I have heard some say that God is done with America and is pouring out His judgment upon our land. I have heard others say we are coming into a time of great harvest and revival. For some time now I have thought someone has to be wrong.
As I look around at where our country as a whole is spiritually I almost have to say God is finished with the USA. We have been so blessed by God and what have we done with that blessing besides turn around and deny Him. We have received mercy upon mercy. I was leaning toward this view until God spoke to me about a year ago and said, "I am not finished with the USA." But I still have wondered about what seems to be the beginning of judgment on our land.
I still want to believe for the great harvest and revival I hear many speak of and for which I have prayed for many years.
Yesterday God dropped this into my heart..."Judgment and harvest and revival are not incompatible."
Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Being Moved By Compassion
Recently at Tuesday night Bible study we were looking at what we call the "Parable of the Good Samaritan", found in Luke 10:25-42. In the parable there is a man that has been robbed and beaten and left by the road to die. A priest came by and walked right past the guy. A Levite came by and also walked right past. Both of these men would have been considered Jewish religious leaders, but they did nothing. A Samaritan, a man of a race despised by the Jews, came by and ministered to the man's wounds, put the man on his donkey, took him to an inn, and left money for the man to be cared for.
As we read it this time I noticed, perhaps for the first time, the Samaritan, "felt" compassion when he saw the man. (vs. 33) That is what moved him to action.
We see in scripture that Jesus was moved to action by compassion time and again. The following are just a few of the scripture references in which you will find this: Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34
I tend to believe that real ministry only flows from a heart of love. Although love and compassion are somewhat different. I don't think we can have compassion without having love.
I wonder how often I am more like the religious leaders and fail to let the Lord's compassion fill my heart and move me to action. I want to be like Jesus. If I am going to be like Jesus I will need to be moved with compassion.
God I need you to fill my heart with your love so I can be moved with compassion.
As we read it this time I noticed, perhaps for the first time, the Samaritan, "felt" compassion when he saw the man. (vs. 33) That is what moved him to action.
We see in scripture that Jesus was moved to action by compassion time and again. The following are just a few of the scripture references in which you will find this: Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34
I tend to believe that real ministry only flows from a heart of love. Although love and compassion are somewhat different. I don't think we can have compassion without having love.
I wonder how often I am more like the religious leaders and fail to let the Lord's compassion fill my heart and move me to action. I want to be like Jesus. If I am going to be like Jesus I will need to be moved with compassion.
God I need you to fill my heart with your love so I can be moved with compassion.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
My Help Comes From The Lord
Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
I think I will join this Psalmist in looking unto the Lord who created heaven and earth. If He is capable of creating all the beauty we see around us and created something as amazing as the human body, He can certainly take care of me and what is going on in my life, if I will let Him.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
I think I will join this Psalmist in looking unto the Lord who created heaven and earth. If He is capable of creating all the beauty we see around us and created something as amazing as the human body, He can certainly take care of me and what is going on in my life, if I will let Him.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Unshakeable Kingdom
Oh, wow!! A new year!! What will it bring??? At this point only God knows. We all have a sense by looking at what is happening around us and what we are being told by news media that things on this earthly plane may not be so good. It looks like things may a bit shaky and perhaps some more things will be shaken to the ground.
But if we truly are subjects of King Jesus, then we are part of an unshakeable kingdom. Therefore we know that we can stand in whatever is coming. Perhaps in the midst of it God will shake a few things out of us that are not of His kingdom. That would be a good thing, because only the things of His kingdom will last forever.
Hebrews 12:25-29 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29For our God is a consuming fire.
But if we truly are subjects of King Jesus, then we are part of an unshakeable kingdom. Therefore we know that we can stand in whatever is coming. Perhaps in the midst of it God will shake a few things out of us that are not of His kingdom. That would be a good thing, because only the things of His kingdom will last forever.
Hebrews 12:25-29 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29For our God is a consuming fire.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Title of the Blog
I chose the title for this blog because it was the name I received from the Lord for a ministry. That was about ten years ago. When I was considering starting a blog this name came to mind. Thus the title became End Time Harvester.
I truly believe we are in the end times and that there will be a great harvest at the end of the age just as Jesus said in the following passage.
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:36-43
I truly believe we are in the end times and that there will be a great harvest at the end of the age just as Jesus said in the following passage.
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:36-43
Monday, November 9, 2009
Nehemiah's Arrival Grieves The Enemy
Nehemiah 2:9-10 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. 10When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
When Nehemiah arrived in Judah to restore Jerusalem, the enemies of Israel became upset. Nehemiah had not yet even done anything, he just showed up. The enemies were grieved "that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel."
