Are You Available?

Since arriving in the States, there have been a few pockets of time to relax and rest from being on the "front lines".
But mostly, I have been busy,
not even home for a whole week at a time.

Don't get me wrong, part of the reason you come home on furlough is to report to supporters and share the ministry in new churches.
I have really enjoyed the fellowship.

With all of the travel, I am not at my sending church very often. When I am there, I get asked one particular question by at least 5 people each time.
"Are you available to do something with me this week?"

Sometimes I am available, but sometimes I have other things that are top priority to get accomplished.

As I have been pondering missions, I have been thinking about the lack of people who are committed to going out into the "highways and hedges". 
My thoughts took me to the fact that people are really not available.

People are so busy with what they want to do, that they are not available for what God wants them to do.
It may be that people are doing good things like -
working a job to support your family,
traveling out of town to visit family,
going to get groceries,... 
These things are good, but they don't bring souls to Christ.

Could it be the we maybe need to rearrange our schedules, so that we are more available to serve our Saviour?

When a couple is first in love, they will move anything aside to do something for the other.  How does our love for Christ motivate us to arrange our schedule to be availble for the things of God?

On the thought of availability, also comes the qualification to evangelize.
We know that first of all, we must be saved in order to tell others of the Saviour.
I could go on about this, but I would like to focus on the fact that a Christian must be saved, seperated and serving.

How can we start serving if our personal lives are not consecrated (set apart), for our Master's use?

We cannot be used of God if our vessels are not empty, clean and ready to be filled by the Lord.

Do you have a daily, personal walk with the Lord?

Are you growing by learning more about your Saviour, daily confessing sin in your life, and by waiting to hear your Saviour's leading?

What is my attitude toward God-given authority?

Am I listening to the Bible preached by my pastor and obeying the Word that he has preached? (After all, God is the One who gave him that message for me.)

What about service?  Am I willing to serve in my local church?
Am I making myself available to be used by God?

Many in our churches are unavailable.  Why?

Because of sin in thier lives,
because of financial debt that would prevent them from going to a mission field,
because of investing so much time and money in earthly possessions,
because of a weak homelife that is not right with your husband, wife, parents, or children,
because of love of self and money,...

Are you available for God to use you?

If not, what can you do to make yourself more available to God?