Joel 1:12 ‘The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men’

DAILY READING; • • Acts 8:26-40; Joshua 1-2; Job 21

James O. Fraser was a young English college graduate who gave up a potential career and fame to serve as a missionary in the remote regions of China. He was the pioneer missionary to the Lisu people in China.
He was born in London and by the time he was 20 years, he enjoyed a promising future and became an honors student in engineering.
But his life changed drastically when a fellow student gave him a small booklet that stated that more than half the people in the world had not yet heard the gospel.
James Fraser was so touched that he turned his back on his lucrative career in engineering. He also gave up the possibility of success as an accomplished concert pianist and applied to the China Inland Mission to become a missionary. In 1908, he was commissioned and he sailed for China.
Arriving in China at age 22, Fraser devoted his life to preaching to the unreached Lisu people. Fraser saw many hardships, often having only meager food.
He also found it difficult winning converts. However, six years after he reached China, the breakthrough came; 600 Lisu people turned from their idol worship and followed Jesus Christ.
When Fraser began his ministry amongst the Lisu there were no believers and no Christian churches, but through his ministry almost half of the entire Lisu people became Christians.
Today, Christianity continues to thrive strongly in the region. By 2007, it was estimated that 90 percent of the population were Christian and also sending people into other areas to preach the Gospel.
Fraser is remembered as one of the most successful Christian missionaries in East Asia of modern times. His story is contained in the book, ‘Mountain Rain’.
Also ‘Breakthrough’ is an inspiring short film about Fraser and the Lisu People.

If you go through a season of unproductivity or hardship, it is tempting to want to sit down among the ashes and wallow in despair.
However to eventually see fruitfulness, we must despise contrary circumstances, remain strong in faith and keep giving glory to God.
As the year draws to a close, most likely, many of us will be looking at our score cards. For someone today, perhaps you may be thinking, you scored poorly because this year has not turned out the way you had hoped. Maybe you have gone through some trials and unfair situations. But though it seems you have every reason to be bitter and discouraged, remember that God is still in control of your life. He alone has the final say!
You may have gone through the fire of afflictions, but that is not the end, there is still something greater waiting ahead of you.
Despite the setbacks, what matters most is the faith and resilience power within you.
Never stop believing God’s Word no matter what you may face. God is too faithful to fail you.
As long as you walk in obedience to His Word, His promises will surely be fulfilled in your life.
Though you may have passed through the water and fire, you are about to come into your wealthy place.
Just keep your focus on God. Keep looking to His Word and keep blessing Him in every situation.
Stay praise-full, knowing that the faithful God who called you is able to see you through every difficulty. As long as you remain joyful you will eventually be fruitful. Lack of joy is what destroys your harvest.

Joel 1:12 says ‘The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men’

Let us never allow our joy to wither, rather let us keep blessing the Lord at every given opportunity.
In this Christmas season, let us be deliberate in joyfully celebrating the birth of Christ, thanking God for this great gift of love He has bestowed upon humanity.
Indeed the benefits of Christ’s divine birth, is more than enough reason for us to be joyful in this season.
Truly God is good and He has been faithful to us. Therefore, let His praise continually be on our lips, in every situation and circumstance. And as we thank Him for His goodness we have seen so far, it will position us to see yet greater favor, fruitfulness, blessings, breakthroughs, divine turnarounds and miraculous change of story!

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to always maintain my joy despite contrary situations. I know that this is certainly my season to see speedy manifestations of Your signs and wonders in my life in Jesus Name.

QUOTE
There is something that God has placed within you that the world is eagerly awaiting to see. WORDBITE 222