Words of Light

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight) -2 Corinthians 5:6 -7

What does it take to walk by faith? It requires a level of trust in order to step out and believe in the King eternal, who is invisible (Prov 3:5-6; I Tim 1:17). God had to encourage Joshua at least 4 to 5 times as he stepped out as the next leader over the children of Israel (Joshua 1:5-7, 9, 13). Remember Gideon? God sent an angel to announce to him his assignment and then the angel had to convince Gideon he could do the job. Like so many others, they trusted God and held true to their convictions, walked by faith and impacted the Kingdom of God with eternal results.

Paul is speaking to the believers in Corinth and is encouraging them to walk by faith. The word walk is translated figuratively, signifying the whole round of activities of the individual life of a believer. Therefore, walking denotes a lifestyle. In this verse, the meaning for faith is a conduct inspired by a personal surrender to God. Another way to put it simply, it is a conviction. In this context, sight is defined as the visible appearance of things which are set in contrast to that which directs faith. In summary, we as Christians have a lifestyle by conviction or conduct surrendered to God and not by the visible appearances of things which are set contrary to what we believe.

So why was Paul telling the Corinthian Church to walk by faith? Well they were carnal and immature and they had issues (I Cor 1:1-3). He needed them to focus on God so they could mature in faith and obedience. As Christians we should keep an eternal perspective 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For we know, though we are in this world, we are not of this world (Heb 11:13-16). Therefore, we should be living our lives in constant awareness that we will one day stand before our heavenly Father and give an account of the deeds done on this earth (2 Cor 5:10). So Paul tells them in Corinth, it is by faith, they must live and have this personal conviction to conduct their lives in such a way, always keeping this eternal expectation in mind. Regardless of our present situations, our goal should be to please God in all that we do and say (2 Cor 5:9). What pleases God? Walking by faith as though He exists (Heb 11:6).

We must decide that we just cannot live our lives or be moved by what we see, what we hear or how we feel. Just think, what if Jesus was moved by what was contrary to His belief or His assignment? My God! Where would we be? We must remember the things that are seen truly are so temporal and so subject to change when it is not lined up with what God has said or spoken (2 Cor 4:18, Num 23:19). So may we walk by faith as though we know that we have an eternal hope of glory which is in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and fulfill the will of God for our lives on this earth (Col 1:27).

Prayer:
Father, we believe, therefore we walk by faith and not by what we see which is subject to change. We thank you that we can live our lives in such a way that we know we have a blessed and eternal hope of glory. We will keep our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith, knowing that whatever we encounter on this earth You will be right there to help us. Thank you for loving us so much and for securing us an eternal home in glory where we will spend eternity pleasing you and bringing glory to Your name. In Jesus Name, Amen!

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. -Exodus 3:14

When Moses was being called and sent by God to deliver the children of Israel from the Egyptians, he asked God several questions. One of them was, When the children of Israel ask me what is your name, what shall I tell them? God told Moses to tell them I AM THAT I AM! In other words, God will be to you whatever you need Him to be!

Another translation of Exodus 3:14 states it this way. God told Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE . . . Wow! God is all that and everything else to us. He is what we need before we know we will need it. He makes provisions for us long before it is time (Gen 22:14; Heb 4:3). Why? Because He loves us so so much! (John 3:16; Rom 8:31) He made provisions for our salvation through Jesus Christ long before we knew we ever needed a Saviour (Matt 1:21). He provided protection for us, before we knew we needed protecting (Psalm 91). Being the merciful Father that He is, God provided forgiveness for us, long before we knew we would mess up (I John 1:9). Glory Be To God, that is love!

Needless to say, the children of Israel never asked that question. Yet now, Moses had a revelation of God in a totally different light and knew he could do whatever God asked of him. Moses realized that God had his back, and He had the power to bring him out of any situation or back up any promise (Exod 4:1-9). He eventually received the confidence he needed and went forward to carry out his assignment (Exod. 4:20; 5:1). God rewarded Moses faith by manifesting His power to deliver the children of Israel. God indeed was the true Deliverer. He goes on to tell Moses that I Am is His name forever and it is the same unto all generations (Exod 3:15). Hey, that is for us today!

