Reading the history of the Jews in the Old Testament can be very frustrating because there are so many instances of repeated rebellion followed by the predictable outcome of God’s judgment. At some points, they experienced a genuine spiritual revival. One such revival took place under the leadership of king Asa in the southern kingdom of Judah. The story is recorded for us in 2 Chronicles 15. The condition of the nation prior to this revival was horrible. The country was “without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law” and in trouble. God sent a prophet to warn and encourage the nation and the king. If they would repent and turn to God, He would deliver them from their hardship. To do that would require a tremendous amount of courage on the part of king Asa. He would have to take steps that might upset some people, even to the point of violent retribution. Had Asa been a coward, he would have allowed the people to keep doing what they were doing. Instead, “he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin.” He led the people to renew the altar to the Lord. They then restarted the practice of public assembly for instruction in the word of God, and there was a real affirmation of their commitment to follow the Lord. Make no mistake: it takes courage to admit that you are wrong, that your friends are wrong, or that your family is wrong. It takes even more courage to do something about it and make it right. But if revival is to take place in your life, you must be brave enough to deal with sin.

There is something about the image of a big, old barn against the backdrop of green or golden fields that brings a sense of peace and serenity. Whether you are a farmhand or a city slicker, you can certainly appreciate the beauty of such a scene.  While everyone loves the look of a pretty barn, what good is it if the fields around it are full of barren soil and rotting crops? A barn is where the supplies are kept, the equipment is maintained, and the harvest is stored. It is where the farmhands meet their boss in the morning and get their assignments for the day. And while a lot of work takes place in the barn, the work of sowing and reaping has to occur in the field. And the field is outside, not inside the barn.  “For this reason, the church membership should not be considered the field but the force. Consequently, the entire program of the church should be geared to training and challenging its force to go out into the field and to spread the gospel of Christ.” Jesus told his disciples, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” (Luke 10:2-3)  The laborers in the spiritual harvest must be sent forth into the fields, and we are those laborers. God has commanded us to go, and as we are going, we are to preach and teach the gospel. Spending time in the barn is good, but we must get out in the fields to reap a harvest. 

 A busybody is a person who meddles in the affairs of others. The word “busybody” is used three times in the Bible, but the concept of being a meddlesome person and a talebearer is mentioned many more times. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 summarizes the Biblical teaching about being a busybody when it calls it “disorderly.” It is rude to intrude on other people’s affairs,
and it requires you to ignore or neglect your business. Symptoms of a busybody include too much curiosity, too little work, and too much talking. Instead of doing these things, you should “study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

Sunday AM Service