The Laborers Are Few

The Laborers Are Few

The Lord Has Need of You

Inspirational Faith Journeys

By:

Barbara Taylor Sanders

Smashwords Edition

PUBLISHED By:

Father’s Press on Smashwords. Copyright Nov, 2010 Barbara Taylor Sanders. All rights reserved.

Barbara Taylor Sanders holds the copyright of this book and has granted the exclusive right to publish it to Father’s Press.

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Father’s Press, LLC

Lee’s Summit, MO

(816) 600-6288

www.fatherspress.com

Additional books by the author

Bloodline Secrets

More Than A Promise

The Bloodstone Ring

Puttin’ On the Dog & Gettin’ Bit (non-fiction)

Dedication

As a tribute to the past, and in anticipation of the future, I affectionately dedicate this book to several very important women who have had the greatest impact on my incredible Christian journey. A few are with the Lord in Heaven, and I look forward to our tender reunion someday.

Shirley Ann, my dear mother, for teaching me the love of reading, singing and laughing. And for all the sacrifices you made to give me artistic expression.

Mary Koester, the mother of my best friend, Judy, and a nurturer to me, too. Thank you for all your encouragement growing up, getting me to church and praying on your knees so often.

With loving memory of a historic revival leader, Pastor M.D. Mom Beall, co-founder of Bethesda Missionary Temple, one of the greatest churches in America. I am forever indebted to the Holy Ghost’s prophetic view into our future. You validated God’s call to my husband and me to enter fulltime ministry when it was the farthest thing from our minds, but very much on the heart of God.

Dr. Patricia Beall Gruits, as you humbly and faithfully carry forth your dear mother’s mantle and anointing in Haiti and other parts of the world. Thank you for your prayers throughout the years. You’re one of my true heroes in the faith.

Florence Parker, in appreciation of your gift of evangelism, wisdom, wit, and most especially for our life long friendship. You brought me humor when I needed to laugh.

In loving memory of our dear Rachel Titus for being a bulwark of righteousness and a tower of strength to lean on.

Thank you for your profound gift of teaching, wisdom and loving counsel throughout the precious years we had with you in church ministry.

With loving memory of Rosemary Connor, my sweet Sister Angie for your listening ear and faithful correspondence during your last decade as a retired Catholic nun. You were a true confidante and precious friend. I miss our late night chats.

Eleanor Stern, in appreciation of your life-long missionary service to Africa and other parts of the world. Bless you for your costly anointing to pray for the release of those in spiritual bondage, including me. Thank you for paying the price to minister so affectively to many hurting people in the world. Mom Beall prophesied your current orphanage in Kenya for AIDS orphans over 60 years ago!

Sherry Berry, for introducing me to the Lord Jesus Christ when I was so desperate to find my savior. Thank you for also introducing me to the Holy Spirit!

Lu Parry, for your compassion and steadfast support. Your discerning counsel helped unearth buried talents beneath the rubble of timidity and self-doubt throughout some difficult seasons in my life covering a 30-year span. Thank you so much.

Pearl Capasso, for lovingly revealing Jesus to all of us at a ladies Bible study in my Trumbull, CT home over 35 years ago. Your unconditional love helped me grow in grace throughout the years.

God bless you all!

Preface

Life in Christ is a Divine setup, a path with a predetermined destiny.  Every follower of Jesus is designed and destined to lead an orchestrated life.  From the moment we enter His kingdom through faith in His Son and receive the Holy Spirit, the Lord orders our steps.  Our ransomed life belongs to the One who purchased us; He is pleased to give us His kingdom and wants to take us on an incredible adventure.  However, there are conditions; this book describes them.  These conditions are like the moving parts in a fine watch and that is where the precise timing of orchestration comes in.  His ultimate goal is to prepare us for the ongoing journey.  This preparation is on the journey training as we learn to see what He is doing and hear what He is saying. For to know His timing and obey, to surrender and die to self, is to defy human logic by acting in faith. We must trust Him and overcome fear. Doubt and worry dissipate when we recognize confirming signs, loving affirming leaders, and fellow travelers. Through the journey, we learn to discern opposing voices be they well-meaning friends, our own self-doubt or Satan.

