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
Friday, October 14, 2011
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?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Go: lesson 2 Consider your field
Consider your field:
Proverbs 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
What does it actually mean to consider? The Web Dictionary says it this way: to think deliberately or carefully; reflect, to view carefully or thoughtfully.
However the Hebrew word for consider is Zamam: meaning to have a thought, devise, plan, purpose, imagine. This is quite different from the word today. It has more of a risk and driven intent.
Hebrew word for buy laqach
Pronounced lä·kakh' meaning to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept.
This word is more than purchasing it means to commit to marry, to be bound to the land she is taking hold of.
So Proverbs 31:16 could be read this way
She imagines a plan and devises a purpose to lay hold and commits to a field.
When researching the ways to begin a vineyard I actually found a 6 step program on the World Wide Web. Listen for the spiritual connection to begin a vision…
* And bold font indicate the actually web advice
6 Things to consider before you become a vinedresser
The grape. This is the first major decision you MUST make. What are you planting?
The region. Keep in mind, Vineyards need a lot of heat.*Wine grapes usually require hot days and cool nights, and relatively dry climates that do not present a great deal of water per acre. Are you ready for the heat? Are your water supplies full?
The investment. What is this going to cost you? *Don’t kid yourself: Even for the independently wealthy, winemaking is not a business that carries low start-up costs and yields an immediate profit. This is truly a business venture for someone who is financially well-to-do and can afford to wait a good deal of time before realizing a return on investment. The experts aren’t kidding when they say that this is a business that will be profitable for your grandchildren.
The licensing/covering. Who will validate and endorse you. *Of course, starting a winery comes with some red tape. You’ll need a license from the state government and one from the federal government before you can start to produce or distribute wines.
The Marketing. Who is your audience, your niche, the people you are trying to reach? *This is a bit of a dry subject, but it’s essential for success. Before you get properly started, you must decide what market you plan to serve.
The support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help *One thing to remember about the business of winemaking is that you’re not alone in the venture; in fact, it’s accepted practice to look inside the industry for support. “I look at winemaking like I did being a driver,” says Andretti. “I don't know the inner workings of the engine, but you know that when it is right on song you are onto a winner.”
We have a field that God has placed under our care, our watch, our responsibility. Many times it is our family, our house holds, our aging parents, our unsaved husbands. In other cases it’s our ministries, jobs or volunteering. The important thing is to remember to focus on our one field and do it well!
Deuteronomy 22:9 Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled.
The actually Hebrew meaning of defiled is to be separated to be set apart or in this case separated from the fruit you are working so hard to produce. You will labor in vain. We can prevent frustration by focusing on what is in our hands NOW. More fields will come with time, wisdom and maturity.
Master the field you are in before you start another one. Good example: Marriage or parenting is our first priority but many times it becomes our second field. God, family, ministry/field
Sometims, we mothers can get so occupied with our work or ministry that we drag our children around or begin to blend ministry and parenting. A good parenting ministry is birthed because of Good Parenting. We are called to be a light to our families, co-workers or husbands but sometimes we do not view them as a mission field or our field but view tham as hindering us from our ministry. This is when we do one, of two things.
1. We may dismiss them and consider another field that may be more interesting. Or
2. We try to juggle two fields and each one only gets 50% of our strength. And thus seeing our fruit separated from us.
Don’t get discouraged because you feel like you have been waiting a lifetime for your field. Remember the 100 year old vine.
Their will be plenty of times you will feel frustrated or on hold while you wait for your field. It maybe a timing issue or training issue. You may be ready, but your field is not. Or maybe your field is waiting for you to be equipped and trained. Either way we must be in constant communication with the Father as to what we need to be doing in the field we are in RIGHT NOW! No matter how small or insignificant it may seem or feel at times.
Zec 4:10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel
Many Times God is testing our faithfulness.
Luke 16:10-13 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” NLT
Stay the course
Our promise when we are faithful in our giving and our first fruits.
Malachi 3:11-12
“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts
The Hebrew meaning for the Ground could also be read as Territory.
