Take a God Look!

Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!

What are you paying attention to? Is your vision focused on television programming or social networking? Or perhaps news reports of America’s struggling economy as wages decline and prices escalate? Maybe you’re looking primarily at your own situation or family circumstances? Are you asking God for direction or to reveal his will to you? If you will pay close attention you will discover that God has already present opportunities for you to work in His vineyard and accomplish great things for the Kingdom. Henry Blackaby wrote - 'Look where God is working and go there'. There in that space and time you will find a  harvest of peace, joy, confidence, and the comfort you seek as you work where he is working. Your blessing lies in 'seeking first the kingdom of God' this is how all things are added to you.

"Lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest"  John 4:35.

The challenge from Jesus is to lift your eyes – lift them from your focus on your own needs; lift them from your preoccupation with life’s myriad details; lift them from what distracts you. There is a harvest for you to see, the Lord said. If you walk through a peach orchard looking at the ground, you won’t spot many ripe peaches ready for gathering. But look up!

When God looks at your family or your neighborhood, what does He see that you don’t? Pray that you would be able to raise your view and see who it is the Lord wants you to witness to today. Let the Spirit of God be so bright in your life that when doors of opportunity open for you, you’ll rush through without hesitation and share with excited boldness. Show His love and grace. Be aware. Be a harvester. Nothing will make a greater difference in your life than your God-focused work and wittness .

 

It's Harvest Time!

 

(VP)

Singing a New Song!

 

A few days ago I was attempting to program my Pandora station for my desk top at work. As I searched for gospel stations I took note of all the categories of gospel music to choose from - Contemporary Gospel, Traditional Gospel, Country Gospel, Instrumental Hymns, etc. I paused to privately chuckle and asked myself the question "What will we sing when we all get to heaven?" "When We All Get to Heaven" is a gospel song I remember singing as a child:

“When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus we will shout and sing the victory!” The chorus: “Everybody will be happy, will be happy over there, we will shout and sing God's praises, everybody will be happy over there!

The church would really begin to “SHOUT” and praise after singing the chorus a few times! You know old time church when the chairs were knocked over and the nurse’s board would come to check your pulse to make sure you were in the Spirit and not cardiac arrest! All of these memories caused me to ask the question - in what gospel music genre will we sing praises to God when we all get to heaven? What language? Will we rap or chant? Not that God would have a preference since he receives our many varied praise and worship every day. It is man who promotes his cultural and domination’s way is best. The scripture simply instructs us to “Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a New Song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people” (Psalm 149:1). (Emphasis added).


I believe we will worship and praise in a most Excellent Way. In my 'sanctified' imagination the angels will call a rehearsal and teach us new songs of praise and worship.The language will not be Chinese, Italian, German, or English but we will sing the new songs in a new key,with new rhythms in a heavenly language to the One God Father and Creator of us all! I imagine it will be music our ears have not heard before, but rather heavenly compositions of music perfectly suited to give God the highest praise, glory and honor. The style, rhythms, or beat won’t matter because we will be happy to sing a New Song in the New Jerusalem. We will make ‘a joyful noise unto the Lord, and come before his presence with singing’ where everyday will be Sunday and the Sabbath will have no end!!


I don’t know about you but I can’t wait!

A View of the Last Days

There have been many writings and predictions about "The Last Days" however, Jesus left us very specific information about what we can expect and how we are to respond to what we wittness. Let's turn away from the chatter that man makes about being "left behind" and pay close attention to the Truth God has given to us freely in his Word.

Luke 21:20-38


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[20] “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that

its desolation is near.[21] Then let those who are in Judea flee to the

mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not

enter the city.[22] For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all

that has been written.[23] How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant

women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath

against this people.[24] They will fall by the sword and will be taken as

prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles

until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

[25] “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations

will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.[26]

People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world,

for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.[27] At that time they will see the Son

of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.[28] When these things

begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption

is drawing near.”

[29] He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.[30]

When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is

near.[31] Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the

kingdom of God is near.

[32] “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all

these things have happened.[33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words

will never pass away.

[34] “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing,

drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly

like a trap.[35] For it will come on all those who live on the face of the

whole earth.[36] Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to

escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before

the Son of Man.” That's pretty clear and very wonderful! Jesus said "Surely I am coming quickly". The final prayer of the bible are these words - "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" Rev. 22:20.