Patient in the Face of Injustice

Extreme injustice and unfairness will cause a great outcry from people everywhere. When the Israelites asked for a king, Samuel warned them of the hardship and the demands that would come along with that choice. God instructed Samuel to give them what they asked for. When the taxation, the demands of service and the unfair treatment started coming their way they cried out in despair.

James begins the fifth chapter by serving a warning notice to the rich oppressors. He warns them about the wages they have failed to pay, about their hoarding of wealth, luxury and self-indulgence. He goes on to encourage believers to be patient until the Lord’s coming just as the farmer patiently waits for the harvest. He says “stand firm; don’t grumble against each other because the Lord’s coming is near.”

This is another one of those areas that can be extremely difficult for us. It leads to a life of grumbling and complaining. Do you ever find yourself or others around you falling into that trap? It can be extremely contagious. It only leaves a sour taste for us and those who listen. We begin to sit in the seat of judgment, against the ones who have violated the rules of “fairness.” James cites the example of Job, how God showed His compassion and mercy to him. There is no promise that in this life we will be completely kept from experiencing injustice brought against us, but we can rest in the confidence, that in the end, God’s judgment will be fair and just!

Prayer: Lord, you have instructed us to pray for our enemies. By Your help and Your grace I release any resentments and malice toward all who may have treated me in an unjust manner. Amen

What About Today?

Do you ever find yourself consumed with plans for tomorrow, next week, next month, next year or years down the road? Another of those difficult challenges in our life is being able to effectively serve today without becoming overly concerned about what is going to happen in the future. Jesus teaches us in the Sermon on the Mount not to worry about tomorrow because today has enough worries of its own. James says:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 4:13-17

It doesn’t matter how old you are, we have all learned that time doesn’t wait for anyone. The days seem to move on more quickly the older we get. We wake up and ask, “Where did the past year go?” If we spend the present, planning and boasting about tomorrow we miss out on the opportunity today to serve at our greatest capacity. Our thoughts and energies are in the future instead of today. James calls that “sin”.

Our challenge is to get up each day and ask, “Lord, what is it that you would have me do today?” Then we have to follow through and be faithful to do what He lays on our heart to do.

Prayer: Thank you for the promise that You are the Lord of all our tomorrows. We commit ourselves to serve in the ways you have for us to serve today. Amen

The Right Words

Words are a powerful medium. We have talked about serving “with words” and “without words”. This week as we focus on serving in ways that may be difficult or challenging for us, an area that I want to revisit is the use of our words.

Words wield a great deal of power in having the ability to shape the mind and the life of those who hear the words. It is humbling to realize that our words possess the power to have a great impact on those around us for good or for bad. A specific area of influence that James addresses is teaching. He says, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Reflect on the power of the spoken word as described by James:

”We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:2, 5-6a, 7-10

Doesn’t that make you just want to live the rest of your life under a vow of silence? I know that James is addressing those who teach but the principles are applicable for so much of our life. We all fill the role of “teacher” at some point in our life. Whether it is being a parent, a supervisor at work, a baseball coach, etc… we must wisely choose our words so that we do not inadvertently lead someone astray.

Proverbs 3 and 4 have a lot to say about discernment, wisdom and understanding. Chapter 4 verse seven reads, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” If we are drawing from the right well for our day to day life we will have a greater confidence that the words we speak to others in those “teaching moments” will be the right words. Always be looking to the ALL WISE ONE who can give us the right words when we are called on for duty.

Prayer: Lord, take my hands, my feet, my mind and my tongue and use them for your glory. Amen

How Far, Lord?

James reminds us in the second chapter of the book he has written, of Abraham’s faith that is validated by the distance that he was willing to travel in sacrificing his only son Isaac on an altar to the Lord. James says that Abraham’s spoken faith was not enough but that it must be confirmed in Abraham’s level of willingness to obey God in what He had been asked to do. James writes:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:14-17

How far are we willing to travel in sacrificing the things of greatest value in our lives in order to meet the needs of others around us? Are we willing to give everything away in order to serve the needs of those around us? James says, “faith without works is dead.”

I don’t think that anyone can determine for you how far you must go in touching the lives of those around you. God can let you know what you must do. If you are doing nothing, God is waiting to point out some areas of need right around you that you can help with.