Are you about to take on a new assignment? Do you sense your season is changing? Is God leading you out of your comfort zone? He will be your strength when you are weak (Psa. 27:1, 14), a road in your wilderness (Isa 43:19), peace in your storm (Phil 4:7), and your friend to the end (Josh 1:5). Whatever you need God to be for you today, tap into His power by faith for it! It is your faith that will manifest what you need God to be in your life (Heb 11:27). You must believe that God is and that He will reward your faith as you seek Him (Heb 11:6). He rewards our faith by manifesting Himself to us and through us in ways we may not have seen before. So what is it that you need Him to be? Do you need Him to be a lawyer in your courtroom, a doctor to bring your healing, the CEO to your company, a broker for your investments? Receive what God told Moses, I AM that I AM is with you and that iss all you need!

Prayer:

Father, thank you for your tremendous love shown towards me. Thank you for being whatever I need you to be to get me through whatever situation I face. I truly can do all things and deal with anything in my life through Jesus Christ, whom You have provided for me. You are truly a treasure, faithful, and true. I AM that I AM, giving me the confidence to do whatever You need me to do. In Jesus Name, Amen!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” -Galatians 5:22-23

Have you ever gone into a restaurant and looked around and noticed how many people are actually laughing and really enjoying the moment? You’ll be surprised at what you see. In this day and time, more than ever before, we need to be people of joy! Everyone loves to laugh. Our joy can be a powerful and awesome witness, providing us with strength to uplift others around us who maybe feeling weak and weary (Neh 8:10).

The world needs to see that there’s another way to supernaturally respond to all the chaos and confusion that exist in society today. The joy of the Lord is not dependant on the circumstances in our lives. A good example of this is seen with our brother Paul in the New Testament. He wrote the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon while in prison. In Philippians, it is undeniable that Paul was full of joy even while in prison. In this book, he speaks of joy or rejoicing 17 times (Luke 6:45). How could Paul be so joyous in such unpleasant situations? First of all, He did not allow his present conditions to dictate his actions or his attitude (Phil 4:8). He kept his eyes on Jesus and not his circumstances (Heb 12:2). By keeping his eyes on Jesus and not on himself, he could clearly see that he further advanced the gospel. His situation inspired others to boldly preach the good news of Jesus Christ, regardless of the cost (Phil 1:12-14). Paul knew what God had done for him, what God wanted for him, and what God needed him to do (Phil 3:13-15). The second verse in Hebrews 12 goes on to say that even Jesus had joy on his mind while He endured the cross. Awesome!

The word fruit denotes product or results. One translation states the “fruit of the Spirit” is the work which His presence within accomplishes. The Lord tells us that when we abide with Him, take up residence, hang out, or kick it with Him, we will bring forth much fruit (John 15:5). Another definition refers to fruit as the “pull of the Holy Spirit.” When faced with difficult times that seek to steal our joy, there’s an automatic pull or demand on the supply of the Holy Spirit within to comfort and encourage us (John 14:16-18). If your joy level is not full, it will change as you continue to commune, fellowship, and converse with God (John 16:24). There will be a supernatural exchange and transformation.

Got joy? If your answer is no, then your next step is to get in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 16:11). Being thankful played a great big part of Paul’s joy. Paul was thanking the church of Philippi for what they had done on his behalf. Do you have people who love you? Be thankful! Has anyone ever blessed you in any way? Be thankful! Are you alive? Be thankful! Are you saved? My friend be thankful! By the time you keep giving God thanks and praise, you will definitely experience His presence (Psalm 22:3; 140:13). Once you experience His presence, His joy will begin to spring up in your heart despite your situation (Psalm 16:11).

Prayer:
“Father, greater are You that is in me than he that is in this world. Today I overcome by the word of my testimony. I confess that Your joy gives me strength and even uplifts others who see that joy. Help me to keep my eyes on You so that no situation will ever steal my joy. I will stay full of Your joy giving thanks in everything. I want You as the center of my joy. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen!”

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” -Joel 2:25

When God gives a promise of restoration in the Bible, you can consider that a done deal. His promises are tried and true. The scriptures make sure it’s very clear, not just some of God’s promises, but all of His promises are this way (2 Cor 1:20; Num 23:19). So when God says that He will bring total restoration, then be in total expectation!

