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Activate

8/26/2018

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Activate
IF MY PEOPLE …
Terry R. Baughman

“‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:5–6).

Twice quoted in the New Testament by both Peter and James lends importance to the principle, “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). The activation of grace is a direct result of our attitude in petition. 

Recall the story Jesus told of a praying publican and a proud pharisee. The Pharisee compared himself to others and loudly expressed thanks that he wasn’t like them, obviously inferior to his spiritual position. On the other hand, a tax collector, seen as one on the bottom rung of society by other Jews, prayed in the distance, not wanting to attract attention or the scorn of others who might see him praying. He fervently prayed, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). Jesus said that publican’s prayer was heard and he went away justified, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

 A recognition of our unworthiness should not prevent us from petition, but rather give us boldness to approach Him. Take courage in the knowledge that Jesus invites all to come to Him in such humility. When we pray with the spirit of humility we don’t command healing, order angels around, or take dominion through our great faith and passionate invocations. In prayer we subject ourselves to God’s will. We humbly submit to the only One with power and authority, dominion and power, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jude’s concluding benediction was such an acknowledgment, “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 25).

The conditions are set. The Lord said, “If My people … will …” (2 Chronicles 7:14). We know what to do; it’s a matter of will we do it. We talk about prayer. We encourage others to pray. We promise to pray. But, do we pray? We must DO it; not just talk about it. We have the pattern, we learn the process, we compile our petitions … now, it is time to PRAY!

What a great resource has been made available to us if we will but take advantage of it. The results are exponentially greater than any effort. The reward surpasses our every expectation. We have seen prayers answered and miracles happen when simple prayers are offered with quiet conviction that God is listening. Prayer is our privilege and our opportunity to effect change in the Spirit and affect the atmosphere on earth. It is time to humbly approach God in boldness knowing we have an unlimited response of grace. As the writer of Hebrews stated, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Activate grace when you pray!
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Scripture:
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).


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Identify

8/18/2018

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Identify
If my people …
Terry R. Baughman

“Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 28:10).

​God’s desire is fulfilled in people who willingly choose to take on His Name and personally identify with Him. God made covenants with those who followed Him. He pledged His faithfulness to those who enter into a covenant relationship with Him. God assured Moses that He would be with him and called him back to Egypt to represent God before Pharaoh. God promised, “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” (Exodus 6:7). 

It was always God’s pledge to be with those who would become His people. “This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jeremiah 31:33). There is no doubt about God’s ability to commit to the covenants He establishes. Whatever God promises will most assuredly come to pass. He will be our God and we will be His people as long as we continue to live in relationship with Him. 

In the New Testament Church a New Covenant was instituted. Just prior to the arrest, the trial, and the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples were gathered in a room to observe Passover and share a meal that became known as the last supper. Jesus spoke to the group as He took the ordinary elements of the meal, the bread and the fruit of the vine, and gave them special significance. These elements became symbols of the body and blood of Jesus, “He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins’” (Matthew 26:27-28). 

On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out on all believers in Jerusalem. In this grand beginning and birthday of the church this new covenant was instituted. Peter preached that in response to faith each believer should, “Repent, and … be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” He went on with a promise, “You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Through baptism in Jesus Name we become personally identified with Christ through this new covenant in His blood. 

We take on the name of Jesus through water baptism. Jesus is the family name and we receive the spirit of adoption to enter into this new family. Paul said, “I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14–15). All those who follow Jesus will take on His name. It is imperative that Jesus becomes our new identity. Peter declared, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

The conditions of the covenant are set, “If My people who are called by My name …” Jesus is His name. Let the name of Jesus be magnified and in Him let us be identified. 

Scripture:
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

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Rejoicing in the Reaping

8/11/2018

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Rejoicing in the Reaping
READY FOR HARVEST
Terry R. Baughman

“Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together” (John 4:36 NIV).

The season of harvest is a time to rejoice! There is great joy when the plowing and planting is over, the cultivation and care is completed, the produce has been packaged and preserved, and the work is finished. Then, it is time to relax from labors, enjoy the fruit of harvest, and celebrate another productive season of ingathering. 

