INTO HIS HARVEST FIELDS

The following is the rest of my boost. Yes, I really had water guns that resembled the pictures in my tote bag. Someone asked me why didn't I squirt someone with them! But, there is a section of my message that talks about behaving yourself in the House of God! :) (would have done it at Camp though ;)

INTO HIS HARVEST FIELDS…FASTING, PRAYING, WORKING

If someone called me and said, "HELP, HELP MY HOME IS ON FIRE!"

It wouldn't help if I pulled out a small WATER GUN to put out the fire!!

Mat 17:14-21 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

The Disciples were confused and feeling really ineffective and useless. Perhaps they were wondering when asking Jesus, “We are your Disciples! We thought you GAVE US all THE power!!! Why couldn’t WE take care of this situation????

Jesus answered their question quite simply:
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Perhaps they had more faith or belief in THEIR OWN efforts, past victories, human abilities and status as Disciples…then they did in Jesus’ power.

Then Jesus put the spotlight on their deepest problem:
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus pointed out that deliverance and power comes only through Faith and Belief in HIM, NOT by their own efforts or status. Their Faith, however, needed to be buoyed with the right kind of “work and preparation” on their part…PRAYER AND FASTING. This would have given them deliverance they needed.

How often do you hear:

“Why don’t we see more miracles in the church?”.
"Why aren’t we experiencing greater moves of the Spirit?"
We’re The Church of God!!! When’s that inflow showing up anyway???” :) :)

So, someimes we often decide……. To get bigger and better programs!!

BUT, my new and improved water gun is still ineffective to save someone’s burning home.

Don’t get me wrong……. There’s nothing wrong with better programs.
Building programs, youth programs, fellowship activities, Sunday School Campaigns are very much needed in the church. And every congregation needs to take a realistic, honest look on how our churches and fellowship appears to visitors.

Are we friendly? Are our churches clean? What do they hear us talk about? Do we and our children behave themselves in the house of God? Does the order and content of our services invite visitors to participate in worship or does it separate and push them away?

But all our efforts & programs & improvement….ALONE…without Prayer and Fasting will be equally ineffective.

How often do we come to church holding our hands out saying…
Lord! Give me the Power!
Lord! Give me a Blessing!
Lord! Give me a Miracle!
Lord! Give me Victory!!

While all the time, The Lord is looking at us and says….
You haven’t BROUGHT me anything to work with!!! I can’t use a dead battery!!! We recently had a power outtage and when I reached for my flashlight, I found that it was useless because the batteries were dead.

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD!
Jam 2:19, 20 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Faith is expressed through our Prayers.
Works is expressed through our Fasting.
Together, they will bring the deliverance we seek.

We will be then fully equipped and fully charged to work in His Harvest Fields.

With unceasing Prayer and frequent Fasting, our efforts and programs won’t resemble these water guns, but will be like the water found in John 7:38

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water.”