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Harvest so the Gift is Given

2 Thessalonians 3:1 (AMP) Finally, brothers and sisters, pray continually for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be honored [triumphantly celebrated and glorified], just as it was with you

Why would you not want others to have this great gift that you received? If you really read the Bible you will find lots of calls to action. Did you ever think that you would be the answer to someone’s prayer for their loved one?

Luke 10:2 (AMP) He was saying to them, “The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

One of the things that I pray over my family and myself is that we will seek out opportunities to share the gospel with someone today. I pray for our safety, for our needs being met, but above all that His gospel is spread and we get to be a part of that. I think that is what these petitions for prayer were intended for. Not that you pray for God to send someone else to do it. Prayer without intent to be sent out yourself is just rooted in self-centeredness. We have become like tombs, whitewashed on the outside, but full of dead mens bones.

I was talking with our prayer team and made this statement that good people are still selfish if they are not willing to lay down their perceptions to His.  “If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him! (Luke 11:13)” The Holy Spirit is going to urge you to go.

Philippians 2:3-5 (AMP) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility]

I know of no other individual with a bigger prayer life that Jesus. Prayer is not just something that a select few are called to do. Intercession has been planted in all of our hearts (Ephesians 6:18). Some of us need to be more intentional in our prayer lives. Like worship, the more we enter in the more we enjoy it. However, be warned we can turn it into our self worship if we are not careful. Jesus taught us how to pray and I like to stick with that model. I do not parrot the words, but I do stay with how He wanted us to focus our prayers. I am by no means perfect in this, but I do want my motives to be right. I want you to have the fullness that God desires for you. I want you to be free in Christ. I want you to rooted and grounded in His love.

Mark 16:15 (AMP) And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.“

There is not an individual that you will come in contact with that is not His created. What is the gospel? Turn or burn? Your future is hell you sinner? Here is how I present the gospel…Love came down and lived, died and rose again for me. I talked about my changed life and the fullness I have now that I live in Christ. Then I ask, do you want that for yourself? I lead them in a prayer of receiving, repentance and thankfulness. That is the gospel. That is my prayer for you this Christmas, that you seek out opportunities to give the best gift this season. I pray that you answer the prayer of the Lord of the harvest, that you bring in the harvest too.

God, Holy is Your Name. We thank You for Your Mercy and Loving Kindness. Thank You for the Gift of Your Son to put us back in right standing with You. Love truly came down. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, for which we would not have been made complete and full in Your Knowledge. Above all to empower us to fulfill everything that you called us to, the ministry of reconciliation. We desire for Your Kingdom to be here on earth just as You intended at creation. We repent for our hardened hearts and making life about ourselves. We should not have limited to what we like above what You desire. Give us this day our daily revelation through Your Word. Feed us so that we can go feed others about Your goodness. Search our hearts Lord for any unforgiveness that we may be holding onto. We want to love freely like You love. We do not want to hinder the growth in the body of Christ. Give us opportunities today to share Your Good News, the Gospel of Your Son. Let us live in grace and boldness. We choose love today. We choose joy today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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When no one knows you

2 Timothy 1:8 (AMP) So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible

Mark 8:38 (AMP) For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

Luke 8:16 (AMP) Now no one lights a lamp and then covers it with a container [to hide it], or puts it under a bed; instead, he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.

How do you act when you go somewhere that no one knows you and probably will never see you again? How should we act, for those who are in Christ? My husband and I just came back from a six day trip to Peurto Plata, Dominican Republic. We had never been before. The draw was that it was an inexpensive trip for the two of us, and I would not have to worry about having to find our place around. We were staying at an all-inclusive resort. The stay was relaxing and we had beautiful scenery. We also met some wonderful people. We visited the sites with a local we met working at the resort. He brought his wife who spoke English. We also ate meals and talked for hours with another couple from the Washington, D.C. area.

Many years ago there was a slogan to visit a very famous city here in the United States. It was “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” The ideas was to promote freedom and empowerment in a place that has become known as “Sin City.” Would you know it that we met a man from Vegas in the Dominican? We had found us a nice breezy spot to look over the water and relax for the day. For some reason he was drawn to my husband. He shared of his plans for this trip. He did not travel with his wife, because no one was going to tie him down (mind you I am right there listening to this whole conversation). He was talking about the women he was looking at. He talked for hours with my husband and somehow the man brought up church. That was something my husband started to join in on. Then the man started to weep. He knew he was not right with God. Come to find out that when he got up that morning he was asking God for forgiveness. Why was he drawn to our section of the resort? Even though we were far away from home, Christ still dwells in us, He is our true home. We could not hide it. We could not vacation from it. We can try to ignore it, but who we truly are is in Christ will burst out of us. My husband got to pray with this man right there.

Many years ago, I volunteered at a clinic that we got to share the gospel with every person that walked through the doors to receive their services. It grew me in ways that I could never have imagined. One year someone decided to start a count. I had not realized how many people allowed me to lead them in a prayer of salvation. I was not keeping count myself. I still stumbled over my words when speaking publicly. Yet someone was in awe that I had the most in that year, actually they were pretty shocked…not as shocked as I was. However, that showed me that if I could do that, anyone could. Now my role has been moved to the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11). My primary ministry is the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Do you know the name of Mordecai Ham? I sure did not. In 1934, Mordecai was leading a revival in rural North Carolina. In attendance was Billy Graham. At the age of 16, Billy Graham accepted Christ as his savior and started his journey to become the household name in Christian evangelism. They believe that more than 3.2 million people have responded to the call of salvation through the Billy Graham Crusades. Do you know that the abundance of salvation comes when we are obedient? My number was 15 that year. I do not know the numbers for Mordecai Ham. I do know that he is credited for every one of Billy Graham’s leading.

Matthew 6:19-21 (AMP) Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

There is nothing more gratifying than fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). Our Father in Heaven loves to hear us talk of His goodness, grace, mercy and loving-kindness. He loves for us to draw each other closer to Him. If I can tell someone about His goodness, it is a good day. Look for the opportunities. Ask Him for the opportunities. You may be the answer to someone’s cry that day. Just like our friend from Vegas, who was persistent in talking to my husband (Luke 11:5-10), he met someone who invited him to a closer walk with Jesus. Jesus cared enough for this man for him to see two people from Alabama who knew of the mercy and grace of our Lord.

What do I pray? How do I lead someone in this prayer? You cannot lead anyone deeper than you are yourself. Do you have a relationship with Jesus as Lord of your life? If not, pray this prayer with me:

Lord Jesus, I invite you fully into my heart. I acknowledge that You were born as a man, died for our sins and rose from the dead, now sitting at the right hand of the Father. I give you full access to my life. I surrender my will to Yours. You are not just my Savior, You are Lord over my life. I will do my best to chase after you. I will submit myself to a pastor for the equipping of the ministry of reconciliation. I will tell others of the goodness, grace, mercy and loving-kindness of our God. I will pull on that grace to keep sin out of my life. I will allow the Holy Spirit to lead me. Thank You for loving me. Thank you for allowing me into this right relationship. In Jesus Name, Amen.