Several years ago, I was privileged to work with a number of key leaders associated with Halftime Ministries, the Dallas based organization devoted to helping high capacity marketplace leaders successfully transition from living for worldly success to living for kingdom significance.  We discovered that there are a growing number of resources (books, articles, seminars and ministry organizations) devoted to helping people finish well by living a purposefully significant, Christ-centered, second half of life.  Some of the learning from this association with Halftime Ministries has been integrated into the larger community transformation movement here in Central Ohio.  Daryl and Barbara Sanders' journey is a classic example of a half-timer couple.  Metropolitan Columbus is being impacted by a growing number of these high capacity leaders who have attained success in their careers, transitioned (gone through halftime) and are now making a huge difference in the quality of life in their communities and beyond.

As this community transformation movement has matured, both church and ministry leaders realize they are not called nor are they equipped to be the primary leaders of this movement.  What is emerging is recognition of the strategies implemented by Campus Crusade, Youth With A Mission, and several other international organizations to reach and transform whole communities and even nations.  These strategies are referred to as the seven areas of influence or seven mountains.  They call for kingdom understanding and significant engagement from Christians in the workplace.  Tradition views church or ministry work as sacred and other work or career are considered secular. The half-timer approach replaces the traditional view with the kingdom-centered model Jesus gave us in His own life and ministry.  This new paradigm has the followers of Jesus realizing that every aspect of life is sacred because it is Christ in us who wills and does God’s good pleasure. Everyone has a ministry!  This leads to transforming results in every cultural segment as His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven.  The world desperately needs the impact of the salt and light of each follower of Jesus Christ.

Paul Hoy

FloodGate Vision

Columbus, Ohio

www.transformcolumbus.com

www.havesometime.com

Foreword

By Bill McCartney, founder of Promise Keepers

Throughout our lives we will be presented with opportunities. Some opportunities lead to our personal and professional success. Others lead to the personal success of those we choose to help. Over the years I have found that it is the opportunities to help others that mean the most to me.

For several years I was a football coach. It was my job to lead the student athletes I coached to success both on and off the field. It was a job I took very seriously and I still feel it is one of the most rewarding occupations one can choose. When we decide to pattern our lives after Christ, we come to learn that others are more important than ourselves. Yet in giving ourselves to others we find our greatest strengths.

During my coaching years I was blessed to meet Barbara Sanders through her husband and my friend, her husband, Daryl. Daryl played college football under Coach Woody Hayes and then for the Detroit Lions in the NFL. We found that we had many things in common, primarily a passion to serve the Lord, a passion to help others, and a passion for football. When I founded Promise Keepers a key component we wanted to pass on to our members was the importance of volunteering our time and talents to those in need.

This book, Laborers are Few, captures the essence of why it is so important to volunteer. Throughout the pages of this book you’ll find meaningful examples of the impact volunteering can have not only on those who are helped, but also on their families, and the ones who do the helping. Volunteering is close to the heart of God, and this is evidenced by how Jesus spent His time here. His ministry was one of selfless giving, healing, listening, and loving, and it is the ultimate example of what God calls each of us to strive for.

When we read today’s headlines we realize how many of God’s children are out there lost, looking for Him in all of the worst possible ways. They turn to drugs, alcohol, or other addictions in an effort to numb their pain. When we as Christians turn to them with genuine love, compassion, and caring, helping them to see new hope for their lives, we are truly becoming the hands and feet of Christ.

So I ask you to read this book with an open heart. Listen for the message that God has for you through its words, and be ready to let His love overflow to others that He puts in your life to help. You’ll discover the absolutely amazing impact your volunteering can have in this world, and for God’s kingdom.

Introduction

We humans are happiest when we find a cause to support and set out to change the world. Sometimes such lofty and noble notions lead to disappointing complications and frustrations, but, nonetheless, we were created to help others and live a self-sacrificing life.

Life doesn’t seem fair when considering the immense human suffering in the world. I’ve often thought: There go I, but by the grace of God. Throughout my Christian journey and numerous mission trips abroad, I’ve been down many eye-opening paths. This rugged road has jarred my senses and challenged my faith because there is so much misery out there. Life really isn’t fair. As a wife and mother, I can’t imagine scrounging around for food to feed my family. Or not having access to running water.

