In a world full of complexities and contradictions, we are called to hold fast to the truth of God’s Word and live it out with wisdom and courage. The Bible, rich in guidance and replete with true words of love, offers us principles that are timeless. But as believers, how do we act with God's holy instruction Book while honoring the Lord and wisely extending His love to others?
We live in times where change seems constant, and challenges often arrive on our doorsteps uninvited. Yet, even amid uncertainties, God’s call to love and to serve people remains unchanged.
Today, we face a unique opportunity: our neighborhoods and communities are now filled with people from all corners of the earth. Some have come through legal means, others by illegal different paths with help from our government, but all these people are within reach of God’s love and the gospel Message of Jesus Christ.
The Scriptures remind us of God’s heart for every nation, every tribe, and every tongue, and as Christ's followers, we’re called to reflect His light, to reflect his heart here and now.
Is there a way to wisely be a witness to those strangers living around you? Are there some things you can proactively do to make an impact for God's glory? Sure, start on your knees but remember this: People are often unreasonable, rude, demanding, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them in Jesus' name anyway.
If you are genuinely kind, people may accuse you of selfish motivation, yes ulterior motives; Keep it simple and be kind anyway. If you are successful in a good work, you will more than likely win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed for the glory of God anyway. He will help you.
If you are honest, sincere, candid, tactful and frank, people may cheat you out of something; Be cautious, tactful, honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight (we've seen all kinds of businesses burned down and looted recently); Build in the best place anyway. If you find true and lasting peace, joy and happiness they may be jealous; Be happy in your close relationship with the Lord anyway.
The good you do as unto the Lord today, people will often forget tomorrow; Be led by Jesus the Chief Shepherd and do good anyway. Wisely give those of this world the best you have, use your gifts and talents -- it may never be enough but; Give the world the best you've got anyway (let the gospel impact their lives).
You and I won't have to give an account at the Judgement Seat of Christ for the next guy -- it is between you and God really.
Have you traveled to other countries to minister to people still unreached by the Gospel? You might be able to go across the street in the USA and find some. God has brought the world right to your doorstep! America is full of people from other nations - many of them belonging to unreached people groups. And even more surprisingly, there are thousands of Americans belonging to people groups that are still unreached. Want to reach the world for Jesus? All you have to do is open your heart - and your eyes. For example, did you know: People belonging to over a thousand different unreached people groups have immigrated legally and illegally to the United States from all over the world! There are people from: Chinese groups Muslim groups Hindu groups Buddhist groups Yes, living right here in the United States there are: Muslims Animists Sikhs Hindus Buddhists Confusionists Shintoists There are well over a million Americans living in the United States who belong to the huge unreached people group of Native American Indians. Two tribes in particular, the Hopis and the Zunis are considered two of the most unreached tribal groups in the whole world! You can wisely be friendly and righteously establish friendships! A relationship can develop so easily because of genuine interest and Christ-like love shown to people from other countries. And the door of friendship can become a door to salvation (through Christ who is the door -- brag on Jesus and boldly share His message).
When Jesus said, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:9-16 nkjv), He extended an invitation that reaches beyond any border or boundary wanting all to enter through the door. He is the only way into God's Kingdom.
Our inclusive softened hearts can open doors that welcome others to know God's truth, offering a chance for those who may never have heard the Gospel or Christ's name..a chance to get to know Him.
I am talking about an opportunity to not only share our lives with people, but also to impact others for eternity. Even as we protect our families and uphold our responsibilities, there are ways to wisely extend a helping hand, to offer a prayer, and build friendships with those who might otherwise feel like strangers in a strange land. Many do feel like strangers in what they think is a Christian Land (don't misunderstand, there are many real Christians living here).
As we live out our faith, we can often encounter misunderstandings and even some opposition. It’s true that if we show kindness, people may assume we have an ulterior motive.
If we achieve success in our efforts, we may win both friends and detractors. Let us press on anyway, giving the glory to God. Even if we find ourselves cheated or taken advantage of, honesty remains our calling. These moments test our faith, refining us, but we can show mercy as Jesus did.
Every act of faithfulness, every kindness shared, reflects Christ to those around us. If we pour years into building something worthwhile, it may indeed be destroyed in a moment. We’ve seen businesses, neighborhoods, and even lives affected by sudden events, but we build again, with God’s strength, for His glory. When we find our joy and peace in the Lord, some may envy us, yet we’re called to stand firm, rooted in His presence.
As believers, we’re invited to look at our communities not only as our homes but now as mission fields too (cuz they've moved in).. with valuable people ripe for harvest. Not all of us need to travel across oceans to meet people in need of God’s love and message; they are right here, within reach. Many from closed countries are now our neighbors. Groups long neglected, are also here, and many have yet to encounter the gospel and the Christ of the Bible. These are the souls God has placed before us to pray for, calling us to see their greatest need and extend friendship in His name.
Want to reach the world for Jesus? All you have to do is open your heart, and your eyes and your mouth with His Words.
For example, did you know: People belonging to well over a thousand different unreached people groups have immigrated (legally and illegally) into the United States from all over the world! For some reason, the Globalist Elites are all for people doing this the wrong way.
There are people from: Chinese groups, Muslim groups, Hindu groups, and Buddhist groups here.
Yes, living right here among us in the United States there are: Animists, Sikhs, Buddhists, Confusionists, New Agers, and Shintoists. There are well over a million Americans living in the United States who belong to the huge unreached people group of Native American Indians.
Two tribes in particular, the Hopis and the Zunis are considered two of the most unreached tribal groups in the whole world!
You know our mission fields include our workplaces, our schools, and our neighborhoods. Do you have to honor the employee handbook that says where you can share your faith, or not do that? Tricky huh. God will show you how to live it and tell.
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I love studying that Bible metaphor regarding the harvest. It is used throughout the Bible to represent people coming to biblical faith. It's also about spiritual growth, abundance, and certainly about our Christian calling to bring people to Jesus. The imagery of the harvest not only illustrates the cycles of sowing and reaping in our spiritual journey but also reinforces the importance of each role we play in God’s vineyard work so to speak, whether as a sower, nurturer, or reaper. Jesus’ compassion for the “harassed and helpless” individuals in the crowds reflects the urgency and love behind His call for more laborers into the field, as many souls await the nourishment of biblical faith from the Word.
This theme of the harvest is also a reminder of the patience required of us in spiritual witnessing. Growth happens after the person repents, believes in Jesus, get's saved by Him.. this is often happening like seeds developing beneath the soil. God’s laborers might not always see immediate results after praying, but their contributions are vital parts of a much larger process overseen by the Lord of the Harvest. The sower may plant and water without witnessing the bloom or fruit, but each stage is a step toward the eventual harvest. Sure, the harvest that is, at its heart, about the transformation and regeneration of lives through faith. You must be born again because Jesus said you must be born again.
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.' 3 Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' 4 Nicodemus said to him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?' 5 Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.' 9 Nicodemus said to him, 'How can these things be?' 10 Jesus answered him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?'" John 3:1-21 esv
As we pray for more laborers in the field so that people will hear, understand and come to faith in Jesus, we’re not only asking for more people to join into His work but also for hearts of hearers to be softened and lives to become open to the gospel message of peace and salvation. Just as in farming, where each task—preparing the soil, sowing, watering, weeding, and finally reaping—is crucial, so is every part of our role in the spiritual journey of others God leads us to witness to.
In our own lives, this Bible metaphor encourages us to embrace patience, diligence, and trust in God’s timing. Galatians 6:9 reminds us to “not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” This promise underscores that the work we put forth in faith, no matter how small it may seem, contributes to a larger harvest that God Himself brings to fruition in His perfect time. He is the only one who saves people, but we each have our part to do.
Family, friends, and coworkers—the people we meet every day—are often those most open to hearing our own stories of faith and hope (you have a testimony if you are a real believer).
Studies show that most people come to faith through personal relationships, not through mass gatherings (I like both really). Each of us, in our own way, can influence more people than we realize simply by showing the love of Jesus in our daily lives.
Our college campuses brim with students from every corner of the globe, many searching for a sense of belonging. These young men and women will return to their home countries, and some will take on influential roles. We can choose to make them feel welcome, showing them what genuine friendship looks like. Our actions may have an impact far beyond what we can see.
The journey doesn’t stop there. We can also gain a new appreciation for cultures different from our own, as we look to the example set in Revelation, where people of every tribe and tongue worship together before God. Heaven will be gloriously diverse; why not experience some of that joy now, by opening our hearts and lives to those different from us?
The Lord has a smart strategy, always has, and He has placed each of us believers right where we are, and the mission field is not only about far away; it’s at our doorstep now.
Our responsibility is this.. to faithfully be a witness and to share the gospel ..very clearly.. so they can understand God's message.
Yes, it's to share His message with wisdom and love, right there where God has placed us.
The Bible says, “After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.'" Luke 10:1-5 esv
That truth is as relevant today as it was then--all truth is God's truth. There’s no need to wait for some “perfect” time when it comes to being a missionary. To speaking words, sure, but now is the time to be a witness for Christ; and here is the place.
Whether across oceans or across the street, we’re all called to bring His living hope to a world in need. And what a privilege it is to do so. Here or there, God will guide you in being his witness/missionary.
