WHAT'S A HARVEST?

Jesus explained  in Matthew 13 : 37–39, that ‘The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.  The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,  and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels’.

In Revelation 14.15, it says,  then another angel came out from the house of God and called to him with a loud voice,  “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” . The day of harvest is not far. 

As we believe, God has promised that he is preparing a Garden of Eden with the stunning beauty of that coming day.

Are we preparing for that day? God is. And so we are.

Remember, God is ready to offer us this at the start of this new year. He has got great plans for us in the year 2024 as we read in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

Our God is here to make all things new and giving us a chance for a new start. Yesteryear is gone, maybe with some regrets, mistakes, or even failures. It’s again time to reflect and appreciate all the good things that we have experienced in 2023. We should assess ourselves with biblical standards as we do not have any other benchmark other than the scripture.

1. Commitment to scripture

Scripture is inspired by God in order to provide an authoritative guidance to His people. We are encouraged to make much use of the Scriptures in our personal lives. 

2. Commitment to Holiness

In Romans 12:2, we read “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”.  So, Holiness is something where one lives in a way that reflects God’s glory, rather than conforming to the ways of the world. Do we abide by the rules that God had laid down in the Bible? One needs discipline to do this, and that’s not easy. 

3. Commitment to integrity 

The Bible stresses the reputation of honesty in all that we do. God never lies, and He instructs this kind of integrity for us as well. Proverbs 12:22 says “The Lord hates those whose lips tell lies. But he is pleased with people who tell the truth.”

4. Commitment to love and care

“Do everything in love.” Corinthians 16:14. We are called to keep on loving, as kindness and care can help overcome any challenges in our relationship with others 

What was our commitment in 2023? How do we renew our commitment in 2024?

Keep Jesus as your partner for the year 2024 and team up with him for all your plans.

Make this prayer for 2024.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for making me to see this day. I love you, Lord. I want to give myself and surrender myself into your hands without any reservation but with great confidence. Lead me in your path and help me see your mighty works this year. I bring all my plans for the year before you. Approve them if they are in line with your plan for me. I pray this in Jesus' name. 

Amen.

The message of Christmas is that we should allow Jesus to come into our hearts. There was no room for Jesus in the inn when he was born. Is there a room for Jesus in your life? Are you ready to share the good news to others? But for some of us, the struggle will be how to share the reason for the season when the world seems to be upside down.

Think about the shepherds. They have a message for us. Once they heard about the birth of Jesus, they responded at once. “Let’s … see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:15). They did not just see, but shared the good news to others. In Luke 2:17, we read, “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child”. The shepherds seem to have been moved by the goodness of God

But contemplate the shepherds in Luke 2:8. They were just ordinary people, nothing formal or exceptional about these men. The learning here is that they received a commission to go see the baby. After seeing Jesus, they decided to report the message. Luke 2: 18 says. “…and all who heard it were amazed”.

Is Jesus made a difference in your life? If so, you have to act like shepherds, “you have seen and heard; now you can tell”. 

Here are the words at Christmas time every year. Immanuel; “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

“I am with you.”, God says. The true message of Christmas.

Be like a Shepherd and Shine like a Star.

Change is inevitable for humans. It is hard, stressful, frightening, awesome, exciting… We have dealt with change of work, home, friends, relationships and so on.  

Every day is seen with a level of change that goes along with fear, joy and sorrow. We read in Ecclesiastes that there is time for everything, but God is in control. God never changes but gives peace to all who look upon Him.

Trust in Jesus and His promises and you will be safe in His arms. Read the word of God with discipline and soon you would love this gift from God. What a happy relief of knowing Christ and following Him! 

As the Psalmist writes in chapter 37,

Trust in the Lord and do good

Take Delight in the Lord

Commit your ways to the Lord

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him

Hope in the Lord and keep His way

Believe in the unchanging God in this changing world. Let the love of Jesus fill your hearts and minds.

You can have a Godly day even if you don't have a good one but you can never have a good day if it isn't Godly.

A transformative change is the need of the hour and will not occur unless we are prepared to speak out on the issues and concerns that affect our lifestyle.

Though there’re major issues and challenges in life, God has big plans for our life. But remember God gives us grace not reward. 

In Matthew 6:33-34, we read “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”.