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| Vol. 15 No. 8 August 2013 | Page 4 |
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| Vol. 15 No. 8 August 2013 | Page 4 |
Emanuel Daugherty
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalms 126:5-6). In this Psalm we see the soul winners’:
Compassion – “Sow in Tears”
It takes compassion to make us aware of others’ needs. Jesus was a man of compassion. Eleven times in the gospels it is recorded of Jesus “He had compassion…” (Matthew 9:36; Mark 8:2, etc.). Are we compassionate? Do we care? Are we concerned for people’s physical needs but not the spiritual? We must develop a concern and compassion for the lost. One of the great thought-provoking statements of the Bible is in Lamentations 1:12, which reads, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?” As we pass by our neighbors, friends and people on the street, do we see them as souls lost in sin needing a Savior? We will have no success in soul winning until we are able to see the lost as lost and have compassion on them.
Commitment – “Goes Forth... Bearing Precious Seed”
Commitment means we will be loyal to the trust God has placed in us as His co-laborer (1 Corinthians 3:9). Commitment means dedication, patience, determination and doggedly sticking to the task! “Be not weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). The soul winner gets tired, but he doesn’t quit! He gets discouraged, but he does not give up! He gets frustrated, but he doesn’t give in! He has commitment!
Consistent – “Shall Doubtless Come Again… Rejoicing”
Consistency is the glue that holds it all together. Compassion and commitment pay off when there is consistency. Almost all failure in soul winning can be pinpointed by a lack of consistency. Methods have been tried, programs started, visitation teams organized, etc., and almost every time they are killed by inconsistency. It isn’t that our plans won’t work; it’s that we won’t work the plans! In a community like ours, we are going to have to dig and scratch, work and pray, beg and plead, teach and toil to win souls. Let’s be “always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Capacity – “Bringing His Sheaves with Him”
God guarantees the harvest! When we put forth the effort, doing things God’s way, the fruits of our labors will be realized. “He that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus said the good soil would produce ‘some a hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty.’ The joy of the harvest is the farmer’s delight! How much more is that of the one who brings the souls of men to the Lord of Harvest!
Compassion! Commitment! Consistent! Capacity! Let’s do it!
Mark N. Posey
I love being a Christian! It is the most wonderful thing in this world, but what makes Christianity so attractive and enjoyable? It is the four F’s all Christians can enjoy. So get excited about the following principles:
Forgiveness (Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10 and John 1:29) Why do we need forgiveness? First, sin separates us from God (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Isaiah 59:1-2). Have you ever been separated from your family for a lengthy period of time? Sadness, loneliness and despair set in. Imagine being separated from God because of sin. It’s frightening to consider. However, Jesus died to reconcile man to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-21) and grant forgiveness of sins to those that repent and are baptized (Acts 2:38). Thank God for forgiveness.
Father Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). Our heavenly Father cares, loves and blesses us (Ephesians 1:3). I have a friend whose father died. One day he said, “I wish I could just talk to him.” Christians, however, can talk to their Heavenly Father through Jesus every minute of every day. Thank God for being our Father.
Family Christians are blessed with a spiritual family. Love, care and concern are rich blessings from those of “like precious faith.” The Family of God is the greatest support system on earth. We have a common bond in Jesus Christ. One day, we will enjoy the great family reunion in heaven. Are you ready for the day to come?
Future Heaven is described as reward and inheritance. It is “incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved… for you” (1 Peter 1:4). Heaven can be your future if you will live faithfully to the Lord from here to eternity. Death is not final but will seal our destiny. Is your future happy or sad?