29/09/11

He is the Lord of the Harvest

Acts 11:21 - And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

If a farmer sows seasonal seeds in the wrong season can he expect a good harvest? If man can discern these things why can they not discern the things of the spirit?

We all know it is the Lord who is the giver of the harvest then if we are making a lot of efforts and not reaping good results then we should realize that there is something wrong in what we are doing. Either we are sowing in the wrong place, or at the wrong season, or with wrong intentions, or our process of sowing is wrong. On the other hand some people see something growing like seeing halls fill of people they think they are blessed with a harvest and the favour of the Lord is on them. But it is later they realize these were just weeds, thorn and thistles but not a harvest. These very people become trouble and pain for them. To get a real good harvest we need to understand we need the Lord's hand to be over us. That means we need to follow the Lord's instructions according to the heart of God.

We read in today's scripture that some of them did not follow the normal process of preaching to the Jews which the others were doing but they being led by the heart of the Lord went and preached the Gospel to the Greeks and the Hand (Spirit) of God was great on them and they reaped a great harvest. They were among the first (along with Peter and John) to reach out to people other than the Jews for they knew that the Lord was not Lord of just the Jews and they knew what the term Israel meant; this work later Paul championed. They were not told like Paul was but in their heart they knew. Their work was so blessed that later their harvest was the first to be called 'little Christs' - Christians.

If we do our work in the Lord led by the Spirit of God then we will see results like Joshua saw when he being full of faith did not let the Sun or the Moon to move for a long time. The Lord's Hand was great on him and there was large hailstones falling from the sky on his enemies. Archaeology and astronomy prove this event and things concerning this event.

Let us not be foolish workers putting efforts in trying to push a wall. Without the Spirit of God, without following His instructions and without tuning our hearts according to His Heart we will not reap any good harvest.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You are the Lord of the Harvest. When people celebrated Pentecost their eyes were on the earthly harvest but only those led by the Spirit knew which harvest You were referring to. You prefer using unqualified people, rejects of this world to do your great work, for without surrendering to You no one can reap any good harvest. Lord help us realize without You we can do nothing good and it is only when we with a clear heart lift our hands (works) unto You that we are blessed...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Acts 11:19-26
19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 3:1-12
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Acts 4:1-4
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

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