Prayer: Open my eyes to see those needs around me today and the grant me the courage to reach out and fill those needs as long as I am able. Amen

Through the Lens of the Cross

This week we will focus on, “Serving when it is Difficult”. It is not as difficult to serve the needs around us when things are neat and sanitary and people are pleasant to be around. But when things are not so sanitary and pleasant and people are not so easy to get along with we have a greater tendency to keep our distance. We will embrace the challenge this week to see people and circumstances through the lens of the cross. We will spend some time in the book of James that will hopefully help us evaluate how we look on those around us that are in need.

Spend some time today reading James 2:1-12. Are you guilty of showing favoritism at times? Go out of your way this week to do an act of kindness or express words of affirmation to someone that you may find it difficult to reach out to. Consider these words from John’s first epistle:

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
I John 4:19-21

Prayer: Lord, we call on You for the enabling power of Your Spirit to help us in areas where we are weak. Amen

Celebrating “Diversity”

“Celebrating Diversity” is unfortunately used to describe the acceptance of a wide array of lifestyles. I find that unfortunate because one of the places that diversity is most celebrated is in scripture. God’s Word reminds us that each one is made different and unique. We were reminded yesterday that each of us have been apportioned a different amount of resources that we are responsible to “invest” throughout our lifetime. Today, I want to focus on specific differences in the giftedness that God has given us.

From Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he writes:

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
I Corinthians 12:12-13, 14-15, 27

Scripture names some of the different gifts: teaching, serving, apostles, giving, healing, administration, encouraging, etc. Paul made it clear that all of the gifts are designed to move us in the same direction; toward knowing Christ and making Christ known to others.

As we serve with the gift that God has given us, rejoice and celebrate in the differences that God has made each of us with. Do not try to do something that you were not gifted to do. Do not try to be someone that you are not. Instead, offer up all that you are and all that you have, to be used in the work of God’s Kingdom. CELEBRATE DIVERSITY!

Prayer: Thanks for making me uniquely different than anybody else. I will daily strive to honor you and those around me by serving in the ways that you have gifted me with. Amen.

“More Than Enough” Giving

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

(The Kingdom of Heaven) will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. (Read the rest of the story – Matthew 25:14-30)

An important part of serving is using the resources that God has given us for the work of His Kingdom. The parable that is partly highlighted above goes on to talk about the judgment that we will all face for what we have done with what we have been given. As servants of the Most High God, we are called to faithfully invest the resources placed in our hands for the growth of His Kingdom. In the book of Exodus Moses instructs the Israelites to bring their skills and their resources together for the building of the Tabernacle that God had given him instructions for.

“All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded.
And everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. Exodus 35: 10, 21

The people responded with generosity and eagerness to the task before them. If you read on into chapter 36, Moses had to say to his leaders, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done. No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” WOW!

Take some time today to evaluate how well you are doing with investing the time and resources given to you for the work of His Kingdom.

Prayer: LORD, it is my desire to honor You, by serving in the work of Your Kingdom with the resources you have placed in my hands. Amen

Serving Without Words

Friday, August 14, 2009

A few weeks ago we talked about serving others with our words. I want to revisit our use of words again but this time as it relates to us having a humble heart. Words are a powerful tool that can do a lot of good or a lot of harm in a very short period of time. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Often we combat our evil thoughts most effectively if we absolutely refuse to allow them to be expressed in words… It must be a decisive rule of every Christian fellowship that each individual is prohibited from saying much that occurs to him.” This is an issue that can be subtle at times. In the midst of a conversation going on in a group that we are a part of, do we give your input for the benefit of the whole or just to impress everyone with what we know? Are we quick to correct someone if they give wrong information? (Most of the time it is of little or no significance whether a correction is made.) When someone tells us something we already know do we smile and say thanks or do we say, “I already knew that”?

Matthew records for us in the twenty fifth chapter of the gospel he wrote, the words of Christ that will be spoken at the end of time when all nations will be gathered before Him.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’”
Matthew 25:34-36

Jesus did not say, “Your words impressed so many and My Kingdom is filled because of what you said.” He said, “I was hungry and… I was thirsty and…” Words are important. There is certainly a time to speak. Jesus Himself spoke a lot of words. But at the core of His earthly ministry, it was what Jesus did for the hurting and the rejected that spoke the loudest. Sometimes it was the absence of words that meant the most. Let’s follow His example.

