A Common Persuasion
Faith moves mountains; Jesus said so in Mark 11:22-24. If you take a look at the word “faith” in a New Testament dictionary you will find that at its root, possessing faith simply means being convinced or persuaded about something. In the context of Jesus’ statement, mountain-moving faith comes from being persuaded by God that He can do what he says He can do![a]
The Lord, by His Holy Spirit, is working to persuade hearts towards His desired outcomes for this region. As hearts are persuaded, people begin to agree with the Lord and one another. He instills a common and all encompassing vision and His vision is His strategy for the church. It is essential that every believer seek to be persuaded by the Lord and filled with His passion and purpose if we are going to see the mighty move of His Spirit here.
A move of God Is much more than and event, too. It constitutes a literal change in the spiritual landscape of a region! While an event concludes when the chairs are put away and the stage is taken down, the move of God is an ongoing work of His Spirit.
In Matt 21:33-41, Jesus spoke a parable about a conflict that arose between a land owner and a group of workers who leased some of his property. Even though Jesus was referring to the leaders of Israel
In the story, the land owner did everything necessary to prepare his property for success; he planted a vineyard, built a wall around it and put in a winepress and tower. The trouble started when the vinedressers decided they didn’t need to give the land owner his just proceeds from the harvest! Whatever their motive for declining to pay, the point here is that the owner required a return on His investment from those to whom He granted a stewardship.[b] God has granted His church a great stewardship of lives in this region. He is providing all the tools necessary to bring in a significant harvest. The Lord does not waste the outpouring of His Spirit; He will require a return on His investment.
The job of tending God’s stewardship is a big one. No single congregation can bring in the entire harvest alone — the Lord has recruited many “vinedressers.” Individual congregations cannot get into the rut of thinking they will reach everyone. They must shift the paradigm to believing that everyone will be reached, then do their part in support of the whole! That is why there are different churches and ministries with different strengths established here. It’s like the human body; each part has a purpose and function, all of which are essential to the efficient working of the whole.
God’s passion for souls goes beyond catechisms and doctrinal variations, and His vision is not confined to a particular congregation. If you are called by the name of Christ Jesus, i.e. a Christian, you are responsible to find out what the will of the Lord is, to be persuaded by God about His plans and purposes in this region. As the Apostle Paul stated, “… be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”[c]
Prayer
Lord, I recognize that you are doing a great work in this region; I pray that everyone be reached by your love. I submit my heart to you and place my plans at your feet. I desire to be persuaded by your Spirit and impassioned toward your vision and yours alone. And possessing mountain-moving faith as a result of your persuasion, I pray that I will be found faithful, doing my part as a diligent steward of your outpouring. I thank you for your wisdom and the grace to walk in courageous faith, In Jesus name.
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