Whenever I returned home from a mission trip to a third world country I’d feel guilty for several weeks. Each morning that I made my beautiful, solid-brass, king-size bed with its coordinated comforter and bed skirt, my life felt decadent compared to the meager living conditions I had just witnessed on a goodwill trip to an impoverished nation. I have learned to count my blessings.

Thankfully, our Bible believing churches reach out to help the homeless and usually support foreign missionaries. As Christians, most of us tithe and give additional offerings to help the poor and disadvantaged. Consequently, Christians are granted numerous opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ by extending hands of mercy to those in need right within our own sphere of influence.

Within our own families and throughout our local communities, there are countless men and women who struggle, suffer and wonder where God is within their messed up lives. If we’re able and willing, God will place needy people within our reach to help. We never have to hunt for trouble. Problems will usually show up just when we are feeling content and self-satisfied with life. Just when I have an extra chunk of change to put away in savings, God puts a struggling Christian with a financial need in my path. It never fails. God tests my heart through the purse strings. When I die. I might not have a hefty bank account, but I’ll have no regrets. Beginning in high school, I have spent my entire adult life helping others. My gracious parents were my role models.

As an earthen vessel, in my own unique way, I’ve served and sacrificed by going the extra mile. It is rewarding to see others succeed by my life being laid down for the sake of Christ. Through His grace, I’ve done my little part for the betterment of society, and by sharing some of my life-changing testimonies, I now hope to inspire and challenge you to reach out and make a difference in the life of another. You can do it, too.

Get involved. Be ready to travel next door, downtown or to the nations with the might of the Lord. Or within your sphere of influence, mentor a young man or young woman by reproducing your gift, whatever it might be, in the life of someone worth dying for. Yes, indeed – dying for. It is your death that God requires. Death-to-self. Death-to-fear. Death to that new pair of shoes you really don’t need. On a daily basis, develop a willingness to take up your cross to help those in need. Look around you. You won’t have to wait long. If you are willing to reproduce your gifts and talents in the life of another, then get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. It will be God’s doing. He will orchestrate your time, talents, temperament, and resources with the need of another through divine appointments and unusual circumstances. Just say yes. You’ll be glad you did.

I’m convinced that so many don’t because of fear. My ability to be a light for Jesus Christ began with a profound testimony. The power of love conquered a fearful and debilitating stranglehold in my life, which has enabled me to move forward with God. This book is my journey. As the Lord leads, may it inspire your own unique steps of faith.

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18 (New King James Version)

But when Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The Harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers from His harvest." Matthew 9:36-39 (NKJV).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Fear Hath Torment

Chapter 2 Let Your Light Shine

Chapter 3 The Poor You Will Always Have With You

Chapter 4 Faith to Follow Where He Leads

Chapter 5 Faith for Missionary Service

Chapter 6 Let Your Light Shine

Chapter 7 Faith Overcomes Fear

Chapter 8 Faith is a Journey Forward

Chapter 9 Take Me to the Nations

Chapter 10 Forsaking All to Follow Jesus

Chapter 11 Building Bridges Through Faith

Chapter 12 In the Face of Death

Chapter 13 Mentoring Your Spiritual Daughters Past Poverty

Chapter 14 Life in the Inner City

Chapter 15 True Warriors of the Faith

Chapter 16 Out of the Miry Clay

Chapter 17 Tolerance and True Hospitality

Chapter 18 Practical Ways to Help the Poor

Chapter 19 Foster Care for Families in Crisis

Chapter 20 Miracle Fundraiser Connections

Chapter 21 Women Empowering Women

Chapter 22 Inner City Gangs

Chapter 23 The Wonder Working Power of Prayer

Chapter 24 Laborers Beware!

Chapter 25 Perfecting Godly Character

Chapter 26 Perfecting Godly Character

Chapter 27 Our Reason for Hope

Chapter 28 The Mountain Man and the Mountain Mover

Chapter 29 Faith is an Adventurous Journey

Chapter 1

The God of Miracles

Following an outpatient laparoscopy procedure, my OB/GYN surgeon gave my husband some grave news. It would be a few hours before the anesthesia wore off, so I remained oblivious to my fate

Daryl stood waiting in the hospital corridor outside of the surgery theatre. Dressed in scrubs, Dr. Thomas Magnatta removed his green surgical mask to speak.

