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Problem of Procrastination

7/28/2018

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Problem of Procrastination
READY FOR HARVEST
Terry R. Baughman

“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35 NIV).

Those who are involved in agriculture anxiously anticipate the season of harvest. So many variables affect the outcome of the season. The cooperation of weather is crucial for a successful growing season. Water is essential, but if there is two much rain the crops will be washed out or rot in the field. Sun and warmth are needed for growth. Unexpected cold or unusual heat will affect growth. Natural elements have much to do with the outcome of the harvest.

Jesus spoke about those who could observe and interpret the signs of nature that signal developing weather changes, but He condemned their inability to observe spiritual trends, “You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3). 

The season of harvest comes predictably, but the success of harvest is dependent upon those who come into the field at the appropriate time. From Creation the power of reproduction is inherent in the seed. God declared the continuation of the seasons of harvest following the devastation of the flood. “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). 

As certain as the seasons and harvest there is an assurance of spiritual increase and opportunity for evangelism. We must be prepared to enter the harvest when it comes to fruition. We may be tempted, as were the disciples, to rely on past experience and the usual return of the harvest season to await the perfect moment for reaping. Jesus corrected the faulty thinking of His followers, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’?” (John 4:35). He then challenged them to look at the field, a harvest already prepared before them. The principle of harvest is to reap when it is ready, “When the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come” (Mark 4:29). 

The problem with procrastination is the deception of delay. If we do not harvest when the moment is right and the reaping is ready we will miss the opportunity for an abundant ingathering. We live our lives waiting for the right moment, the optimal  opportunity, when we expect that all of our dreams will be fulfilled in the moment and success will be assured. Harvest is not a one time event or a windfall of unexpected blessing. We are not a servant to the seasons. It is the continual preparation and purposeful participation in the process that brings about an exponential return on eternal investments. 

The harvest is coming, but it is also here. Now is the time and today is our greatest opportunity. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t delay. Our eminent opportunity is in the present. While we may await signs of spiritual renewal, the promise is present. Paul said, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Today is our day!
​

NOW is harvest!


Scripture:
“Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35 NIV).

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Release and Reclaim

7/21/2018

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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
Terry R. Baughman

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

There is a great resource of power within us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Every child of God who has been born again has received the power and has only to release that reservoir of strength when confronted by the challenge of the enemy. Christian Life College once used a theme stating: The power behind us is greater than the task before us! There is unlimited potential in the Spirit to confront any challenge we may face. 

The Apostle John wrote to believers who may have struggled in their faith and doubted their ability, as we often do. He reminded them, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). It is time to arise to fulfill our destiny, recognizing the awesome initiative of the power of God working in every believer. 

In our Strategies for Success we are now challenged to RELEASE the resource of power and RECLAIM the promises of God and the authority of His Spirit. Here are some practical ways to fulfill our spiritual potential.

1) Release the power of witness. Sometimes we confess that we are shy about sharing our witness or make excuses that we are ineffective. We are not all called to be preachers and we are not all outgoing in our personalities, but we are all witnesses of the power of God. Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me” (Acts 1:8). That is a promise given to each of us. 

Deny the excuses of inhibition and reclaim the effective narrative of your personal conversion. We have a commission to share our story to people everywhere. This is a universal truth, a transnational experience. Release your tongue. Reclaim your story. Fulfill the commission as you share your witness.

2) Release the power of ministry. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). Jesus performed His ministry in power. The disciples received a ministry of power in the Holy Spirit, “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 4:33). Reclaim the ministry that comes through the power of the Spirit. Apostolic ministry is spiritual. It is powerful. It is available to all who are born again of the water and of the Spirit.

3) Reclaim the power of the Spirit. When Peter and John went to Samaria to pray for those who had been baptized by Philip, Simon saw they received the Holy Spirit with power when the apostles laid their hands upon them. Undoubtedly they spoke with tongues as the Spirit descended upon them, but there was such a powerful demonstration that this carnal man desired the power without the spiritual submission and he was rebuked for his offer to buy the power. This authority is resident in every born again believer. Claim the power of the Spirit and release it as you pray for others to receive this experience. 

4) Reclaim power in prayer. It was noted in the early church that when they prayed, “the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). Something powerful happens when God’s people pray. It is time that we reclaim the power of prayer. It is time to reject the lies of the enemy, reclaim the territory he has taken, and release the authority of the power of the Spirit boldly. 

This is our hour and our opportunity to arise to the challenge of this generation. Everything we have need of is already in our grasp. Release power, prayer, and spiritual ministry as we reclaim miracles, signs, and wonders through the power of the Holy Spirit and the witness of His presence. 
​

Scripture:
“For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

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Refocus and Realign

7/15/2018

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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
Terry R. Baughman

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18–19).

Focus is vital to clear vision. Thanks to advancements in optometry many visual challenges are correctable and the opportunity to go through life with good eyesight is obtainable. From nearsightedness to farsightedness there are adjustments and lenses to bring clarity to one’s vision. Astigmatism can also be corrected through prescription glasses. 

As we age our bodies go through several changes. The eyes also lose some ability for focus and regular testing of vision enable an adjustment to our prescription to compensate for the changes that age brings. Cataracts may form on the eye clouding or distorting the images received. Laser surgery can remove cataracts and repair to the lenses can bring relief from this condition that affects our ability to see clearly. 

In similar fashion our spiritual vision may diminish with time and distortions or distractions may cloud our sight and affect our perception. Spiritual renewal can bring back our focus on the ministry of Jesus and help us realign with His purpose. 


Jesus outlined the scope of His ministry in the passage of our text, a reading from Isaiah 61:1–2. Along with the proclamation of the Good News He also came to heal brokenness, bring spiritual freedom, and “recovery of sight to the blind.” The healing of blindness took place in the natural and in the spiritual sense. In Bethsaida a blind man was brought to Jesus for healing. Jesus took him out of town, spat on his eyes, and placed His hands on him. When asked if he could see he responded, “I see men like trees, walking.” After Jesus touched his eyes a second time, “he was restored and saw everyone clearly” (Mark 8:22–25). 


May God touch us a second time to bring clarity in our vision. There are two areas in which we need a refocus and two objectives with which we must realign to bring about spiritual success and renewal. 

1) Refocus on Salvation. There is a visual renewal that took place in our salvation. New sight comes when we are born again of the water and of the Spirit. Two old hymns come to mind that rejoice in new sight. In 1707 Isaac Watts wrote the inspiring hymn, “At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!”

John Newton’s refrain, Amazing Grace, written in 1773, is perhaps the most famous hymn ever written, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.” When we refocus on the miracle of salvation we experience a renewal of that joyous event and are convinced anew of the great need of others to learn of this new birth experience. 

2) Refocus on His Mission. Jesus came with a singular mission, to save humanity from the curse of sin and the prescribed penalty of death. Jesus said that He had come, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He also said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus did not come to be pampered and honored, but rather to give of Himself so that others might have everlasting life. When we focus on His mission we find a renewal of our mission. 

3) Realign with His Purpose. His commission, delivered to the disciples, serves as our template for fulfilling the Master’s purpose. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them …, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). Our purpose is clear. Our responsibility is to measure our alignment with the assignment. If we have veered away from His commission it is time to realign!

4) Realign with His Vision. We will see clearly when we align our perception with His. This is only possible through a spiritual encounter and renewal. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). Rise up and refocus on the bigger picture through His vision. Perspective can change our understanding and alter the outcome. Get above the clouds. Get away the noise. Get free from the conflict (if not physically, spiritually) and see the big picture of God’s vision, and His purpose. Refocus on His redemption and His mission and see a difference in the outcome.
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Scripture:
“For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success”
(Joshua 1:8).



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Respond or React

7/7/2018

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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

Terry R. Baughman
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:14–16 NIV).

Isaac Newton reportedly learned a lot by observing nature and from sitting under apple trees. The famous legend of an apple falling on his head led to his understanding of gravity and the discovery of other laws of motion in physics. Regardless if the stories of these origins are true, his principles have been studied, tested, and verified. Newton’s third law of motion states, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” 

In real life experiences we may come to confirm and agree with Newton’s third law of motion. This is not only true of physics but often in human interaction. When someone acts another responds. Sometimes just a word, a look, or an offensive action produces a string of negative reactions, which in turn causes others to respond or react. Road rage incidents, political protests, and a rude neighbor’s curse are all events that will produce reciprocation. 

Consider the difference in the two actions: Response or Reaction. Though the difference my seem subtle it is significant. A response recognizes the offense or the action, but is a more measured and deliberate answer to the event. On the other hand a reaction tends to be a more immediate knee jerk reprisal. 

Many events will happen in life that call for a reply. We can make the choice to respond rather than react. When we respond our answer can be a more methodical, less emotional, and appropriate answer to the offense. If we are prone to react we will find ourselves more retaliatory, producing a caustic retort further escalating the conflict. A response is often necessary; a reaction seldom is. 

When we are confronted with difficult situations we can respond with active faith or we can react in frustration. When our convictions are shamed and our best intentions are misjudged or rejected, the hurt may tempt us to react in anger with a desire to strike back in vindication. 

Scripture teaches us to “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,” and to respond, “with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15 NKJ). A proper response is given with our emotions in check when the answer is spoken respectfully. There are always those who seek to identify our hot buttons just to see if they can set us off, provoking an angry reaction. Then they turn around and question our Christianity and rebuke our display of emotion. 

In this Strategy for Success may we find grace to always response with love and under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us how to properly respond in the Sermon on the Mount. He pronounced blessings to those who respond in His way. In the conclusion of the Beatitudes Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12). Rather than to react, we are encouraged to rejoice!

Paul wrote, “Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat” (1 Corinthians 4:12–13). When we understand the bigger picture of persecution, the spiritual attacks of the enemy, we can respond in peace knowing that God’s righteousness upon us is often the target of the provocation. 

Another part of the armor of God will help us wage the war with success. Put on the helmet of Salvation. (See Ephesians 6:17.) Guard your heart. Keep your mind in peace. Isaiah said, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

Unfortunately, Newton’s third law of motion doesn’t work in interpersonal relationships. The action is not always equal or opposite. Sometimes the reaction is unreasonable, the retort greater than the offense. However, we still have the choice; we can respond with the grace of Christ and resist the temptation to react in anger. Respond, don’t react!


Scripture:
“For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success”
(Joshua 1:8).

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    Author

    Terry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ.  See his complete bio at trbaughman.com 

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