A new day has dawned. We get up early so we can accomplish more in our busy day. We scurry about to get to work early to ensure we handle all the challenges of the day efficiently. Our typical evening is spent caring for our family needs, resting, and preparing for another day at our work. If you are retired you might be enjoying the day golfing, fishing or whatever your pastime may be. You are probably thinking --- "What is wrong with that?" In itself, there is nothing wrong with that, however, there is something missing? Nowhere do we mention Jesus Christ. If we are believers, where does He fit into our lives? Do we have a quiet time with our Lord or do we have time for Him only on Sunday? We could say, "I realize all this but when do I have time?" I ask you a simple question, "How much time do you spend watching TV every night?" Maybe your problem is not TV but other things. Daily tasks seem to have no end. Go to the Lord in prayer and ask him to help you manage your time. Jesus said, "Go forth and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19). It is a command not a suggestion.                                                                                                                                         Let us start out by defining what we mean by disciple. One dictionary calls a disciple --- "One who follows and accepts a teacher or doctrine". You will notice the words --- "and accepts". The dictionary defines" accepts" as --- "To consider as true - or believe in". If we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are we not disciples who are called to make disciples of all nations? (Matt: 28:19). It would be easy to say that you are too busy taking care of your family, and after all isn't that what pastors are paid to do. Many good pastors are leaving the ministry because of physical burnout. The need is so great and the response of the congregation is so indifferent that the pastors are exhausted. The need for true disciples, who are faithful to our Lord, has never been more urgent. There is a "great white harvest" out there that desparately need to hear the message of Jesus Christ. Many of them will never enter a church or have anyone to bring them the message of salvation unless we help them. The question now is --- how can we be a disciple who pleases the Lord? In a sense, you have adopted a "child" in the Lord. You don't say --- see you in church, you accompany them and sit with them. You introduce them to other believers and friends to make them feel comfortable and accepted. You encourage them to join a bible study and go with them. If appropriate, you invite them to your home for coffee and casual discussion. As you minister to them, you must consider their level of understanding of the message. Some are babies and you start with fundamentals. Others have some knowledge of scripture so you start wherever they are.  As we view our television, it soon becomes obvious how needed the Gospel is in the secular world. Some will never view a Christian program considering them moneymaking scams. The TV is filled with programs designed to encourage our needs and encourage more. Some distract us with sports of all kinds, others with dark programs of violence, occult and lust. Our TV can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how it is used. The same can be said of I-pads and computers. These can also be powerful instruments of blessing in a world of confusion, frustration and the pain of loneliness. Watch the faces of those who pass you as they scurry about. Many of them have given up in trying to solve their problems. They do not know that Jesus has the answer, longs to abide in them and heal their wounds. They are the great white harvest. In Matt. 9:37 Jesus said to his disciples (us) the harvest is so great, but the workers so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest: ask him to send out more workers for his fields. Again, he repeats his command in Luke 10:2. Jesus is speaking to us. You are called to make disciples in your own personal world around you. You have been given the privilege and responsibility to bring the healing message of Jesus Christ to the hurting world in which you live.  Some may never hear that message unless you accept the responsibility of bringing it to them personally. We may not have been called to be missionaries or evangelists but we are certainly called to make disciples and bring healing to the hurting world around us.                                                                             The question now is --- what are you going to do? To think about it is only an excuse for delay and usually results in our getting caught up in some other concern. I would not like to have to answer for my failure to respond to the direct command of our Lord. The hurting world around you is waiting. Act now! See pain and sorrow turn to peace and joy as our Lord blesses you as you minister to a world waiting for your action.

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As a senior citizen, I am dedicated to serving the Lord through sharing my experiences and insights with other believers. My primary focus is upon being an disciple of Jesus and, in being one, I can help others to find their spiritual way also. 
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