THE GATE TO THE FIELD IS OPEN

Healing Wells

*** Digging the Wells of Healing ***

THE GATE TO THE FIELD IS OPEN

By Helena Filmalter

If we are to believe the prophecies that have gone out over the Pacific Northwest in 2001, then there is a ripe harvest of souls, ready for the picking, especially among the under 30 set. And if we are to align ourselves with God's word for this area, then we need to open our eyes to this harvest. God's favor is on this younger generation.

I had to ask myself, how many more prophesies do I have to hear, how many more personal words do I need before I can understand and act upon the simple words of the Lord Jesus, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto me, therefore go and make disciples of all nations." (America is a nation too, in case you wondered!)

Many of us sit frustrated on a bunch of personal words concerning a call to the ministry, even to the five-fold ministry, but the doors to the church have been closed. The opportunities that we have been hoping for has not opened. We have all been looking at the old catch, thinking that God has called us to rearrange the piles of old fish! The truth is that we need a fresh catch of fish to come ashore. Fundamental to every person's call and ministry in the New Testament is bringing the catch ashore that they were called to minister to.

Jesus called Peter to 'feed the lambs and to take care of the sheep'. He could only do this once he had 'caught' the sheep. We see him on the day of Pentacost, leading 3000 people to the Lord, soon after that another 5000. Paul was called to be an apostle, but there was no ready-made church waiting for him. He first had to preach the gospel and then he made them into disciples.

Why are we so reluctant to do the obvious? When you deal with the gospel, you deal with shame, and we all hate shame. Paul would not have stated so emphatically that he was not ashamed of the gospel, if there was not a real possibility of him being ashamed. "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing" (I Cor. 1:18). We don't want to be shamed by appearing foolish. Hebrews 13:12-13 says, "Jesus suffered outside the city gate . . . Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore." In leading people to the cross, you are leading them away from their own strength and righteousness, through the shame that Jesus bore. Thirdly, as you share the gospel, the eyes of the Holy Spirit is laying bare sin in peoples lives and they often react to you like Adam and Eve reacted when they discovered their nakedness.

None of these three counts of shame can hinder the gospel from bringing salvation to those who hear the message - it is part of the gospel. Paul continues 'for it (the gospel) is the power of God unto salvation.' Let us then move through these barriers. Let us see God's foolishness as able to save as we scorn the shame of the cross for the glory set before us. The gate to the harvest field is open. Put the sickle to the field, for the harvest is ripe.

Helena Filmalter is an anointed Teacher of the Word. Tschedule her for a Conferenceyou can contact her at:

503-665-3096 (h)
503-560-7314 (cell)
helena@healingwells.com

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