Whenever we begin a ministry or begin to look out for the welfare of others the enemy is going to get upset. We may not have even done anything yet, but may have just expressed our intent and the enemy will begin to raise up opposition against us. We always need to be aware of this a ready for it. Like Nehemiah we need to press on in spite of anything the enemy may try to raise up against us. We can be assured that God will fight for us.
In a similar way when a person gives their life to Christ and the Holy Spirit comes to abide within, there is one that has come to seek the welfare of the believer. As a result the enemy will raise up in opposition to the new believer to deter him/her from taking the next step in following the Lord God.
When Nehemiah arrived in Judah to restore Jerusalem, the enemies of Israel became upset. Nehemiah had not yet even done anything, he just showed up. The enemies were grieved "that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel."
Whenever we begin a ministry or begin to look out for the welfare of others the enemy is going to get upset. We may not have even done anything yet, but may have just expressed our intent and the enemy will begin to raise up opposition against us. We always need to be aware of this a ready for it. Like Nehemiah we need to press on in spite of anything the enemy may try to raise up against us. We can be assured that God will fight for us.
In a similar way when a person gives their life to Christ and the Holy Spirit comes to abide within, there is one that has come to seek the welfare of the believer. As a result the enemy will raise up in opposition to the new believer to deter him/her from taking the next step in following the Lord God.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Nehemiah-Prayer and Spiritual Warfare
I know I have written quite a bit about the spiritual war we are in. I have done it because it is a constant battle. As long as we are on this earth that battle will continue. Satan is called "the enemy of our souls" by many because that is exactly what he is. His greatest desire is to see each one of us fail to continue in our walk with the Lord God Jehovah. He comes to "steal, kill, and destroy."
Recently I led the Tuesday evening Bible study while our pastor was in Ghana, West Africa. During those three weeks we looked at a few chapters in the book of Nehemiah. Primarily we looked at the constant war with the enemies of Israel and of Nehemiah as God's servant. For at least the next couple of posts I would like to take a look at some of that here as well.
One of the key things about Nehemiah is the fact that he was a man of prayer. We see in the first chapter of the book of Nehemiah, that when he received the news about the deplorable condition of Jerusalem and the Jewish people in his homeland, the first thing he did was pray.
Prayer is so important to spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 is where Paul tells us to take on the armor of God. Right after he tells us to take up "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (verse 17) He says: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (verse. 18)
That is the part that is often left out when looking at the armor of God.
Recently I led the Tuesday evening Bible study while our pastor was in Ghana, West Africa. During those three weeks we looked at a few chapters in the book of Nehemiah. Primarily we looked at the constant war with the enemies of Israel and of Nehemiah as God's servant. For at least the next couple of posts I would like to take a look at some of that here as well.
One of the key things about Nehemiah is the fact that he was a man of prayer. We see in the first chapter of the book of Nehemiah, that when he received the news about the deplorable condition of Jerusalem and the Jewish people in his homeland, the first thing he did was pray.
Prayer is so important to spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 is where Paul tells us to take on the armor of God. Right after he tells us to take up "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (verse 17) He says: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (verse. 18)
That is the part that is often left out when looking at the armor of God.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Offensive Cross
For many non-Christians the cross is offensive. Currently there is a case before the Supreme Court that wants a cross removed from a veterans memorial. That cross has been there since 1934, now someone finds it offensive and thinks it is unconstitutional. (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=89785)
Last week some people at Penn State were offended by a "school spirit" t-shirt. They were offended because the design was in the shape of a cross, even though nothing on it had anything to do with Christianity. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569665,00.html)
I find it amazing that these people are so offended by the cross. My guess is that the spirits of the kingdom of darkness are the catalyst behind the offense. It was at the cross that Satan thought he had his greatest victory, but it turned out to be his greatest defeat.
Colossians 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Last week some people at Penn State were offended by a "school spirit" t-shirt. They were offended because the design was in the shape of a cross, even though nothing on it had anything to do with Christianity. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569665,00.html)
I find it amazing that these people are so offended by the cross. My guess is that the spirits of the kingdom of darkness are the catalyst behind the offense. It was at the cross that Satan thought he had his greatest victory, but it turned out to be his greatest defeat.
Colossians 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Overwhelming Love of God
God is good and His love endures forever. This is something I have meditated upon quite a bit recently. Forever is a long time. God's love has endured a lot of things over a long period of time and yet His love still continues.
