August 18, 2010 I want to share something with you. I believe the Lord spoke into my heart recently something about the Fall season ahead. God is good and He has something very special in store for us all!
Four weeks ago I awoke in the middle of the night to the words "Build Barns" on my lips. I recognized that the Lord was talking to me, but was very puzzled with these words. I knew we were not supposed to launch another building project. What was God saying?
I went to my Bible and did a cross-reference on "barns" and then I Googled "Build Barns." I knew this was important, but it was very unclear to me. I could only find the word "barns" in the plural form in five places in the entire Bible. It was the plural I had heard in my bed. As I began to read these scriptures, my heart jumped at the promises I heard the Lord making to us...
Deuteronomy 28:8
"The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you."
The gift of effectiveness and influencePsalm 144:13
"Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands,"
The promise of provision and the sheep (people) being blessedProverbs 3:10
"...then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
The promise of the Holy Spirit's presence, life and powerMatthew 6:26-27
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
The reminder not to fear or worry Luke 12:16-21
"And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
This parable warns of complacency or passivity that comes from human confidence or selfishness towards others...a strong admonition to get with it!When I went to Google I found hundreds of ways to build barns, purchase plans, farm equipment and you name it. Digging deeper I found an obscure quote from a Greek philosopher some 3,000 years ago that I had never heard before in my life:
"It will not always be summer; build barns."
-Hesiod
-Hesiod
So the issue is not physical buildings...the issue is anticipation. Anticipation and faith so sure that the necessary preparations are made for what is coming.
I believe the Word of the Lord to us as a church is this:
"I am setting myself to pour out on you an unprecedented blessing that you will not be ready for if you keep your eye on the season of disappointment you find yourself in presently. Everything is in my time," says the Lord. "Prepare yourself for the good things I have prepared for you. Each of you are my 'barns.' Prepare yourself to gather in what I am bringing to you for it is more than your wildest expectations." The Lord says..."Get Ready."
What does this mean to you and me? How am I (you) to prepare spiritually, professionally, strategically, personally? I have every confidence if you will let this Word fill your heart, the Lord will show you what to do with it.
Preparing...and partnering with you!
Pastor Jim Hayford
I welcome your response to this email.
jimh@eastsidechurch.org
