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Tobacco Fields Back Home

  • Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, 'The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.' Luke 10:1 WEB

    By the early afternoon, we were covered up to our shoulders in layers of tobacco gum and dirt. I was a cropper, and as we walked along the rows, we cropped the ripened yellow tobacco leaves off and slapped them under our arm. A tractor pulled a trailer, or 'tobacco drag' along a nearby path, and when you had all the tobacco you could carry, you made your way to the trailer and stacked it on until it was full. Then it was taken to the barn of the day, where it was sewn onto sticks by a stringer. The hangers then hung the tobacco sticks on the rafters inside the barn to dry. The barn was then heated with propane burners for a few weeks, until the tobacco had lost about eighty percent of its weight. It was then stripped off the sticks, tied in huge burlap bags, and taken to the auction to sell.

    When cropping tobacco, a layer of sticky gum would get on your arms, then the sand from the leaves would stick to that. Then another layer of gum, and another layer of dirt built up until you were covered in something resembling black tar. It was also highly water resistant and very difficult to wash off.

    The tobacco cropping season came during the months of July and August in the South where I grew up. That was the time to bring the ripe tobacco into the barns. This was the hottest part of summer, and when you bent down between the rows of tobacco, there was no wind at all. The croppers would often struggle through the intense southern heat.

    I remember one day when some of the croppers became sick, partly from the heat and partly from the diesel fumes of the tractor settling over the area. One by one, they began vomiting and falling out, leaving the rest of us to carry their row. We eventually made it through the day and filled the barn, but we sure could have used more help that day.

    There is a great harvest in the kingdom of God starting to happen, and true laborers are few. We are approaching the greatest harvest of all time and many of the ones already in the field have become tired, hurt, sick, discouraged, or passed on. Who is going to fill their shoes? Isaiah said: 'Here I am, send me!' (Isaiah 6:8) and God sent him. Wherever you are, pray for more laborers. We could really use some help in the field today.

    It was interesting that Jesus sent the laborers out ahead of Him, to the places where He was about to go. In my life, I have always wanted to be where the revival was, but usually ended up being somewhere else while it happened. The laborers prepare the way for the Lord to come. They go ahead of Him into the fields. So if you are a laborer, know that your work is not in vain. We are preparing the way for the Lord of the harvest to come.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You so much for all that You do for me, for allowing me to know You. Please put those in my path that I can reach and give me the words to speak and I will say them. Fill me with a boldness and Your passion for the lost, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Our weekly RHM Live church service will be happening this morning at 10am EST. Join us for a time of worship, interactive prayer, and fellowship, and to hear what has been happening recently in our lives. To participate in the chatroom you need to have a site account, but if not, you can still watch the video of the study. Service starts at 10am EST, but all are encouraged to show up 15 minutes early for fellowship, and to make sure the stream is working for you before we start. Love you all! Here is the link to join: RHM Live


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15 comments
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Amen, thank you Jesus for our many blessings.We love and worship you.

March 29, 2020
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen. Thank you Lord Jesus for being in my life.  I could not make this journey without you.  Amen

March 29, 2020
  • 2
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Thank you God for the help you provide. Praise God in the name of Jesus Amen 

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen pastor what a great devotional! Send me Father I am a worker bee I will do and say what you want me to thank you for allowing me to be alive in this time.i love you

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen Father I'm here pick me

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Amen another  wonderful  devotion! Praise God in jesus name amen 

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Yes, Pastor Dion, it is time for the revival! Please put those in my path that I can reach and give me the words to speak and I will say them. Fill me with a boldness and Your passion for the lost, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

I'll say what you want me to say Dear Lord to whoever.  Thank you for giving me the words and much desire to help those in need of the gospel.  I'm 68 years old and never thought I'd see what is happening now happen.  Your will be done. Amen

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

May my thoughts, words and actions be pleasing to You Father, Amen.

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father Im here, use me in what is needed to do for You. Give me the wisdom to speak the words and the desires to help others who are in need of Your word, in the Holy Name of Your Son Jesus I pray. Amen. Show us the path oh Lord. 

Thank you Pastor and Sylvia for this reminder, God bless you both. 

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Jesus name Amen. 

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Paul Boore
Paul Boore

Lord, use me as You see fit!

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

March 29, 2020
  • 1
Susan Petho
Susan Petho

Amen!

April 3, 2020