Hello, Mr. Sanders. Well, your wife is doing fine. Her ovaries look normal. You already have two children right? So, it wouldn’t bother you if you couldn’t have any more kids?

What do you mean? Daryl asked, perplexed.

Well, for an x-ray purpose, I attempted to inject dye into her fallopian tubes, but the dye ran off onto the floor. We attempted the dye-injection three times and each time the dye ran out onto the floor. Her tubes are definitely blocked. Further tests show deterioration. There is a new procedure coming out right now. Medical science is experimenting with the use of artificial fallopian tubes, but you need healthy tissue to adhere to the artificial implants. This won’t work for your wife, so don’t give her false hope. She will never conceive.

Ever the optimist, my husband did not accept the doctor’s report. At home he gently informed me that I would need surgery to conceive a child.

During recovery that same morning I became extremely cold, but I was not awake enough to cry out for a warm blanket. In fact, when I did wake, the inside my mouth had painful bleeding cuts from clenching my teeth down on my cheeks during the drop in body temperature. Therefore, the thought of necessary surgery and going under anesthesia again was too frightening to consider.

Easter Sunday came in March that year, a month following my surgical exam. We were in Michigan for a week-long holiday visit with my mother. We’d been married for two years, so my family members were anxious for us to have a baby. During the Easter brunch I managed to avoid the teasing taunts. So when are you going to have a baby? I didn’t tell my mother or her sisters that I first needed surgery to conceive.

Actually, I was more perplexed about not attending church that day. It was the first Easter Sunday that really meant something to me. I had accepted Jesus as my savior a month before at a Friendship Bible coffee as the first-time guest of my friend, Sherry Berry, wife of Dr. Clyde Berry from Centerville, Ohio. For the first time in my life I had a longing to celebrate what Jesus had done for me on the cross of Calvary. That Sunday morning I said nothing to my husband about desiring to go to church since he had not returned to his childhood faith at that point in time. But I felt sad for not being able to attend church.

Later that day our family of four drove back to Dayton. I slept the last leg of the trip stretched across the front seat of my husband’s big Oldsmobile ‘98. My head was on my husband’s comfortable lap. My ever-bickering stepchildren were in the backseat, so I was able to tune them out by sleeping.

When we exited onto the Centerville ramp, Daryl pulled into Woody’s supermarket. He awakened me to ask if we needed anything at the store besides milk, bread, and some lunchmeat. We’d been gone for nearly a week.

I remained reclined on the front seat as I gazed up at the bright blue sky laced with billowing white clouds. It was a perfect day for a miracle.

Having a baby meant surgery, according to my husband’s report. I was dreading going under again. Since I had never actually prayed before, I was reluctant to seek the Lord about my dilemma. All the Christian ladies prayed out loud at Sherry’s Bible study group. These women expressed sincere prayers, which were spontaneous like natural conversation. Their lights led the way for me.

At that point in my walk with Jesus I didn’t want to presume on God. Why would He hear me? I hadn’t done anything worthy to dare call upon His name. I felt unworthy and filled with shame for all my unconfessed sins. I was a babe in the Lord, unschooled in the principles of Christianity. So my prayer was that of a little girl coming to her Heavenly father.

I closed my eyes and in my heart I said, God? If you are really real then maybe you can heal me.

Nothing could have prepared me for God’s response to that childlike prayer. A sudden bolt of mild tangible energy surged through my body. It was so real that I became terribly frightened and started to resist it by stiffening my body. But I heard a soothing inner voice say, Be still, this is of God. Do not be afraid. A warm wave of peace permeated my entire being and I totally relaxed. Two separate pulses settled on each if my fallopian tubes for a few seconds. I felt gentle energy flow into this area near my womb. This supernatural experience lasted only about a minute.

When Daryl got back in the car he looked at my face. What’s wrong with you?

I’ll tell you when we get home,