God's love for me has endured through my many failures and sins. Through the many ways in which I have disappointed God. Through the heartache I surely have caused Him. God's love has endured through the outright rebellion in my heart that manifests at times. Yet His love for me continues on and on and on.
Not only does His love for me continue but for all of mankind. It is the love of God that sent Jesus to the cross not only for me but for all the world. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
I guess if God's love stopped then there would no longer be God because God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). So love has been as long as God has been and will continue to be as long as God continues to be.
Lamentations 3:22-24 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Oh praise the wonderful name of the Lord God Almighty for His great and wondrous love!!!!
God's love for me has endured through my many failures and sins. Through the many ways in which I have disappointed God. Through the heartache I surely have caused Him. God's love has endured through the outright rebellion in my heart that manifests at times. Yet His love for me continues on and on and on.
Not only does His love for me continue but for all of mankind. It is the love of God that sent Jesus to the cross not only for me but for all the world. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
I guess if God's love stopped then there would no longer be God because God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). So love has been as long as God has been and will continue to be as long as God continues to be.
Lamentations 3:22-24 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Oh praise the wonderful name of the Lord God Almighty for His great and wondrous love!!!!
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Example of Daniel
We have a mandate to be lights in the darkness that surrounds us. We may think it is too difficult or it has become too dark or give any number of other excuses. Fortunately we have the example of Daniel.
Daniel was carried off from his homeland of Israel to the pagan land of Babylon. There he was trained in the teachings of that society. In the midst of that training he chose to not defile himself with the meats and wine. (Dan. 1:8) At the conclusion of the training he was found to be ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers of the land. (Dan. 1:20)
Later, as a result of God showing Daniel the king's dream and giving him the interpretation of that dream King Nebuchadnezzar made him ruler over the province and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. (Dan. 2:48) You might think that the power in addition to living amongst pagans and ruling over those involved in occult practices may corrupt him. But Daniel remained steadfast and continued to walk in wisdom and revelation from the Lord God Almighty.
Even once the Mede and Persians conquered Babylon, Daniel continued in a place of ruler-ship and maintained his relationship with the Lord. King Darius made Daniel the first of three presidents in the land because of his "excellent spirit". Being put in this place of leadership caused others to be jealous and seek to have Daniel killed by making it illegal to pray to anyone but the king. They knew Daniel was so committed to prayer that this would surely get him. Sure enough, even though it was illegal Daniel continued his practice of praying three times a day and ended up in the lions’ den. We all know how that turned out. Daniel was kept safe by the angel of the Lord and the men who had tried to get Daniel killed were eaten by the lions. (Dan. ch. 6)
So we see in the life of Daniel a man that from a very young age stood firmly and let his light shine as a man of God. The result was for kings to acknowledge the living God as the supreme ruler that He is because Daniel remained steadfast in the midst of a pagan land.
Check out these results:
Daniel 2: 47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Daniel 6:25-27 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
Daniel was carried off from his homeland of Israel to the pagan land of Babylon. There he was trained in the teachings of that society. In the midst of that training he chose to not defile himself with the meats and wine. (Dan. 1:8) At the conclusion of the training he was found to be ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers of the land. (Dan. 1:20)
Later, as a result of God showing Daniel the king's dream and giving him the interpretation of that dream King Nebuchadnezzar made him ruler over the province and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. (Dan. 2:48) You might think that the power in addition to living amongst pagans and ruling over those involved in occult practices may corrupt him. But Daniel remained steadfast and continued to walk in wisdom and revelation from the Lord God Almighty.
Even once the Mede and Persians conquered Babylon, Daniel continued in a place of ruler-ship and maintained his relationship with the Lord. King Darius made Daniel the first of three presidents in the land because of his "excellent spirit". Being put in this place of leadership caused others to be jealous and seek to have Daniel killed by making it illegal to pray to anyone but the king. They knew Daniel was so committed to prayer that this would surely get him. Sure enough, even though it was illegal Daniel continued his practice of praying three times a day and ended up in the lions’ den. We all know how that turned out. Daniel was kept safe by the angel of the Lord and the men who had tried to get Daniel killed were eaten by the lions. (Dan. ch. 6)
So we see in the life of Daniel a man that from a very young age stood firmly and let his light shine as a man of God. The result was for kings to acknowledge the living God as the supreme ruler that He is because Daniel remained steadfast in the midst of a pagan land.
Check out these results:
Daniel 2: 47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Daniel 6:25-27 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
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