Thursday, March 5, 2009

The Harvest

Just following up my last post...here's the latest. I was reading in my bible yesterday and here's what jumped off the page at me:
Galatians 6:8-10
"The one who sows to please his sinful nature (hey hey - our FLESH!), from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..."

From this passage God impressed on my heart that now is a time that He wants me to harvest, so I'm not to grow weary of doing good. The time for harvest is NOW. And Jesus makes it very clear that the harvest being spoken of here is MAN.

Matthew 9:36-38
36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
In Haggai (yes that is a book in the bible), the harvest is talked about as an important indicator of whether or not our ways, priorities, time and efforts have been wisely spent.... It says in Haggai 1:5-7
"Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways."
My flesh can so easily take me into places and ways that are thoughtless or selfish - ways that would lead me to "plant much but harvest little."

Anyway -- all this is a follow up to my last post to say that the Lord is speaking to me about being diligent in doing good to others. Not to be a do-gooder, but because it is part of a harvest that he is bringing about. Do not grow weary...the harvest is near!

Oh - and P.S. Remember the name Teresa means "Harvester."

1 comment:

kel said...

there's something to all this that is similar to a concept i recently read about - "turning aside." in exodus 3, moses was going along his daily routine and noticed a burning bush, i.e. something that seemed to be calling his attention. he "turned aside" to see what it was and vs. 4 says, when the Lord saw him turn aside, then he spoke. i think God is wanting to see if we're willing to get "off course" and then he's going to speak. like now - you have revelation about this season of your life. it all began with stepping off the treadmill (what a great symbol of routine!), and turning aside to see what would happen. hmm, maybe i'll post about this. or maybe i just did:)
sweet!