1. The harvest field IS ripe
One of the easy things to do is to fall into the trap of thinking that no-one wants to hear our message about Christ. However, Jesus tells is in John 4:35-36 that the harvest fields are ripe. This means that people are spiritually ready and open to receive the message of Christ’s salvation. We need to have a positive mindset that says people are ready and want to receive Jesus. When we do this we find opportunities come our way…because we open to God’s promptings and we are expecting them!
2. We need to pray for workers to bring in the harvest
We read in Matthew 9:35-37 that Jesus was preaching, teaching and healing people around the towns and villages. After seeing how many people there were and all of their needs, He turned to His disciples and said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” To me this is a clear call that we need to pray and ask God to raise people up and send them out to evangelise. The harvest is huge and it is ready. We just need more people to go out into the fields. Pray and then pray some more that people in your region will answer the call of Matthew 28:18-20.
3. We need Christ’s power to help us
The Apostle Paul says in Colossians 1:28-29, “So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me”. Paul knew evangelism was hard work. He also knew that we can’t do it in our own strength for very long. He relied on Christ’s power working within him to bring in the harvest God had called him to reap. He knew Christ’s strengthening was vital to do all he was called to do (Philippians 4:13).
Closing thoughts
Imagine a salesman going out to sell his product everyday. If he went out with a negative mindset and did not expect any sales day after day, he would get frustrated and quit. Evangelism can be like that too. If we go out with a negative mindset and dwell on past negative experiences, we won’t be effective in our effects. However if we go out with a positive expectation of reaping the harvest that Jesus tells us IS there. We will see lives changed and many many people brought into the kingdom of God.
Dear God,
Please help me to see that the harvest fields are ripe and ready for
harvest. Please help me to see those people around me who are ready
to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. I pray as people
come across my path, that you will give me the right words to say
and I will be able to put the right resources in their hands to
bring them to Christ. I also pray that you will raise up and send
out more workers into the ripe harvest field. Help me and strengthen
me in Christ’s power to reach all the people that You want me to
reach. I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.