As I toss and turn in bed, my mind is busy thinking of what it means to be grafted. Why is it so important for a vinedresser to graft vines into the roots of an established plant. We have already discussed that the ancient vine acts as a defense for the new grafted branch against pestilence. But beside that, why graft braches into a different root system?
World Wide Web info: The best way to graft grapes is to use a "T" bud. It can be used on both old as well as young vines. The key to making the technique work is to make a "bleed cut" about one to two inches below the "T" cut. In this way the vine bleeds at this cut.
The picture of grafting is very detailed and displays how the root system is cut down to just a few inches above the ground. No growth or to show what it is. All of its worth, work and value is hidden underground. There is nothing attractive about the root system. In fact, it is the branch that is being grafted, that gets all the attention. The roots main job is to create a history and growth in the young branch that never would have been, without the grafting.
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. - Isa 53:2 NIV
NKJV) Psalms 18:35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.
To be grafted is to be held. To be anchored to be sustained and in this instance to be lifted up and made great.
For a moment, think of a time you did something out of the will of God. Your intentions may have been good, but you knew you were going out on a limb and outside of His plan. Maybe it was a purchase, a new job, starting a ministry. There will be time in your life you will be taking a risk and will totally be in the perfect will of God. I am talking about going rogue, taking matters into your own hands and hoping for success outside of Him
Apart from him we are nothing. All that we have, care for or watch over must be grafted, anchored, held by almighty God. The danger of not being grafted is clear: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. -
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. -
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. -John 15:4-6 NIV
The field you are called to care for must remain in Him. It must be grafted in Him. It must be dedicated to Him, or it is not of Him. When we marry and submit our lives to our God and our husband we are grafting our future to Him. When we dedicate our children we are grafting our parental choices to Him. When we answer the call of ministry, and we follow Him into unknown territory we have anchored ourselves to Him. Every day you wake up and decided to abide in Him, you are choosing to be held by Him, Anchored to Him, led by Him and part of His life. Doing nothing outside of His will. A branch that is not grafted may produce for a while but it will not produce for a lifetime. Grafting is about longevity, inheritance, future fruit and future generations.
If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Romans 11:16-19 NIV
(KJV) John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Abide means-to remain, to be held, kept, continually, to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure
Hebrews 6:19 KJV - Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entereth into that within the veil
Greek meaning of an anchor- to stay but it comes from the Root word meaning- the curve or inner angle of the arm, the bent arm
.
Imagine a mothers arms wrapped around her child, nothing is aloud to get in, and that child is most certainly not getting out. The little one is grafted into the mothers arms. He might as well be glued there. This is what it means to be grafted.
Being Grafted means we are anchored to hope the way Zec 9:12 so poetically describes it,. Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. - NIV
What do you need to place in the roots of your Savior. Have you been crying out to God for growth but are seeing little fruit? What pestilence have been harassing you? What have you been trying to achieve on your own? Do you need to heal from hurt and failure and return to your fortress and become a prisoner of hope, once again?
As I put this message together there is the song that continues to play through my heart and head, Natalie Grants Held. I had a substitute teach my messagelast week because I am on my way to see my son in Fort Bliss, Texas. My heart has been longing to see him for nearly a year. He has recently returned from Afghanistan with a head injury. As medical situations continue to rise, I cry out to God to hold him and to hold my heart. I plead for healing and for favor on his life. I praise God that my sons life has been spared and that he is home and on the road to recovery. However during the times of worry, fear, anxiety and stress I could feel my Saviors arms around me. I could see the crook of His arms wrapped around my son. Holding him, keeping him, guarding him.
