Reach Out

Romans 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

My husband and I have been talking lately about how hard it is to get people to see the truth.  Mark is an expert at teaching God's Word to lost people in such a way that after 6-8 weeks of studying the Scripture, people usually come to the conclusion that they are sinners, on their way to hell unless they turn to God.  I have watched the "light bulb" come on in people's eyes as they begin understanding the verses Mark shares and explains. But lately we are noticing that as we get closer to Jesus' return, people are in more confusion than ever. 

The devil is in full throttle attack mode on the world.  There is no more time for any one of us to be fooling around.  The night is far spent and we need to take advantage of the Light while there is still time.

I touched on this last week as we looked at the people who died in the flood and I want to draw our attention today to someone who decided it was "now or never" in her own life.

Mark 5:25-34 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Everything this woman had done to help herself had not worked.  Every treatment she had tried had failed.  Her money was spent, her health was spent and I am sure her patience with suffering was spent.  So, she took advantage of Jesus walking by and she reached out. 

You and I are on the precipice of meeting our Saviour.  You know that don't you?  He is about to return.  Our lives are filled with problems, bills and decisions.  We minister and labor with little reward, but Christ is just about to come back for us and judgement will be at hand.  Are we going to take advantage of the moment and reach out?

If we believe God knows what He is doing, and He has a plan for our lives, then why are not fully following Him?  Why are we wasting time on stupid little things instead of sheer obedience?

I get so aggravated with myself at how quickly I can waste a day worrying.  I am an expert at analyzing something from every angle instead of just putting one foot in front of the other and accomplishing a task in life. 

It is high time that you and I got behind Christ and follow Him towards what He wants. He knew that woman was in the crowd that day and He couldn't make her reach out after Him, but I believe He was wanting her to!   He can't make us tell others about Him, but He wants people saved and He is wanting us to obey Him and reach out towards what He is reaching out to, the lost.  He wants to find Christians living for Him at His return.  He wants children fed, widows cared for and homes rectified.  He has the power to do His will, but we need to be willing participants if it all happens for His glory before it is too late.

Think on the woman with the issue of blood. Feel her desperation and get some in your own life.  Be desperate for God.  Reach out and depend solely on His power and nothing else.  Someone else's soul could depend upon it because the night is far spent and the devil is busier at work for the darkness than we are for the Light. 

It may be hard to reach people, but we shouldn't stop now.  This is when we need to depend more on His power than ever.  Put on that armor of light and let's take advantage of the power of Christ that can work in us! Reach out!

Until next time, Lord willing,
Sheri