Prayer: Lord, let my words be few. And may each word that I do speak tell of Your goodness and Your grace that is reaching out to all humanity. Amen

Serving With the End in View

Thursday, August 13, 2009

It is no secret that our lives can so easily be filled up with a lot of activity that will rob us of having time for the most important things in our lives. Our own families are a good example of that. How many times have you heard a parent that has come to the end of their child rearing days say, “I wish I would have spent more time with my children while they were growing up.” Another important characteristic of having a servant’s heart is, serving with the end in view.

I like the story of the visit Jesus had with Mary and Martha. Martha bothered herself with all of the chores around the house while her sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to what He said. Martha became bitter about the fact that she was doing all of the work and Mary was just sitting there listening to Jesus. Jesus’ response was, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Part of Martha’s problem was, she had the wrong end in view. There was nothing inherently wrong with what she was doing but her focus was turned inward to all that it was taking out of her instead of on what she could do for others. What was Jesus’ response again? “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing…” Martha’s problem was not in what she was doing but in the fact that she was the only one doing it. Her focus was on herself, not Christ and others.

All of us probably have a bit of “Martha” in us. We can fill our lives with a lot of activity and then complain that nobody else is lifting a finger to help. It is not that we can’t solicit others for more help at doing something. But if we find ourselves “worried and upset about many things” it begs the question, “Why are we doing what we do?” We may be serving with near sighted vision – “nobody cares that I am doing this all by myself.”

Spend some time reflecting on these words from Romans 15:2 “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good to build him up.” Also from Philippines 2:4 we read, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Eternity is at stake. Lift your eyes and serve Christ with the end in view.

Remember; grow in Knowing Christ, in Making Him Known and in Knowing Each Other.

Prayer: Lord, help us today to serve You and to serve others for the sake of Your Kingdom. Amen

Serving in Hiddenness

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

We have looked at the battle we fight against pride and the elusive nature of humility as we strive to take hold of it in our lives. Beyond prayer, the next step of action we need to take in our lives is to commit ourselves to an ongoing life of serving those around us.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant.
Philippines 2:5-7

Richard Foster writes, “More than nay other single way the grace of humility is worked into our lives through the Discipline of service… Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service, and nothing transforms the desires of the flesh like serving in hiddenness. The flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition.”

For the next three days I want to highlight some characteristics of the servant’s heart. I want to take a few moments today to reflect on the words from Richard Foster, “serving in hiddenness.”

There is something in our fallen nature that screams for attention. It starts when we are born. The thought of sacrificially giving of our time or resources to someone else without receiving any kind of recognition for it is something we often push out of our minds. Being a servant wasn’t something that Jesus just, “took on” Himself to show us what we need to do. It is His nature. That is who He is. The Bible records for us many things that Jesus did, things that were witnessed by others and written down for our benefit. But the world could never contain the volumes that could be written of things that He has done, things that He did while on this earth and things that He continues to do.

As we serve those around us today let’s pray for a heart like Christ. Put a five or ten dollar bill in an envelope and secretly leave it for someone in need today. Talk to a total stranger today that you may likely never see again, and take the time to listen for a need in their life and pray for them. Take a walk around your block and pick up trash lying along the way. Embrace the mundane chores of day to day life as an opportunity to serve. Be careful; don’t fall into the temptation of complaining about those things that you do because nobody else will do them. In all that you do, do it as unto the Lord and not for recognition from others.

Prayer: Lord, continue to transform our hearts to being more like you as we strive to serve with the kind of heart that You have served us with. Amen

A Humble Heart

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

You save the humble
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
Psalm 18:27

The remedy for a pride filled heart is a humble spirit. Throughout scripture we find examples of, and instructions to humble ourselves before God. Jesus said, “whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Ezekiel tells of a time in the life of Israel’s leaders when their symbols of power will be stripped away and the lowly will be lifted up.

