There Is A Harvest

There is a harvest that God desires to bring in across this nation of the United States of America.  Because things do not look so good in this nation right now I hear many saying they think it is not long until the Lord returns, which may be the case. But quite frankly, I personally believe we have many years yet before the Lord returns.  Whatever the case may be there is much more to be done before His return.

It is not a time to just wait around to be “raptured” out of here. I get the sense that many are just waiting to be taken out of here before it gets really bad here in the USA. I don’t understand why people think that just because things are getting a little rocky here that it is time for the rapture.  It has been pretty bad for a long time in many other countries. 

Now is the time to take a stand and to bring in the harvest.  It is time to intercede for the harvest to be brought in.  It is time to work in the harvest fields as diligently as we ever have.  So when things get bad or we are “raptured” out of here more people are ready.

Matthew 9:36-38 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. ³⁷ Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; ³⁸ Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

I think the conditions that Jesus saw as recorded here…multitudes were tired and scattered about as sheep without a shepherd…..describe much of the USA, even within much of the church.  There is a plenteous harvest to be brought in and I believe the admonition of the Lord is the same today.  Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.   Then be ready to be one of those laborers, because we see in the next chapter Jesus empowering and sending his disciples out into the harvest fields.

 

FELLOWSHIP

1 John 1:7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

2 Corinthians 6:14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  And what communion hath light with darkness?

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

I have heard fellowship described as, at least two fellows in the same ship going in the same direction.  Fellowship means to share things in common with another.  Only Christians share Christ in common and the life lived because of the Spirit living within us.  I think that is what is described in the above scriptures. 

A person who is a believer in Christ cannot have real fellowship with someone who is not a believer in Christ. A person living a righteous life cannot have real fellowship with someone who is living an unrighteous life.  As a believer you are part of the kingdom of light and as an unbeliever is part of the kingdom of darkness.  So the believer and unbeliever are really part of two very different kingdoms that are at war with each other.

When we walk with Jesus, who is the light, we can only have true fellowship with those who are also walking in that same light. This does not mean we cannot have friendships with or reach out to those not walking in light, otherwise we would not have any contact with unbelievers to share the light of the gospel with them so that they can be delivered from darkness. The light in us should overcome the darkness in them.   

A Son of Encouragement

Recently I looked into the life of Barnabas. I would like to be more like Barnabas. I think I would like to have known Barnabas while he walked on the earth and look forward to meeting him in heaven.

Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus. His name was Joseph but he was called Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” (Acts 4:36) This alone tells us that he was a man that encouraged others. He was one who could see the best in others. He would come alongside and help them on the path that God had for them. He did this most notably with Saul/Paul. When we think about the New Testament church we mostly think of Paul. But had it not been for Barnabas, we may not have known much about Paul.

Barnabas was the only one in Jerusalem initially who believed that Saul had a real conversion experience. While others were still cowering in fear of Saul, Barnabas took him under his wing and introduced him to the church leaders in Jerusalem. (Acts 9:27) Later when Barnabas was ministering in the new church in Antioch, he went to Tarsus and found Saul to enlist his help. (Acts 11:25) Barnabas obviously recognized that Saul had the necessary teaching gift for the work needed. From Antioch they were sent out together as missionaries. (Acts 13:1-3) In the early part of their ministry together Barnabas was listed first in references to them, indicating that he probably had a more prominent role. He did not seem to mind eventually taking the “lesser” role in the team. To me this shows humility.

Later Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement about taking John Mark along because of his failure to remain with them on a previous journey. Barnabas chose to work with the young John Mark and let Paul go on with someone else in ministry. (Acts 15:37-40) Again we see the willingness of Barnabas to work with someone that another would not and encourage him in his ministry calling. And again I wonder what may have happened to Mark, had Barnabas not stood with him and had just went on with Paul and left Mark by himself. Would Mark have become the man he did without the support and encouragement of Barnabas? Would Paul have become the man he did without the support and encouragement of Barnabas? It causes me also to wonder if there are people that I have not given a second chance or just wrote off that their lives may have been different had I acted differently toward them.

