Anything that happens is part of the all things that God can use to bring something good, but you must surrender everything to Him. Whether you make a blessing or miss a blessing is up to you. Every trial is a turning point. You can go wrong or you can go right, and your decision determines your destiny. The door is now open–you can pass through and experience what God has planned or you can slam the door shut. But think about this—What you do should be determined by what God can do. If you despise what has come into your life and doubt God’s promise to use it for good you will deprive yourself of the blessing He intended. Now, you decide. Think about it!

I recently read the following article by Dr. Paul Chappell and felt that it is something we need to think about:

“My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?”“–Proverbs 24:21–22

“It is a natural part of life for things to change. (For instance, anyone who has needed medical care understands that “the good old days” weren’t a good time to have a serious illness.) The conveniences of modern technology, though sometimes used for ill, also offer wonderful opportunities to take the gospel to more people. Yet we live in a world that is obsessed with change, and that spirit has had a serious impact on churches as well. Change is sometimes needed, but those who are constantly seeking change for the sake of change are on a path to disaster.

In Luke’s account of Paul’s missionary journey to Athens he wrote, “(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing)” (Acts 17:21). In the process of seeking change, many people abandon things that should not be lost. The notion that change is a good thing in and of itself is a lie that the devil has used to great effect through the centuries. While there are good changes that should be made, they should be made with great care.

In logic there is something known as the Fallacy of Chesterton’s Fence which says, “Don’t ever take down a fence until you know why it was put up.” That is sound advice for every part of life. While it may seem attractive to go around replacing the old with the new, this is something that should only be done with much thought and the seeking of wise counsel. Do not follow those who are constantly promoting change simply because they are unsettled and discontent. They are likely to lead you to a destructive end.”( From “Daily in the Word”)

I can think of a great many pastors who would do well to consider this. They are continually changing things, and usually with a critical spirit toward those who refuse to follow them. They seem to despise anything old or traditional, unless it is their tradition. They love to trash tradition and introduce something new–“better” they would say. But,why? After all, their changes don’t seem to be making any real improvements. While God alone knows their true motive, there are several possibilities. Some are deceived into thinking that the new way is better. For some it is a matter of compromise. Many do it to attract a crowd — they admire and follow men like Rick Warren. Perhaps some do it to get attention, which they love dearly. They want people to think that they are smarter and more spiritual than the preachers of the last generation, and are fond of putting them down.

Whatever the reason, they are obsessed with change. They are attracted to every new fad, gimmick, and program that comes along. They’re like little children who tire of a new toy in an hour and want something new. And they pout or taunt if you don’t jump on their band-wagon with them. I’ll be the first to admit that change is sometimes necessary, but we must be careful that we don’t make a change for the worse. 

If you want to distance yourself from the old hymns and old ways help yourself, but don’t try to cram it down the  throat of everyone else, as if your new way is better. You have a right to be different, even weird, but that doesn’t make you wiser or better. Those who keep changing for the sake of change are “too smart for their own good”. Until I see the evidence and a reason to change, I’ll stick to the old paths and follow the old ways — they were getting the job done before you were born, and they will still work when you are dead and gone.

How would you feel if Jesus Himself walked into the room and said, “I have a prayer request”? If He asked you to ask for something would you ask? Well, the fact of the matter is that He has made such a request. It’s recorded in Matt. 9:38– “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” And I might add–He is in the room with you, whether you sense His presence or not.

Notice, Who made this request. It is a prayer request from Jesus– the One whose judgements are always correct, motives are always pure, words are always true, demands are always righteous, will is always right, ways are always best. How can you deny Him?

Notice, What the request is for — “pray”. He didn’t ask for any personal comforts or luxuries. He didn’t ask them to marshal an army to overthrow the heathen government, or to protest the injustices of the day, nor to seek the advice of the “experts” to solve their problems, nor to construct a beautiful cathedral with stained- glass windows, or to grow the biggest church in town. He simply asked them to “pray”.

Notice, Why the request was made–“therefore”
— “The harvest truly is plenteous“. Indeed it was, and it is even more so today. There are over 7 billion people in the world today and only a handful are saved. There are about 24,000 people groups in the world, each with their own language, culture, and customs. Many of these do not have the entire Bible in their own language. Should that not concern us?
— “but the labourers are few“. This is true for several reasons— we are in the minority, we are sometimes lazy, we often have the wrong priorities, conflicts within our ranks, pluralism (the belief that one religion is as good as another). But, whatever the cause, we ought to pray. We should consider the Lord’s request as a command, and obey Him. Will you grant His request? Will you obey His command? Will you do as He directs? Will you “pray”? Will you pray faithfully, frequently, and fervently? Those who ignore His request might be ignored when they make their request. Sin hinders prayer. If you’re not willing to pray as He directs you cannot expect Him to hear you when you pray for what you desire. If this doesn’t move you to pray what would? When is the last time you asked God to call men from your congregation to preach? Never? Really? Why? Those who refuse to pray are admitting that they are unconcerned about the deepest needs of others and the desire of the Lord they profess to follow. Think about it!