By the grace of God we have received this service. Therefore we do not lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:1)
I once read a story about a pastor of a small church in rural Scotland. He had been forced out by the elders of his church because they were deemed unfruitful from his ministry. The village where the priest served was a difficult place. The villagers were cold and hostile to the truth. During the pastor's ministry in the village, neither repentance nor baptism took place. However, the pastor recalled one positive response to his sermon.
Once an offering plate was passed around during a service, and a boy placed the plate on the floor and stood on it. When asked to explain why he did this, the boy replied that he did so because he was deeply touched by the pastor's life. And because he had no money to offer, he wanted to give himself completely to God.
The little boy standing on the offering plate was Bobby Moffat, the man who in 1817 became a pioneer missionary in South Africa. He was used by God in an extraordinary way to touch the lives of many people. Yet it all started with the small church and the unappreciated faithfulness of the pastor's ministry.
Maybe you don't see the fruit of your work for God. However, stay loyal! Don't be discouraged. Instead, ask God to strengthen you with His power (2 Corinthians 4:1,7). He will give you a harvest in His time and way if you do not give up (Galatians 6:9) --David Roper
A bountiful harvest needs faithful service