file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940123.TXT
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                        Sunday, January 23, 1994
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          READ:  Matthew 9:35-10:15

                                THE NEVER-ENDING TASK

                 Pray the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers.
                                   --Matthew 9:38

          A  missionary writes about her field of service:  "We  have  been
          forced to close some of our stations because of lack of funds and
          lack  of  missionaries.  This is the cry  everywhere  today.  The
          largest  denominations -- faced with a growing deficit  in  their
          missionary  effort  -- will have to call home a great  number  of
          workers from the different fields next year.  With all the luxury
          that we have, must the cause of Christ thus suffer loss?"

          Although  this sounds like it could have been written  yesterday,
          this  plea  for help was penned in 1926 by  Johanna  Veenstra,  a
          missionary  to the Sudan.  The statement appeared in a  book  she
          wrote describing her pioneering mission work in Africa.

          Nearly  70  years later, the task of proclaiming  the  gospel  is
          still  as formidable and the need for helpers still as  imposing.
          In  fact, it has not changed since Jesus declared,  "The  harvest
          truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the
          Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" (Matt.
          9:37-38).  He Himself started the work 2,000 years ago by sending
          out 12 men with the message of good news.

          Going  into all the world with the gospel is a neverending  task.
          Whether  we go to the Sudan, travel to some other far-off  place,
          or stay home, it is our task too.

          Author:  J. David Branon

                    Far, far away, in heathen darkness dwelling,
                       Millions of souls forever may be lost;
                    Who, who will go, salvation's story telling,
                       Looking to Jesus, minding not the cost?
                                    --McGranahan

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          One  thing  we  can't do about missions -- we  can't  escape  our
          responsibility.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Job 25-27

          
          




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