1 Thessalonians 5:24  “faithful is He who called you, and He also will bring it to pass”

DAILY READING; Luke 6:27-49; Genesis 6:1-7:24; Psalm 3

When Maria Woodworth-Etter first heard the Lord’s call to an evangelistic ministry,  she did not immediately heed the call. As a single woman in the latter part of the nineteenth century, she didn’t know how she could venture into ministry, which was mainly believed to be a terrain for men.

And so she ignored the call, got married, had six children and concentrated on being a good wife. However, over the course of time, Maria struggled in her marriage. Then overwhelming tragedy struck as she lost five of her six children to illness. Maria felt her suffering was because she had not answered the call on her life. However as she began to study the Word of God, she understood that God’s calling upon her life was without repentance. She also found out from her study that God had used women in the Bible as ministers, prophets, and leaders. Then Maria had a vision where she saw herself preaching in a wide field of waving grains, As the grains began to fall like sheaves, she heard Jesus say to her that just as the grain fell, so people would fall as she preached.

Finally, Maria yielded to the increasingly clear call and asked the Lord to anoint her for ministry. And the Lord did. As her ministry began, every meeting she held, there was a demonstration of the power of the Spirit as God used her mightily to do great miracles.

Today, Maria Woodworth-Etter is regarded as the grandmother of the Pentecostal movement. Her commitment and dedication personally influenced such great heroes of the faith as Smith Wigglesworth, Aimee Semple McPherson, John Alexander Dowie, John G. Lake, E.W. Kenyon, F.F. Bosworth, and Kathryn Kuhlman.

We can learn from Maria Woodworth-Etter’s life not to easily let go of our vision. Even if it looks like it is far out of reach and  no way it could be accomplished, we must hold on to it. God is always at work in our lives to bring to pass His purpose. Spiritually we all carry a sign that says “Under Construction!”.

Despite the failures and setbacks we may sometimes face, God is not finished yet!  His gifts and callings are without repentance.

When God gives us a dream, it’s like conception, it is like a seed that God plants in the womb of the heart. However before it can come into manifestation, it must go through a process of development. This is then the stage where the enemy tries hard to abort the harvest through discouragement, doubt and impatience.

For instance, many of us started out with great dreams for this year, however  with  the discouraging global situation, some have concluded their vision can no longer come to pass. But despite the difficulties, we must remain pregnant with expectation.

When a woman is pregnant, she is said to be “expecting.” In the same way, to carry our vision to full-term, we must remain expectant. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by trials.

Just like pain often precedes birth, battles will precede victories and trials will precede triumphs. And if only you can decide not to give up no matter how hard the fight, you will surely reap your harvest.

This ninth month of September is indeed a season of unusual harvest. Often the greater the battle, the higher the mantle. Likewise, the great discomfort and tribulations of these past months could be indication of the great grace and Anointing being released this year for unprecedented glory. We must therefore remain sensitive not to miss our portion. God who called us to be revived for glory this year will indeed ensure that we see the manifestation.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says “faithful is He who called you, and He also will bring it to pass”

Let us therefore keep our eyes single on the vision. Let us keep looking on to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Indeed as we remain faithful, we will be fruitful. And as we refuse to quit, we will surely win.

PRAYER. Father I thank You for working in my life to bring to pass the glorious vision You have put in my heart. By Your grace in this month I shall see the manifestation of the glory You have ordained for me in this season in Jesus Name.

QUOTE :

When God is on your side anything is possible. WORDBITE 222;