I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest...
Two weeks from now we get to witness again God’s power and grace through our Hope For You concert. What a privilege that the Lord counted us worthy to be part of His harvest. I remember what Jesus said in John 4:35John 4:35 English: King James Version (1611) - KJV 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
WP-Bible plugin. He said, “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
The soul-harvest is a matter of immediate urgency. There are many who still need to be saved. It’s easy to lose the burden for the lost or think that the work is done! The truth is there’s a lot of work yet to be done! Jesus said the harvest is before us. The lesson for us is: The Time is NOW! The time is now to do God’s will. The time is now to reach out to the lost; the time is now to share the love of God.
“Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.”
What are we waiting for? To hear a voice from heaven? Don’t you know that thousands die and slip into eternal fire without Christ? I’m not saying that we could save the whole world but I’m saying that God has called us to participate in the harvest. And you know what’s God’s number one priority is? His glory in the saving of souls! We need to pray toward that end, we need to give toward that end, we need to serve toward that end.
Jesus continued in vs.36 of John 4, “Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.” Notice the idea of rejoicing there. What great joy there is in serving God, in doing His will, in finishing His work – and hearing those words, “Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter in to the joy of the Lord!” There will be rewards for faithful service.
Now is the day of salvation! There is no day that God stops from reaching out to somebody needing His salvation!
WP-Bible plugin, Jesus followed up, “Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” In other words, this is the work of everyone! Your prayer, your witnessing, your giving, support in anyway contribute to the work of spreading the gospel! One sows another reaps. And there’s joy, there are rewards for everyone!
The Bible says, “Now is the day of salvation! There is no day that God stops from reaching out to somebody needing His salvation! There’s a harvest out there – what is needed are faithful witnesses, faithful workers who will bring in the harvest to God’s kingdom! What is your priority? What is most important to you? Is your priority in line with God’s priority? Do you seek to know God’s will for your life, do it and continuing in it? This is God’s best for you, for us all. This is the secret of satisfaction!
Russia has wildfires, Pakistan has flooding, bomb attack in Zamboanga City airport and a murder committed in our neighborhood. Just some of the bad news from last week. In times like these, how can we remain steady and secure? Psalms 21:7Psalms 21:7 English: King James Version (1611) - KJV 7 For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
WP-Bible plugin – For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.”This is where our victory and security lies, – trust in God’s unfailing love! Isa. 54:10Isa. 54:10 English: King James Version (1611) - KJV 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
WP-Bible plugin – “Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you.”
Beloved, in a time when all of man’s programs and systems are failing…
Beloved, in a time when all of man’s programs and systems are failing, when the foundations of the world are crumbling, when uncertainties have left nations and households with a sense of apprehension, there is one thing that is sure, that is certain — which we can trust – God’s unfailing love! What does it mean to trust in His unfailing love? First, trusting in His unfailing love means knowing that God is aware of every situation. Isn’t that comforting – that He is aware of every situation? “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies. Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed the very hairs of your head are numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Lk. 12:6-7Lk. 12:6-7 English: King James Version (1611) - KJV 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
WP-Bible plugin).” Our Father in heaven knows your tears and your fears. You are not alone in your situation.
…trusting in HIS unfailing Love…
2nd, to trust in His unfailing love means to know that God is in control. The Lord’s sovereign rule extends over everyone and everything. This includes both the situations that He directly causes to occur, as well as the ones He indirectly allows to take place. And in the end, His purposes and will, will be fulfilled. 3rd, to trust in His unfailing love is to know that He is Wise and Understanding. From the very beginning, the Lord has always exercised His sovereignty with wisdom and understanding (Prov.3:19). In our troubled times, it is good to know that God knows what He’s doing and what He’s allowing. It may not be clear to us, we may not understand everything, but we can trust in a loving God whose ways are just and pure, working behind the scenes to a glorious end! 4rt, to trust in His unfailing love means to know that God is able to bring good out of bad situations (read Rom. 8:28Rom. 8:28 English: King James Version (1611) - KJV 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
WP-Bible plugin). He can use global uncertainties to focus lives once again upon Him as the only “hiding place” in a dangerous world!
He Himself will become the place where we find refuge and safety in the storms of life...
Beloved, when times change like shifting sand, when events unfold that leave us overwhelmed within, how wonderful it is to know that God is our Rock and stability and strength. When we don’t know what to say or what to do, we can quietly look to God alone to work. When our hope seems to diminish, we can put our expectations upon the Lord. He will be our stability. He will be our defender. He will keep us from being blown away by impossible circumstances. He will bring His glorious grace to bear upon our situation. He Himself will become the place where we find refuge and safety in the storms of life.
I watched the replay of the Olympics’ closing ceremony and you’ll just be in awe of the lights and sounds of it all. Imagine if you’re actually there! You could hear the “ohhhs” and the “ahhss” of the multitude inside the Bird’s Nest! But then…it’s over. The glitter is gone, the lights were dimmed and the sound was silenced. It was an awesome experience I’m sure for both the cheering crowd and the athletes themselves. But when all is said and done, the glory fades, heroes forgotten and the gold melts away.
If you really think about it, one cannot escape from this age-old question: WHAT DO YOU LIVE FOR? We live in a goal-oriented society, don’t we? We hear many voices today from different camps that urge us to aim high and achieve more. If I asked you to fill in the blank concerning your goal in life, what would you say? My goal is to….what? Make a million pesos. Have fame and fortune. Find a cure for cancer. Look like a supermodel. In the world, there are as many ambitions as there are people. However, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Did you get that? As believers, we all have one primary goal…to glorify God!
This was King David’s purpose in life. He didn’t seek the position of king; God appointed him to that position. Rather, he was a man who sought to worship God. The many psalms he wrote glorify God by declaring the wonders of who God is and what He does. David revealed that his goal in life was not to seek a greater position, more money, or more fame, but to sing God’s praises and lift high His name. Beloved, let us keep that in mind, keep that in focus. Let us not be sidetracked from that very goal. Every goal, personal or church, if it’s to last for eternity, thus, worth living for, is to be tested in that light.
There’s no higher ambition and no greater satisfaction to be found than in exalting God. Won’t you make it your goal in life to glorify Him? COME, LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER!
