The end times reserved harvest worker

Dear ones:

As reported previously, old folks are being raised from seaside resorts or tourist camps n sent out to the harvest field these days.

The typical age of missionaries is fifty n more. Solo or couple with no kid. Self supporting retirees or tentmakers.

Here are some perceived n real matters concerning some of these reserved forces :

Indeterminable ages. Bible believing Christians. Following the call of Jesus and braving deep and raging water, swimming to where the fishes are. Often professionals but do not boast of or reveal what they had given up in the world before. Born again. New creation. Compeled by the love of Christ. May not be sent by a religious institution.

Believe in the power of the Holy Spirit but may not be practicing. Hunger for the power of the Holy Spirit for their ministry. Hunger to see outpouring of the Holy Spirit big conversion of unbelievers like in the book of Acts.

Some may be weary n tired n wounded. Amateur in spiritual warfare. Some may have received hard knocks but continue to persevere, and persist by faith. Some may not know how to put on full armor of God or use spiritual weapons but are being preserved by God’s grace n mercy as they hold fast to the words of God.

Some have jumped out of their planes without parachutes by faith . Disillusionment does not deter them to hang on or hold fast to their belief. Spiritual Gifts may not be utilized. Work may not match gifts. Disjointed as they can’t simply trust others in the foreign harvest fields.

Need spiritual support badly. Weaker ones may have succumbed to temptations : spirit of immorality , greed , gluttony , fear of lack…

Pray : a safe sanctuary for such to worship n read the words n pray in the Spirit. A supportive n spiritual refreshing place for esp the solo missionary. Some may be in dire strait.

Scorching, great hail and noises from heaven

Revelation 16
Bible Gateway
Revelation 16 (New King James Version)
16 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls[a] of the wrath of God on the earth.”

First Bowl: Loathsome Sores

2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

Second Bowl: The Sea Turns to Blood

3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.

Third Bowl: The Waters Turn to Blood

4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying:
“You are righteous, O Lord,[b]
The One who is and who was and who is to be,[c]
Because You have judged these things.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
And You have given them blood to drink.
For[d] it is their just due.”
7 And I heard another from[e] the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

Fourth Bowl: Men Are Scorched

8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Pain

10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and[f] of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.[g]

Seventh Bowl: The Earth Utterly Shaken

17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
Footnotes:
Revelation 16:1 NU-Text and M-Text read seven bowls.
Revelation 16:5 NU-Text and M-Text omit O Lord.
Revelation 16:5 NU-Text and M-Text read who was, the Holy One.
Revelation 16:6 NU-Text and M-Text omit For.
Revelation 16:7 NU-Text and M-Text omit another from.
Revelation 16:14 NU-Text and M-Text omit of the earth and.
Revelation 16:16 M-Text reads Megiddo.

what makes a disciple a disciple ? Mark one continues

Today we continue reading Mark chapter one for answer. 

What does Jesus see in a disciple ?

Jesus sees the inside. He sees a willing heart, a desperate desire to follow the way , the truth , and the life . The true light . Those who can see the true Light. They can hear the call of the true Shepherd and follow Him without hesitation. He sees the simple faith in them, in the One sent by God , the Anointed One. They know the Messiah prophecy . They believe when they see Jesus.

Seeing their inside, Jesus needs not bother with their external: professions, qualifications, family background, education, social and economic status, political and religious positions…

Jesus also knows that they will respond to His call without hesitation. They will leave all baggages and come when He says , Come and follow Me.  

what makes a disciple a disciple ? Mark one

Reality check for disciple : Today we read Mark one to answer this question. A disciple hears Jesus calling, drops everything he is doing, his profession, his familiar work place, his means and tools of earning a living , even someone whom he depends upon from birth… He does all the above for just one purpose : to follow Jesus. Simon, Andrew, James and John did just that. What happened after they made this step of faith ? Here is a list of some of the amazing and even miraculous happenings they witnessed first hand : Jesus taught with real authority . Jesus cast out an evil spirit from a man in the synagogue. Evil spirits obeyed Jesus’s orders. Jesus healed many sick and demons possessed people. Diseases and demons obeyed Jesus’ commands. The whole town gathered to watch and everybody was looking for Jesus. A disciple is a witness of all these. He witnesses the power of God as evidenced in this life of Jesus, who now lives in each disciple, and continues to manifest His Son of God life, our real life ! Others can see this and carry on witnessing!

what makes a disciple a disciple? (chapter 3)

Today we continue this discipleship journey, reading some verses from the Book Of Acts 1-2.

1:5 they are baptized with the Holy Spirit.

1:8  they receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. And they will be Jesus’ witnesses, telling people about Him everywhere—even to the ends of the earth.

1:14 They all meet together and are constantly united in prayer, including men and women, old and young.

2:4 And everyone present is filled with the Holy Spirit and can speak in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gives them this ability.

2:16 others can see prophecies of  the prophet Joel comes true on them: God pours His Spirit upon them, and they will prophesy, see visions, dream dreams on matters of God.

2:22 God publicly endorses them just He had endorsed  Jesus by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs.

2:41 they know the purpose of  being filled by the Holy Spirit: they share the Good News of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, and the number of  converters can come to thousands as on the day of the first Good News preached by Apostle Peter.

2:42 they devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

2:43 they gather in a deep sense of awe for the mighty works of God,  and they witness many miraculous signs and wonders in their midst.

2:44-45 they meet together and share material goods with those in need.

2:46 They worship together each day, meet in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and share their meals with great joy and generosity—

2:47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord adds to their fellowship those who are  being saved.

In summary: what makes a disciple a disciple? He is Holy Spirit-filled. He walks by the Spirit and lives a worshipful and prayerful lifestyle, manifesting the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit as he witnesses for Jesus.  He is God-centered and not self-centered. He has compassion for God’s people, and shares willingly.

Holy Spirit-led, Word, and prayer