“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:6-7 KJV)
In this life we find that there are often grave inequalities. So many people today are looking for human promotion, that is, to bask in the approval of others. But, is there another way? Instead of relying on others, the Bible tells us that there are four characteristics that are critical for a Christian believer to experience God’s blessings and promotion in their life. What are they?
Once Jesus has first place in your life, the first characteristic that is necessary is FAITHFULNESS. A faithful person is dependable and will do what must be done with all his heart and with enthusiasm. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much….” (Luke 16:10). Likewise, faithfulness over what belongs to another, gives God the opportunity to give us “our own.” “And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12)
A second characteristic is a SERVANT’S HEART. He who is willing to do whatever tasks needs to be done, never considering anything to be too menial. One can never lead others until he has first acquired a servant’s heart. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant….” (Philippians 2:5-7)
A Christian believer must SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY. Unless one can submit to authority placed over him by God, he will never be in the position of authority himself. Authority represents God. To rebel against God is to give up our power and authority over Satan. To rebel against those in authority over us is to rebel against God. “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
A fourth critical attribute is THANKFULNESS or GRATITUDE and is a key to prosperity, promotion and exaltation. “Godliness is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.” (1st Timothy 6:6) The Bible encourages us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude towards God and to “show yourselves thankful” but not just on occasion, but from having a grateful disposition or attitude on a continual basis. As 1st Thessalonians 5:18 imparts, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” A natural byproduct of GRATITUDE is generosity. “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
Of all the continents of the world, Africa is the most poverty stricken with approximately 750 million subsistence farmers who live undernourished and degraded lives due to poor crop yields. In recent decades hundreds of billions of dollars have poured into Africa every year and yet the poor are getting poorer
“My people perish because of a lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)
Farming God’s Way is a patented process of remarkable agricultural techniques that were developed on a commercial farm in Zimbabwe in the 1980s that teaches four Bible-based principles that greatly enhance crop yields (see December 18, 2018 blog post). At Sons of Thunder Farm in Zambia, these proven non-till agricultural techniques have been adopted with great success. In addition, SOT Farm Manager Alexander Mubanga is now a National Trainer for the Farming God’s Way organization and the Sons of Thunder Farm is now one of its regional training centers.
This season has been a marvelous testimony not only to the consistency and soundness of Farming God’s Way techniques but also bears witness to how God has blessed and promoted Sons of Thunder in Zambia as He continues to minister through this ministry. There has been an awful drought that has impacted most of Southern Africa including much of southern Zambia in the last year. And yet the Lord blessed Sons of Thunder this season with timely rains and a bountiful harvest of an expanding list of crops. It was as if Sons of Thunder Farm was an oasis within a parched land. Our praise is all to Him!
And it is with a generous heart that Sons of Thunder has shared and delivered food with our surrounding neighbors who have suffered under this drought. All the more now they are interested in learning from us the Farming God’s Way techniques!
The gospel of Jesus Christ is part of the first training session of Farming God’s Way. Sin brought a curse not only on the people but the land. Jesus’ death on the cross broke that curse and FGW adherents pray not only for their personal redemption but that their land would be freed from the curse as well. It is all part of submitting to the authority of God.
Doing everything on time, setting high standards and minimizing waste is all part of the faithfulness required within the Farming God’s Way discipline and to employ a servant’s heart.
And one of its major principles is to “do everything with joy and gladness of heart.” Within this discipline, Farming God’s Way is redemptive and it is also evangelical. At Sons of Thunder we use Farming God’s Way agricultural training and education as a means to go into all the world.
Within these photos you can see how God has blessed Sons of Thunder with bountiful and healthy crops of maize, bananas, beans, cucumbers, cabbage, butternut squash, okra, tomatoes, lemons, limes, carrots, eggplant, lettuce, onions and bell peppers. In addition, He is continuing to use and promote Sons of Thunder to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and teach neighboring Zambians how to use Farming God’s Way techniques. We are very grateful for the many prayers that lifted up Sons of Thunder!
“You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame.” (Joel 2:26)
So many of our Christian friends today tell us that they are examining the reports of evangelical missions all the more for reasons of accountability and which is understandable. If there is one aspect of supporting Sons of Thunder that I would emphasize is that you can be assured that you when you support our ministry you are surely enjoining our Lord in a very direct and active work that is transforming thousands of lives in southern Africa. God is surely stirring hearts allover the world and we are committed to taking full advantage of these open doors, and which is why your financial support and your prayers are so vitally needed now. Will you help us?
We are deeply grateful for your prayers and gifts–we could not carry out this work without you. Thank you for all you do in serving Christ and His Kingdom.
Sources: Dusty Kemp, Patrick Cairns, Jerry Beall