Throughout history, among many societies, special festive times of celebration accompany the completion of the harvest. In early America, after a most difficult time of hunger and a struggle to produce food, a feast of thanksgiving was held to celebrate an abundant harvest. A group of indigenous people joined the European settlers for the festive occasion and it eventually became the annual observance of Thanksgiving. 

Scripture uses many examples and analogies of agricultural principles to illustrate spiritual living, sharing the gospel, and the eventual reward for our labors in the Kingdom of God. Spiritual growth and development may be related to natural growth, and the anticipation of harvest is the ultimate accomplishment of our discipleship. 

The return of the harvest is directly dependent on what has been sown. Paul observed that, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). In the context of Paul’s letter he was referring to financial gifts and giving toward the needs of others. 

Spiritual production is seldom the work of one, but each one is vital to the success of the season. This field is vastly larger than the abilities of any individual. It takes a vast cooperative community of believers to accomplish the growth of the Kingdom. “The field is the world,” Jesus explained to His disciples (Matthew 13:38). The final harvest will reveal the greatness of the field and the incredible increase of every effort. 

One plants, another waters, but it is God that gives the increase. It is a joint effort and an expansive community of discipleship. Paul introduced this concept and focused on the end result of our united efforts, “Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8). Not only are we in community with other believers around the world as we work in this great Kingdom harvest, we are also laborers together with God. Our ultimate reward will be determined by our labor and personal investment, but the rejoicing will be in joining together with all those who have contributed to the fruitful final harvest!

“Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap,” is not only a principle of agriculture but became a scriptural principle as well. Paul expanded on it when he said, “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7–8). While it is common to focus on the negative aspect when we warn others, “You will reap what you sow,” the positive promise is also true. When you sow spiritual disciplines you will reap the rewards of a fulfilled life of Christian service and everlasting life!

An old song of great jubilation was sung in churches many years ago, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the victory!”

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

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Open to Opportunities

8/4/2018

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Open to Opportunities
READY FOR HARVEST
Terry R. Baughman

“I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor” (John 4:38 NIV).

Look. Open your eyes. Sometimes the obvious is right before us and we fail to see it. Jesus spoke about those who, “seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13). It was a condition predicted by the prophet Isaiah, “Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive” (Isaiah 6:9). The condition of the unbelieving is predictable and blindness prevents revelation and understanding. 

When Jesus spoke in parables it was because of the hardness of the hearts in those who refused His teaching and resisted His message. When disciples asked for understanding, He freely shared insights into the meaning of the parables. It was to the same disciples that Jesus invited them to, “Open your eyes and look at the fields!” (John 4:35 NIV). He was willing to show them things others were unable to see. He shared His purpose, His mission, and His plan with those who would embrace the truth and act on His promises. The opportunity was given to believing followers. 

Today, the same opportunities are before those who place their faith in Jesus. He has the same mission and His purpose has not changed. Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). His challenge has not changed. He is still proclaiming, “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35). 

Jesus left a prayer request for the church when He said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2). He would not expect us to do the impossible; neither will He ask us to pray contrary to His purpose. The commission is still, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The command is within our grasp, the mission within our reach. This is our day and the door of opportunity swings wide. Lord, help us to open our eyes to the open door!

It is not our calling in the final hour to plow the fields. In many cases there is no need to plant the seed or till and water the soil. The harvest is ready. Someone else has gone before us and performed the laborious task of plowing, planting, and preparation. The seed has been sown for generations and countless others have labored in the fields. Today it is harvest time. The fields are ripe and ready. The day is drawing late and there remains much work to be done. Get into the fields for the reaping. Go into the marketplace and solicit more labors. Pay whatever is necessary to get others into the harvest. It is time for the great and final ingathering.

Jesus told the disciples, “I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor” (John 4:38 NIV). That same opportunity is before the believers in this generation. A lot of gospel has been preached. The Word of God has been published throughout the world. Now is our opportunity for ingathering. 

In John’s vision Jesus spoke to the church at Philadelphia, “I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8). May we hear the voice of the Lord today, see the open door, and seize the opportunities given us.
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Scripture:
“Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35 NIV).



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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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