What are cankerworms? What are palmerworms? Also, what does a caterpillar have to do with this event? One dictionary referred to the insects as being various types of locusts in their early stages. You probably thought caterpillars only were related to butterflies. Not so! The insects in this text fit under a general class of devouring locusts.

Let’s begin with the locust itself, which is found to be grasshopper-like. It’s the hopping locust also known as the swarming locusts, indicating the characteristic of rapid onslaught. The cankerworm is known as the crawling and licking type. The caterpillar is translated in this verse as being a ravager, consuming, and having a stripping nature. The palmerworm is noted as being the gnawer or the chewing locust. When this invasion of insects hit the farmland of Judah, it left total devastation and destruction. The caterpillar had literally stripped the bark off the fig trees (Joel 1:4-13; 14-20). After this plague occurred, God sent Joel to prophecy to the Jews hope and restoration (Joel 1:1-2; 2:25-27). The Jews were in disobedience and God wanted them to repent. So after the actual locust invasion, Joel warned them that if they didn’t repent, they would receive more judgment even worse than the plague that they had just experienced. So this prophecy was also warning them to get it together and get it right.

Saints, when the storms of life come (Matt 7:24-27; Psa 34:19), whether it is due to your disobedience or just attacks of the enemy, we know we have a blessed hope. This hope is that God is able to restore to you far above what you could ever possibly imagine (Eph 3:20). When you repent and obey, if you were looked over or skipped over for recognition or a promotion, fret not (Psa 37:1-2; 42:5: 30:1). If like Job, the enemy has stripped you of everything, licked and left you dry, read the end of Job’s story (Job 42:12-17). If a crisis swarms upon you rapidly and consumes your strength, keep your eyes on Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of your faith (Heb 12:2). It’s not over! If your emotions have been chewed up from mistreatment and disappointments, the Lord will bring healing (Psa 30:2, Gen 45:1-5, 7-8). If you feel that you won’t escape the affects that the locusts may have had in your life, think again. God will restore to you the years of your life that the locusts thought they had eaten! So be encouraged, He loves you and there will be a great escape from the locusts!

Prayer:
“Father, I thank you for loving me so much that there is no pit of despair so deep that You can’t deliver me from. You are a mighty and powerful and wise God! You are able to heal my deepest wounds. There is no weapon formed through the enemy’s plagues or invasions that will prevail against me! Thank you for being my God who will restore and bring Your promises to pass in my life! In Jesus Name, Amen!”

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” -Phil 4:9-11

All through the Bible, you learn what God wants you to think about, and what God does not want you to think about. He even tells you to have His mind in every situation (Phil 2:5). That’s deep! If you’re thinking like God then you’re acting like God in every situation.

Whatever you think on continually, that is what you will eventually end up doing (Prov 23:7). This is why TV commercials have become one of the most successful marketing strategies in our country and the most expensive. Commercials are designed to influence you to buy the product advertised. They are played repetitively between programs and include some form of enticement to cause you to think about it until you want the product. It’s successful because, without them realizing it, they are capitalizing on a biblical principle. It’s expensive, because business owners know that the profits gained are well worth the high prices paid to advertise.

Remember, whatever you think on continually, that is what you will eventually end up doing (Prov 23:7). Think back! Can you remember the times you did something wrong? Ask yourself. What was I thinking about right before I did that? Where did those thoughts come from? If the devil can get you to think wrong, he can get you to act wrong. That’s why one piece of the armour of God is the helmet of salvation (Eph 6:17). Get it? The spiritual helmet is to protect your mind from ungodly thoughts. Now what have you been thinking about a lot lately? Good things or bad things? Watch yourself. Well, what am I suppose to do about those bad thoughts? I’m so glad you asked! Think on these things . . .

Recognize the thoughts will come, determine now what you will do with them. Depending on what you do with those thoughts will determine whether you’re living that abundant and free life or whether you’re letting the devil bombard your mind. If the devil can get you to think wrong, he can get you to act wrong. If only David had done the holy turn and looked in the opposite direction from Bathsheba, his and her whole life would have been totally different. As a result, he continued to think on wrong things which continued to influence his wrong behavior (2 Sam 11). So what am I suppose to do with those bad thoughts? I’m glad you asked again!