Hebrew meaning for vine could also be read prosperity
Hebrew for fail to bear fruit is miscarry, bareness or to be bereaved
Hebrew word for Blessed, Happy, lead, advanced, forward.
So hear it this way.
I will rebuke the devourer for your sake that he will not be aloud to cause your territory to be barren, you will not miscarry what your land is called to conceive. Your vine will be prosperous, full of life and fruitful for the territory you are called to occupy. All the nations will see that you are happy and advanced and look to you to lead them forward.
Things to consider.
What type of field am I cultivating? -Who am I trying to reach?
The un-reached, the saved, the broken, the forgotten, hungry, the prisoners, the orphans…
What is the condition of the field? - Why do I need to reach them? What do I need to be prepared for? Have I educated myself on the people, the area or the region? Have I researched the history, the strongholds, the strengths, the weaknesses? What must be done to win heart, heal heart, and reach hearts?
This weeks Homework: Who is my field? And how can I reach them?
Research the need of the areas: The tools you may need to acquire to reach them. Do you need to learn a foreign language? Do you need to take a class? Do you need to get connected with somebody who is in the field you are called to reach? Do you need to help another vinedresser while you are waiting for the fruit in your field?
Proverbs 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
What does it actually mean to consider? The Web Dictionary says it this way: to think deliberately or carefully; reflect, to view carefully or thoughtfully.
However the Hebrew word for consider is Zamam: meaning to have a thought, devise, plan, purpose, imagine. This is quite different from the word today. It has more of a risk and driven intent.
Hebrew word for buy laqach
Pronounced lä·kakh' meaning to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept.
This word is more than purchasing it means to commit to marry, to be bound to the land she is taking hold of.
So Proverbs 31:16 could be read this way
She imagines a plan and devises a purpose to lay hold and commits to a field.
When researching the ways to begin a vineyard I actually found a 6 step program on the World Wide Web. Listen for the spiritual connection to begin a vision…
* And bold font indicate the actually web advice
6 Things to consider before you become a vinedresser
The grape. This is the first major decision you MUST make. What are you planting?
The region. Keep in mind, Vineyards need a lot of heat.*Wine grapes usually require hot days and cool nights, and relatively dry climates that do not present a great deal of water per acre. Are you ready for the heat? Are your water supplies full?
The investment. What is this going to cost you? *Don’t kid yourself: Even for the independently wealthy, winemaking is not a business that carries low start-up costs and yields an immediate profit. This is truly a business venture for someone who is financially well-to-do and can afford to wait a good deal of time before realizing a return on investment. The experts aren’t kidding when they say that this is a business that will be profitable for your grandchildren.
The licensing/covering. Who will validate and endorse you. *Of course, starting a winery comes with some red tape. You’ll need a license from the state government and one from the federal government before you can start to produce or distribute wines.
The Marketing. Who is your audience, your niche, the people you are trying to reach? *This is a bit of a dry subject, but it’s essential for success. Before you get properly started, you must decide what market you plan to serve.
The support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help *One thing to remember about the business of winemaking is that you’re not alone in the venture; in fact, it’s accepted practice to look inside the industry for support. “I look at winemaking like I did being a driver,” says Andretti. “I don't know the inner workings of the engine, but you know that when it is right on song you are onto a winner.”
We have a field that God has placed under our care, our watch, our responsibility. Many times it is our family, our house holds, our aging parents, our unsaved husbands. In other cases it’s our ministries, jobs or volunteering. The important thing is to remember to focus on our one field and do it well!
Deuteronomy 22:9 Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled.
The actually Hebrew meaning of defiled is to be separated to be set apart or in this case separated from the fruit you are working so hard to produce. You will labor in vain. We can prevent frustration by focusing on what is in our hands NOW. More fields will come with time, wisdom and maturity.
