Fall's Harvest Is Upon Us

  Fall is a perfect time for harvesting that which has been sown and then retreating from all the hard work that spring and summer demands from us. Every season has its own way of displaying the beautiful handiwork of God. As we move into fall and see all the vibrant shades of red, yellow, orange and purple leaves blowing and dancing around in the wind, if we listen carefully, we can also hear a persistent and gentle calling for us to reflect and retreat into God’s Word from our daily stresses and hard work.
  Fall is a perfect time to grab a warm cup of coffee, God's Word and settle in to Autumn's beloved season by spending time with Him in His Word. Spending time with God in His Word corrects our spiritual vision as it so often needs correction. It helps us to see things as God does, and when we do, we understand the urgencies that He places on our lives to live and walk rightly, as He calls and leads us to. Jesus often used the picture of planting and watering to describe the urgency and importance of helping to bring people into God's kingdom. The disciples needed to have their vision corrected at times as well. They had thought, that they had lots of time to work towards the harvest. But they found that this wasn't just something to do when they got around to it. But was to be a part of their daily lives.
  The Bible is clear about the importance in the mission of soul winning and our involvement in it, to assist in the planting, watering and the harvest of precious souls. In John 4:35 Jesus said, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." 2 Corinthians 9:10 says, "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness." So you see it pays to soul win! It is a win, win for both the sower and the receiver. The fall of life is a great time to focus on God’s wonderful blessings; family, friends, strength, shelter, provision, guidance, care, fruitful ministry, opportunities to serve, more time to pray and the study His Word, and our eternal life, still yet to come as we look ahead.
  The world may fade, the stars may fall, the seasons may change, and winter may come. But the God who has been our help in ages past is our hope for years to come. In Him His children have permanence, stability, joy unshakable, and life unending as we will enjoy His fellowship a million years from now and then through eternity. Today sweet friend you may be one of those that have had spiritual seed sown in your life but have never really responded to it. Some of the saddest words in the Bible are in Jeremiah 8:20, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” If you’ve never made a commitment to Jesus Christ, do it now, while there is still time. "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 During this harvest season, we are reminded that we cannot reap a harvest unless we sow seeds and water them. Then we must wait and be patient. There may be times when it seems that nothing is growing, that we might not reap a harvest, but, all the while, God’s principles remain true. He promises that, If we are faithful, we will experience a harvest in the right time! His Time! Are you part of the reapers sweet friend? Are you part of the harvest? Have you been sowing seeds with your time, talent, and treasure? It's not too late, begin this Fall to sow in order to reap a great harvest! Time is short, and is already upon us!

Hold Fast,

-Bren

LIVE EXPECTING SURPRISES

 Do you remember the story of the  "Three Princes of Serendipity? It is an old classic about three rulers who set out to find treasure and while they were looking, found something even better than what they had expected. The word serendipity means to, “live expecting surprises”. As a child of God that is exactly what we should be doing; living, expecting God to work on our behalf far beyond our expectations!

  One day, God surprised a young shepherd boy named David, by calling him to be one of the greatest kings the world has ever known. From a burning bush God also called a forgiven murderer to lead His people into the Promise Land and free them from their burdens and bondages that they themselves had gotten into. As one door shut and other doors slammed, Paul, a man that once struck fear in the hearts of early Christians, thinking that He was doing God good by killing the very ones that believed in God's Son, became a humbled, broken Christian himself, a man of great faith; a vessel that God would use to bring a non-Jewish world the gospel message for the first time.

   Many times we’re the very ones who shut the doors to our own God-given opportunities that God places in our lives. Life is a strange carousel where good and bad visits us in equal measure. But it’s us, with our attitudes and thoughts, who should push the wheel of expectation of what God may want to do in and through us, that keeps the prayer wheel turning, with optimism and renewed hope so that in the end, what we desire and pray for may very will arrive, in God's time. More often than not,  it would be better for us to be like ears of corn in a field and adapt to the coming winds, to be flexible, light and patient on what God is working on our behalf about. Imagine that you have a friend that has just undergone a disappointment. You try to help that person, but they approach what happened, with disappointment, hurt, anger and resentment. You see at that point they stop believing that God is working on their behalf as well as others and refuse to love. They stop trusting people and see themselves as the sole recipient in their situation. This type of attitude closes doors of what would be blessings. They block themselves from seeing any break through that God may want to provide them, if only they would trust Him. God appears not to show up for them because, they no longer have the faith to see Him in their situations.

   All through the ages God keeps showing up in the lives of people. He is showing in your life and in the life of others even today. He is showing up unexpectedly and He is changing things! He is still the God of surprise and says to you and I, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isa 43:19  Perhaps you may be saying, "if you only knew my situation, you'd understand that nothing is ever going to change. Yet, the scriptures tell us that, "Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you..." Isa. 30:18 Oh sweet friend, did you hear that? I said, the scriptures tell us that, "Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you...". He is just waiting to show what He can do for you! Talk to Him, find out what His plans may be for you. If He doesn't tell you right away, be still and wait, but trust Him and start looking for His handprints on your life.

   God longs to be good to us, but He does require obedience from us, and if He tells us to Look, See, Do, then we need to listen and obey! Real life isn’t defined by our mistakes or failures necessarily. We are what we learn to overcome and what we allow ourselves to be once we clear the storm clouds away from the horizon that reflects the promises that God has made to us; if we will obey and trust Him. When we do this, we will find the happiness that our hearts are seeking.

Hold Fast,

-Bren