Keep Pressing Forward
Secure Your Journey
In reading Mark Chapter 12 this week I was struck by the passage beginning in Verse 1. Jesus is talking about the strategy for planting a vineyard. I could not help but think that this very same strategy can be used today in your life. The hedge you set must be on a firm foundation of faith strengthened with daily commitment, belief, trust, obedience, praise and thanksgiving.
Set A Hedge
The first thing done was to set a hedge around the prospective vineyard. The hedge was usually built of stones piled on each other to keep predators out. The hedge protected the vineyard from those animals that would otherwise destroy it. Is there something you are believing for in your life? Have you set a hedge of protection around that vision with stones of faith and trust in God? Do you strategically pray a mighty hedge daily to keep predator spirits of fear, unbelief and the like from entering? Without the hedge the vineyard will fall before it can ever produce fruit.
Dig A Vat
Next, there was a place dug for the wine vat. This place within the hedge was excavated to make a space for the finished product-the wine. As the juice was trodden out from the grapes it had a place to collect. Often, space in your heart has to be excavated to make room for the new wine of the season. Although at times you may feel trampled as the grapes, remember that the wine comes next.
The wine vat was dug with full anticipation of a successful harvest. In the fullness of belief for harvest, make sure you do not fail to make a space for the final manifestation of God’s word to you. If you clutter your heart with the ‘what ifs’ of the natural, they will clog up the space that would otherwise remain open for a mighty move of God.
Build A Tower
Finally, a tower was built. Placed in the center of the vineyard, this tower enabled the caretaker to see above the growth to ensure that the harvest remained safe from thieves who would seek to steal and destroy it. As the grapes neared the fullness of their potential, the family often lived in the tower to be able to provide constant oversight and protection right through to the harvest. Whatever you are believing for, build that tower and remain a watchman on the wall until your harvest comes. Pray without ceasing. Believe without doubt.
Keep A Watch
In this season make no mistake that there is one who will come to steal, kill and destroy your dream. He comes through others and through situations. Be vigilant. Set a hedge. Maintain the hedge from the disrepair of unbelief whether spoken by you or others to you. If God has placed something deep in your heart, protect that vision until the harvest and the fruit comes forth. God is faithful to perform His word.
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins. Ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and be Lord over your life. From this moment forward let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt…it will be done.” ~Jesus, Matthew 21:21
“A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower.” ~Jesus, Mark 12:1
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” ~John 10:10
“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9
“You are Lord and You are mighty and You are merciful. Raise up all who would call upon Your name. Raise up those that love You and seek You and trust You. Lord, we need an army of believers that would stand on Your Word above all else. Raise up warriors, Lord, who will fight on their knees; who will worship You with their whole hearts, Lord. Lord, call us to battle that we may proclaim the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Raise them up, Lord. Raise them up!” ~Miss Clara, War Room the Movie
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father God, We thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to set us free. May we hold fast to the vision you have placed deep in our hearts. Equip us to set the hedge, maintain it and remain until the fullness of Your harvest in our lives. Let us not faint or grow weary but rather keep our hearts set fully on You and Your Word. Let us look forward with anticipation for Your plan for each life. Keep us ever present to hear Your voice as You lead and direct our steps. Lead us by Your light to Your perfect will in each of our lives. Great is Your faithfulness, Oh God! We pray this in agreement in Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen.
Arise ‘For Such a Time as This!’
We are at a crossroads in this country. More than ever in our history we are a country divided. We are a church divided. If we, as disciples not just believers, expect to see God move in this situation then we must come together now. The election is just months away. The absence of Christians at the polls in the last election resulted in the change we are now seeing. Spread the word that we must come together in unity across all lines of race, denomination, sex and occupation to rise up victorious in this season. If you are simply ‘playing church,’ stop now. Be the church. Unite the church. Raise up the church. This is our shining hour if we each choose to play our part.
It is incumbent on each and every leader to embolden his or her people to vote for the candidate most closely aligned with Biblical principles. Many leaders are afraid of losing their 501(c) (3) tax exempt status so they choose not to discuss voting at all. Here is a link to share that clearly states the main thing you cannot do is endorse a particular candidate or party. https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/The-Restriction-of-Political-Campaign-Intervention-by-Section-501(c)(3)-Tax-Exempt-Organizations
You can and should promote participation in the election process. Only God can turn this around but His people must play a part in the process. Whether a leader or a disciple of Jesus Christ, encourage all you know to vote. If you attend a church, ask your pastor to encourage the congregation to go to the polls. We have a platform. Let’s use it. Our vote counts only if it is cast!
A Prayer Request
These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour. #Pray for America.
Please join us in prayer: https://drmicheleburke.org/esthers-warriors-ministry/
We thank You , Father God, that You keep Your hand on America. Forgive our sin and heal our land that we will remain One Nation Under God. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail concerning Benghazi and all issues as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.