Day 7/16 – A Sense of Ownership

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Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man by Walter A Henrichsen (“Walt”)
A Sense of Ownership
Day One Hundred Ninety-seven

“Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38 ”

A number of years ago my daughter came to me with a question: ‘What are the characteristics of a good waitress?” As a college student she waited tables, helping defray the cost of her education. As we worked through her question we agreed that, in the final analysis, a good waitress cared for the customers with the same heart and mind as the owner. The average waitress sees things as an employee rather than as an owner. Many of you have employees and know how rare it is to find someone who has your heart and concern for the business.

Jesus said that the harvest belongs to Him. You are His employee; He wants you to labor with the same heart and mind as you would if the harvest belonged to you. As a laborer you work long and hard to make sure that the fields ripe for harvest are not neglected. You are willing to take the risk of involvement, warning those outside of Christ of their need. Jesus said that such laborers are few and that the harvest is great. Are you laboring? Have you asked the Lord for such a heart? Do you labor as an owner? “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest.”268

268 John 4:35

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Psalm 16-17 Acts 20:1-16 (New King James Version)

Psalm 16-17
The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory
A Michtam of David.
16
Preserve[a] me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
2
O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
3
As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
4
Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
Nor take up their names on my lips.
5
O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You [b]maintain my lot.
6
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
7
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My [c]heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will [d]rest in hope.
10
For You will not leave my soul in [e]Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to [f]see corruption.
11
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Prayer with Confidence in Final Salvation
A Prayer of David.
17
Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
2
Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
3
You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
You have [g]tried me and have found [h]nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4
Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
5
Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.
6
I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
7
Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who [i]save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
8
Keep me as the [j]apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9
From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
10
They have closed up their fat hearts;
With their mouths they speak proudly.
11
They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
12
As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.
13
Arise, O Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
14
With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.
15
As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
Footnotes:
• Psalm 16:1 Watch over
• Psalm 16:5 Lit. uphold
• Psalm 16:7 Mind, lit. kidneys
• Psalm 16:9 Or dwell securely
• Psalm 16:10 The abode of the dead
• Psalm 16:10 undergo
• Psalm 17:3 examined
• Psalm 17:3 Nothing evil
• Psalm 17:7 deliver
• Psalm 17:8 pupil

Acts 20:1-16
Journeys in Greece
20 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Ministering at Troas
7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where [a]they were gathered together. 9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.
From Troas to Miletus
13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had [b]given orders, intending himself to go on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.
Footnotes:
• Acts 20:8 NU, M we
• Acts 20:13 arranged it