Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’ Luke 10:1-2
I always enjoy having the Labor Day weekend at my disposal so I can spend a little extra time resting and relaxing before a very busy Fall season comes to life in my calendar book! Today’s Scripture finds the Lord Jesus commissioning 70 workers to go ahead of Him, out into the fields as harvesters for the Kingdom of God! But in order to prepare them for this mission, Jesus gave them the most important instruction of all, the call to pray! “…therefore beseech (ask-beg in prayer) the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers (workers) into His harvest.” Who’s harvest? The Lord’s harvest. And why pray? “The harvest in plentiful but the laborers are few.”
How about a celebration of God’s Labor Day? The day we begin to pray for workers to go out into the fields which are ripe for the spreading of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, right here in Arcadia-even next door. Wow! Prayer takes work, but the benefits bring all the glory to God and renew the workers at the same time!
Read of the experiences of the 70 and the remaining context as this event continues through the 24th verse.
Praying for Laborers,
Pastor Louie
Impatient with Your Impatience?
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… Colossians 3:12
Have you ever been impatient with your impatience? When I was a little boy, my mom used to take me to the carnival that would take its form and shape next to the High School each year. Mother told me on more than one occasion that I could never be satisfied on any one of the various kiddie rides typical to a carnival of those days, because I was pointing to the next one I was going to ride while riding the one I was seated on! And honestly, throughout my life I have had to keep a close watch on this bent towards impatience!
It is said that patience is a virtue, and it is. But Christ-like patience makes all the difference in the world and in the day- to-day relationships we share with others. And that’s why Paul lists it as one of the pursuits of the child of God. Today, why not invite the Holy Spirit to rule your life with patience from which will flow the waters of contentment as well. You can be sure others will notice the difference in you as they are drawn closer to Christ! (Read Colossians 3:13 and Galatians 5:22-23).
To the Chosen of God, Holy and Beloved,
Pastor Louie
God’s Highly Exalted Son
Therefore, also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Bible says that one day, every person and every principality, in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth will bow down to the majesty, and the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father, Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father. That means whether one is a Christian believer or has rejected God’s only son in this life, each will bow down to the authority of God’s rule: His righteousness, His Kingdom, His power, His forgiveness of the sinner who has repented of his sin and come under the saving blood of the Son, as well as God’s righteous judgment upon the unrepentant sinner who has freely chosen hell instead of eternal life with God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
But what is so amazing is the amazing love of God demonstrated in the verses preceding these verses of Scripture which speaks of the supreme example of Jesus Christ who came to earth, born in human flesh, who although he gave up no rights to His deity, took on our limitations as a man. Why? So he could die a real death on a cross and impart to each Christian the attitude of humility that puts the other person first, and which draws others to the love of God. Bottom line: God’s understands your life because Jesus came as both God and man. Praise Him today for His Son’s coming to earth to be clothed in the robe of humanity!
Pastor Louie
The Lifter of My Head
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. Psalm 3:3
Have you ever faced a giant in life? One who is so much bigger and stronger than you; whose motive is to keep your eyes off of God and on the set of circumstances appear to be insurmountable at the time?
I played left offensive tackle on for the Albertville Aggies Junior High football team in my home town of Albertville, Alabama, in the early 70’s. I remember one particular Saturday practice when coach “Puny” Jolley had the lineman practice their blocking on defensive members of the team. My opposition was bigger, older, and stronger than me, and he kept using his forearm to knock me into the dirt every time I tried to block him. Now it just so happened that I was privileged to be playing on the same team with David and “Charley” Hannah whose older brother, “Big” John Hannah, was playing for Bear Bryant and the Crimson Tide at that time, and who had come to watch his brothers practice. Well, it didn’t take long until “Big” John let me practice a few blocks on him (and he wasn’t even wearing pads)! He told me this, “Louie, you’re looking down when you block your opponent!” “Look up when you block and it will make a difference!” And you know what? It did make all the difference! And from that time on, that other kid wasn’t able to knock me to the ground!
In this Psalm, King David’s son, Absalom was after him! Even in the midst of family trouble, keep your eyes on Jesus! And remember, no matter how big the opposition may appear, your God is the lifter of your head and He is greater than any opposition you may face!
Pastor Louie