I hope you have been extremely blessed in this appointed time of the Lord – Shavuot! I have been praying for more Holy Spirit fire and a fresh impartation of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives. In the cool atmosphere of our worship room, the fire fell this morning and I was soaked with perspiration from the heat of the fire. The Temple in Heaven was filled with smoke this morning and it was difficult to see. Then I realized that this was not about seeing, but about receiving what the Lord is pouring out for us in this amazing season of the Spirit. This Sunday, Christian Churches around the world will celebrate Pentecost, and I am praying for Holy Spirit fire to fall on everyone seeking the Lord through this entire season. I am crying out for the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on the Body of Christ and fire us up again for the great harvest. I remembered Luke 10:1-2, “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
There is a danger in thinking that we have plenty of time. Those who are alert and wise know that the time is short and that the season of harvest is already upon us. We must stay focused on what Jesus said in John 4:35-36, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” The fields are ready for harvest right now, and no one knows if there will be another day or another time.
May the wisdom of the Lord give us understanding of all these things! May we fully understand what Paul was saying in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” May we hear and obey what the Lord is saying to us today! May we be filled with Holy Spirit fire and a fresh anointing to go into the harvest fields and bring the lost sheep back into the fold.
Suddenly, I was carried by the Spirit to a new location. I was standing with many other people. Each of us had suitcases and were waiting in line to depart to the harvest fields. Then someone dressed like a security officer started to go through our bags in order to find anything of the Lord (things of the Lord have become contraband). People tensed up as their bags were searched. I had a suitcase and a backpack, and the inspector came to look through the items. When he opened the backpack, it looked as if it was completely empty. On the outside it appeared to be stuffed full, but he could not see anything on the inside.
I began to chuckle on the inside because I knew what this meant. The enemy is trying to steal all of our spiritual gifts and provision from the Lord, but the Lord has released something over you and over me. The enemy will not be able to see the things of the Lord and therefore cannot steal them or accuse us of wrongdoing. We need to build up our faith and trust that the Lord can and will bless, provide, protect, and prosper us in this season of the harvest. We must now boldly step out in faith and rush to the harvest fields in order to be obedient to the Lord and to see His mighty work in us, through us, and for us! Are you ready?
This is the acceptable time! Today is the day of salvation! Today is the day for great grace and great power to accompany the bold preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God! Today is a time to receive something like an Acts Four Holy Spirit outpouring! Are you ready to receive it? Remember what Jesus said, in Luke 11:9, and 11:13“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you….If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Ask for and receive increase more and more! Amen!
Pastor James Durham
Higher Calling Ministries, Intl
P.O. Box 292335
Columbia, SC 29229-0335
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Date: May 16, 2013
