Seeds Make for a Harvest

Farmers are busy harvesting their crops; the family gardens have yielded their produce. Have you ever considered what happens when you plant that seed?

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Dying to self is part of being born again. However, dying to self must also be a daily process and a lifelong process called sanctification. Dying to self is not optional for the Christian for our sinful ways, lifestyles and things of our old life need to be put to death. Paul explains the process of dying to self in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Paul also talks about our new life in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come, II Corinthians 5:17. What are a few of these glorious new things?

• We have the forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt.

• We have the opportunity to bear fruit.

• We have the gift of eternal life where we join Jesus in glory.

• The Father honors and blesses us with His grace, power, peace, and presence.

Consider these words from Charles Spurgeon - “I have concentrated all my prayers into one. And that one prayer Is this that I must die to self and live wholly to Him.”

Bringing in the Harvest

I am back in the field finishing up the harvest. Jesus specifically talked about the fields being white unto harvest. Join me to consider what He meant.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Today’s statistics from around the world show that every minute 120 people die, 7425 each hour, and 178,000 enter eternity each day. Those statistics are sobering. Yet you know two things about every person on planet earth.

1. Every person is a sinner (Romans 3:23)

2. Unless that person has the opportunity to hear about Jesus and accept Him as Savior, they are bound for eternity in hell. (Luke 13:3 & 5)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Perhaps we now understand why Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, that they are white for harvest’.”

The people you encounter each day may not have a tomorrow. I hope this impacts how you view those dear souls. You may be their only opportunity to hear of what Jesus has done for them.

“If we understand what lies ahead for those who do not know Christ, there will be a sense of urgency in our witness.” David Jeremiah

Encouragement For YOU!

Encouragement gives us hope and can change one’s perspective. It is as vital as breathing. Today we look at Psalm 65 for encouragement.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Psalm 65 is a praise psalm, a harvest psalm, that tells us of the bounty and glory of our God. It also reminds us that God is in control. It challenges us to put our hope in Him.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In the midst of today’s concerns and the challenges of life, how do we hope in God? Take a side trip with me to Lamentations 3: 21-23, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him”.

Hope is renewed when I remember God’s love, His mercy and His faithfulness. The return to hope is based on God’s great love for us and the regular practice of seeking Him. Then we will abound in hope as we read in Romans 15:13 - “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”