2024/5/29 Go Now! The Wood and the People Are Waiting…
- Ron Sawka
- May 29, 2024
- 5 min read
Ron Sawka Ministries
May 29, 2024; Iyar 21, 5784
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:4).
“‘Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,’ says the Lord” (Hag. 1:8).
“The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God” (Hag. 1:14).
Go Now! The Wood and the People Are Waiting…
During our most recent Apostolic for Russia webcast, the Lord spoke to me about the end-time harvest. I had been sharing about how the ministry of the gospel was much more than just teaching and words, but had to have “demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:4). In fact, every time we share the gospel, the Lord Himself bears “witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will” (Heb. 2:4). I suspect this is a problem for lots of us. We may know how to teach and share the words of the gospel, but aren’t too sure there will be signs and wonders accompanying.
I was then led to Haggai 1, where the prophet clearly indicated it was now time to build the temple. The people had sadly concluded, because of circumstances beyond their control, that now wasn’t the time. Yet, the word was strong and clear, stating: “‘Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,’ says the Lord” (Hag. 1:8).
The phrase “bring wood” jumped out at me. What does that mean to us who want to be involved in building the kingdom of God and being part of the end-time harvest? Why was the Holy Spirit emphasizing it? What does “bring wood” represent?
I believe it represents exactly what Paul was talking about. He said he needed demonstration of the Spirit and power to be able to build the ekklesia/believers who actually are the temple of God (see 1 Corinthians 3:16–17). Just as you can’t construct a building without wood (or some other construction material), we can’t do any ministry (including harvest) without demonstration of the Spirit, or signs and wonders and miracles. That is our “wood”!
Now here is the amazing part. All they had to do was go to the mountains. There would be plenty of wood. It wasn’t a matter of searching for days and days to find a mere few logs. No. The wood is everywhere. Just go and get it. To me, this means that as soon as I adopt the mindsets that 1) harvest is now, and 2) “Lord, use me,” the Holy Spirit will arrange divine connections, or power encounters. Every time I go somewhere or talk to someone, the Holy Spirit will also be there. Things will begin to happen. God Himself will be bearing witness with healings, miracles, and signs and wonders (see Hebrews 2:4). And in fact, every time I speak or teach, I must expect miracles. And if I do not expect such, then I need to repent. And not just when preaching and teaching, but also when I go to the store, or the bank, or the rehabilitation center.
The word “people” also stood out to me. “The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel … governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua … the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God” (Hag. 1:14, emphasis added). Not only are we to expect various demonstrations of the Holy Spirit wherever we go, but we can also expect God to connect us with people. Some will be believers whose hearts are stirred like ours. Many others will be non-believers. But their hearts, too, will be stirred and awakened to the Lord. You will not be alone. You will not be a solitary voice in the wilderness, because now is the time. There will be many people with stirred hearts.
Thanks for praying.
Ron and Teddy
Praying for One Nation Every Day (from now until Passover next Year)
Recently, I shared about an amazing prayer strategy from Apostle Karen Dey (New Zealand/Sri Lanka). I wrote:
“She saw hosts of angels—some were worshiping and some blowing trumpets; others were warring angels. Then she was impressed by the Lord to ask people to get a world map and to pray each day for a different nation. From this year’s Passover until next year’s Passover—365 days of praying for the nations!”
I urge everyone to do this. Your prayers will turn desolate places into “camps of God.” Please refer to the update from May 8.
Click here to read Apostle Karen Dey’s document.
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