As I pray for my other son still fighting in the war, I see Almighty Gods arms as shield, protecting him, covering him, securing him. This is what it means to be grafted, to be anchored to be held.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Go:Lesson 4 The tools and responsibilities of a Vinedress
This is one of the hardest lesson to write, it is on staying faithful and persevering. And with writing this lesson, one must be tested in it right? My heart was heavy when putting the lesson together. The weight of concern for one of my children sat on my heart like an elephant on my chest. How easy it would be to just miss one class, to call someone to fill in...But I am the one with the vision for this course, the passion for it, the leader of it. How do I keep moving forward when I feel like stopping? I set myself to seek the Lord. In waiting on Him, He gave me what I needed when I needed it. He is the one who makes it possible to set your face like flint. He is the one who, when you call on Him, is faithful and mighty to save. And He is the one, who knows what how it feels to lead with a vision and a purpose when your heart feels overwhelmed by a trial. So please, hear my heart in this lesson and be encouraged to stay the course.
Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Having put in Greek Epiballo meaning
1.to throw one's self upon, rush in
2.to put one's mind upon a thing
This is an all or nothing attitude, It has the attitude of rushing into and taking hold. Epiballo is two words put together. The first Greek is Epi meaning 1) of position, on, at, by, over, against 2) Ballo meaning to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls. Ultimately it says you rushed into a position you have little concern for and then let go.
Plow/plough meaning Till to prepare the land for seed, to turn dirt up and over. To break up hard fallow ground. Figuratively it can mean repentance, or a concern for ministry. It is the only time in scripture that this word PLOUGH is used in the KJV
Looking back
Looking Blepo – To see: perceive anything: to feel. Back Eis- (ace), meaning into, unto, to, towards, for, among
So we could read the scripture this way.
If you rushed into a position you have little concern for, grab the till and begin a ministry but then your eyes saw something else and you felt like going towards it instead, you are not fit for the Kingdom.
Kingdom minded people have grit. They are fixed, purposeful and determined and unwavering.Holding a plow is a lot like holding the reigns to a horse. A horse can feel the gentlest of turns. When a rider is fixed on a course the horse and rider are like one. If the rider is in full run and is not committed, the horse knows it. Now hook that horse, mule or ox to a plow, with a firm grip, pushing the animal to move and then get distracted: you get crooked rows, missed rocks, and the possibility of harming the farmer or animal… complete chaos
Psa 17:3 NKJV - You have tested my heart; You have visited [me] in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Dan 1:8 NKJV - But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Hebrew meaning for Purposed-violently lay hands upon to establish and make firm
It can also me to form, like a potter forms or fashions. To frame. Like in this verse.Isa 54:17 KJV - No weapon that is formed (purposed) against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.
We need the tools of Faithfulness, steadfastness, and perseverance to complete what we are called to cultivate. We must acquire a heart that is purposed: To violently set our hands to something and see it through to the end!
Mat 11:12 NKJV - "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
If you don not have the tools to begin don’t fret... If He calls you He equips you.
1Th 5:24 NKJV - He who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [it].
Hbr 13:20-21 NIV - May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2Ti 3:16-17 NIV - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God is not concerned with what you do or don’t have. He is concerned with your heart of obedience. Will you finish what He called you to do? Or will you grab the plow until something else interest you?
Matthew Henry Commentary
…"Note, Those who begin with the work of God must resolve to go on with it, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back inclines to drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. Those are not fit for heaven who, having set their faces heavenward, face about. But he, and he only, that endures to the end, shall be saved.
I visited a vineyard that was advertised as a New Wine Vineyard. In driving up to it I was disgusted by what I saw. I had visited so many well cared for vineyards and was excited to see this one, because it was advertised as Christian owned. When driving the dirt driveway, I saw row after row of vines covered in weed and thistle. When pulling up to the home, I was greeted by two dogs but no owner. The man was a bus driver and was growing a vineyard on the side. And it was clear the vineyard was suffering from his double task. It was neglected, dry, weed ridden and fruitless. He had set his hand to the plow but was uncommitted and pre-occupied in other things. It was a disgrace, and the worst part for me was this was the one vineyard that claimed a Christian vision. It hammered in to me the reason I began studying vineyard. You must have a vision for the long haul! All out Commitment! Or Wait to start.
