A Stump and a Treasure in the Field

A STUMP AND A TREASURE IN THE FIELD

by Bill Yount

I saw the Body of Christ plowing with great difficulty in the field of labor. Finally our plow seemed to hit a stump in the field and we couldn’t go any further. With all our efforts and praying this stump remained unmovable and steadfast. Our hearts were broken for we knew God had placed us here to plow in this great field of Harvest. But this “stump” in the field was stopping us.

THE TREASURE HIT

I then heard the Lord say, “You have hit treasure! This is no ordinary stump of an ordinary tree. You have just hit the base of the tree of Calvary. It’s the cross growing in your field! You must not, I repeat, you must not remove it. It is growing in your field to remove you out of the way from hindering My Harvest.” You will have to embrace this cross and die before I can release resurrection power into your field of labor. As we beheld the cross growing in our field, we began to experience a “Severe Pruning” in our spiritual siftings, especially in the area of the prophetic. He was cutting and pruning us back to bring forth a more sure word. He was adjusting our gifts, callings and ministries to bring forth the fruit of “Servant Hood” in our lives. I felt the Lord say, “Your siftings are showing more than your fruit. You are embarrassing Me!”

THERE ARE TIMES YOU DON’T PROPHESY

I then remembered right before the cross they beat on Jesus and cried out to Him Prophesy to us! But He didn’t… there are times you don’t prophesy ? you just show others how to die to self, siftings and plans. As we embrace the cross, death and surrender will bring forth fruit that will remain to bring in the Harvest. In fact fruit is the Harvest ? it will bring it in. In Italy they have discovered that grape vines produce more fruit when grown on cross like poles. They get more sunshine and fresh air.

Many are spiritually “stumped” in their lives, families and ministries. They feel they are at a cross?roads and are looking f or a fresh word from heaven to telI them what to do. Many are asking, “Lord, should I go this way or that way?” But I sense the Lord saying, “Go this way and spread out your arms. You are not at a cross?roads, you are at the cross.” Have you been betrayed? You are nearing your cross. Have you been rejected? You are getting closer. Don’t run now. If you miss your crucifixion ? you will miss your resurrection!

I personally am in a season of seeking the Lord in prayer and fasting. I feel the pruning shears cutting in my life and ministry. We need your prayers more than ever. It’s time to “be pruned” for the next season of ministry. I hear God saying to me, “Your first call is not to churches, people or ministry. The greatest call on your life is “Come unto Me.” I believe God is pruning us to get us back to Him. If our devotion to our ministry exceeds our devotion to Him, He will personally hinder our success.