The heart of a servant is to be a humble one. We have heard that and we want to be humble, but in practical day to day living as we strive to make right choices we become more aware of those around us that are making a lot of bad choices. The awareness of faults in others causes us to become critical. We begin to elevate ourselves (many times it is only in our thoughts) and to bring others down. John Ortberg says, “One of the hardest things in the world is to stop being the prodigal son without turning into the elder brother.” We might find ourselves at times echoing the words of Paul, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

What a thrill it is in our lives when we find ourselves so indwelled by the Holy Spirit that we cease being preoccupied with our own selfish desires and our concern and interest for others takes center stage.

Spend some time today thinking about steps that can be taken to humble ourselves before God and before others. Share your thoughts with others. Take some time to pray for one another as well.

Prayer: Lord, deliver me from self absorption. Holy Spirit, help me to turn my eyes upward and outward each day. Amen

De-railed by Pride

Monday, August 10, 2009

A man’s pride brings him low,
but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
Proverbs 29:23

For the last few weeks we have been talking about serving; in our homes, in our communities and in the world around us. This week, we will take a look at the heart of one who serves.

The oldest sin that gets in the way of serving is pride. This one takes us all the way back to the garden when the serpent says, “your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.” The two Great Commandments in the Word, loving God and loving others are de-railed when pride pushes its way to the forefront of our lives. We all wrestle with a certain level of pride in our lives at different times. But when our lives are saturated with an obsession of how we look and how well our wants and desires are being filled we need to make some changes. Pride at its deepest level puts distance between us and God as well as us and others. We become hardened and refuse to accept correction from others or from God. This condition is noted by our critical spirit. Our problems in life are always the fault of someone else, even God. When we watch the news or just observe the lives of those around us we think, “Whew, I am sure glad I am not like that.”

Take some time today to ask God to make known to you any hint of pride that might exist in you. If you are really brave ask someone you really trust for an honest assessment of your “pride quotient”. We must start here. If we are always looking down on others from our pedestals above, we are of no use in helping them to rise to greater things in their own lives. Jesus Himself demonstrated that for us. (“The Son of man did not come to be served but to serve.” Matthew 20:28) Read Philippines 2:1-11 as well.

Prayer: Search my heart today. Grant me the courage to deal decisively with any bit of pride that may be present in my life. Amen

Rejoice! The Church is Alive

Friday, August 7, 2009

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.
Colossians 1: 6

It is time to celebrate what God is doing around the world right now! We have taken a look at the need. We have been challenged to PRAY, to GIVE and to GO. Take some moments throughout this day to rejoice in the work that God through His Sovereign Rule is doing in the world TODAY!

Christianity is experiencing explosive growth in Asia, Africa and Latin America today. It is estimated that in China alone 28,000 new believers are being added to the church daily. The numbers have grown from an estimated 1.5 million in 1970 to approximately 90 million today.

Christianity in Nepal has grown from almost non-existent in 1960 to almost 1 million today.

Over the last few decades, South Koreans have been flocking to Jesus by the millions. In response, the UN has officially reclassified as a Christian nation this one-time Buddhist stronghold.

Only nine million Christians were in Africa in 1900, but by the year 2000, there were an estimated 380 million Christians. Much of the Christian growth in Africa is now due to African evangelism rather than Western missionaries.

Brazil and Guatemala have experienced the largest number of converts to Christianity in Latin America. A few years ago it was estimated that the growth in some areas was as much as 8,000 new converts every day. God is alive and at work all around the world. Rejoice, celebrate and give thanks.

It is thought provoking to note that the greatest growth of the church is happening where opposition is the greatest. Whether it is communism or opposition from radical leaders of other religions, Christians in these parts of the world understand what it means to lay their lives on the line for the sake of Jesus Christ. Tens of thousands of believers meet together in underground churches in China every week. In some parts of the world many have been killed and many church buildings have been burned or vandalized. Go to persecution.com to find out more about persecution going on in the world today.

The task is hardly over. There is still much to be done. But the Church led by Jesus Christ is alive and well. Nothing will stand in the way of what God wants to do. Give thanks for the opportunity that you and I have in being a small part of the great work that He is doing.