1Cr 15:58 NKJV - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Col 1:23 NKJV - if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Hbr 3:14 NKJV - For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
1Pe 5:9 NKJV - Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Dan 6:4 NKJV - So the governors and satraps sought to find [some] charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he [was] faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
1Cr 4:2 NKJV - Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful
Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Having put in Greek Epiballo meaning
1.to throw one's self upon, rush in
2.to put one's mind upon a thing
This is an all or nothing attitude, It has the attitude of rushing into and taking hold. Epiballo is two words put together. The first Greek is Epi meaning 1) of position, on, at, by, over, against 2) Ballo meaning to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls. Ultimately it says you rushed into a position you have little concern for and then let go.
Plow/plough meaning Till to prepare the land for seed, to turn dirt up and over. To break up hard fallow ground. Figuratively it can mean repentance, or a concern for ministry. It is the only time in scripture that this word PLOUGH is used in the KJV
Looking back
Looking Blepo – To see: perceive anything: to feel. Back Eis- (ace), meaning into, unto, to, towards, for, among
So we could read the scripture this way.
If you rushed into a position you have little concern for, grab the till and begin a ministry but then your eyes saw something else and you felt like going towards it instead, you are not fit for the Kingdom.
Kingdom minded people have grit. They are fixed, purposeful and determined and unwavering.Holding a plow is a lot like holding the reigns to a horse. A horse can feel the gentlest of turns. When a rider is fixed on a course the horse and rider are like one. If the rider is in full run and is not committed, the horse knows it. Now hook that horse, mule or ox to a plow, with a firm grip, pushing the animal to move and then get distracted: you get crooked rows, missed rocks, and the possibility of harming the farmer or animal… complete chaos
Psa 17:3 NKJV - You have tested my heart; You have visited [me] in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Dan 1:8 NKJV - But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Hebrew meaning for Purposed-violently lay hands upon to establish and make firm
It can also me to form, like a potter forms or fashions. To frame. Like in this verse.Isa 54:17 KJV - No weapon that is formed (purposed) against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.
We need the tools of Faithfulness, steadfastness, and perseverance to complete what we are called to cultivate. We must acquire a heart that is purposed: To violently set our hands to something and see it through to the end!
Mat 11:12 NKJV - "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
If you don not have the tools to begin don’t fret... If He calls you He equips you.
1Th 5:24 NKJV - He who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [it].
Hbr 13:20-21 NIV - May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2Ti 3:16-17 NIV - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God is not concerned with what you do or don’t have. He is concerned with your heart of obedience. Will you finish what He called you to do? Or will you grab the plow until something else interest you?
Matthew Henry Commentary
…"Note, Those who begin with the work of God must resolve to go on with it, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back inclines to drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. Those are not fit for heaven who, having set their faces heavenward, face about. But he, and he only, that endures to the end, shall be saved.
I visited a vineyard that was advertised as a New Wine Vineyard. In driving up to it I was disgusted by what I saw. I had visited so many well cared for vineyards and was excited to see this one, because it was advertised as Christian owned. When driving the dirt driveway, I saw row after row of vines covered in weed and thistle. When pulling up to the home, I was greeted by two dogs but no owner. The man was a bus driver and was growing a vineyard on the side. And it was clear the vineyard was suffering from his double task. It was neglected, dry, weed ridden and fruitless. He had set his hand to the plow but was uncommitted and pre-occupied in other things. It was a disgrace, and the worst part for me was this was the one vineyard that claimed a Christian vision. It hammered in to me the reason I began studying vineyard. You must have a vision for the long haul! All out Commitment! Or Wait to start.
1Cr 15:58 NKJV - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Col 1:23 NKJV - if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Hbr 3:14 NKJV - For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
1Pe 5:9 NKJV - Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Dan 6:4 NKJV - So the governors and satraps sought to find [some] charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he [was] faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
1Cr 4:2 NKJV - Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful
Friday, October 7, 2011
Go: Lesson 3 Being a watchman of your field
Being a watchman over your field
The best way to protect the area you are called to own is to understand why you are guarding it and what you are guarding it from.
You need to understand the value of the treasure you are protecting
You need to understand the tactics the enemy will use to steel what you are guarding.
You don’t build a tall fence to keep out the gophers.
