Sunday, October 7, 2012

Fall Harvest


"Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposed them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning, He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." (Daniel 2:20-22)


I always love and appreciate the changing of the seasons, and marvel at God's beautiful works; however fall is my favorite time of the year when the brilliance of the colors and the gradual cooling of the weather make everything fascinating! I anxiously wait for its arrival after the hot summer season, when beautiful colors of yellow, orange, and red make their appearance. It is the time of the year for me to slow down from all the seeds that have been planted during the busy summer season, and produce from the seeds (my talents and passions) what God has given me. I have the ability and the free will to choose when and how to cultivate those seeds. Unfortunately, I get so engaged in the abundance of activities during the summer, that I don't always focus on maturing and bearing my fruit.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galations 6:9)

Just as there are four seasons of nature, there are four seasons of life. Timing is important for each of these seasons, and I believe each season represents a different phase in our life to discover, accept, and appreciate God's perfect timing. Winter is a time for dreaming and making plans for our new year. Spring is the time to start planting and executing these plans. Summer is when we must prepare and mature our harvest. Finally, fall is when we gather and distribute our harvest. The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, a time to reap, a time to laugh, and a time to weep. There is a time for every purpose under heaven.

“But other seeds were planted on good ground and produced grain. They produced one hundred, sixty, or thirty times as much as was planted.” (Matthew 13:8)
 
We all want a good harvest; right? And seed placed in good soil will produce fruit; it will bear fruit that produces a good harvest. When we abide in Christ, we are producing the very fruit God wants us to produce and the harvest is sure to be abundant! As we engage in the coming fall season, our passions and desires should be to bear an abundance of fruit and distribute a harvest that satisfies not only our need for personal fulfillment, but glorifies our Heavenly Father.
 
 
"Sow an act...reap a habit;

Sow a habit...reap a character;

Sow a character...reap a destiny."

-Anonymous

22 comments:

  1. Hi Denise,

    I love the autumn, but it goes by much too quickly! I find myself trying to take in every color, every hue, and even the scent of it all for to store throughout the winter. I like your comparison of the seeds planted, and produce harvested to your talents and passions bearing produce for the Lord. I will take this wonderful season and use it for a time to use the talents and passions that God has planted in my heart to help and encourage others throughout the rest of the year.
    Your blog is such a bright and enjoyable place to come and visit!
    ~God Bless you and your ministry here~ ((hugs))Lisa

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    1. Aw, thanks Lisa! You are such a sweet friend anda true blessing! Harvest abundantly! :)

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  2. I just love the colors of fall as well Denise. I definitely want God to reap a bountiful harvest in & through me. have a great week.

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    1. Thanks Wanda; blessings and a great harvest for your week! :)

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  3. Hi Denise - I also love the changing seasons. I love how the hues of nature change. I need to learn to appreciate the seasons in my life too and how God is using them to grow me.
    God bless my friend
    Tracy

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  4. It's so weird to think you're seasons are opposite from ours; hopefully I will see them someday Tracy! Love ya' girl! :)

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  5. I ove the fall...it also is my favorite time of year! I'm sure it is because of the wonderful colors of this season...like a sun set, you know? I am so thankful that in each season of life, we can be fruitful...even in our winter. I am currently doing a Bible study on the Disciple John. Amazingly, his most inspired time was in the latter part of his life. I love how you wrote that winter is the time for dreaming and making plans for our new year! Winter is not the end...it is only the beginning! Praise God!

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    1. Your comments are always a blessing to me Joan; so uplifting! Thanks sister!

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  6. Love your post, like Tracey above we are having spring here in NZ. so it is all fresh greens pinks and yellows, however both seasons are times of change.

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    1. Hi Sharon; thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Delighted to hear from you! :) Blessings :)

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  7. I share your love of Autumn. God speaks to me through the beauty of the changing trees and now that I have read your post I will be more aware of what I should be harvesting during that season.

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    1. Hi V; it's true that we must be aware during every season of harvest! Thank you for stopping by! :)

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  8. Thank you for writing such positive thoughts about seasons and especially about fall. I will be happy if I think this is the season is that I finish my new book. Nouw I have plenty of time to watch, delete, correct it and next year it will be in the bookstores. Thats why I love this fall.

    Big hug!

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    1. How exciting Jedidja! I hope it will be available in an English version when you publish it; I would love to read it!

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  9. I too love the fall season. However, in Phoenix, our fall seems to occur in the winter. That's OK with me though. Seasons change and that is also true in our lives. As I am writing this I noticed to the right on your sidebar it says: For Everything There is a Season. How very true!

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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    1. There are so many "seasons" of change in our lives; I think I write a lot about that! So important to react and respond to change... :) Fall would be lovely in Phoenix! :)

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  10. Fall is beautiful. Hugs to you Denise and thank you for sharing.

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  11. I really liked this post. And I'm grateful I live in country where we experience four seasons...Fall is my absolute favorite....and it does remind me of changes and harvest. Your post speaks so much to me.

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    1. My favorite too Nikki, and I am enjoying all of those God colors! Blessings!

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  12. I so miss the Fall! There is nothing like it here in S. Africa. I do believe God gives us the seasons to bear different fruit in each one.

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  13. You bear so much fruit in your ministry Debbie; hopefully you will see fall colors soon ....maybe a visit back to the States?? :) Wishing you beautiful seasons whatever they may be. :)

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