Master the field you are in before you start another one. Good example: Marriage or parenting is our first priority but many times it becomes our second field. God, family, ministry/field
Sometims, we mothers can get so occupied with our work or ministry that we drag our children around or begin to blend ministry and parenting. A good parenting ministry is birthed because of Good Parenting. We are called to be a light to our families, co-workers or husbands but sometimes we do not view them as a mission field or our field but view tham as hindering us from our ministry. This is when we do one, of two things.
1. We may dismiss them and consider another field that may be more interesting. Or
2. We try to juggle two fields and each one only gets 50% of our strength. And thus seeing our fruit separated from us.
Don’t get discouraged because you feel like you have been waiting a lifetime for your field. Remember the 100 year old vine.
Their will be plenty of times you will feel frustrated or on hold while you wait for your field. It maybe a timing issue or training issue. You may be ready, but your field is not. Or maybe your field is waiting for you to be equipped and trained. Either way we must be in constant communication with the Father as to what we need to be doing in the field we are in RIGHT NOW! No matter how small or insignificant it may seem or feel at times.
Zec 4:10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel
Many Times God is testing our faithfulness.
Luke 16:10-13 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” NLT
Stay the course
Our promise when we are faithful in our giving and our first fruits.
Malachi 3:11-12
“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts
The Hebrew meaning for the Ground could also be read as Territory.
Hebrew meaning for vine could also be read prosperity
Hebrew for fail to bear fruit is miscarry, bareness or to be bereaved
Hebrew word for Blessed, Happy, lead, advanced, forward.
So hear it this way.
I will rebuke the devourer for your sake that he will not be aloud to cause your territory to be barren, you will not miscarry what your land is called to conceive. Your vine will be prosperous, full of life and fruitful for the territory you are called to occupy. All the nations will see that you are happy and advanced and look to you to lead them forward.
Things to consider.
What type of field am I cultivating? -Who am I trying to reach?
The un-reached, the saved, the broken, the forgotten, hungry, the prisoners, the orphans…
What is the condition of the field? - Why do I need to reach them? What do I need to be prepared for? Have I educated myself on the people, the area or the region? Have I researched the history, the strongholds, the strengths, the weaknesses? What must be done to win heart, heal heart, and reach hearts?
This weeks Homework: Who is my field? And how can I reach them?
Research the need of the areas: The tools you may need to acquire to reach them. Do you need to learn a foreign language? Do you need to take a class? Do you need to get connected with somebody who is in the field you are called to reach? Do you need to help another vinedresser while you are waiting for the fruit in your field?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Go Lesson 1 Write the Vision Down
Own your vine/own your vision
A vinedresser considers many things.
She knows the seed she wants to plant.
She understands the importance of grafting. It is for the salvation of her vine.
She knows the land she wants to plant it in. She has considered a field.
She knows the elements of the air that will bring it flavor. The fragrance of the atmosphere
She has water rights.
She has a great irrigation system.
She understand the importance of a support system for her growing vines
She knows the enemy/enemies to her grapes. Bird of prey, little foxes, pestilence.
She knows when to harvest and when to wait. She even lets fruit fall to the ground. She will even thin the cluster for the health of the grapes.
She knows the importance of being able to reach her fruit. Hand on
She has a store house while she waits for the fruit to mature.
She has prepared for the long haul of being a vinedresser.
Psalm 80 Mentions Joseph and the Israelites.
Genesis 49:22 22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall
Is 5: The song of the Vineyard is the process of a vinedresser planting a vineyard and is compared to planting or the cultivating of people.
The Bible is clear about the reference of a vineyard compared to growing the kingdom of God. Is compares us to being cultivated, wild, grafted, planted, pressed, being shade, new wine, old wine. Wine being an offering, and the cost of growing a vineyard… The Kingdom of heaven is like…
Matthew 20:1-2 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard. (Eleventh hour Christian)
Matthew 21:33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. (The reference of the Pharisees killing Jesus and the promise given to of salvation given to anybody )43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”
We must understand the cost of planting a vineyard. To many times people have caused themselves unnecessary pain and heartache because of their zeal outweighed wisdom. Half cocked and many times ill prepared. There is a cost
Luke 14 the Cost of Being a Disciple
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Luke 9
57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
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.”
