What Will Your Harvest Be?

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“Then I heard a strong voice in heaven, saying, Now it has come, the salvation and power and kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ, the Messiah; for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against hem day and night, has been cast out! And they have over come (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death-holding their lives cheap till they had to die [for their witnessing]. There for be glad (exult), o heavens and you that dwell in them! But woe to you, o earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in fierce anger (fury), because he knows that he has [only] a short time [left!].” ~ Revelations 12;10-12 Amplified Bible

As we begin the new year, 2014, I can’t help but get excited about what is happening in the world. Things are getting bad, and from the pulpit we hear things like, “this is a time of harvest”, “a time of release”, and “what has been sown will be reaped.” For some the harvest will be death and corruption. Or as Hosea says in 8:7a “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind…” But it means that all of those who have gone before us and planted the word of God, planted love and mercy, and those of us still planting and watering, will be bringing in a harvest of souls! The harvest is ripe! Pray for workers, but be one yourself!

The devil is full of fierce anger! Why? Because he knows that his time is short! How do we come against his fury? By the blood of the lamb. It has already been shed. The work on the cross is finished. That blood brought us back into right relationship with the Father. We have our authority back. We can declare God’s word and His will and it will come about. We also overcome by the word of our testimony. Tell yourself how good God is, remind yourself of the things He has done for you. Then tell anyone who will listen. In fact tell those who seemingly aren’t listening. Time as we know it is speeding up. Just like Christmas comes up so fast every year, the end is fast approaching and will be upon us quicker than we think. Do we want to leave all those deceived souls in the enemies camp? Or do we want to go in and bring them out? Bring them to the Father’s love. To the sacrificial love of Jesus.

A football team can’t continue to win if they only defend their goal. They have to go out on the offensive and take the ball, then run and fight their way through enemy territory to get the score. It’s the same way with the family of God. We may be assured of our place in heaven, but God forbid we are content with that and allow so many countless others to suffer an eternity separated from the Father’s presence. So they may be reaping what they sowed, but didn’t we all sow some of those same seeds at one time? Thank God, in His mercy and compassion that He didn’t make me bear the fruit of my sin! I am no more deserving of heaven than any of those others who perish in their unrepentant state.

It’s time to stop worrying about what others may think. Be bold, (not rude), and share your faith. Help others, be generous, slow to judge, quick to love and cast off all self-righteousness! We aren’t better than them! We just have a better Father.
So this is a year of harvest. What will your harvest be?

Book Review for “Voices of Hope” – Science Fiction

I picked this Sci Fi book up for .25 from the library and didn’t know it was the last one of a series of several books. So at first the “trannie” language really confused me. By about midway I was catching on to almost all of it. It is told from the viewpoint of about 5 people so you really have to pay attention to the chapter headings that let you know who’s in charge. A great book about the differences in financial status in a future society. Has some military aspects but I am guessing not as much as the first few books. Great morals, a small amount of swearing and some of that is in a futuristic slang. There is also a lot of violence, and it’s pretty vivid, so I can’t recommend for younger than high school. I give it 4 stars and will be reading the first books as well.

Book Review for “Outside”-YA Dystopian Fiction

I was given a copy of “Outside” by the author, Shalini Boland, in exchange for an honest review. This is a YA Dystopian book, which I tend to like. She understands teens, and the intricacies of family and relationships. The story is set in England and enjoyed the difference in the way they talk compared to our American lingo. Great main characters. I give it 5 stars. I can recommend this book for teens and up.

Which Do You Choose?

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I recently watched an old version of Shakespeare’s, “The Merchant of Venice.”
I love the symbolism of the three chests. Whoever chooses the right one wins the hand of the fair maiden.

First there is the Gold chest! Shining and glittering with promise of wealth and riches. The inscription on this chest reads,
“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”

Chest two is silver. It still has some shine, maybe not the glitter. It reads,
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”

The third chest is a simple lead chest. Not worth much, no shine, no glitter, only the inscription,
“Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”

The first chest seems to promise much. But is what we desire always what’s best for us? The answer is no! If you were to choose this one your answer would be,
“All that glisters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told.
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold,
Gilded tombs do worms enfold.”
If you chose this one, you will quickly realize the mistake. What you thought was worth it, just isn’t. Sin has pleasure, but only for a season.

So maybe we can fare better with the silver chest. Getting what we deserve. Do you want what you deserve? I certainly don’t. Thank God I don’t have to. No choosing of this chest for me. I deserve punishment. But if you think you deserve fame and fortune and all of that, go ahead…
Inside you will find,
“The fire seven times tried this:
Seven times tried that judgment is,
That did never choose amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss;
Such have but a shadow’s bliss:
There be fools alive, I wis,
Silver’d o’er; and so was this.
If you chose this one, you will realize how foolish it is to put yourself above others, to seek only your own advancement and comfort.

Of course, we are so much wiser than the foolish suitor’s. We choose the third chest, and rightly so. We hazard all, or gamble all, or give all, for true love! We see inside,
“You that choose not by the view,
Chance as fair and choose as true!
Since this fortune falls to you,
Be content and seek no new,
If you be well pleased with this”

We choose by not looking at the outside, but trusting on what is inside. We aren’t seeking to gratify or glorify ourselves. We are seeking love. True love asks for sacrifice, not greed or self-seeking. Jesus chose chest three- to win your heart. Aren’t you glad.
And won’t you hazard all for Him?