Harvest

October 1st – Genesis 1:29-31

Genesis 1:29-31

I just love this time of year. The crispness in the air, the colder nights, and the beauty surrounding us as the season changes to Autumn. And as nature prepares to settle for winter, we are reminded of the the incredible extent of God’s provision. Carefully, thoughtfully, and with painstaking detail, He designed our world to overflow with abundance and sustenance. God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, provided a bounty of plants and fruits that are not only nourishing but also delightful to the senses. From the lush forests to the fertile fields, God’s provision is evident in throughout the earth. We can’t help but marvel at His wisdom and be filled with gratitude for all He has graciously provided. And God declaring that His creation was “very good” shows how deeply He  values everything He created. As stewards of this magnificent creation, we bear the responsibility to care for and honor the wondrous gift that is the world around us. Because it reflects the Creator’s glory and wisdom in every detail.

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September 1st – Psalm 65:13

Psalm 65:13

“The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain;they shout for joy and sing.”

I absolutely love this time of year. The days grow shorter, the nights cooler, and the land scape overflows with the beauty that comes with the changing seasons. It’s a time of harvest and thankfulness for God’s abundant blessings. Undeserved blessings which spring from His overflowing goodness. Just as the fields are clothed with lushness and the valleys covered with grain, our lives are adorned with the blessings of His provision, love, and grace. And each day God gives us, is an opportunity to witness the richness of His creation and experience His faithful care. So how could we, like the valley’s, not sing for joy? How could we not give Him praise for all that He is, all that He does, and all that He blesses us. Therefore may we all cultivate a heart of gratitude, acknowledging that every blessing we receive is a reflection of God’s enduring love and unending faithfulness.

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February 3rd – Luke 6:44

Luke 6:44

Jesus says that each of us is a fruit bearing tree. And the way in which we live our lives, meaning the decisions we make, the words we speak, and our actions towards others, determine the goodness of our bounty. The world is starving for the ripe, filling, spiritual fruit of God. And I want my tree to be one that produces an abundant harvest for the Lord. To do that I need to dig deep in the dirt. Fertilizing my roots with God’s Word to get firmly planted in Him. My branches need to stretch far and wide in the hopes of providing love and comfort for others. My trunk needs to be healthy and strong before I notice the flaws in another’s. And my leaves need to seek the light of God’s presence. Trusting in Him alone to provide the warmth and nutrients I need for my fruit to grow and ripen. Doing all, “in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of the Lord.” (Col. 1:10)

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June 14th – Isaiah 55:11

Isaiah 55:11

We are living in turbulent times. And now more than ever people are asking why these things are happening, what they mean, and what comes next. So what a blessing it is to have God’s Word. For the Bible is filled with the answers to our many questions. And in it contains history, prophecy, wisdom, and most wonderful of all, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Everything we need to get through life in victory. And as Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Every word it contains true, and every promise will be fulfilled. God gave us the Bible so we wouldn’t walk in darkness and ignorance. And now is the perfect opportunity to share God’s Word to a questioning world. The harvest is ripe and ready for reaping!

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September 30th – Proverbs 6:8

Proverbs 6:8

As believers, we know not to be anxious about the future. But God also warns us against being foolish and lazy. Throughout the book of Proverbs, we are told the value of hard work. Because hard work can often be the difference between success and failure. Look at the ants. Without needing to be told what to do, or having to be supervised, they get busy at the work at hand. They are called wise because they plan ahead. The ants work diligently in the summer, gathering their winter supply in the harvest. This toil protects themselves and their families from starvation during hard times. Solomon tells us, a wise man understands the value of hard work, for “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” (Prov. 14:23) There is no more rewarding work than the work we do for God. Because not only are ensuring blessings for today, but storing up wonderful riches in the bank of heaven!

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September 26th – Isaiah 9:3

Isaiah 9:3

The prophet Isaiah often brought with him words of doom and gloom for the nation of Israel. And for the disobedient Judah, a promise of destruction at the hands of the king of Assyria. But God never disciplines without a promise of restoration. And that restoration came through His begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Because He is holy, perfect, and true, God cannot leave sin unpunished. Yet in His great love, He Himself paid the penalty for our transgressions through the blood of Christ. And the Lord’s victory at the Cross forever broke the yoke of burden and the rod of oppression of the Enemy. So now, like Israel, we can rejoice with gladness. For one day soon, Jesus will return as our conquering King. And like the time of harvest, there will be great gladness, where we will celebrate the Lord’s complete victory over Satan!

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September 24th – Hebrews 12:11

Hebrews 12:11

As parents one of the hardest things we have to do is discipline our children. But we do it out of love, to guide and train them into mature adults. The same goes for God. He doesn’t like punishing His children any more than we do. But because He cares, the Lord disciplines us to grow into mature Christians with a deep and lasting faith. God loves us too much to just leave us where we’re at. So He “trains” us, exercising our faith muscles so that no matter what we face, we can do so with unshakable spiritual confidence. The writer of Hebrews uses the Greek word, “gegymnasmenois”, which literally means “vigorous exercise.” Athletes train to produce the endurance needed to win. And God allows trials into our lives for the same reason. To produce an endurance to help us reach the finish line, resulting in a harvest of fruitful righteousness. All for our good, and God’s glory.

 

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September 14th – Galatians 6:9

Galatians 6:9 

Living in the country, our house is surrounded by fields. And the dedication I see daily by the farmers to their crops, always inspires me. From morning to night, they break the soil, sow the seeds, and keep the weeds at bay. And no weather, hardship, or sickness, keeps them from their fields. Patiently they toil, knowing the bountiful harvest awaiting their hard work. And God calls us to do the same. We too are to keep toiling. To keep working for the kingdom of God, doing good, all for His glory. Never growing weary no matter the circumstance, finding our strength in the Lord. For in time, like the farmers, we too will reap a bountiful harvest of blessings. For our labor never goes unnoticed by God, who always rewards obedience. And He promises to, “the one who sows to the Spirit, will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Gal. 6:8)

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September 9th – Proverbs 22:9

Proverbs 22:9

We’ve all heard that it is better to give than to receive. But do you truly believe it? If you do, are you actively searching daily for opportunities to give? And when you give do you do it begrudgingly, or with gladness? The condition of our heart when giving might not matter to the one receiving, but it matters to God. For He is the Originator of “paying it forward”, and wants us to follow His example cheerfully, and generously. The Lord blesses us abundantly with the intention of us passing on those blessings to others. For the harvest we reap comes from God alone. And when we share our bounty with others, not only does it please God, He promises to repay us above and beyond what we gave. But regardless of our reward, we should be eager to give because Jesus gave everything to us. And out of hearts of thankfulness, we need to sow as generously as did our Lord.

 

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September 8th – Amos 9:13

Amos 9:13

When you ask Bible prophecy experts what is the one thing that points to Christ’s soon return, most agree. It’s convergence. Meaning all of the signs of His soon appearance are happening together, and at break neck speed. And indeed God Himself warns, “Behold, days are coming.” The signs are everywhere, and we need to be aware and informed. For soon God’s judgement will be upon the world, and none will escape. It will be a season of great sorrow and destruction, and yet at the same time, a season of hope. Because God promises that after a time of punishment, comes a time of great blessing. The great Creator will restore His creation to its original perfection. And in that perfection there will be an overflowing of new wine, new gardens, and the abundance and beauty of the Lord’s restoration of His Church. So look up, hold your head high, for your redemption draws near. (Luke 21:28)

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