My first lesson on pursuing God and leaving my parents was when we moved to Renton from Oregon. My Dad has always been sick, so I was always afraid something was going to happen to him while I was away. The Holy Spirit used this verse to help me understand the importance of “leaving” to follow Him
The most important part about considering our vision before we plant it is:
Have we considered these costs?
Do you know the price of ministry?
Do you know the sacrifice of leadership?
Have you paid for ill planning of a vineyard/vision?
Are you prepared for self denial?
Farmers have no vacation…
That being said.
Do you know these rewards?
Do you know the joys of seeing a vision come to pass?
Do you know the thrill of seeing fruit from you sacrifice?
Do you know the pleasure of passing a baton?
Do you know freedom of selflessness?
Do you know what true rest feel like because you ran hard?
Its time to write our vision down. Habakkuk 2:1-3
I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. The Just Live by Faith2 Then the LORD answered me and said:
“ Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. NKJV
1 What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst. I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I’ll wait to see what God says, how he'll answer my complaint. 2-3And then God answered: "Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time The Message
We all have our own vine our own vision, our own ministry to care for
Micah 4:4 Everyone will sit under their own vine
and under their own fig tree,
and no one will make them afraid,
for the LORD Almighty has spoken
The dangerous of looking at somebody else’s vineyard and wanting it is a spirit of Jezebel will come forth,
1 King 21 [ Naboth’s Vineyard ] Now there was a man named Naboth, from Jezreel, who owned a vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria…
A vinedresser considers many things.
She knows the seed she wants to plant.
She understands the importance of grafting. It is for the salvation of her vine.
She knows the land she wants to plant it in. She has considered a field.
She knows the elements of the air that will bring it flavor. The fragrance of the atmosphere
She has water rights.
She has a great irrigation system.
She understand the importance of a support system for her growing vines
She knows the enemy/enemies to her grapes. Bird of prey, little foxes, pestilence.
She knows when to harvest and when to wait. She even lets fruit fall to the ground. She will even thin the cluster for the health of the grapes.
She knows the importance of being able to reach her fruit. Hand on
She has a store house while she waits for the fruit to mature.
She has prepared for the long haul of being a vinedresser.
Psalm 80 Mentions Joseph and the Israelites.
Genesis 49:22 22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall
Is 5: The song of the Vineyard is the process of a vinedresser planting a vineyard and is compared to planting or the cultivating of people.
The Bible is clear about the reference of a vineyard compared to growing the kingdom of God. Is compares us to being cultivated, wild, grafted, planted, pressed, being shade, new wine, old wine. Wine being an offering, and the cost of growing a vineyard… The Kingdom of heaven is like…
Matthew 20:1-2 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard. (Eleventh hour Christian)
Matthew 21:33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. (The reference of the Pharisees killing Jesus and the promise given to of salvation given to anybody )43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”
We must understand the cost of planting a vineyard. To many times people have caused themselves unnecessary pain and heartache because of their zeal outweighed wisdom. Half cocked and many times ill prepared. There is a cost
Luke 14 the Cost of Being a Disciple
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Luke 9
57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
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.”
My first lesson on pursuing God and leaving my parents was when we moved to Renton from Oregon. My Dad has always been sick, so I was always afraid something was going to happen to him while I was away. The Holy Spirit used this verse to help me understand the importance of “leaving” to follow Him
The most important part about considering our vision before we plant it is:
Have we considered these costs?
Do you know the price of ministry?
Do you know the sacrifice of leadership?
Have you paid for ill planning of a vineyard/vision?
Are you prepared for self denial?
Farmers have no vacation…
That being said.
Do you know these rewards?
Do you know the joys of seeing a vision come to pass?
Do you know the thrill of seeing fruit from you sacrifice?
Do you know the pleasure of passing a baton?
Do you know freedom of selflessness?
Do you know what true rest feel like because you ran hard?
