Monday, September 20, 2010
Psalm 67:1-2 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
FIELDS ARE RIPE FOR HARVEST: CLOSE BY AND FAR AWAY
In this season of the year when fruits of the earth are being harvested into granaries and barns, we're reminded of the great harvest of souls that is ready to be gathered into Christ's kingdom through the preaching of the Gospel. Many of our churches have adopted the custom of observing "Mission Festival" services in late summer or early fall. In these services special attention is given to the Great Commission which Jesus has committed to each of us, His disciples, namely, to take the gift of salvation He has freely bestowed on us and distribute it freely to others.
In our devotions this week we'll be reminded of the broad scope of the Great Commission of our Lord. In the same way that a stone, when dropped into a water pond, causes ripples to radiate outward in an ever-widening circle, so the Good News of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection for the salvation of our dying world (which the Holy Spirit has "dropped" into our hearts) is to radiate outward from us to people living in close proximity to us (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.) and far away in distant countries. God bless our missionary labors for Him so many more souls, redeemed by the blood of Christ, may be harvested for His kingdom!
For this we pray:
Spread, oh, spread, thou mighty Word,
Spread the kingdom of the Lord,
Wheresoe'er His breath has giv'n
Life to beings meant for heav'n.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 507:1)
