Sometimes, we have trouble sleeping and in the old days, someone might suggest that we try “counting sheep”. It that doesn’t work, we might try a drink of whiskey, melatonin or a sleeping pill. If not, we might just worry and fret and even curse God.
As usual, we had to reflect on the month of January and all the things that we have been blessed to be a part of so we could publish the newsletter. Our life is pretty crazy as we make an effort to devote our time, gifts and resources to reach those that are “broken-hearted and crush in spirit” (Psalms 34:18) in our community praying that they might come to faith in Jesus Christ. At the same time, there is an underlying rhythm that expands our understanding of what it means to “count sheep”. We are fortunate to be able to pray and send financial support every month to our co-laborers in the harvest fields of Africa. We just received a testimony from our coordinator in Burundi who organized outreaches in January and witnessed 558 come to faith in Jesus Christ and who are now being taught to be true disciples. Jesus said our Father in heaven and the angels would rejoice over each one. We know that it is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings people to salvation and the Holy Spirit directs all believers to do their part to make that possible. So, as we choose to be bread broken and wine poured out for those in our community, always with the motive to seek and save those that are lost, we do that with a sense of an underlying rhythm. The heartbeat of our Father in heaven. That even though we are 11,000 miles from Burundi and will possibly never meet any of those 558 until we are made perfect in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 11:39-40), during January, 24 hours a day, on the average, one of those children came home to the Father every 1 hour and 20 minutes. And that is just one of the 11 coordinators that are serving the Lord in these countries. We call them “lost sheep”, but Jesus doesn’t see them as “lost”, He sees them as “missed” by our Father.
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.” (Galatians 14-16)
“Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31)
“Those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31)
What does “counting sheep” mean to you?
What does “counting sheep” mean to Jesus, who knows everyone by name?
If you would like to make a donation, they can be made on line at www.myegiving/hvm or the “electronic giving” on the home page of the www.harvestvisionministries.org website or through PayPal to harvestvision21@msn.com. If you would like to donate electronically but do not have access to the internet or would like someone to assist you, please call George Henson at 360-421-8811 or Kylee Walker at 360-540-0890. You can also mail donations to Harvest Vision Ministries, PO Box 733, Sedro Woolley, WA, 98284. All donations are tax-deductible and help advance the gospel of Jesus Christ and build His Kingdom.
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