Philippians 4:8 gives us eight categories that our thoughts should fit in. If it is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, a good report, virtuous, or of praise, only think on these things. If they do not fit in these categories then toss them out of your mind. Replace those bad thoughts with good thoughts. Here are some ways to think like Christ and have the mind like Christ. If thoughts of fear come, replace it with thoughts of what the Bible says about fear. God has not given us the spirit of fear and the righteous are bold (2 Tim 1:7; Prov 28:1). If thoughts of unforgiveness come, replace them with thoughts of forgiving your brother endlessly (Matt 18:21-22) because Christ forgives you every time (I John1:9). Also meditating on scripture pertaining to forgiveness will renew your mind (Matt 18:23-35). We are told to keep the Bible before our eyes and ears, it affects our life (Prov 4:20-21, 25-27). One good place to start is to memorize Philippians 4:8, the think on these things verse.

Prayer:
“Father, I thank you for the holy scriptures that have the power to change and renew my mind. Help me to think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, a good report, virtuous, and of praise. When I think right, I will act right. May my desire be to please you in all that I do and say. Help me to think like Christ and let His mind be in me. In Jesus Name, Amen!”

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” -Hebrews 4:9-11

Have you ever had someone to promise you something and didn’t deliver? Have you ever had a relative pledge not to tell your secret and it just slipped out? Have you ever had a friend express how wonderful you look, when you really looked horrific? Well thanks be unto God, we will never ever have to worry about that happening with the Lord. What He says, He will do. He is faithful and true and He will not lie to you. (Num 23:19; Rev 21:5)

Some years ago, the words “Rest on the Rhema” was written on a note attached to a small pillow and given by a friend. In Hebrews, it tells us there is a rest for God’s people. The word rest means ease, relief or refresh. The rhema Word of God is the voice of God or the Holy Spirit speaking (John 16:13). The small pillow definitely symbolized at that time to sleep or to rest on what God had spoken. It was right on the mark. We will know we’ve entered into that rest when we no longer operate in our own strength to make things happen. Make what things happen? Make those things happen that God has planned and purposed for our lives spoken to us by the Holy Spirit. When we’re not in total trust, total belief and total peace in the rhema, we will be anxious, worried, and full of care (Phil 4:6). Instead, Hebrews tells us to labor in order to enter into that rest. Why labor? We labor, because when God speaks it takes faith, so we must labor in the good fight of faith lest we fall into unbelief (Heb 4:11; I Tim 6:12). We can rest, relax and even have peaceful sleep when God has spoken on a situation.

The written Word of God (logos) is the scripture given through holy men, inspired by the voice of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). So check that out! The rhema produced the written Word of God! In the Old Testament, God spoke more through His prophets. Now days, the Holy Spirit may speak by bringing individual scripture to our remembrance to use in time of need or He may announce things to come in our future (Eph 6:17; John 16:13). In Acts, Peter experienced the Holy Spirit announcing to him that 3 men were about to visit him that were sent by Cornelius (Acts 10:19). Later, the Holy Spirit brought to his remembrance the words of Jesus as he was ministering to Cornelius’ family (Acts 11:15-16). Also, the rhema may come through the five-fold ministry gifts, angels, or through someone who is just in the rhythm with the Holy Spirit.

Has God ever spoken anything to you? Well my friend, you can rest assure it will surely come to pass and you will have the victory (Isa 55:11). God’s Word will not return void of power, because He wants to achieve far more greater results, that are far more greater than what we can imagine (Isa 55:8-9). His thoughts are not our thoughts, they are much higher. No matter what it looks like, you can trust God! Look at who is speaking? He is the Most High (Psa 91:1), Maker of heaven and earth (Neh 9:6), Everlasting Father (Isa 63:16), Alpha & Omega (Rev 1:8), the Lord of Hosts (I Sam 17:45), Jehovah Jireh (Gen 22:14), the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9) … Shall I continue? So not only can we rest on God’s written word, we can truly rest on the rhema as well!

Prayer:
“Father, I thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit who will lead and guide me into all truth. I hear your voice and a stranger’s voice I will not follow. You lead me beside still, peaceful, and quiet waters. I will trust you with all of my heart, leaning not on my own understanding, and rest in what you have spoken to me. Help me to fight the good fight of faith and receive all that you have for me. In Jesus Name, Amen!”

