Every Moment Counts 分秒必争
Dexu Xia
Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist. 2 Timothy 4:5
When the Titanic hit an iceberg in April 1912, Pastor John Harper secured a spot for his six-year-old daughter in one of the limited number of lifeboats. He gave his life-vest to a fellow passenger and shared the gospel with anyone who would listen. As the vessel sank and hundreds of people awaited an unlikely rescue, Harper swam from one person to another and said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31 kjv).
During a meeting for survivors of the Titanic in Ontario, Canada, one man referred to himself as “the last convert of John Harper.” Having rejected Harper’s first invitation, the man received Christ when the preacher asked him again. He watched as Harper devoted the last moments of his life to sharing Jesus before succumbing to hypothermia and sinking below the surface of the icy water.
In his charge to Timothy, the apostle Paul encourages a similar urgency and dedication to selfless evangelism. Affirming God’s constant presence and the inevitable return of Jesus, Paul charges Timothy to preach with patience and precision (2 Timothy 4:1-2). The apostle reminds the young preacher to remain focused, though some people will reject Jesus (vv. 3-5).
Our days are limited, so every moment counts. We can be confident that our Father secured our spot in heaven as we proclaim, “Jesus saves!”
By: Xochitl Dixon
How does knowing your days are limited increase your urgency to share the good news of Jesus’ love? How will you reach out to others today?
Jesus, please give me opportunities to share Your love with others
你却要凡事谨慎，忍受苦难，做传道的工夫。—提摩太后书4章5节
当1912年4月铁达尼号撞上冰山时，约翰·哈普尔牧师（John Harper）为他六岁的女儿，在数量不多的救生艇上争取到一个位子。然后，他把自己的救生衣给了同船的一位乘客，还跟任何一位愿意听的人传讲福音。当船沉没时，数百人等着无望的救援，哈普尔牧师游向一个个落海的乘客，说：“当信主耶稣，你⋯⋯必得救。”（使徒行传16章31节）
在加拿大安大略省举办的一场铁达尼号幸存者的聚会中，一位男士自称是“约翰·哈普尔引领信主的最后一人”。当哈普尔牧师第一次邀请他信主时，他拒绝了，但当牧师再次邀请时，他就接受了基督。他眼见哈普尔牧师在生命最后一刻仍致力传讲耶稣，最终因体温过低而死，沉入冰冷的海面下。
使徒保罗在对提摩太的嘱咐中，也勉励他同样以分秒必争、无私牺牲的精神传讲福音。保罗肯定地告诉提摩太，上帝一直同在，且耶稣必会再来，叮嘱他在传道时要有耐心，教导要精确（提摩太后书4章1-2节）。保罗提醒这年轻的传道人，尽管有些人会拒绝接受耶稣，他仍要专心传道（3-5节）。
我们的生命有限，因此分分秒秒都很重要。在我们宣告耶稣拯救世人时，我们也可以确信，天父已经为你我在天堂保留了位子。作者： 邓书琪
知道自己年日有限，如何使你更急切地向人传讲耶稣的爱？
你今日要如何向人传福音？
耶稣，请赐给我更多机会能向人分享祢的爱。