The Day of Harvest

    

Matt 9:37-38

 

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

KJV

Truth is, I am a farm  girl.  I grew up spending my summers in the pea patch and creaming and putting up corn.  I did not know until I was a grown, married woman that they sell tomatoes in cans at the grocery store, and frozen peas as well!  I have a lot of good memories  of sitting down to meals of food that was grown totally on our farm- peas, corn, zucchini, egg plant, tomatoes, even eating pork and beef that we had fed and butchered.  Looking back now, I did not know how good we had it.  But I also recall how much back-breaking work was involved.

To this day, it grieves me when I drive by a field where the crop is left to waste in a field.  It seems like such a colossal mismanagement of time and expense to put the crop in the ground, only to leave it for deer and pests to eat it.  Why toil to plow up the ground, plant, water and fertilize the seed, if you are not going to eat the harvest?  Why bake in the sun for hours hoeing, if you are going to let it wither in the late summer heat?

If we could just open our spiritual eyes, we would see so many fields lying waste all around us.  But the waste is not corn or beans.  No, more tragically, it is human souls.  A priceless commodity that can NEVER be replaced.  We have to be aware of the seeds of witness that we plant.  We have to be careful to water those seeds with our prayers and tears.  We have to tend the tender shoots of belief that we see sprouting in others.  But greatest of all, when a person reaches a place of full maturity, where they are ripe to be born into the Kingdom, we must not fail to give them the invitation. 

Pray!  Pray that God shows you your  harvest.  Pray that you will be a faithful farmer of the crop. And in addition to all of that, pray the Lord will raise up other harvesters  who will see the need and reap a crop of human souls!

 

Oh, God, help  me!  Help me to be faithful to tend the fields you have given me. Help me to have the words that I need to say to bring forth a harvest. Help me to be found faithful at your return.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Today's Miracle

 

 

Matt 6:11

 

11 Give us this day our daily bread.                

NKJV

 

Today I was thinking about my financial state and plotting a strategy for Christmas.  My initial thought was panic, it is a month away, how am I going to pull this off debt-free?!  Then my mind took me back to last Christmas when I had this same concern.  And then I had an epiphany.  God provided last year and He will this year as well.

So many times,  I notice the huge break-throughs that God sends my way; but then I overlook the small day-to-day miracles.  I think that is why this verse reminds us to look to Him for each day's  sustenance and provision.  We do not need to  see how it will all come together, we just need to trust Him for this day.  He is a God of big miracles, little  miracles and medium-sized miracles. There are situations that I never do identify what He did to get me through,  This happens a lot with money- but all of a sudden I will realize, "Wait a minute!   When did that problem go away?"  And sure enough, at some point when  I did not notice, He had altered my situation.

As a wife and  mother, I will often do little things that I think will  bless my family.  I buy their favorite cereal, do a chore that is typically theirs, take care of a need before they ask, etc.  I do it because I love them and want to see them smile.  Then I find myself hovering near, wondering when it is going to hit them that I did something for them.  I live in a houseful of  guys so even if they notice, saying something about it is not the norm.  But I imagine the Heavenly Father doing things like that for us, just waiting for us to recognize His  handiwork!  I am prayerfully endeavoring to notice His blessings in my life.

As I am trying to remain in a season of thankfulness, I am more keenly aware of all the ways, both large and small, that He  meets my needs.   Can you think of three things that was a concern a year ago but is a non-issue now?  That's God in your life!

Dear Lord, thank you for faithfully and quietly meeting my every need from day to day.  Forgive me for the times that I fail to notice Your marvelous works.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Out Among the People

 

    

1 Chron 16:8

 

8 Oh, give thanks to the Lord !

Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!

NKJV

 

Sometimes when we give thanks, it is for us.  It allows us to see life in the proper perspective, acknowledging God as our Savior and Source.  Other times, we give thanks for others.  Why?  Because  people need to hear the wonderful things that God is doing in your life.  People need to understand that God is still on the throne and He is still moving on behalf of His people.  The world is desperate to know that Someone cares and will take care of them.  How will they know it, if we do not share?