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.“ (John 10:10)

In any competitive sport, the best game plan is to anticipate what your opposition is about to do so you can counteract their moves. God wants us to know that we have an enemy out there whose purpose and agenda is to steal, kill, destroy, and devour our life (John 10:10a). God doesn’t want us ignorant of how our enemy operates (2 Cor. 2:11). To win the battle you must identify your opponent or enemy, know how he operates, know yourself, and know what weapons you have to counterattack.

John describes our enemy as a thief. As we all know a thief takes what does not belong to him. He steals our privacy, property, and peace. He will break windows, knock down doors, and tear up your car just to get what he wants. He will also kill anyone that gets in his way, because he doesn’t care. The word kill here means slaughter for any purpose (John 10:10a). He is not your friend. He is cunning and strategic (2 Cor. 11:14) and the Bible tells us to be watchful and alert (I Peter 5:8). Even though the devil has his agenda, thanks be unto God, Jesus has an agenda also. He has come to give us life in opposition to all the death Satan brings (John 10:10b). Not just life, but in abundance, which is exceedingly, beyond measure, and excessive. Jesus came to totally annihilate the works of the devil so that we can bounce back from his clutches of death with a vengeance (I John 3:8).

As mention earlier, another key to winning the battle is to know yourself and to make sure you’re not doing anything to give the enemy advantage over you. Remember the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants (2008) prior to Super Bowl XLII? In the beginning, the Dallas quarterback was slamming New York by quickly moving the ball down the field with pinpoint accurate passes. The Giants were keeping up, but it was taking them a little longer to execute their plays and move the ball down the field. Also, their team members were getting hurt. The Giants did not have a good defensive strategy, at first. After halftime, it was amazing what the Giants did to counteract the Cowboys. The little adjustment that they made drastically changed the direction of the game. The Giants came back into the game sacking the quarterback. They clearly identified their problem, targeted the problem and turned the game around. The New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys and went on to win the Super Bowl game. Let’s just say they definitely bounced back with a vengeance!

Just as the Giants made a small, but major adjustment, so did our friend Paul of Tarsus. Paul (aka Saul) was literally killing Christians and throwing them in jail (Acts 9:1-2). He thought he was doing what was right in his own eyes (Prov. 14:12). He was snared by Satan, who has the ability to blind your spiritual sight and deceive you into helping him carry out his agenda (Rev 12:9). Fortunately, Paul had a miracle from God and converted (Acts 9:3-6). Did he have a choice? Yes, because miracles do not guarantee conversions. Look at the children of Israel. God did many, many miracles, and many of them never believed, therefore, many never made it into the Promised Land (Exod. 10, 13, 15; Num. 14). When presented with the truth, Paul immediately made the adjustment to make Jesus his Lord. Later, God used Paul to complete 3 major missionary journeys (Acts 13-20), begin numerous churches (Rom 15:24, 28), and write one-third of the New Testament books of the Bible. We can truly say Paul bounced back from the clutches of the enemy with a vengeance.

You have the same opportunity to bounce back out of any situation you may be facing. The Bible tells us as Christians to flee youthful lusts, avoid strife, discipline our flesh, lay aside every weight, control our anger, keep pure thoughts, and more (2 Tim 2:22, 24; Rom 8:13; Col 3:5; Hebr. 12:1; Eph 4:26; Phil 4:8). All of which if not done, can create a snare for the enemy in our life. Identify where the enemy may have you bound. Get in God’s Word concerning that area and begin memorizing scriptures to counterattack it. The Word of God is our weapon for the game plan (Eph 6: 17; Heb 4:12). Use it! God will give you victory and cause you to help many others get victory too. Before long, you will have triumphed over the enemy with a vengeance!

Prayer:

“Father, I surrender every area of my life to you. Help me to identify any snares that the enemy has set up for me to fall. I give you full control and submit to the truth of your Word. This truth will renew my mind and make me free forever. You have already given me the victory over all the power of the enemy. I ask for wisdom how to walk in that victory. Thank you that Jesus has come to give me life more abundantly and that life allows me never to be in bondage again. I’m so glad I have a second chance to bounce back in life with a vengeance. In Jesus Name, AMEN!”

“How wilt thou speak these things? And how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? Doth God pervert judgment? Or doth the Almighty pervert justice? If thy children have sinned against him and he have cast them away for their transgression; if thou would seek God betimes, and make thy supplication unto the Almighty; If thou were pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” -Job 8:2-6

Job was a man that was blameless and upright; he feared God and departed from evil. In the eighth chapter of Job, Bildad (Job’s friend) spoke and reminded Job of the kind of man that he had always been ( v.2,6,13,20) taking to heart his situation of despair (the sorrow of losing his seven sons and three daughters and all his possessions).
It is imperative that we remember, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, though wilt not despise.”(Ps. 51:17) God’s ear is ready to listen in the midst of our grief and sorrow (Isa.59:1). Though the pain we suffer in this life does not come from God, He is ever present to grant unto us His Holy Spirit to fill us with His comfort and His wisdom to move us through.

We read in the end of Job’s account that God’s promises in Job’s life were definitely more than just words, “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: Also the Lord gave job twice as much he had before.” (Job 8:6,20)

Have you taken the time to question the Lord about the feelings or things that you are experiencing in your life, even in times of despair? Are you determined to take a hold of God’s promises for your life (Jer. 29:11), to draw near to him (Jas. 4:8), and count every miracle and victory (Rom. 8:18, 31-35) that the Lord has performed in your life? To become sensitive to the pain of others is a journey and part of it is drawing closer to God’s heart. It says in Jeremiah 33:3, “call unto me and I will answer thee…” This is the best choice you can ever make. Not only that you will be blessed, but you will also find peace and victory as Job did (Ps.1:1-3).

Prayer:
“Father, today I invite your Holy Spirit to come to dwell on the inside of me. I have been in despair many times and have felt betrayed by circumstances in life, but I now have decided to follow your ways. I am giving you permission to heal me from inside out. I want to change. I thank you for always being with me, even when I don’t feel you. I know that you are here and that your presence is embracing me with your everlasting love and mercy. I am ready for another journey with you and will face any situation with a greater joy and peace, knowing you always cause me to triumph! IN JESUS’S NAME, AMEN!”

“13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works;… 16 … and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” -Psalm 139:13-14, 16

Before we were born, God created and fashioned us with a specific purpose in mind. This was stated about Isaiah (Isa. 49:1:3-5), Jeremiah (Jer.1:5), John the Baptist (Lk.1:13-17), and Jesus (Mt. 1:20-23). Another translation states verse 13 this way: “For You did form my inner parts; You did knit me together.” Have you ever noticed the stitching of a knitted blanket or scarf? It is intricately harmonized and synchronized with the other stitches to create a design or a pattern. When done correctly, the finished product is beautiful. God has fearfully and wonderfully put you together and His works are marvelous. There is no one else like you and there will never ever be another you. You are one of a kind. So be who God has created you to be. BE YOURSELF!

“For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.” -Matthew 20:1-8

If you had any idea about what was ahead for the Body of Christ, you would be immediately moved to prepare your heart. The authors of the New Testament, by way of the Holy Ghost, made it very clear that God deeply cares for the victory and triumph of His Church (Mt. 16:17-19; Eph. 4:11-16; 5:25-28). There is a destiny that has been programmed into the Church that nothing can malfunction, no, not even the dark world that we are called out from. There is too much glory that has been revealed from generation to generation for anything to slow down this momentum that the Church has gained since it’s formation (Jn. 14:12). Hidden within the above parable of Christ is the spoken outcome for the household of faith. And you can guarantee one thing; Just as the mysterious Christ appeared victorious, despite all the opposition of Satanic forces throughout the ages, so too will the mysterious Church emerge victorious, crushing the serpents and scorpions that would seek to retard its destiny.

For reference, expositors are certain of the following facts in this parable:
God the Father is the householder
The laborers are the servants of God
The vineyard is the world

With that said, let us look at the truth that holds within it the glory of the marvelous Church.

