So What Did You Gain?

By

April 4, 2007

Last Wednesday, I put out a challenge to all of us to put aside an hour a day or a total of five hours during the week to deliberately fill our mind with something positive. Could be the Bible, a book, CD’s, prayer, etc and then we would compare notes in a week. So here goes…

 

For starters, I didn’t succeed in getting that full hour in each day. I did begin listening to the Bible on MP3 and reading “Through New Eyes – Developing a Biblical View of the World” by James Jordan. It is helping me see all of what God created in a whole new light. I am motivated this week to continue.

 

I agree with Ray Baylis on the blog that we compare notes, so please share with the group what you gained this past week in terms of insight, inspiration or ideas. My friend Dave Moore, with InJesus Global Missions, who travels frequently to Africa, emailed me a testimony that really helped me and I am choosing to pass this on for our mutual edification. It is entitled, “Manna from Heaven”…

 

Kingspride Hammond, native born in Ghana, but an American citizen, is now a full time missionary to Northern Sub-Sahara Ghana. He has a large mission compound consisting of a vocational school, a medical and dental clinic, a fish farm and a land farm. The area was experiencing a drought. This is a serious issue in the dessert land, as farms were withering and animals and even humans were dying due to the lack of rain. King noticed in Genesis Chapter 26 that God told Isaac not to go to Egypt during the famine, but rather to sow in spite of the famine.

 

King took this as a Rhema Word directly from the Lord. He obeyed and sowed the 13 acre farm with corn seed. He told the Lord, "Lord, I don't know if it will rain or not, but I am not looking to the rain, or to my own efforts, I am looking to You." All the other farms in the area were withering with no rain in sight. Animals were dying. However the mission farm corn crop grew without rain, and yielded even 10% more than the years when they did have rain. The implications went far beyond the corn. The Muslims came and wanted to know about this God that caused the corn to grow. The Ju-Ju priests came and told King they had sacrificed to their god and done many incantations, yet their god did not produce like his God.

 

The answer? King had a single eye. He went through the asking, seeking and knocking. The storm of drought came, but as a doer of the Word his house stood on the Rock and others flocked to the house that stood. Where are you planting?

Refuse to accept what the world says, for you are a child of God and His "promises" are true. We are experiencing a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit throughout the land. As I prepare for my next journey to Africa in just a few short weeks, it is exciting to be apart of what God is doing in the world. This truly is the "Great Adventure."
Comments (13) - Post a Comment
Two things. I have been told that comparison robs us of our joy and I do believe in America especially we do way too much of that. Also, remember what Zig says Attitude is Contagious and I believe that is positive or negative. I have noticed the last couple of days I have listened to some negative input and I have in turn poured that into others. I will continue to strive towards positive Godly input.
Mike McNulty at 12:33pm EDT - April 4, 2007
Michael, I have been setting aside one hour everyday to read my Bible and to pray. I am finding more peace in my life. But he story from the missionary in Africa has caused me some confusion. He mentions Genesis 26. It says to sow in the famine. However, Matthew 13 talks about sowing on the fertile ground. Is this not contradictory. Where am I getting confused here? Help straighten me out. Blessings and thanks, Ray
Ray Grimes at 1:02pm EDT - April 4, 2007
Michael, Thanks for the challenge! In addition to reading my Bible each day for devotions as I have become accustomed to, I began reading one of the many John Maxwell books that I have acquired in the last year (at the NAIFA conference 2006). The book is \"Failing Forward\". I didn't realize how much I needed to hear what he had to say at this time in my life! I learned several things so far, but I'll touch on the most important. The difference between average people and those who achieve is their perception of and response to failure. Failure is not an event. There are many ways to be a winner, but only one way to be a loser and that is to fail to look beyond the failure. We must be willing to change the way we look at failure. All we have to do is to learn to Fail Forward. Hope this helps a reader somewhere! God's Richest Blessings! Chuck
Chuck Benway at 1:40pm EDT - April 4, 2007
Hi Ray, Abraham sowing in times of famine was an exception and not the rule. It was miraculous. Normally you sow in fertile soil as you said. It's just like when the Israelites invaded Canaan and took the city of Jericho by marching around it for seven consecutive days, then watching the walls fall down when the trumpet blew. That was not normal nor was it ever repeated. We are to plant in good soil but there may be times like this brother when the Lord directs us to plant in parched soil during a famine because He will overide the natural and produce an abundance out of scarcity.
Michael Pink at 4:24pm EDT - April 4, 2007
I've learned what do we gain by worrying over anything??? NOTHING-jUST TRUST GOD
Greg K at 5:33pm EDT - April 4, 2007
I have come away with a sense of my Heavenly Father's desire for my attention. As an ADHD adult it is a challenge to just be still before HIM. But, I feel the tug from the Song of Solomon, \"Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.\" (2:13) What an AWESOME FATHER we have. I am seeking HIS direction for my business these days, and learning to listen for HIS voice. The joke between my husband and I has become, \"Kara is with her 'other man' as I am listening to the voice of Michael Pink (The Moses Strategy now) generating from my portable CD player, with speakers, while I work!
Kara Harris at 6:22pm EDT - April 4, 2007
I live in South Africa, and many of us leave for pastures elsewhere - most of them have been part of the former 'politically elite majority' who has now been relegated to a minority without hope and a future - state and religion was intertwined with the ffect that religion became the reason for many oppressional practies. However, believing the word of God expilictly, where state and religion are now seperated, gives a different dimension to believing God unconditionally. Like others I tried to follow Daniel's practice by praying whorshipping God in the midst of all we do - not quite succesful in this I must admit - too many distractions and lack of discipline I dare say. Thank you for the challenge!!!
Hannes Piek at 3:45am EDT - April 5, 2007
Hello Hannes; Thank you for posting and sharing your perspective from South Africa.
Michael Pink at 8:25am EDT - April 6, 2007
Hi Kara; I think most of us have at least some ADHD tendencies. By that I simply mean, that it is quite difficult to actually be still and know that He is God. To actually quiet down the distractions, the thoughts, the emotions etc and truly focus on the Lord. One thing that helps me from time to time is to ride on the wave of worship from a favorite worship album. It gathers my thoughts and focuses my heart and my body is engaged by singing along. The end result is an awareness of His presence and when that happens, being still is easy, even natural. I am glad your husband is an understanding man! If you haven't already, I strongly recommend you getting the 7 Wealth Secrets of the Rainforest for your business. You can find it at www.SecretsoftheRainforest.com It is the result of 2 years of research and about $50,000 in expense and has helped me tremendously. Blessings.
Michael Pink at 8:31am EDT - April 6, 2007
Thanks for sharing the testimony and experience of Kingspride..
Ray Coggin at 8:55am EDT - April 6, 2007
My husband and I were so blessed by the testimony from Kingspride Hammond. So often we use conventional wisdom and expect God to answer prayer in a certain way. In a drought situation, one prays for and expects rain to deliver the crop. How amazing to see that the corn grew without rain. It is a very profound lesson for all of us.
Kathy Furman at 6:51pm EDT - April 6, 2007
Michael: I decided to look into the life of David and see if I could discern how he \"influenced\" others. My reading led me to look into how influence was built into his life, which led to reading from the beginning of ISamuel and seeing how our Lord set up David for influence through His preparation of Samuel and Saul and David's early life. I am still reading and am sure I will find the nuggets our Lord has in His word. Thanks for the encouragement.
Robert Arnold at 10:07pm EDT - April 8, 2007
Hi Michael; I really enjoyed your little article. We all need HIS word in us. We need the LOGOS the written, and we need the RHEMA His word for us individually. There is no pattern other than learning to walk and to talk and to hear Him and be obedient. I strongly encourage you to read Rich Marshall's book \"God @ Work\". How to make God our business partner, and doing business His way not ours, and How revival will never happen in the church but in the Marketplace. Read \"Ignite The Fire\" In the March issue of \"Charisma\" magazine. Blessings to you!
Archa Hill at 11:56am EDT - April 9, 2007


Post A Comment
Name: (*Required)
Email: (*Required)
- Not Displayed With Comment
Website:
Comment:
 

« Back to Blog

Sign Up for Our Blog

Find Us On...

Facebook MySpace Twitter