After the separation from Paul we don’t really hear much more about Barnabas, but I am quite certain there is much more to his life than is recorded here. We will just have to wait to talk to him about it on the other side. I would also assume that we would find more that he encouraged along the way than just Paul and Mark.

We also see from what is recorded in Acts 11:23-24 concerning his initial work at Antioch that “he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And so a large number of people was brought to the Lord.” He seemed to have pastoral heart and successful evangelistic outreach. Also according to Acts 13:1, he was considered amongst the prophets and teachers in Antioch. So he really functioned in several different "offices."
In addition Barnabas was one of the early church members who sold property and gave finance toward the work of the ministry. (Acts 4:37)  We see in this also a generous heart

A Mature Body

Sometimes I have a tendency to think that other people are just like me or that they should be just like me.  Obviously this is not good for several reasons.  One is, if they were like me there would be no need for me.  Every one of us is unique and necessary.  God made all of creation with great purpose and variety.

Only God can expect people to be like Him.  He created man in His image and likeness.  (Genesis 1:26-28)  The fallen creation has the potential to be restored to what God has originally created us to be.  That is why Jesus came to the earth, was crucified and raised from the dead to make a way for us to be freed from sin and the effects of sin to make the way for that restoration.

All of God’s creation is so amazing.  Such beauty! Such diversity and yet unity of function!  God created each human body with such intricately designed diverse parts and yet these parts have a unity of function.  The different parts or systems need each of the other parts to function appropriately, so that the body is healthy and can perform at peak capacity. 

In the same way the church, the body of Christ, is composed of many different parts.  There is a great diversity.  If each part is allowed to function as it is supposed to there is a great unity of function resulting in the shining forth of the beauty of the character of Christ and the furthering of His kingdom on the earth.  The church, the body of Christ is headed toward the fullness of this becoming a reality. 

Ephesians 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: ¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The five fold ministry is given until the mature body comes forth manifesting the fullness of Christ.  In order for this to come about we must learn to function appropriately allowing and encouraging each member to find its place of function to bring forth an effective, healthy, and mature body.  Each part must be allowed to be who they were created to be and do what we were created to do. (Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.) Then a mature body can come forth. God is looking for a mature body that willshow forth  the fullness of Christ.

LET PEACE RULE

When Jesus comes to rule on the earth there will be peace on this earth.  But we do not have to wait for His return to have peace. We can let Jesus,the Prince of Peace, rule in our hearts now and allow there to be an ongoing increase of His government and peace in our individual lives.  Jesus came to bring peace into the hearts of men. 

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

We can let the peace of God rule our hearts now.  This means that we let the peace of God be the governing or arbitrating force within our lives.   

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit that lives inside of us.  So we can choose to let that fruit have rule.  We can do that by submitting to the Spirit inside of us and letting Him be the ruler, governor of what we do or don’t do throughout the day.

Galatians 2:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ²⁴ And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

PURSUE PEACE

Recently I was listening to Henry Gruver (http://www.joyfulsoundministries.com/ ) talk about getting started in prayer walking and how God lead him in it.  He was saying that God told him to be mindful of His peace.  Henry was instructed that when he lost the peace he was to go back to where it was lost.  I think this is a good guide for our daily lives, follow God’s peace and when we lose it back up to find where we lost it and make a course correction.  That correction could mean repenting of something, forgiving someone for something, or changing what I am doing.  It could mean any number of things.  But we can let the peace of God be our guide.

Around that same time I was also reading an article by Sharon Carlson, of International Accelerated Missions (http://www.iamoutreach.org/ ).  The title was “Go After the Ark.”  Joshua 3:3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. (KJV)

The Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of God.  This admonition is appropriate for us today.  Pursuing the presence of God, staying where He is can be a key for our lives.  When I feel the manifest presence of God it is generally in the form of overwhelming peace. For me the peace of God and the presence of God go together.   So I guess I could say by pursuing the presence of God I am also pursuing peace. 

Today I have that Presence living inside of me.  Yet often I don’t acknowledge Him nor follow after Him.  Too often I go on about my day without paying much attention to the Presence within me.  I think if I paid more attention to the peace of the Presence within me I would be better guided through my day.  When I sense His peace I need to just keep going.  But being aware of when that lifts and turning to Him for guidance to get back to the place of His peace could be a great guide.

