Harvest Time is any time. In our gardens and in the farm fields, plants are still growing—generally not ready for harvesting. Just this week I saw some amazingly huge cauliflower that were grown at the local Master Gardeners plots. Those people really know what they are doing! How much Miracle Grow did they use?
The
harvest that Jesus was talking about with His disciples is about people—not crops.
People learn about Jesus, His resurrection, and eternal life—that is the “planting”
and the “harvest” is when people believe. Send out the workers. That is just
what Jesus was doing when He sent His disciples out to towns that He would be
visiting (see Verse of Salvation for today) advising them that there were few
workers. He wanted them to work—spreading the message of salvation.
Have
you heard that same message? It hasn’t changed—salvation is still available to
all who will believe. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the
light of the world—bringing salvation to all who believe in Him. Trust Him. Believe,
repent, and you will be saved from your sin. It’s easy. The choice is yours.
Then
Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who
sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, 'Four months between
planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are
already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit
they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the
planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, 'One plants and another
harvests.' And it's true. I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others
had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest." John 4:34-38
Prayer
– Lord Jesus, You spoke about planting and harvesting. It seems to me, You do
both. The fields are ripe for harvest with so many believers. This has been
going on for ages—and some people are joyful at memorial services celebrating
the lives of those who have already gone to be with You. Yet there is always a
sadness with those left behind. We eagerly await the day when all those
faithful believers will be “called” home…gathered together for You in a rapture.
Help us to be good workers for You here and now that the message of Your life
and resurrection would be evident in all that we do and say—that our lives
would reflect You.
Meditate.
Consider the planting and harvesting—plants and souls.
Verse
of Salvation ~ Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them
out ahead of Him, two by two, into every city and place where He was about to
go. He was saying to them, "The harvest is abundant [for there are many
who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those
available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore,
[prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.
Luke 10:1-2 AMP
My gratitude for today:
I’ve planted my garden…waiting for harvest time. Joy in knowing that there are
many saved souls…and they can become workers to proclaim the Good News. Our
very lives “speak” or proclaim God’s message by the way we live.
Friday’s
Feast at the King’s Table
What
would you fix for dinner if Jesus came to visit you? Make it a simple meal so
you have plenty of time to focus on His teaching and fellowship. When fresh
tomatoes are available, and possibly in abundance in your garden, consider
creating a fresh tomato pie for supper.
 |
| Fresh Tomato Pie |
1
nine-inch pie shell or springform pan lined with pastry, baked
1½ lbs fresh tomatoes, sliced in 1/4” rounds
½ small sweet onion, chopped
4 slices of cooked bacon, chopped, optional
½ cup mayonnaise
2 cups Gruyere or white cheddar cheese (or mixture of cheeses of your choice),
grated
½ cup shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese
8 large basil leaves, chopped or thinly sliced, plus more for garnish if
desired
Salt and pepper – grind fresh
Be sure
to bake the pie crust at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes or until browned.
Allow to cool.
Slice
tomatoes, sprinkle lightly with salt and allow to sit for ½ - 1 hour for the
water to come out to the tomatoes. You may place them in a colander to drain or
simply arrange slices on paper towels. Drain well before use. You don’t
want that extra moisture in your pie.
Heat
oven to 350 degrees. Place chopped onion on pie crust. Top with about half of
the well-drained tomatoes. Sprinkle with half of the basil. Top with the bacon,
if desired, and then the remaining tomatoes and basil. Add some fresh ground
pepper. Mix the mayo with half of the Gruyere cheese and the Mozzarella cheese.
Place the cheese mixture on top of the tomatoes. Top with the last cup of
grated cheese. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the cheese is
lightly browned. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired. Enjoy with some
fresh sliced cucumbers or a fresh garden salad. Leftovers are good cold.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character
Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories
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