I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. ~Romans 1:13 (NIV)
Paul, writing to the church in Rome tells them he had planned many times to come to them but was prevented. Although Paul was not able to be there in person, he continued to pray for and write to this small church. Paul didn’t stop investing in them because of the circumstances. We all have an opportunity for a “harvest” when it comes to our relationships. Our harvest is in those to whom the Lord has put in our lives to love and nurture. Despite circumstances or even the attitude and behavior of these people, God has called us to be a witness to them. We need to remind ourselves regularly that unconditional love is the foundation of the relationship we have been brought into with the Lord and it should be the foundation on which all our other relationships are built upon. I wonder if Paul realized just how big of a harvest his commitment to the people God brought into his life to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with would bring. Everyone who reads the New Testament has become a part of his harvest. As believers, we must first set ourselves apart and commit to depict the high standards that our Lord has called us to because we are called to intercede with God on behalf of the people that we encounter every day. That is not a casual but a very reverent responsibility. If we haven’t consecrated our minds, we will never be able to consecrate our mouths and our actions which are so vitally important to our witness. To see change we must first depict change by working from the inside out. We must have a willingness to break away from this world’s way of doing things to experience our own spiritual renewal and then we will be able to help others experience the same.
Who might say you had an influence on their faith and growth in the Lord? How about someone to say you helped them out during a difficult or dark time in their life? Have you ever had anyone be there for you? Who could you point to? God strategically places us in just the right position to be a blessing and hand of hope to others. But we choose whether or not we will let Him use us. Don’t think of excuses as to why you can't be an influence. Scripture teaches us in Ephesians 2:10 that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV) God has preplanned for you to touch lives today. He has created an agenda for your path to intersect the paths of others in need. Trust Him to inspire the hearts of those you are praying for. Trust Him to open doors of opportunity for you to be a witness and a blessing. Let the Lord use you today to show someone His love by being His hands and feet in this dark world. Great people are great givers. They not only want to help others and be a blessing, but they also prepare for it. They don’t cling to anything but their Lord. Let your treasure be in building His kingdom and your heart will be there also.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
Who is thanking God for you today?
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