Unseen Harvest

This last year I have been whining to God that I don’t have a harvest for all the seeds I have sewn into the Kingdom these last few years. 

I sat there having a pity-party for one when I heard in my spirit, “What makes you think that you don’t have a harvest?”  My tear-filled response was, “Well I haven’t got to lead anyone to Christ.”  

The Holy Spirit’s response was tender but firm, “I have you writing to people you will probably never meet, you will most likely never see most of your harvest.  Your job is to continue obeying My instructions.   Write, Write, Write.”

I could just feel the “Suck it up Buttercup!” look on the Father’s face.  I wiped my tears, asked for forgiveness for my doubt and thanked Him for all that He has done for me. 

My mind drifted to others that might also feel discouraged in their purpose or the plan that God has for them.  You might feel that you are not making a difference.   

Are you obeying God’s instructions? 

Are you giving clothes to the missions? 

Are you donating food to the food pantries?  

Are you listening to someone whose heart is broken?

Are you giving a hug to that person who just lost their loved one? 

Are you calling that friend telling them that you are thinking of them? 

Are you reminding a friend that all is well that she will get through this?

Are you telling that grocery clerk, “God Bless you” as you take your receipt?

Are you putting your hands to the plow toward that ministry that was considering shutting down due to the lack of volunteers?

God’s instructions aren’t always huge and painful.  He can use you for what seems like a little to you, but life changing to others.  Love is in the little things.

The two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and to love your neighbor as yourself.

When you love God with your all, you are filled with the love of God.  When you are filled with the love of God that love flows out of you to others. 

The seeds you plant may not be to crowds of thousands like the great evangelist that impact the nations.

The seeds you plant may be one on one. 

It may be to that person who is crying as they are contemplating suicide.  You may not know they are thinking those thoughts. You listened to your Spirit as you stopped to give them a hug and told them that they were loved.  You may not have brought them to Christ that day, but you kept them alive another day for the Holy Spirit to love on them and to water your seed that you planted.  Whether you realized it or not you did your part of the plan.

All of us who are believers have the same job, tell others about Jesus.  He is the Good News.  We must share it and not hoard it to ourselves.  

The great commission was not the great suggestion, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

We have to start some where.  Right now your nations may just be your neighborhood and soon it may be your city.   You just need to put action to your faith…and start. 

Moses was out in the wilderness for 40 years before God had him lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and then as he lead them another 40 years in the wilderness.    He never entered the Promised Land however he did his part and his harvest was huge.  He is still making an impact on God’s people!

Your harvest is coming, keep planting the seeds and let the Holy Spirit do His job of watering them.

I pray that your (and my) harvest is multiplied a hundred fold – even if it is an unseen harvest.  To God be all the Glory, AMEN!

Until next time, God Bless!!!

In a Minute

There I was stuck behind the school bus on the county road as it made its next stop, wondering, “Why didn’t I leave a minute earlier?” 

I had a flash back to the year that after a major car accident I was stuck riding the city bus to get around town.  I was living in Fresno behind the university and my place of employment was on the opposite end of town.  When you are driving a car that isn’t a problem when you can jump on the inner-city freeways, you can be to work in about 20 minutes.   That same trip on a bus that has lots of passengers to pick up/drop off on the route can take an hour (plus). 

The bus stop was at the end of the driveway of the apartment complex we lived in – so I could leave at 7:03 am to catch the 7:05 bus.  One morning I left a minute late.  As I walked to the stop I watched my bus leave without me.  GREAT!  I went back home and left a message on the company answering machine that I would be late as I missed my bus. 

Even though I could have waited in the comfort of my apartment for the 7:35 bus I waited at the stop as I was not going to miss the next one.  As I sat there I chastised myself, “Why didn’t I leave a minute earlier, now I am going to be over a half hour late for work!”  I was not happy to say the least.

In some cases being a minute late you can make up for it.  Drive a tad bit faster (not advisable), maybe making all the green lights or if you are late a minute, that it is not that bad.

However, like the bus scenario being a minute late can cost you valuable time.  Making that minute late into being severely late for work.

This week my family has lost a beloved member who is the last of the generation of our parents.  Even though we knew it was coming, one minute he was here, the next he was not.  In the blink of an eye our hearts have a hole in them.  We are forever changed.

We are comforted that he knew Jesus and is in a better place.   He will be one of the ones to greet us when our time comes. 

My thoughts drift to those that don’t know Christ.  What if in the next minute they are not here?  What if they could have been saved by something I could have done or said?  What if…what if?

We all have said in our lives, “In a minute.”  Whether it is your reply when your spouse asks you to take out the trash, or your child needs you to look at their latest finger painting masterpiece, or you just want to accomplish that one last task before heading out the door.  In a minute…

The Bible tells us we are not guaranteed our next breath much less our next day.  We don’t know if we will be here to even finish reading this writing post.  Jesus is coming back, sooner than later.  Are you ready?  

There is no time like now as you don’t know if you have anymore, “in a minute”(s). 

There are two places that mankind will go to when they die - Heaven or Hell.  There is nothing in between.  My friends, if you died today where would be your destination?

There is only way to get to Heaven, Jesus Christ.

If you are going to hell or even if you are not sure where you will go when you die - say this prayer, "Father God, I have recognized that I am a sinner. I repent of all my sins, I confess with my mouth, that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior. Jesus come into my heart, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN."

I love you all and don't want you to miss out on a life with Jesus. I pray that the lost are found, that the sick are healed, that the broken are made whole and that the bound are loosed in Jesus name! AMEN!!!

Your life can change forever, just…in a minute.

Until next time, God Bless!!!

**Dedicated to my uncle Kenneth "Okie" Guinn - what I wouldn't give to have another minute with you.