Years ago there was a popular song "God is Watching Us...From a Distance."  I despised that song!  My God is not a distant, unconcerned God.  No way!  He is ever present, ever loving, ever faithful.  He does numerous small and great things for me every day.  He allowed me to wake up today.  He saved my soul.  He gifted me with His Spirit to guide me.  He blessed me with a wonderful husband, mother, children, friends, the list is positively endless.  Beyond that, He helps me avoid car  wrecks, causes me to find things on sale, and gives me peace that passes understanding. 

When we hear other people's testimony, it increases our own faith to believe that God does indeed hear and answer prayer.  It does not have to happen in a "testimony service".  In fact, it is better if it doesn't.  (My opinion.)  Let's get our testimony outside the four walls of the church and into the workplace, the marketplace and in our schools.  Make His deeds known among the people.  Who knows, your testimony may be the very one to cause someone to turn to God or to return to Him. 

Dear Lord, forgive me when I fail to give thanks  publicly for all you do for me privately.  I am humbled by your goodness and overwhelmed by your mercy and grace.  In  Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

And Be Thankful!

 

 

Col 3:15

 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

NKJV

 

Sometimes the way Scripture is put together gives me pause.   Take today's verse, for example.  It spends most of the verse talking about the peace of God, and at the end? An imperative "...and be thankful." (!!!)

My mind immediately wonders, what is the relation between the two?  I know that the mind and heart of a Christian should be at peace.  I see the wisdom in allowing peace to "rule."  In fact, I try very hard to avoid doing anything that my heart does not rule is in keeping with peace.  If I am not at peace in a situation, I try to drop it.  This allows me to stay in God's will and avoid many pitfalls.  Furthermore, I try to retain my  peace,  and when it starts slipping, I begin to ask the Lord to show me where I have failed.  All of this is a great benefit of being born again- and for my (and your) good.

I love how this is portrayed. We were called to peace as one body.  This could be confusing until we remember that we are baptized into the body of Christ.  Once we are saved, we are ”positionally" located in Christ in the supernatural realm, even while our bodies remain on  Earth.  It is a mystery for our minds, but a great truth- us in Christ, Christ in us! 

So now that we understand that we are in Christ, then we are, by virtue of our placement, in peace.  Scripture records that He himself is our peace (Col.  3:15)  Being in Christ indicates that we have become a part of His body.  In His body is our peace.  Thus, we are in peace and peace is in us.  What beautiful prepositions!  Ours is a glorious inheritance in Christ.

Therefore,  we must remind ourselves to be thankful.  And of course, remembering that He has purchased our peace, gives me a reason to give thanks!

Dear Lord, I am thankful today for my peace.  Thank you for endowing me with Your peace and for allowing me to be led by peace.   I am  truly grateful of the way you take care of me.

 

Today's Bread

 

    

Matt 6:11

 

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

KJV

 

Ah, the season of being thankful.  November is the month that everyone starts listing all of the things/people/blessings that they are thankful for.  This is a wonderful practice, and I believe, does indeed make us more grateful.  When we are constantly looking at what we do not have, then we become discontent and dissatisfied.  But when we purposely call to mind all that the Heavenly Father has done for us, gratitude begins to well up within us.

I have heard of other countries that are not nearly as materially blessed as America having a greater attitude of Thanksgiving.  One  evangelist reported to our congregation that he knows of one country who has people working six days per week, 10-12 hours per day to make what we make in less than a day.  But he stated that when it is time to give their offering at church, that they come forward with tears of joy and Thanksgiving because they are able to give to God.  This should strike the heart of every American who is living the American Dream.

Today's verse is an excerpt from the Lord's Prayer.  Jesus himself exhorted us to pray for today's bread.  I am going to be honest.  I prefer having more security than that.  It hurts and stretches me when I have more month than  money.  But even then, our family has more than a day's worth of  food.  Even then. 

As I was praying about what to share with you during this season, I feel the Lord  urging me to remind you to be grateful for what you have, even if  it is less than you used to have.  Be thankful even if it is less than what others have.  Trust God. Ask Him for what you need each day.  Then, remember to return  thanks as He supplies.   If you have more than you need in a given day, you are richly blessed.