Its time to write our vision down. Habakkuk 2:1-3
I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. The Just Live by Faith2 Then the LORD answered me and said:
“ Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. NKJV
1 What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst. I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I’ll wait to see what God says, how he'll answer my complaint. 2-3And then God answered: "Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time The Message
We all have our own vine our own vision, our own ministry to care for
Micah 4:4 Everyone will sit under their own vine
and under their own fig tree,
and no one will make them afraid,
for the LORD Almighty has spoken
The dangerous of looking at somebody else’s vineyard and wanting it is a spirit of Jezebel will come forth,
1 King 21 [ Naboth’s Vineyard ] Now there was a man named Naboth, from Jezreel, who owned a vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria…
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Step number one in Catching your breath: Waiting on the Lord,
Waiting on the Lord
Is 40:30-31 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;
31But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Does this passage mean we will not experience weariness because we wait? No what it means in the Hebrew, is when we wait or hope on the Lord, our running will not feel laborious or toilsome. Our call will not feel like work. Our purpose will not feel like a burden. Our ministry will not feel like a weight. It means when we run we will not grow fatigued.
When we wait, we draw near to God, we warm ourselves by His fire, we cuddle in under Papas arms, we sit at His feat, we drink from His cup, we lean up against Him and breath, we hear His heart beat, we rest in His lap… we wait. And as we wait we are like rechargeable batteries. We are made to run and then to rest and recharge. We are made to keep going for the time we are called so we can go back to God, our healer, our Savior, our resting station and recharge. When we wait, we have strength for the call or assignment, and we shall run and not grow weary, and we shall walk and not faint.
Teach me Lord, to wait.
Psalm 5:3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly NIV
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! NKJV
Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield
Psalm 33:22 Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You
Is 40:30-31 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;
31But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Does this passage mean we will not experience weariness because we wait? No what it means in the Hebrew, is when we wait or hope on the Lord, our running will not feel laborious or toilsome. Our call will not feel like work. Our purpose will not feel like a burden. Our ministry will not feel like a weight. It means when we run we will not grow fatigued.
When we wait, we draw near to God, we warm ourselves by His fire, we cuddle in under Papas arms, we sit at His feat, we drink from His cup, we lean up against Him and breath, we hear His heart beat, we rest in His lap… we wait. And as we wait we are like rechargeable batteries. We are made to run and then to rest and recharge. We are made to keep going for the time we are called so we can go back to God, our healer, our Savior, our resting station and recharge. When we wait, we have strength for the call or assignment, and we shall run and not grow weary, and we shall walk and not faint.
Teach me Lord, to wait.
Psalm 5:3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly NIV
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! NKJV
Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield
Psalm 33:22 Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You
Sunday, May 29, 2011
My Memorial Day
Memorial day for me is bitter sweet. I am so grateful to our service men and women who have and are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice. Three of these brave Heroes know me by name. One calls me aunt and two call me mom.
They serve with dedication, bravery and love for their country and their God! Our nation is blessed to have these three men of valor protecting, standing, advancing and fighting for us. I know the looming possibility of my boys fate but I know the sovereignty of God! He holds our minutes, our days and our breaths. He knows the hairs on our head. He knows when a sparrow falls. How much more...How much more is His love for us?
Although there are days I want to retreat and bury my head in the sand with the fear of the "what ifs" I have to remind myself (and others remind me,) God's Mighty hand is covering and protecting no matter where they are. Be it behind the wheel of a car or in a tank in a war zone.
This weekend is a reminder of those "what ifs" It is also a reminder of the "the ultimate sacrifice" paid by those who were loved deeply by a mother, a father, a grand parent, a spouse, a child. This day marks a moment in time when their life course changed and they live in a day we celebrate one weekend a year.
It is a Sunday service that plays a video, says a prayer and honors our veterans. It is a parade of honor, flags and music it is a sale at retail store. It is a weekend to camp, travel or visit loved ones. It is an extra day off work.
