Monday March 5, 2012 "Help Wanted"

Jesus went through all towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Good Monday morning, dearest brothers and sisters. It is a really nice, but chilly, morning here at the Southern Location of the North Pole. Monday and the day we pray for our leaders, our veterans, our military, our police, our firefighters, and all others who work hard to keep us safe. Please pray that our President, President Obama, would stop supporting the murder of the unborn babies. Please pray hard for our fighting men and women and also the civilians in Afghanistan. Also please pray for Sterling and Luella Funck and Stanley Bigham and Carol Harris...

March 5, 2012 "Help Wanted" Matthew 9:35 - Jesus went through all towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore,  to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV)

The papers and news people say that jobs are few, unemployment time is extended so that people can be on unemployment comp for 99, yes, 99 weeks. (When I was a kid we called unemployment checks "Hobo checks".) I say this and tell you that there are many, many places you can go and see the help wanted signs hanging in the windows, and I know for a fact, most school bus contractors need GOOD drivers. Our food stores, Wal-mart, McDonalds, K-Mart and I could go on and on... Help wanted. I know that it seems to go back as far as I can remember there was a shortage of GOOD school bus drivers. But what job, what work and who has been looking for good help for the longest?

Matthew 9:37 - Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV)

I think this might be the longest running employment ad ever placed, and Jesus placed the ad or the message in His own words to His disciples. And you do know that we who love Jesus, we who follow His teachings, are the disciples of today and if the workers are few, who is letting Jesus down on the job? It is I, Lord!! Last night Dolores, Pam and I went to hear Timothy Beitzel sing and one of the songs he sang was "Here I am, Lord." I come home and when I get up today God places on my mind about His ad, "Help wanted."

Jesus is telling us that it is our job to bring in the harvest. In America it seems the farmers cannot hire people to bring in the crops, I guess because those "Hobo Checks" pay better than what people get paid to pick the crops. If it were not for people crossing the borders who really need the money and the farmers hiring them, the crops might rot in the fields. And brothers and sisters, if we do not start working for the Lord and going into His fields of Harvest there are souls out there that ARE GOING TO ROT. Someone say Amen.

Jesus was sent to save the souls by the forgiving of sins, but the Word of the Lord must be taken out to those who have not heard it. (Mark 16:15 - He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.) And don't tell me that in this day of computers and e-mail and texting and all of those things you do, you do not know how to reach people for the Lord. Not all can be a "Daniel Stoner" and with his family flying into the back woods to get the word out. Not all can be a preacher, or pastor or a great singer, but all can do something for the Kingdom, and all HAVE TALENT ON LOAN FROM GOD to get this job done. If you are applying to Jesus for a job to go into the fields, if that job is the one He wants you at according to His will, your talent and tools will be taken care of. Another amen might be nice. Yes, at every church this week it would be great to see "Help Wanted" signs posted, for what better place to get the ball rolling for Jesus... "Help Wanted" The rewards and benefits are "Heavenly."

You say you cannot afford a mansion here on earth, go to work for Jesus and get in line for yours in heaven. When God calls you, are you willing and ready to step out and say "Here I am Lord"?  Well, folks, if that is so, then read the Bible, for He has already called...

Dear Father in Heaven, I have the help wanted sign under my arm and I am ready to answer Your ad. Yes, we love working for You, but we are indeed ready for more assignments. Lord, please forgive me, forgive us of our sins, so we can apply for the job with clean hands and heart. Send us forth now to do Your work... In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Go forth answering the call, and one of the calls of course coming from God, not just from me, but it is to share your blessings... Love ya, Pastor Dan.