So many things lurk about with the goal of luring us in or tripping us up. Father, may I stay close by Your side, holding tightly to Your hand. May my faith remain firm in You. Amen.

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Another exciting sign of spring for me is the emerging lush green of the many fields of winter wheat in my area. With the brown of winter still lurking around every corner, it is uplifting to see it flourish.

Thinking about it piqued my curiosity, and I discovered that America’s cookies rely on winter wheat grown in Ohio! It is a mainstay for Oreos and Chips Ahoy. Sure, other states grow the wheat that makes artisan bread and premium pasta. But Ohio’s soft red winter wheat is the type needed for pastries, cookies, saltines, cakes, brownies, and pretzels. According to a March 2018 article, Ohio was the top U.S. producer of soft red winter wheat in 2016.

In John 4:35, Jesus says,

“Do you not say, ‘It is still four months until the harvest comes?’ Look, I say to you, raise your eyes and look at the fields and see, they are white for harvest.” AMP

Jesus was putting out a clarion call for us to go out and harvest the many souls ready to find the answer to all of life’s questions – Jesus Christ himself!

That is so very, very important, but He also needs us to plant the seed, and some of us are called to nurture that seed as well. If it weren’t for devoted Ohio farmers, Oreo cookies might not be as readily available! (Gasp!) But…if we don’t do our part, whether it is planting the seed of the Good News, caring for it as it grows and develops, or being one of the much-needed harvesters, what a great travesty that would be!

Lord Jesus, please burden our hearts to do whatever we need to ensure a great harvest of souls for You and Your kingdom. So, so many are lost – struggling through life, not understanding, not knowing anything of substance about You – but we can show them. Lord, use us…use me. Amen.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 AMP

(Apr 14th, 2019, Sun, 8:08 pm)
Apr 15th, 2024, Mon, 7:58 pm