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"Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!"
(John 4:35)
Last week, I traveled to Second Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri to speak at the Who's Your One conference. I enjoy encouraging the Church to be intentional in our witness for Christ. The conference is hosted by a local church in conjunction with the North American Mission Board. I am so honored to share messages on evangelism and to hear others speak as well. I was impressed with the hospitality of FBC Springfield. Pastor John Birchett and his staff are doing a great job. This church is committed to the Great Commission. I believe they have planted something like 60 churches and spent over $2 million toward church planting!
While on this quick trip, I was bumped up to first class, both going there and coming home. I do not fly first class often, but whenever I do, I get spoiled. You have more room, you are given that little hot towel, a cup of warm mixed nuts, and a good meal. What is there not to like?! While flying to MO, I sat next to a young lady who is a senior at the University of Missouri. She and her father had just spent four days in Peru camping at Machu Picchu. Her father gave her his first-class seat. I enjoyed talking to her and listening to her dreams and goals. I believe she will do great work because she genuinely cares for people. She told me that she did not have much of a religious background. God blessed our conversation, and I was able to share the Gospel with her using the 3 Circles witnessing tool. (You can download the free app on your phone. It is a great witnessing tool created by Dr. Jimmy Scroggins, pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, FL.)
After the evening service at SBC Springfield, the team from NAMB and some of the staff from the church went to Black Sheep Restaurant. I must say, I think that was the best hamburger I have ever eaten! Those smoked French fries were delicious as well. When I got to the hotel about 9:30 p.m., a young lady, also a student at the University of Missouri, checked me in and gave me the key to my room. I began talking to her about her life, and she shared with me that she was from Gujarat, India, a place I have visited in the past. I asked if she was Muslim, because I know there are many Muslims who live there. She said no and that she was raised Hindu and is a practicing Buddhist. I felt the Lord impress me to share with her about the cross of Jesus, and so I did. I pointed out that the cross has two dimensions: a vertical and horizontal line. I shared that the vertical line points to God's love for us in sending Jesus to die for our sins, and the horizontal line points to the love we can have for each other because of the love God has for us. I shared with her that the two greatest commandments Jesus gave us are to love God and love people, and in the cross, we see how that can happen. I will not forget her response. Her eyes widened, she smiled, and then she said, "That is really neat."
God is so good to give us many opportunities to tell others about Jesus. The fields are white for harvest. Whether on an airplane, at a hotel, over coffee with a friend, or on a phone call with a loved one, there are many who need to hear the good news before it is too late.
Oh, and I had another thing happen to me on the return flight while in first class! I will share that with you in tomorrow's devotion.
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