Romans 14: 17-19 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. ¹⁸ For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. ¹⁹ Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

2 Timothy 2:20 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful

Valley of Weeping

Psalm 84:5-7 5 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion. (AMP)

On our spiritual journey, a valley is a place to pass through, not a place to camp out.  But as we pass through these valleys they can be very fruitful places in our lives.  We see in the above scripture that the person is passing through the Valley of Weeping.  (Baca=weeping in Hebrew)  As they passed through this valley they make it a place of springs.  Other translations say wells.  When we dig these wells they  become places of refreshment for us and for others. We need to dig deep into God, press in not back off. When the rains come these wells are filled with the blessings of God. 

 

Passing through this valley we “go from strength to strength.”  There is a progressive growth and strengthening as we continue to move through the valley on your way to Zion the city of our God.  Our spiritual walk is to be one of progressive growth. 

 

If you are currently passing through a tough time, a Valley of Weeping, make it a place of wells and continue on through that valley.  The spiritual wells you dig during this time will be a blessing to you and to others in the days ahead.

God's Will

We often want to know God’s will.  This verse clearly spells out God’s will. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This is one of the few places in scripture that specifically spells out what the will of God is.  Since this scripture was highlighted to me by the Holy Spirit recently I have been much more mindful of being thankful in all things.  I have also been noticing how much the Apostle Paul exhorted the churches to be thankful.

Ephesians 5:18-20 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Colossians 3:15-17 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Moving Forward

What we are moving into is a new thing.  But we do not throw out everything of the past.  The new thing is built upon the past.  It is built upon those that have gone before.  It is built upon what God has done in the past. 

Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. RSV

But we do not want to get stuck in the past we need to move on into the new thing that God has prophesied. Sometimes we only recognize the new thing as we move into.  For example on the Day of Pentecost Peter stood up and declared, "this is that which was prophesied."  The Holy Spirit gave him a knowing that what they were experiencing was the prophecy that they were familiar with. That prophecy of Joel only had its beginning in that day and is continuing to have its outworking in our day.  It still has not come into its fullness.

Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Many in Peter's day, in the early days of the church, were unable to accept and move into the new thing that God was doing and thus missed out on what Jesus had been preaching and what God had prophesied for a few thousand years.  I do not want to miss out on the thing that God is doing in my day or in the days ahead because I am stuck in the past.  But I do not want to throw out the past either.  It is a new day.  Each day is a new day and I will rejoice and be glad in it for it is the day that the Lord has made.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Just as those who have gone on before cannot enter into the fullness without us, we cannot enter in without what they have established before us.  We need to run the race set out before us.

Hebrews 11:39-12:2 ³⁹ And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: ⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Each generation was meant to build upon the previous. That is one of the reasons the heart of the fathers must be turned to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers.

Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: ⁶ And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Don't Look Back

Often we do not move forward because we are looking back to the way things used to be and are trying to reproduce it or at least have it happen again.  God wants to do a new thing and we are trying to enter into an old thing.  There are new paradigms of functioning in the Spirit that God wants us to move into. They are not new to God.  They are just new to us, because we have not passed this way before.  It is uncharted water.  This can be scary.  This is the water to swim in, where we are no longer in control. 

First Abraham was led out of the land of his family into the land of his inheritance.  Later the Israelites were led out of Egypt back into that land of promise.

The Israelites were always wanting to go back to the familiarity of the slavery in Egypt, when God had the land flowing with milk and honey waiting for them.  How often am I like that?  I would venture a guess that it happens way too often. 

Like the wilderness God has purpose in the journey.  And He has new things waiting for us as we press on into the land of milk and honey.

As they were passing into the Promised Land they entered into a new way of being led.  Up until this point they had been led by the pillar of fire and the cloud.  They had also had food provided daily in the form of many, now they were going to have to grow their own food and there were enemies to be driven off of the land that was promised to them.  They were transitioning into a new way of being led and provided for, as they moved into the Promised Land. Those transition points can be uncomfortable as we learn to function in a new place and a new way.

Genesis 15:7  And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

Deut. 4:37-38 And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt; ³⁸ To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.

Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. ¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Joshua 3:4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore  --

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.