It is also that same weekend those who live in the reality of "memorial days" hold their loved ones tighter, their hearts beat faster, prayers are a bit more desperate, and a parents love for their country has a face of a child on. Their memorial day is spent with a picture, at a wall, a graveside. It is spent on what it was dedicated to, remembering.
Or memorial day could be spent like mine, not wanting to face a day of memories that could some day be mine.
(NKJV) John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
They serve with dedication, bravery and love for their country and their God! Our nation is blessed to have these three men of valor protecting, standing, advancing and fighting for us. I know the looming possibility of my boys fate but I know the sovereignty of God! He holds our minutes, our days and our breaths. He knows the hairs on our head. He knows when a sparrow falls. How much more...How much more is His love for us?
Although there are days I want to retreat and bury my head in the sand with the fear of the "what ifs" I have to remind myself (and others remind me,) God's Mighty hand is covering and protecting no matter where they are. Be it behind the wheel of a car or in a tank in a war zone.
This weekend is a reminder of those "what ifs" It is also a reminder of the "the ultimate sacrifice" paid by those who were loved deeply by a mother, a father, a grand parent, a spouse, a child. This day marks a moment in time when their life course changed and they live in a day we celebrate one weekend a year.
It is a Sunday service that plays a video, says a prayer and honors our veterans. It is a parade of honor, flags and music it is a sale at retail store. It is a weekend to camp, travel or visit loved ones. It is an extra day off work.
It is also that same weekend those who live in the reality of "memorial days" hold their loved ones tighter, their hearts beat faster, prayers are a bit more desperate, and a parents love for their country has a face of a child on. Their memorial day is spent with a picture, at a wall, a graveside. It is spent on what it was dedicated to, remembering.
Or memorial day could be spent like mine, not wanting to face a day of memories that could some day be mine.
(NKJV) John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The One Legged Man and His Double Portion
“Hey baby.”
“Hi daddy.”
“I got some news”
“What’s that?”
“This time next week I will be a one legged man.”
Silence.
“So the doctors can’t save it?”
“No.”
That conversation took place about two weeks ago. I just returned from visiting my parents and being with my dad during the tragic amputation of his right leg. I had offered up a fierce fight of faith, many people did, yet somehow God seemed it best to have his leg removed. Sometimes the only things that change during those times of warring-prayer are attitudes and faith.
If you have read any of my blogs you would know that my dad is my hero. I am not under any impression that he is perfect or a saint, and maybe that is why I admire him so much. He had lived a life not so pleasing to God during his teens, twenties and thirties, but when he was about to turn 40 he came to know Jesus as his personal Savior. I was almost 10 years old. Because of my dads life before Christ he has a heightened sense of the broken, the weary, the rejected, the down-and-out and the forgotten.
He would be the first to offer a drunk a ride home, a gambler a place to stay, a drug addict meal, a dead-beat a few dollars and the liar a second chance. I have watched my dad stand for those who could not stand for themselves my entire life. Both my parents have this incredible gift of mercy and compassion. It is straight from the throne room of Grace and can only be described as crazy love.
My dad has always stood in prayer for his family, his friends and his church. He is the model of the scripture of “having done all to stand, stand therefore.” He has a little drunk in his home town that loves him to pieces and my dad stands for him when everybody else says “give up”, including myself. When Eddie wobbles in his faith or falls off the wagon my dad stand beside him encouraging him and discipling him and yes many times correcting him like a father would and visiting him in jail.
My dad has warred for his family going toe-to-toe with the enemy. And the enemy has been cut off at the legs. But this time it looks like the enemy cut my dad off. But did he? You see our spiritual legs and fortitude have nothing to do with standing physically in the faith. Its unwavering faith, unmoving faith, and unchanging faith; A faith that digs its heels in the ground sets its face like flint and braces for whatever comes its way. With or without legs a person of this type of faith can stand against any demon, even the demon of infection and gangrene, the demon of diabetes and sickness, the demon of phantom pains and rehab.