You don’t build a short fence to keep out the deer
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—
(Watchman walks in integrity to keep their field fruitful and pure)
2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (Watchman guard and war over their destiny)
2 Timothy 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (Watchman are not man pleasers)
The three enemies of a Vineyard
Rodents/little foxes, Songs of Solomon 2:15 catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.
Birds of prey
Genesis 15:11 the birds of prey came down on the carcasses (sacrifice) but Abram drove them away
Pestilence. Psalm 91:3-6
But there are also scorpions that we will tread upon, snakes that we will crush and locust that we will munch on.
Each one of theses predators need a precise type of ammunition. Each field we discuss tonight will encounter one if not all of these enemies. Where there’s fruit there’s bugs. But a good vinedresser has a few strategies up her sleeve to combat these pesky varmints.
Noise/Gunshots
Nets but only at harvest
Boundaries for the tender roots
Grafting to make a week plant strong and resistant John 15
Pesticides.
A Gunshot or loud noise scares the birds of prey that come in only when the fruit is ripe. A vinedresser actually has programmed gunshot machines to shoot off periodically through the time of harvest.
These birds of prey come in when its time to harvest, When the fruit is ready and ripe, when its time to celebrate. When you are nearing the end, is when the enemy comes in the hardest, but one shout of praise will disperse the enemy.
The children of Israel were marching for 6 days. The birds of prey were the people watching them look silly marching around silently. But one obedient shout at the right time dispersed the enemy.
Joshua 6:10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.
Psalm 81:10 [[To the chief Musician upon Gittith [A Psalm] of Asaph Sing aloud unto God our strength make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob
Read 2 Chronicles 20 Jehosaphat surrounded.
What is gained by prayer must be maintained by prayer
How to Guard your Heart and what comes out of it.
The First area we must be watchmen or women over is ourselves. We have an enemy of our heart whose soul desire is to destroy ours. The best way to hurt a parent is to wound their child. We must stand guard over our own hearts and guard our speech. This is our first field we are called to guard and cultivate.
Proverbs 16:32 Amplified Bible
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.
Hebrew meaning of Rule is to, have dominion, reign, govern.
Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. (Watchman guard the road they walk on and clear the road for those who are following them)
Proverbs13:3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. (Watchman do not speak destructive words over their territory, over our lives or over our families lives)
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue
Psalm 45:1 My Tongue is the pen of a ready writer
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Watchman set good boundaries over their hearts) Don’t let a yak die in your wellspring.
Matthew 12:34 The abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
Guarding your field
Being a Watchman over our territories is a being a good owner of our field.
We have to stand guard over the land we are called to posses or own. Our Families, our children, our jobs, our ministries. Keeping a look out for the deadly three that attempt to invade our precious fields can be a continual time of prayer with out ceasing, praying in the spirit while you sleeping, Praying while your walking, running eating.
Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
Nehemiah 4:8-9 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.
Mark 13:22-23 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. (Watchmen are discerning)
How to guard your fruit.
The fun part about fruit is somebody has to pick it, it doesn’t grow with out fertilizer and the only way a seed can grow is if it’s planted in the dirt. King Tut was found with seed in his tomb to start his next life. When they planted it, 3000 years later it still grew. The trick with seed is, it doesn’t do any good when it’s not deposited.
Galatians 5:22-24
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires
The word fruit here is taken from the Greek work coming from an intimate moment, like conception. The incorruptible seed of all this spiritual fruit is deposited during intimate times with God. But fertilized by the poo of heartache, disappointment, sorrow, betrayals, testing and trials. Watered by His morning Mercies and our joyful and sorrowful tears that have been stored up and bottled by His loving hands. Then harvested by those who are in need of the fruit that has been so lovingly cultivated by our Vinedresser.
Homework
What is your field producing that the enemy is so desperate to steel?
What are the Boundaries you need to build?
How are you going to be better watchmen over the fields in your life?
The best way to protect the area you are called to own is to understand why you are guarding it and what you are guarding it from.