The householder goes out early into the morning to hire laborers. The reason he even has a need to hire laborers is because he is the owner of a certain field that he considers to be his prize and joy (Ps. 24:1-2). His interest is in the development and perfection of that which he owns. Early in the morning he sets out to find laborers willing to help him. In the wee hours of the morning he finds those eager to help him start this work. As the laborers worked, the householder soon realized that in order for the work to be finished by nightfall he must hire other workers to come alongside those who first began. He goes into the marketplace around the third hour (9:00a) hires them, and sends them into the vineyard speedily. The scripture says that he did this same thing at the sixth hour (noon) and the ninth hour (3:00p). The wise householder must have known that as the day progressed, the amount of manpower needed to get the job done before the end of the workday would have to increase, due to the size of the vineyard. It can also be implied, just like any good boss would, that he listened to those who worked for him. No doubt the workers made plea with the householder to hire others to help with the work.

The eleventh hour soon arrived (5p) and the householder noted that in order to wrap the job up and bring it to completion on time, he would have to make one final call for laborers. He rushed back into the marketplace and found a group of individuals who were idle. These were not lawyers, doctors, or religious leaders of the time (all of which would be too busy to stand idle). Rather they were those in need of purpose and equipping. The wise householder gave them the endowment and authority necessary to come alongside the other laborers and finish the job. Finally, one hour after the final laborers were hired, the sun set and the night came upon them. No one could work any longer. But that was ok. The work had been completed.

God the Father is a wise householder who owns the whole earth and the fullness thereof (Ps. 24:1-2). Jesus makes it clear that the earth is a vineyard that is ready for harvest because the gospel came through him. The most significant aspect of this parable that we should give attention to is the hours. At different periods of time, a call would be made, laborers would be added, and the pace would strengthen.

The early morning hours (6a, the start of the workday) represent the early Church and its formation. They were the first group of people to see a mighty move of God, all beginning in the upper room at Pentecost. The burden of the workload, due to limited laborers, was no doubt a price they had to pay. Jesus spoke to them, however, and said “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Mt. 9:35-37). When the Church would call upon the name of the Lord, the Lord would rush into the marketplace and find those who were available to become part of His harvesting. We can see this all over the pages of Church history. Moves of the mighty Spirit of God to refresh, strengthen, uplift, and solidify the Body of Christ. From Tertullion, Clement of Alexandria, and Polycarp to St. Anslem of Canterbury, St. Augustine of Hippo, and St. Patrick to the Cevennes Prophets, St. Teresa of Avila, and Martin Luter to George Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards, and Chuck Finney to Evan Roberts, William Seymour, and Smith Wigglesworth to Oral Roberts, Lester Sumrall, and Kenneth Hagin (as well as all the other nameless laborers who faithfully worked under the heat of the sun); God has sent armies of laborers at crucial hours to advance the work of the vineyard.

In the marvelous parable of Christ he mentions that just before the midnight hour, when no man can any longer work (Jn. 9:4-5), he would make one final call. As the sun began to hang low on the horizon (when apparent darkness would become everyone’s concern), Jesus promised that the Father would hear the cries of those who had already labored. And as he was faithful to do before, he would rush again into the marketplace. He would look for those wanting to find destiny, purpose, and the reason they exist. He would equip them with tools and abilities they once never had and give them delegated authority to join the ranks of those who had worked before them, considering them just as great and capable. This is the call of the eleventh hour. The final call. The unusual, unexpected, surprising call to hire a host of workers at the final part of the harvest period.

There is no question that a mighty move, powerful revival, and great awakening is on the horizon. God the Father has heard the cry of his laborers. He has sent the Holy Ghost into the marketplace to find the last and final workers to intensify the harvesting and bring this work to a close. So don’t fear what seems to be darkness. No, no, don’t fear what seems to make you afraid. For their is a cry that went up and that has made provision for the supernatural, unusual, unprecedented calling and equipping of end-time workers. And they shall succeed. And when the even comes, they shall be rewarded for responding to the urgent cry of the eleventh hour call.

Prayer:
“Father, I thank you that you have heard every cry. You have heard every prayer and all the intercession that every one of your workers have made. I declare that I am part of this eleventh hour call. I am willing, available, and eager to be one of those to join the ranks of those who started, carried, and maintained the great work of the harvesting. Now use me to bring this thing to a close; to help usher in the glorious coming of your son, Jesus Christ, demonstrating the power of the gospel and the might of the Holy Ghost. I surrender to you precious Lord. Here I am. IN JESUS NAME. Amen.”