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Witness For The Lord
And he said
unto them,
Go ye into
all the world,
and preach the
gospel to every creature.
(Mark 16:15)
I’m sure the man will never know he touched
my life today, and brought deep conviction upon my heart. I’m confident he
never even saw me. On a busy highway, I was just another car passing by, as
he stood by the side of the road, with a large sign across his chest
proclaiming Christ Jesus. In his hand he held a microphone, and I could
hear him speaking of the Son of God. (But ye shall receive power, after
that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: And ye shall be witnesses unto me both
in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part
of the earth. Acts 1:8) I wanted to shout out – “Keep on Brother” – and
was in the process of rolling my window down to do so, when the traffic
light changed, and I had to move on quickly. I even thought about turning
around to go back and speak with him, but as it was late in the day, and I
was tired, I went on home.
But the image
of him standing there stayed with me throughout the evening, as did the
little voice that asked: Christian, why aren’t YOU being a witness for the
Lord? Why aren’t YOU trying to rescue the perishing? Why aren’t YOU giving
others the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ? I have no good answer. No
justifiable excuse. I’m just guilty. Guilty as I can be of failing in the
work of His great commission. Guilty of being so wrapped up in my own
little world, and its cares, that I’ve neglected to serve God: Neglected to
be a voice for Him, Neglected to be a light for Him and Neglected to be His
servant. And I’m ashamed. (And these are they which are sown among
thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the
deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke
the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 4:19) No man that warreth
entangleth himself with the affairs of this life: that he may please him who
hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:4 Please forgive me Lord,
make me fruitful again, and a better soldier in your army.
Today on a
busy street corner, I saw a man who wasn’t guilty of my sin. I saw a
witness for the Lord: A laborer hard at work in the fields of the world.
(Then said he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the
labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will
send forth labourers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37:38) I saw a
fisherman fishing for the souls of men. (And he said unto them, Follow
me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19 A light-bearer who
was not hiding his light in the city, but was letting it shine for to the
glory of God, and Oh how it convicted my soul. Ye are the light of the
world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a
candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light
unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14:16)
Today I was
touched and blessed by the light of God’s servant. My how it shined and
stood out in the darkness of the world! I have no idea what this servants
name is, or where he might be tonight, but wherever he is, I’m sure God must
be pleased with him. I too want the Lord to be pleased with me. I too want
to bear fruit for Him, and to live the life that He gave me, in His love and
grace, not in vain.
How about
you? Will you join me in the vineyard of the Lord? The vineyard fields are
anywhere in the world. You don’t have to stand on a street corner as this
servant did. You and I can be a witness where ever we are. Everyday there
are opportunities. Our families, friends, neighbors, and strangers. Truly
the harvest is white and more labourers are needed. He that goeth forth
and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalms 126:6)
I am haunted
by the lines of an old hymn that goes: Hark, the voice of Jesus is
calling, “Who will go and work today? Fields are white, and harvest waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves away? Loud and clear the Master calleth, Rich
rewards He offers thee: Who will answer, gladly saying, “Here am I; send me,
send me? If you cannot cross the ocean And the heathern lands explore, You
can find heathen nearer, You can help them at your door: If you cannot give
your thousands, You can give the widow’s mite: And the least you give for
Jesus, Will be precious in His sight. Let none hear you idly saying, “There
is nothing I can do”, While the souls of men are dying, And the master calls
for you: Gladly take the task He gives you; Let his work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calleth, “Here am I, send me, send me”.
One day we
will all stand before God, and will answer for the way we have lived, and
what we have done with our life. When God asks me, I want to be able to
answer: Lord I have lived for you, I given my life to you, I have tried to
do what would please you, and to fulfill your purpose for my life. And I
hope to be able to hear the most precious words one could ever hear: Well
done my good and faithful servant.
But before
this day arrives, lest I stand empty handed of sheaves, I truly have work to
do. Lord help me and others who wear your holy name to fulfill your purpose
for our lives, and to bring honor and glory to you. Once again I humbly say,
Here am I Lord, send me, send me……
By Nancye Sims
The fruit of
the righteous is a tree of life;
and he that
winneth souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)
Say not ye,
There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?
behold, I say
unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look upon the fields;
for they are
white already to harvest.
And he that
reapeth receiveth wages, and gathered fruit unto life eternal:
that both he
that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. (John 4:35:36)
Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable,
always
abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as
ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord .
(I Corinthians
15:58)
The author,
Nancye Sims, may be contacted at .
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