THANK YOU FATHER - Harvest Divinity

Good Day Beloved!

3 John 2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

As we embrace the vibrant harvest season, let us pause to reflect on the bountiful fruits of our labor and joyfully celebrate the myriad blessings that God has bestowed upon us. With grateful hearts, we thank You, Father God, for endowing us with the ability to create, to nurture, and to explore the infinite possibilities that surround us. May we cherish this time of abundance and recognize the divine hand guiding our journey.

Previously, we've explored the theme of confidence—how to face the challenges we encounter and to recognize the blessings that surround us. Today, however, we’ll turn our focus to a common struggle: the tendency to work too hard, sometimes at the expense of our well-being and to not take a true assessment of our status and living in the moment with gratitude. Additionally, this message is not meant to promote laziness or undermine the value of hard work and the contributions of diligent individuals. Rather, it aims to highlight the importance of time management and to more than anything else, promote dedicating time to express gratitude and share joy with others and with God. Furthermore, it serves as a call to embrace a life of faith and fulfillment.

You might relate to this, or perhaps you know someone who does. They strive to accomplish so much that, in the end, they achieve less because their attention is divided. Like trees that fail to bear healthy fruit, they spread their energy too thinly across too many pursuits. This leads to stress, worry, and scattered thoughts. While a sense of fulfillment and purpose in life and work is vital, finding balance is equally crucial.

This is what the younger community seems to be saying a lot all the time, to me.  It confirmed my assessment when I read an article the other day that reported that people in the Gen Z era were less likely to work overtime if they had enough money to make ends meet. Perhaps they have something, there. The writer of the article found in his research, that the mindset of this generation was to “Work to Live and not Live to Work”.  Nevertheless, it is hard to advocate such a concept when companies are complaining that workers are scarce and that the work ethic is not the highest, yet modern research has found that workers that worked less, were more productive than those that consistently put in long hours. Some of us, can't escape working around the clock, because of the nature of our jobs, but usually they are the noblest occupations but on the other hand, they are usually the most fulfilling assignments where the presence of God is undeniable. We thank you Father for the noble assignments.

Jeremiah 29:11

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.

Proverbs 23: 4-5

4 

Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!

5 

Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"

Let us pray for clarity and inner peace, and give thanks for what we have. Watch as God works in your life, helping you to see your blessings with renewed perspective. He invites us to take stock of what we truly need and recognize that everything we seek can be found in Him.

Hard work is honorable and being a dedicated worker is what we are supposed to be. The scripture tells us just that, yet also heeds warnings not to labor excessively. Many workplaces contribute to this cycle, placing undue pressure on employees, often leaving them understaffed and overburdened. We could explore countless reasons for our tendency to overwork, compete, and prioritize material wealth. But we must ask ourselves: at what cost? After all scripture tell us to submit to our employers, but it also tells us to observe the sabbath and celebrate the harvest.

Colossians 3:23-24

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Ask yourself, "Are you grateful for all that you have and are you grateful for the task at hand, your assignment" because God has a plan and purpose for you and he believes in you and he shall reward you if you believe in him. Search yourself and ask yourself: "At the end of your life, what will be your legacy in God's eyes."

Peter 2:18

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

In our society, where abundance is often taken for granted, and yet there’s a constant pressure to keep up with others. The influence of social media and advertising bombards us with messages that equate success with material gain. This relentless chase can lead us to sacrifice our inner peace for chaos and disarray in pursuit of the next reward. Instead let's strive to be thankful for the ability to answer God's call and the harvest at hand. Yet, we must show that we prefer our communion with God, and our duty to him, before the business or the joy of harvest. Let us strive for balance, allowing ourselves to enjoy the richness of life that God has provided, without the constant need to measure ourselves against others.

Proverbs 3:9-10:

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Exodus 34:21

All worldly business must give way to that holy rest; even harvest work will prosper the better, for the religious observance of the sabbath day in harvest time.

We should strive to maintain balance in our lives, especially when it comes to the time we spend with our families and children. It's important to appreciate both what we have and what we’ve accomplished. Rather than just focusing on the end result of a beautifully remodeled room, let’s savor the journey—choosing the paint, driving to gather materials, and either putting in the hard work ourselves or hiring someone to help. Life is a continuous journey, a work in progress, and we must take moments to recognize our current state and support one another. We have the opportunity to worship God and enjoy fellowship, and that’s what we’re here for. This world is filled with wonders, and it often takes so little to find joy. Appreciation, love, and smiles are free. No matter where we are, there’s always a way to view our circumstances from a fresh perspective. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Praise the Lord Our Father, for we are rich in his Grace. The true wealth.

Ephesians 1: 1 - 7

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace