decennial Convocation. It will be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 at the downtown campus of Bethlehem Baptist Church. I hope you will join us for this uplifting celebration of the Lord’s work in and through our school to bring the gospel to the nations.
I am so grateful for your partnership with us in the greatest cause in the universe.
Tim
Tim Tomlinson
President
Bethlehem College & Seminary
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for all of us at the school as we are now gearing up for the arrival of our students in a little over two weeks. Pray for our last-minute preparations and that we would get off to a wonderful start as we come together for the new school year. Pray for the Lord to be powerfully at work among us.
- Please also pray as we continue our preparations for the Decennial Convocation. Pray for Dr. Mohler, Pastor John, and others who will be involved in the event, that the Lord would anoint them and use them for His glory.
- And, as always, please continue to pray for our finances. Pray for our ongoing operational needs and that the Lord would allow us to significantly grow our endowment fund to help ensure the long-term financial stability of this amazing school.