Staying Connected
THE TIME IS NOW
John 4:35
In sharing with his disciples as they queried Jesus’ transactions with the Samaritan woman in John 4, Jesus distinctly said to his disciples “Do you not say ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” John 4:35 (NIV). In the King James Version it states, “Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). Here, there is an undeniable sense of urgency, that Jesus seeks to convey to his followers. Now many years later, may this twenty-first century church never lose sight of the urgency of our evangelistic assignment especially in these unparalleled and ominous times. According to Joseph Mayfield, “One Samaritan woman had come, but out there lay fields . . . white already unto harvest.” A whole nation was in need and ready for the gift of eternal life. We thank God for every individual who has come but we are also driven and energized by a heavenly vision of “more” – more conversions, more revivals, more miracles! What a harvest lies before us! May the Almighty give us divine perception and insight into how to reap this present harvest for the Master’s glory. It’s no longer a question of what hindrances and hardships lay before us, but the real question must be who can stop us. Procrastinations and rationalized delays are unrealistic. Instead of being slowed down by the raging pandemic, the Church of God is prepared and determined to move full speed ahead. Instead of being diminished and curtailed, our prayer armies and efforts have intensified and remain on high alert.We remain fully convinced that “the fields are white already unto harvest.” Church of God, may I repeat and sound the alarm, that now is no time to draw back or draw down. We move full speed ahead into enemy territory. We declare again “Satan your kingdom must come down!” Souls will be and must be delivered in Jesus’ name! Our children, loved ones, near ones, far and near, east, west, north and south must be delivered and brought into divine fellowship in Jesus’ Name! “Do not say there are yet four months and then cometh harvest” Jesus says. The Time is Now! We affirm, if this generation is to receive the gospel, this generation must get it to the people now. A greater sense of urgency must pervade every local church if we must get this work done before our precious Lord Jesus returns. Observe how Jesus left us without excuse. He said to the church back then, even before He issued the Great Mandate to His pilgrim church in Matthew 28:19-20. “. . . Say not ye there are yet four months and then . . .” John 4:35. He notably reinforced us upon the idea of urgency. Harvest time is Now! The mission of evangelism is so crucial, it must be done Now! There is work to do Now! As stated, all of our rationalizations and all the myths that we have concocted not to reap the harvest and not to make disciples and thereby grow our churches have already been dismissed by our Lord and Savior. We, therefore, begin afresh to seek Him for the power to apply what He has instructed to do in this insightful passage and in His Word. We commit ourselves again and afresh to reaping the harvest, so fully convinced that the Time is Now! We move full speed ahead! No time to put down arms and retreat! Leroy V. Greenaway Regional Bishop – Northeast Region November 7, 2020 October 24, 2020 H------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------H PLEASE NOTE In collaboration with our District Overseers, the Church of God of Prophecy submits to the wisdom of continuing to ‘Shelter in Place’ for the safety and protection of the flock. This is to be observed until further notice and the present virus is better contained. Should the need arise to meet, we are advised to meet in groups of no more than 10, while we strictly observe the protocols of social distancing, wearing of masks and aggressive sanitizing of our hands and surfaces frequently touched. Please let us patiently observe these practices to keep each other safe and alive. We are reminded that we are indeed our brother’s keeper. Stay home! Stay Healthy! Stay Hopeful! We shall soon get through this! Premature re-openings of our churches seem not to be the wisest way to go at this point. Let us continue to pray, caring for each other and staying connected. Leroy V. Greenaway Regional Presiding Bishop — Northeast Region |
