Harvest

Today at our services at Bellshill Salvation Army we celebrated harvest time. What images does that conjure up for you?

Here's the dictionary definition of "harvest":
1. the gathering of a ripened crop
2. the crop itself
3. the season for gathering crops
4. the product of an effort or action

Traditionally we always think of farmers, crops and food when we think about harvest.

This harvest I'd ask you to pray for those who are starving...not just in foreign lands but here in this country. We all can be very guilty at time of taking our food, possessions and our family and friends for granted, so I'd also ask you to thank God for all you have, all He has given you.

But harvest need not just be all about the crops and the food being harvested, it's also a time for us to think about bringing others into a knowledge and understanding of God's love...to "harvest" others lives into God's will.

We must all be examples for Christ, after all something we say or do may be the thing which brings someone into a relationship with God. We may not always see any results of what we do/say, but if we a simply word or action may be the seed that lands in someone's heart and develops into a heart full of love for God.

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

In conclusion, pray today that God might use you to plant a seed in someone's heart so that they might come to know God as their friend and saviour.

Plant a Seed

Jesus told the parable of the farmer planting his seed across his field. he told how the seed that fell on a footpath, shallow soil and amongst thorns, all failed to thrive. However the seed that fell on fertile soil produced a great crop. (Matthew 13:3-9)

Jesus explained how "The seed is the word of God" (Luke 8:11 NKJV). When we accept God into our lives he gives us "seeds", which he expects us to then go out into the world and scatter. He wants us to go outside of our Christian circles and our churches, and find some unplanted land, where we can then spread His message.

Many of the seeds the farmer scattered failed to grow or thrive, but that didn't prevent him from continuing to scatter his seed. God knows that as we scatter the seed of God's word in the field of the world, some will inevitably fall on those who will ignore His call, however he also know that some will fall on fertile souls and will take root, grow and bring glory to God!

So scatter God's word generously, no matter whether you see any results of your labour, as some people will respond to God's message, so keep planting!

Visit the Hillsong website: http://www.hillsong.com/