Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 1: S EEING THE B IG P ICTURE • 37

F. Reason Six: Praise says a hearty “amen” to all of God’s working and acting in the world; Praise affirms God’s sovereign will in the midst of difficult situations Hab. 3.17-19 – Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places. G. Reason Seven: Praise forces you to align your words and thoughts with God’s truth and actions: it is a wonderful way of controlling the tongue 2 Cor. 4.13 (NKJV) – And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.

Of all the words you say, what kinds of words do you think God hears the most?

A man sat down to supper with his family, saying grace, thanking God for the food, for the hands which prepared it, and for the source of all life. But during the meal he complained about the freshness of the bread, the bitterness of the coffee and the sharpness of the cheese. His young daughter questioned him, “Daddy, do you think God heard us say grace today?” He answered confidently, “Of course, honey.” Then she asked, “And do you think that God heard what you said about the coffee, the cheese, and the bread, too?” Not so confidently, he answered, “Why, yes, sugar, I do believe he heard that too.” The little girl concluded, “Then which words do you think that God heard the most, Daddy?”

Context Values/Vision Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter