THE HARVEST NEVER FAILS

A wealthy widower deeded all his property to an only son and his wife on the condition that he would be allowed to live in the country with them for the rest of his life. After a few years, when the inheritance had been spent, the daughter-in-law got tired of having the elderly gentleman around and told her husband he would have to leave. The son agreed and broke the news to his father. A short time later he and the feeble old man walked down the dusty road to a state-supported home for senior citizens. Being very unsteady on his feet, the father finally asked if he could rest for a few moments on a sawed-off stump to regain his strength for the last mile of the journey. As he sat there, he suddenly put his head in his hands and began to sob. The son, pricked in his conscience, tried to make excuses. Finally his dad controlled himself enough to say, "I'm not crying so much because I'm going to this lonely home for the poor and unfortunate. I'm weeping because of my own sins. Forty years ago I walked down this road with my father and brought him to the very same place. I am now seeing the results of the deeds I have sown!"

Each of us, by our own thoughts, attitudes, and actions are constantly planting for a future of reaping. Time may pass before our crop ripens, but the harvest never fails. The true nature of any seed we have scattered will surely be revealed!

Jude 1:17-21 The Message Translation tells us some very heart searching words. “But remember, dear friends that the apostles of our Master, Jesus Christ, told us this would happen: "In the last days there will be people who don't take these things seriously anymore. They'll treat them like a joke, and make a religion of their own whims and lusts." These are the ones who split churches, thinking only of themselves. There's nothing to them, no sign of the Spirit! But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!”

What are the seeds you are planting right now? Is it your quest to stay right at the center of God’s love? Are you intent on being one who causes real change in the life of another? The crop will ripen at some point, so make sure the seeds you are planting today are the ones you want springing up tomorrow.