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What's on Your Calendar?by Cathe Laurie
I know it may be summer on the calendar, but for the Laurie family, Harvest time is whenever the crusades begin. This year is particularly busy for Greg as we have five crusades scheduled.
Each year, as crusade time approaches, I begin asking the Lord to help me discover my part in spreading the Good News. As Greg's wife, it can be as simple as minimizing the daily pressures and distractions that inevitably come, so that he can focus on prayer and preparing the messages he will deliver each night.
On a more practical level, I look out for his health. Believe it or not, rest, exercise, proper diet, and taking care of his voice are an important part of his overall readiness. At times, this job feels insignificant in the big picture, but I need only ask myself how I would feel if my face was projected 30 feet high and 40 feet wide in that stadium each night. So much depends on the message and its delivery. There are many who have worked hard to make these meetings successful.
But most importantly, I pray for him because I know there is a spiritual battle that takes place at this time each year. Through the years, we have experienced some of the most unusual fiery darts! There have been bomb threats, threats against our family, Greg mysteriously losing his voice, two hurricanes, a sudden snowstorm in August—I could go on and on. Just last year, while riding my bike, I was hit by a car going 45 miles per hour before the San Jose crusade.
All that to say, it is always something because the devil hates evangelism! Thankfully, the Lord has protected us and not one of those past attacks has put a stop to what the Lord planned.
Finally, one more way I prepare for the crusades is by praying about whom to invite as my guests. I love the challenge of presenting the invitation to as many people as I can. It never ceases to amaze me that a person who would not darken the doorway of a church would be willing to sit in an arena filled with people and hear the Word preached. A couple of years ago, as we entered the stadium, one guest I'd invited said to me, "Wow! You guys sure know how to put on a party!"
It is a fantastic opportunity to invite someone to an exciting evening specifically designed to present the gospel. And nothing this side of heaven can compare to the joy of seeing them pray to receive the Lord as their Savior. On a personal note, Greg and I were blessed last year to see my daughter-in-law's mother pray to receive Christ on the field at Angel Stadium. Words could never express how grateful I am to God for the wonderful gift she has been to my life!
Being used by God to help another person follow Christ will do as much for your spiritual life as it does theirs. I would like to challenge you to begin today to pray for the crusades this year. Then, ask the Lord what you can do. Watch for opportunities in the coming weeks to invite someone who needs the Lord to come out to the Harvest Crusade. You may be the very worker God uses to help bring that unsaved person to Christ!
When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them; but then He turned t His disciples and said, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send out more workers for His fields." (Matthew 9:37 NLT) |
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