Last Week’s Outreach

Brethren, as you know we made an attempt this past week to reach out to people we know, especially to those who live on the West Side. The whole church, it seems, helped. I personally found much profit for my soul. Listening to the songs, the testimonies and the message from God’s Word was edifying. And it is always stirring to be able to distribute gospel tracts as well as to exhort people to consider Christ. We pray and trust the Lord receives the glory for any and all the benefit that comes from such an endeavor. This brings me to some thoughts concerning in particular our endeavors on the West Side. 

First, be sure you understand the nature of patience in the Lord’s work. We cast our bread upon the waters and afterwards (which can be years even decades!) we find it again with great dividends. We are to posses our souls with patience. That is also true of other souls. Sometimes it takes years to reap in regards to the lost, but the reward is eternal. So don’t ever be discouraged or faint in your endeavors for the Lord. His Word does not return void. It will bear fruit in the most unusual ways. We meet people after many, many years who testify to hearing a word from our endeavors that was used of the Lord to bear fruit in them lives.

Second, remember we reap where we have not sown. That means, we sow where we do not reap! How many times in my endeavors those I am seeking to reach don’t respond. But in direct relationship to that endeavor others respond who had the Gospel sown in their hearts by others - often people I have never met. So sow indiscriminately and trust the Lord and He will bless it. That brings me to this. It is God who gives the increase. Brethren, there is no slick trick to winning the lost. He is the Husbandman of the Vineyard. He is the Saviour.His Spirit must birth that soul into Jesus Christ. So let us do our part and watch God give the increase. If we are not careful, we may use methods and attempts resulting in people being persuaded by us, but not the Lord. We want conversions that are from the Lord. And in time, as we labor by faith, He will do so. So pray for the Lord to take what was done this past Sunday and use it by His grace and for His glory. Believe and doubt. Who knows how it was all used?! Look forward to He is doing and has done has done with it. Thanks to the Lord for all the help and participation in this endeavor. Jesus still saves!