The only leg the enemy was aloud to cut off was my dad’s physical one. And the bible says satan has to give back double what he has stolen. This means my dad has three legs in the spirit. A bit of a circus freak perhaps but when you think about it what we lose in the natural we gain in the supernatural. Our demotions in the physical are our promotions in the spiritual. One leg in the natural means three legs in the supernatural. The enemy has no concept of the spiritual truth or he would stop stealing from Gods people right away. But the enemy’s foolishness becomes our double portion. For example; the enemy’s plot to kill Christ resulted in Christ’s resurrection and our forgiveness of sin and portion into the kingdom of God! Jesus’ death resulted in double life. His and ours.
Isaiah 61:7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
My dad has stood for things many people would run from. He has stood for the ones many people give up on. He has stood for causes many people would compromise in. He has stood for what was right even if he was the only one standing. He lead by example, and has stood when it cost him everything. Now he leads with a limp in the natural. But he has always had a limp in the supernatural.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 3When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew25:34-40
“Hi daddy.”
“I got some news”
“What’s that?”
“This time next week I will be a one legged man.”
Silence.
“So the doctors can’t save it?”
“No.”
That conversation took place about two weeks ago. I just returned from visiting my parents and being with my dad during the tragic amputation of his right leg. I had offered up a fierce fight of faith, many people did, yet somehow God seemed it best to have his leg removed. Sometimes the only things that change during those times of warring-prayer are attitudes and faith.
If you have read any of my blogs you would know that my dad is my hero. I am not under any impression that he is perfect or a saint, and maybe that is why I admire him so much. He had lived a life not so pleasing to God during his teens, twenties and thirties, but when he was about to turn 40 he came to know Jesus as his personal Savior. I was almost 10 years old. Because of my dads life before Christ he has a heightened sense of the broken, the weary, the rejected, the down-and-out and the forgotten.
He would be the first to offer a drunk a ride home, a gambler a place to stay, a drug addict meal, a dead-beat a few dollars and the liar a second chance. I have watched my dad stand for those who could not stand for themselves my entire life. Both my parents have this incredible gift of mercy and compassion. It is straight from the throne room of Grace and can only be described as crazy love.
My dad has always stood in prayer for his family, his friends and his church. He is the model of the scripture of “having done all to stand, stand therefore.” He has a little drunk in his home town that loves him to pieces and my dad stands for him when everybody else says “give up”, including myself. When Eddie wobbles in his faith or falls off the wagon my dad stand beside him encouraging him and discipling him and yes many times correcting him like a father would and visiting him in jail.
My dad has warred for his family going toe-to-toe with the enemy. And the enemy has been cut off at the legs. But this time it looks like the enemy cut my dad off. But did he? You see our spiritual legs and fortitude have nothing to do with standing physically in the faith. Its unwavering faith, unmoving faith, and unchanging faith; A faith that digs its heels in the ground sets its face like flint and braces for whatever comes its way. With or without legs a person of this type of faith can stand against any demon, even the demon of infection and gangrene, the demon of diabetes and sickness, the demon of phantom pains and rehab.
The only leg the enemy was aloud to cut off was my dad’s physical one. And the bible says satan has to give back double what he has stolen. This means my dad has three legs in the spirit. A bit of a circus freak perhaps but when you think about it what we lose in the natural we gain in the supernatural. Our demotions in the physical are our promotions in the spiritual. One leg in the natural means three legs in the supernatural. The enemy has no concept of the spiritual truth or he would stop stealing from Gods people right away. But the enemy’s foolishness becomes our double portion. For example; the enemy’s plot to kill Christ resulted in Christ’s resurrection and our forgiveness of sin and portion into the kingdom of God! Jesus’ death resulted in double life. His and ours.
Isaiah 61:7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
My dad has stood for things many people would run from. He has stood for the ones many people give up on. He has stood for causes many people would compromise in. He has stood for what was right even if he was the only one standing. He lead by example, and has stood when it cost him everything. Now he leads with a limp in the natural. But he has always had a limp in the supernatural.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 3When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew25:34-40
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