You need to understand the value of the treasure you are protecting
You need to understand the tactics the enemy will use to steel what you are guarding.
You don’t build a tall fence to keep out the gophers.
You don’t build a short fence to keep out the deer
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—
(Watchman walks in integrity to keep their field fruitful and pure)
2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (Watchman guard and war over their destiny)
2 Timothy 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (Watchman are not man pleasers)
The three enemies of a Vineyard
Rodents/little foxes, Songs of Solomon 2:15 catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.
Birds of prey
Genesis 15:11 the birds of prey came down on the carcasses (sacrifice) but Abram drove them away
Pestilence. Psalm 91:3-6
But there are also scorpions that we will tread upon, snakes that we will crush and locust that we will munch on.
Each one of theses predators need a precise type of ammunition. Each field we discuss tonight will encounter one if not all of these enemies. Where there’s fruit there’s bugs. But a good vinedresser has a few strategies up her sleeve to combat these pesky varmints.
Noise/Gunshots
Nets but only at harvest
Boundaries for the tender roots
Grafting to make a week plant strong and resistant John 15
Pesticides.
A Gunshot or loud noise scares the birds of prey that come in only when the fruit is ripe. A vinedresser actually has programmed gunshot machines to shoot off periodically through the time of harvest.
These birds of prey come in when its time to harvest, When the fruit is ready and ripe, when its time to celebrate. When you are nearing the end, is when the enemy comes in the hardest, but one shout of praise will disperse the enemy.
The children of Israel were marching for 6 days. The birds of prey were the people watching them look silly marching around silently. But one obedient shout at the right time dispersed the enemy.
Joshua 6:10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.
Psalm 81:10 [[To the chief Musician upon Gittith [A Psalm] of Asaph Sing aloud unto God our strength make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob
Read 2 Chronicles 20 Jehosaphat surrounded.
What is gained by prayer must be maintained by prayer
How to Guard your Heart and what comes out of it.
The First area we must be watchmen or women over is ourselves. We have an enemy of our heart whose soul desire is to destroy ours. The best way to hurt a parent is to wound their child. We must stand guard over our own hearts and guard our speech. This is our first field we are called to guard and cultivate.
Proverbs 16:32 Amplified Bible
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.
Hebrew meaning of Rule is to, have dominion, reign, govern.
Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. (Watchman guard the road they walk on and clear the road for those who are following them)
Proverbs13:3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. (Watchman do not speak destructive words over their territory, over our lives or over our families lives)
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue
Psalm 45:1 My Tongue is the pen of a ready writer
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Watchman set good boundaries over their hearts) Don’t let a yak die in your wellspring.
Matthew 12:34 The abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
Guarding your field
Being a Watchman over our territories is a being a good owner of our field.
We have to stand guard over the land we are called to posses or own. Our Families, our children, our jobs, our ministries. Keeping a look out for the deadly three that attempt to invade our precious fields can be a continual time of prayer with out ceasing, praying in the spirit while you sleeping, Praying while your walking, running eating.
Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
Nehemiah 4:8-9 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.
Mark 13:22-23 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. (Watchmen are discerning)
How to guard your fruit.
The fun part about fruit is somebody has to pick it, it doesn’t grow with out fertilizer and the only way a seed can grow is if it’s planted in the dirt. King Tut was found with seed in his tomb to start his next life. When they planted it, 3000 years later it still grew. The trick with seed is, it doesn’t do any good when it’s not deposited.
Galatians 5:22-24
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires
The word fruit here is taken from the Greek work coming from an intimate moment, like conception. The incorruptible seed of all this spiritual fruit is deposited during intimate times with God. But fertilized by the poo of heartache, disappointment, sorrow, betrayals, testing and trials. Watered by His morning Mercies and our joyful and sorrowful tears that have been stored up and bottled by His loving hands. Then harvested by those who are in need of the fruit that has been so lovingly cultivated by our Vinedresser.
Homework
What is your field producing that the enemy is so desperate to steel?
What are the Boundaries you need to build?
How are you going to be better watchmen over the fields in your life?
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