News and Updates

August 1, 2016

David Copeland · August 1, 2016

Newsletter · Volume: 16 Issue: 8

“After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
-Luke 10:1,2

I am convinced the most neglected prayer in the modern church is Jesus’ command to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into His Harvest. I capitalized the word Harvest because Jesus’ last command is STILL our first responsibility.

Every August on our Kenya outreach we travel through the eastern part of the Rift Valley in central Kenya. This area is known as the bread basket of Kenya. For as far as you can see, golden brown wheat fields cry out to be harvested before the rains come again.

Many times during the fall of the year here in the United States, Pam and I will drive through southern Alabama or southern Georgia and as far as you can see fields white with cotton cry out to be gathered. It reminds me of Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 4:35 “Don’t say it’s four months till the harvest; look on the fields for they are white already for harvest!” (my paraphrase)

The call of the Harvest has been on the earth since Jesus’ day. Just as harvesting wheat or cotton takes a lot of work and effort, the spiritual harvest takes work and effort as well! The Harvest is calling us! Are we willing to answer?

If we do we can be assured the Lord of the Harvest will give us the following:

1.The Lord of the Harvest will give us Divine Protection.
In verse 3 Jesus states, “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves”. This sounds like a contradiction. Serving God can be filled with contradictions because the enemy of our lives (satan) does not want us to reap God’s Harvest, nor does he want you to find your purpose! But we can be assured if God sends us somewhere, He will never leave us, nor forsake us. There is grace for our place and He will never bring us TO something without bringing us THROUGH!

2.The Lord of the Harvest will give us Divine Direction. Verse 4 states “Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.” To the natural mind, this sounds absurd! Go somewhere without money, a map or a change of clothes? Paul said it this way: “They that are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”. His guidance will need to be preeminent to work in His Harvest.

3.The Lord of the Harvest will give us Divine Contentment. Verses 5, 6 says “But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.” 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.” One of the great battles I have faced in my life is learning to be content where I am on the way to where I am going. Don’t allow a fear of not completing your assignment before you die cause you to live a driven life. I am not saying we should settle for average, mundane, stale Christianity. Learn that you will not be in this seasons forever. This season is simply preparation for your next season in God. Another word for contentment can also be called “self-control”, a much needed fruit of the Spirit on all our lives.

4.The Lord of the Harvest will give Divine Provision. Verses 7 “And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages.” Where God guides, He does provide. And He uses ordinary people to help others get to where He needs them to be in His Harvest!

5.Finally when we answer the call of the Harvest we can be assured of Divine Signs. Verse 9 says, “And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.”  The Gospel of Jesus Christ has always been a Gospel of healing. I am contending for a return of the healing anointing to move among common ordinary folks, to prove with signs & wonders Jesus is Lord! Signs and wonders were never given to make men famous; true signs & wonders from teh Father will confirm the Word that is being declared; and they will make Jesus famous again in the earth.

May it will begin with all of us saying yes to God’s calling for our lives.

In just a few days I will be traveling back to Kenya for our largest outreach of 2016. August 10-13 we will launch the first Malava School of Ministry in western Kenya; August 17-20 Revival Now will help sponsor the Kilgoris Women’s Conference and August 22-26 we will lead the Kilgoris School of Ministry in Kilgoris. Scattered in between will be several other conferences and special meetings we will minister in as well.

Thank you to all our friends and partners who consistently help Pam and I fulfill our assignment in the Great Commission. Equiping and encouraging rural pastors in remote areas has been one fo the most fulfilling works Pam and I have done in almost forty years of ministry. What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.

Thank you for believing in our part of the Great Commission.

David & Pam