Prayer: Lord, keep us always in PRAYER, always ready to GIVE and always ready to GO when You call. Thanks for the reminders of the great work that you are doing every moment of the day. Stir our hearts lest we become complacent. Let the fire always burn deep within us as we seek to obey Your bidding. Amen

Go! Go! Go!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

The Bible gives us a mandate for reaching out to encircle the globe with the message of God’s love. Out of Matthew and Acts we read, “All nations” and “to the ends of the earth” there is a call to GO. We have already talked about PRAYING and GIVING but we must also be GOING. I know that all of us will not go abroad and that is all right. The needs are great all around us and I never want to minimize the importance and the value of GOING into our neighborhoods, our workplaces, etc. But I would like to challenge us today to pray and to contemplate the possibility that God would have us to travel to another part of the world for two weeks, one month, one year or for a lifetime to share the love of Christ with the people there. If nothing else it can serve to give us a greater burden to pray, or to give more.

The needs in our world are great. We really do have so much, even when it seems that we have “little”, in comparison to most of the world around us. Go again to some websites of organizations that are serving the needs of people around the world. (www.worldhope.org ; www.worldvision.org ; www.samaritanspurse.org) This time, instead of thinking about the financial needs, think and pray about the need for people to GO and serve there. Be open to the possibility that God would take you into one of those areas some day to serve the people there. When a trip is being planned on the District to go and serve in another part of the world, pray about the possibility that God would have you to go.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Prayer: Lord, Continue to form my heart with a willing spirit that would say, “Here am I, send me.” Amen

Touching our World through Giving

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

The needs around the world are great. Yesterday we talked about our role in praying for those needs and praying for those who are out there on the front lines working to address those needs. Another way that we can serve is by GIVING. It takes a lot of money to send people and resources to fill the needs around the world. We live in an affluent nation. We might feel like we do not have a lot to give but an evaluation of our spending habits might show us how we could give more to Kingdom work. Take hold of the challenge to give generously. Make some personal sacrifices and see what God will do in return.

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he reminds them of their generosity in giving at a previous time and challenges them to do so again.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. II Corinthians 9:6-8

Spend some time thinking about, talking about and praying for needs around the world. Open your heart up to give generously to those needs. Research some of the work that relief agencies are doing around the world. World Hope International at worldhope.org is an organization worthy of your support. Consider supporting a missionary family on a monthly basis. If you would like to know more about some of the missionaries from our own district and what their needs are let me know. GIVE GENEROUSLY and see what God will do in your life as a result.

Prayer: We know the needs are great in the world today. Move us out of any self-centeredness and complacency in order to address those needs with the resources that you have placed in our hands. Amen

Reaching far in Prayer

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

One of the greatest tools that we have in helping to take the gospel around the world is prayer. As we or others span the globe in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, the need for prayer is great in the spiritual battles that are engaged as a result of the Gospel going forth. Reflect on the following words requesting prayer from fellow believers as Paul proclaims the gospel in many different places and in all kinds of circumstances.

Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there. Romans 15:31

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Colossians 4:3

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. II Thessalonians 3:1

Paul is asking believers to pray for his protection, for boldness, for clarity, for open doors and for receptivity from those who hear. Take some time today and throughout the week to pray for our missionaries serving around the world and for those preparing to go.

Prayer: Lord, remind us often of the much greater task in this world than just what is going on in our small corner. We commit ourselves to pray for those who are serving the cause of the gospel around the world. Amen

To the Uttermost Parts of the Earth

Monday, August 03, 2009

In the midst of His ministry here on this earth, with all of the demands and the needs that were being met, Jesus paused, selected seventy two ambassadors and sent them out ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

There is work to be done that spans the entire globe. There are people who have never heard about Jesus Christ. There are needs for food, for work, for clean water, for health care and the list goes on. We will look at ways that we can “pray”, that we can “give” and we can “go”.

For today, spend some time thinking about the needs around the world. Log on to BBC or CNN websites and scan the news of what is happening in the world. Spend some time talking about those needs as a family. Begin to talk about ways that we can address those needs. Let’s not just stick our heads in the sand and ignore them hoping that they will go away. Extend your hands outward “To the Uttermost Parts of the Earth” and say along with Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me!”

Prayer: Show us what You would have us to do around the world. Amen