ARE YOU IN THE BATTLE FOR THE HARVEST OF SOULS ?
10/7/2021
As a follower of Christ, I have always heard His voice to Peter asking him to drop his nets and become a “Fisher of Men”. Essentially Jesus was asking Peter to actively go forth and spread the Gospel to all the world. My blog is my way to engage in the work of that very same calling. It is our calling to go and make disciples. It is our calling to show all people we seek the presence, power, and authority of Jesus. It is not some casual project to work on when we like in our spare time. It is a command to our hearts from our Savior, Lord, and King. The deeper your relationship with Jesus becomes, the more you want to obey and please Him. IS THAT HOW YOU FEEL ? IS THAT YOUR PRIORITY ? Several years ago i had an amazing dream. I was on a boat, getting ready to fish. I looked up and the water was teeming with fish. Fish everywhere ! I sensed someone had come to stand beside me. Looking over, I realized it was Jesus ! I looked again, and realized that the ocean water was full of people. I turned and said, “ What is this Lord ?” Jesus looked me straight in the eyes and said “ It is a great Harvest Jim. It is a Harvest of souls for My Kingdom. I need you to fish for me and bring these souls to me. Understand, Satan desires these souls as well, and he is actively trying to catch them as well. Fish long and hard and do it every moment lest they be lost to him.” I looked at the water, then back to where Jesus had stood, but He was gone….but His message and command I heard clearly and deeply.
AND HE SAITH UNTO THEM, FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN. Matthew 4:19
GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. AND BEHOLD, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE END OF THE AGE. Matthew 28: 19-20
BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, THAT YOU MAY BE CALLED TO THE EXCELLENCIES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT. 1 Peter 2:9
Going forth as a disciple for Christ is not a task to be taken lightly. IT IS WHAT WE ARE MADE FOR WHEN WE ABIDE IN HIM AND HE IN US. Sharing the Gospel means you must be intimate in your knowledge and understanding of it, and be able to stand when others question it, mock it, and reject it. The foundation of your stand lies in the Love and Grace of Jesus Himself. He came to save sinners and open up a new path to relationship to God The Father,….and He was always about The Kingdom Of God. Throughout the ages, many Christian men and women have taken that incredible stand for God. In so many ways it is a Battle, and a battle requires a plan, a goal, a knowledge of the forces against you, along with priorities, tools, resolve, and an unwavering desire to be victorious. Do you know Jesus ? Do you know Him intimately and trust Him completely ? Do you understand what it means to be a disciple, and how to go and make disciples ? Are you in God’s Word all the time, striving to gain knowledge, then understanding, then Wisdom and Discernment ? Are you dressed in the Armor Of God, and constantly working to make it stronger and more complete ? Are you using your spiritual gifts ? Most importantly is serving Him and Sharing Him your number one priority and goal in your life ? This is a Battlefield that requires you to be “ALL IN”, and you better know that Satan wants to destroy you and your effort. He will bring everything he can against you, so fellowship, prayer, and always seeking Jesus are keys to your survival.
I WILL LOVE YOU, O LORD MY STRENGTH. THE LORD IS MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS AND MY DELIVERER; MY GOD, MY STRENGTH, IN WHOM I WILL TRUST; MY SHIELD AND THE HORN OF MY SALVATION, MY STRONGHOLD. Psalm 18: 1-2
IN THE DAY WHEN I CRIED OUT, YOU ANSWERED ME, AND MADE ME BOLD WITH STRENGTH IN MY SOUL. Psalm 138:3
“FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND” 2 Timothy 1:7
We truly serve an amazing God. He uses each one of us uniquely. He uses us in a myriad of ways, and in a many different places and circumstances. His love shines in and through us into a world of darkness. The Holy Spirit will guide us all into situations and places where He wants us to be to Share The Gospel. To show God’s Love, Hope, and Promise. Our world is crying out for Hope ! Our world is reeling in fear and anxiety ! There is no better place to be than sharing Jesus and His Kingdom with all those who would listen. Sowing seeds in the places where darkness will succumb to the Light ! Take a step, make a stand, lean into Christ, Share His Love and Grace……. Fast Forward……I’m years beyond my dream, but I STILL FEEL THE PRESENCE OF JESUS ASKING ME TO HARVEST SOULS FOR HIS KINGDOM :) It fills me with Joy that He asked me and trusted me to do it. Why ? BECAUSE I LOVE HIM ! AND HE LOVES ME ! GET BUSY FISHING/JAA
WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU; AND THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY SHALL NOT OVERWHELM YOU; WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED, AND THE FLAME SHALL NOT CONSUME YOU. Isaiah 43:2
SO WE HAVE COME TO KNOW AND TO BELIEVE THE LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR US. GOD IS LOVE, AND WHOEVER ABIDES IN LOVE ABIDES IN GOD, AND GOD ABIDES IN HIM. 1 John 4:16