Thought of the Day !!

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." - Luke 10:2 (NIV)

In Peter's first sermon on the day of Pentecost he quoted the prophet Joel, who said that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit on all people and that people would dream dreams and see visions.  Peter was referring to what was going on that day.  So he saw that day as a part of the last days.  I believe this is the same thing that we refer to as End Times.  

Now I differ from most today who believe in a 200 year old theology about the rapture and seven literal years of tribulation.  I hold more of an Augustinian view that dates back to about the 2nd century.  This view is that the last days (End Times or days of tribulation) began with Pentecost.  I believe that when Jesus teaches us to be prepared, he doesn't mean figuring out some biblical code.  He instead means for us to have our lives in order, accepting, following and loving Jesus.  I also believe that Joel's prophesy of the last days is continuing to be fulfilled.

Whether you agree with me or not on my End Times beliefs, one thing we can agree on is that a miraculous thing is happening right now in persecuted parts of the world.  People are having dreams and seeing visions.  Muslims are seeing Jesus and turning to Christianity even though it costs them everything they have, even possibly their lives.  I read report after report of Jesus coming to the Muslim people in places like Syria and Iraq and Africa.  People are seeing Jesus and then seeking others out to help guide them in their new lives.  The harvest is "still" plentiful.  

But as Jesus also said, the workers are few.  Pray for more and more people to be called to be underground missionaries to help those new to Christianity in places like the Middle East.  Pray also for Jesus to show Himself in miraculous ways to us here who are unchurched or who might be in church but without a true relationship with Jesus.  Pray for more and more workers here to come out of their comfort zones of complacency or fear and speak the truth in love, not judgment.  Pray for me.  Pray for yourself.  Pray that God will give you the strength and guidance to be a worker.  You might not be a harvester.  You might be a planter.  More likely, if you are willing, you will see a little bit of both over your lifetime if you pray for it.  

The harvest has always been plentiful.  And our Lord needs us to be workers that show His love.

In the love of Christ,

greg