Bountiful Harvest

“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance” - Psalm 66:11 NLT.

Just as fire refines silver in the smelting process, trials refine our character. They bring us a new and deeper wisdom, helping us discover  truth from falsehood and giving us the discipline to do what we know is right. Above all, these trials help us realize that life is a gift from God to cherish, not a right to be taken for granted.

A forgiving spirit demonstrates that a person has received God’s forgiveness. Yeshua described this using the picture of measuring grain in a basket. If we are critical rather than compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others generously, graciously and compassionately, however, this treatment will come back to us in full measure. We are to love others, not judge them (Luke 6:38).

Every good work and each generous gesture, whether material or spiritual, will reap a great reward when carried out by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit with a good and generous attitude” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek Him.

Let us never forget that God knows the heart. He knows when gifts, whether material or spiritual, are given reluctantly or joyfully. May we be those who give generously to others and to the Lord. Let us determine to live our Christian lives in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord, as we earnestly seek Him and trust in His Word. Let us maintain our faith in God and never doubt the veracity of the Gospel message, even when His truth is shrouded from our eyes, or when the reality of His Word does not reflect our life-experience: "For without faith it is impossible to please Him."

Let us trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, knowing that without saving faith and sanctifying faith, it is impossible to please Him. But let us never forget that it is God Who said, I AM everything you need, I AM a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Me.

Let us remember that Yeshua said: "I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I am going to prepare a place for you.I will return and take you to be with Me, that where I am, you may be also."

Let us believe all that God has promised with our whole heart, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

Expect All “Things” Become New

“And the One sitting on the throne said, “Look, I Am making everything new!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true” - Revelation 21:5 NLT

God was the Creator in the beginning. Everything was new then. The Bible begins with the majestic story of His creation of the universe, and it concludes with His creation of a new Heaven and a new earth. This brings us bright hope and tremendous encouragement. When we are with God, with our sins forgiven and our future secure, we will be like Christ. We will be made perfect like Him (1 John 3:2-3). We’ll have new bodies, new hearts, and a fresh desire for worship, and we will be with millions of brothers and sisters we have not met yet. By faith, we look forward to living forever with God in this glorious place He has created.

“Now I tell you new things, secrets you have not heard yet”(Isaiah 48:6b). For unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So, rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure” (Psalm 32:10-11).

God is calling us to a higher place and deeper relationship with Him. The joys that we will experience with Him far outweigh all temporary pleasure you’ve experienced without Him. God wants to be at the helm of your life. He wants to be our all in all, trust and hold on Him daily promises He gives you. As you worship Him, He‘ll renew your mind and clean and restore everything and make all things new for you.

Pray! Pray! Pray!

“And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” - Luke 18:1

Yeshua spent a lot of time with His disciples while He was here on earth and He taught them many things. He warned them of many things to come. He taught them about the Kingdom of God and what really matters to God. What matters is that we do the will of the Father.

One of the things Yeshua said to His disciples was that they would be persecuted for His name’s sake, Matthew 5:11. He also said, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world, John 16:33 KJV.

We have read in the scriptures, that Yeshua arose early and spent time in prayer. He will daily commune with His Father. Not only did He pray, but He taught the disciples about prayer. He said, men ought always to pray and not faint. These words He has spoken, gives us the courage we need to persevere.

Yeshua is saying to us, when the going gets tough and the tough gets going, do not faint, do not give up. There is one thing we must always resolve to and that is prayer. There is something unique and powerful about prayer, about praying. We receive strength, grace, courage, instructions when we pray. Prayer is the force that causes things to shift, to change, to move. Prayer moves the heart of God and divinity is released into the earthly realm. Prayer makes things that seem impossible, possible.

When Peter was thrown in prison, he was guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Peter slept between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. But scripture tells us, prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him, Acts 12:5. We know the outcome, an angel was sent, the chains that bound Peter fell off and the angel guided Peter out of the prison. Hallelujah!

No matter what we are faced with, we must not faint, we must not give up, we are to PRAY! Pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Why? God answers prayers! Prayer changes things!