April 2008 Newsletter from the Pastor

“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.” Luke 10:2

I do not remember the name of the game show, but it was probably one that ran in the late 1960’s. Contestants would have the opportunity to race through the aisle’s of a supermarket with a grocery cart. Their goal was to fill that cart with as much merchandise as they could in the alotted time.

You can imagine the frantic pace and borderline chaos that resulted from each ‘event.’

What would be hard to fathom would be a contestant nonchalantly roaming through an aisle or carefully checking each item out before putting it in the cart.

That game show was a success because of the sense of urgency exhibited by the contestants. The ‘harvest’ was right in front of them and they got to work!

Proverbs 10:4-5 reads, “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

After using illustrative pictures to explain the high cost of following Him, Jesus sent them out two by two. They were to go ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go.

He was sending them out like lambs among wolves. They were not to take a purse or a bag or sandals. The journey was dangerous and they were to rely on Hm. Jesus also instructed them on the conditions of the time.

‘The aisles were filled with goods!’ He said it this way, “The harvest is plentiful…” They did not have to wonder if there was a need for what they were doing. It is as if He said that the need was endless. He added some perspective with the words, “…but the workers are few.”

It has been a month since some of you began praying for the spiritual well-being of others. Our ‘Each One Reach One’ challenge was enthusiastically met by many wanting to influence others with the Godspel.

I have had people call me and stop by the church to talk about spiritual matters. We have had several who have visited for the first time over the past month. We have also had a few people return to Redeemer after being gone for some time. I do not believe that all of that ‘activity’ is just a coincidence.

The harvest continues to be plentiful. Maybe God has stirred your heart as a ‘raised up worker.’

If the first month is any indication of what is to come…praise the Lord, and let Him know that you are willing to be a part of ‘filling up the cart.’