Harvest is the final exam on the farm. It is when the farmer gets the results for… the investment of money + over 10 months of hard work + knowledge & experience +/- the weather – pests/weeds/disease = the Harvest. With every crop my dad faced unknowns & conditions that would push his ability to get the crop in (harvest). There was no time to wonder why, simply what to do and how to survive.

I believe God’s decision to start creation on His Farm (Genesis 1,2 & 3) makes understanding Him very clear & simple. It is common to hear, “there are other ways to God” or “that’s not what God really meant” or “times have changed” …” those are outdated ways and will not work today.” All are man’s opinion & not from God, the author & creator of life. Simply put, we will harvest what we plant. It remains today, if the seed does not have the correct amount of sun, air, water & soil, the seed will not work.

God spoke through Paul with, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:7.

God loved us so much that He intentionally gave us His personal “How To” instruction manual (The Bible). It is full of illustrations, examples & instructions. Then, because He knew we would need help, He sent our personal helper, The Holy Spirit. Jesus told us in John 14:26, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

So, we have no excuse. Jesus was clear about the responsibilities of His followers in John 15:1- 8, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes a so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

What kind of harvest will you have?