Happy Harvest – Friday Devotionals

Harvest - devotionals

It seems lately I have only written Devotionals for the past month on my blog. I did have higher ambitions for my blog in September, but God has placed a larger portion for me to chew on this month and my plate is full. 

One of the recent portions I have had is speaking engagements. I preach at church this Sunday, I have and will and have 4 television teaching segments filmed by next week, and I am the keynote speaker at a woman’s retreat next weekend. I had 3 guest blog posts promised and delivered and a column due. My husband and I are involved in the leadership of a church plant in our new community, and I recently accepted the job as the Alberta regional representative for The Word Guild.  OH – and don’t forget the beauty of parenting 5 children; all who are in the most important years of their life and need me more than ever. 

 

and breathe….

 

Right now, in my little town in Southern Alberta the smell of manure is gagging. The Highways are full of slow-moving tractors, and big trucks are hauling loads of sugar beets and farmers are rarely seen as they work non stop, and the Farmer’s Market is busier than Black Friday. I have already canned apples, salsa, beets, pickled carrots and apple pie filling! It’s harvest time, people! Bon appetite! 

 

The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us. Psalm 67:6

 

strawberry pictureAs much as I love to believe that God can impart supernatural energy into our bodies to handle harvest seasons, the truth is, usually we are handed great responsibilities when we really don’t have much energy in reserve.

 

We cannot afford to neglect these seasons, because if you don’t do the work you don’t eat the fruit! 

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing. Proverbs 20:4

 

So how do you and I, find the energy, strength and power to fulfill all that God has for us in this season? I think it comes down to really understanding the value and purpose of harvest seasons, and doing it despite how we feel. Here are a few reminders on what Harvest is about…

 

It’s just a season – Seasons change and this won’t always be.

“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22

 

 Remember that Harvest is a blessing and should be celebrated.

“You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat; and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. “Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful. Deuteronomy 16:13-15

 

Harvest is for you and your family too!

‘Indeed, your threshing will last for you until grape gathering, and grape gathering will last until sowing time You will thus eat your food to the full and live securely in your land. Leviticus 26:5

 

Ask for workers. With all the power and strength that Jesus had, he still called for workers to help him bring in the Harvest. We cannot do it alone.

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Matthew 9:37

 

 Give God His first

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops Proverbs 3:9

 

 Reflect on all that God has done to get you to this fruitful season. It may have been painful but it will be worth it!

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6

 

 

Enjoy this season, and God be with you! 

 

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