Dear Lord, your blessings on me are abundant.  Forgive me for greedy grabbing, always wanting more and more without realizing what you have already provided.  Help me,  Father, to constantly have an attitude of gratitude and an abiding knowledge that you are my source of today's bread. In Jesus' Name.   Amen.

 

A Balanced Testimony

"Everything is permissible- but not everything is beneficial.      Everything is permissible- but not everything is constructive." 

I Cor. 10:23 (NIV)

The age old dance between legalism and license is an interesting, and challenging, balancing act.  In Christ I am free.  But I am not free to do whatever my flesh desires.  I am free, but not free to re-enter bondage.   I am set free to choose to follow Him.

Some Christians are hung up on a lot of rule-making and following.  Don't go here.  Don't wear that.  Don't say this.  Whereas, other Christians seem to have virtually no  convictions at all.  Smoking, drinking, partying, cussing  and extra-marital flirting. Surely, surely there is a middle ground.

The grace of God frees us from a law whose weight we are not able to uphold. But it never freed us to live sloppily and in a worldly way.  What benefit do you,  or others, receive from your freedom? Our freedom means that we live Godly lifestyles because our love for him inspires obedience to His  Word.  His grace grants us the ability to say "no" to our fleshly,  carnal desire; and emboldens us to say "yes" to self-control, obedience and holiness. 

I have been around  both types of Christians, and occasionally have acted like either side.  Finding the balance will be a lifelong endeavor for all of us. We  have to find a way to be the Church in the world.  We must be  different and set apart.  And yet, we must be relevant and relatable.  Would sinners find you so holy that you are unapproachable?  Or do they see you as someone who does not challenge them at all?

I was recently in a women's conference, where the speaker was sharing about riding on an airplane with a fellow lady preacher. She stated that the stewardess came up to her and asked her, "Who is  that lady you are with?  I used to follow God, but I have walked away.  Her presence convicts me." They went on to lead that lady back to the Lord.   I have thought about that many times since I heard it.  Does my presence convict others of sin?  Does it inspire them to want to come to me and ask me the reason for my hope?  Or instead, do I fit in without making any impact whatsoever?  Or worse,  is  my testimony a repellent?  I urge you, today, to ask yourself these hard questions.

Dear Lord, forgive me for failing to have enough of your presence in my life, that others  are convicted of their sin.  Help me to be salt and light.  Help me to offer something the world desires.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Hit the Reset Button

    

Lam 3:22-23

 

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

KJV

 

Yesterday was one of those days.  By four o'clock I wasn't sure if I wanted to cry or get under the bed. Nothing I touched seem to work. Several work assignments had left me spending the whole day working and accomplishing nothing.  Over and over my technology failed and frustrated me.   It seemed as if I had wasted an entire day.  I felt ragged, disgusted and used up.  And then it hit me!  I can hit the reset button and switch gears!  I can draw a line at the end of the day and move on.  It was now family time and I could lay aside the stress of work.

 I am so grateful for evenings when I can relax, enjoy my family and recharge my battery.  This got me to thinking about the way that God allows for so many do-over's.  Each morning is a fresh start.   No matter how yesterday went, today is a new opportunity.  Today there is fresh grace and mercy on me to use that day. Each morning it seems that my hope is renewed and I am  able to embrace a good attitude and expectation for that day.

 Each spring reminds us of how beautiful it is again to embrace new life.  All of this points to the new birth, where Christ redeemed us from the curse of sin.  Because of Calvary, we can begin again in Christ.  Just as  we need to approach each new day  as a gift and a new start, we need to see our life in Christ as a brand new beginning.  We have to put aside all the ugliness of our past and begin with a fresh, clean slate.

Our minds  are so  easily overwhelmed, discouraged and burned out.  If you are having more day than you do grace, ask the Lord to multiply mercy and grace to you to meet the demands of your day.

Dear Lord, thank you for a fresh start.  Please help to walk in your grace and mercy today.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.