Psalms‬ ‭92‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT — For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.

Join Waterwalkers as we talk about seeds by clicking the link 👉 See You Saturday.

Make sure to check out one of our local farmers by visiting the Baxley Family Farms website and their Black Mingo Produce FB Page.

‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV — All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.‬‬

Farming took a community of all ages, races, and genders that included family, friends, and neighbors. The farmers helped each other week in and week out. In today’s key verse we are reminded to share everything we have. We often do that through sharing meals with others. We do this through donating to food banks. At each gathering there is fellowship. Next time we share a meal with someone, remember all the nights the farmers stayed in the field, sharing their family time so that we could have ours.

A farmer’s wife shared what it’s like during harvest season: “It’s a time where I as a farm wife won’t see my husband for a while. His time in the field is spent. The hours are uncounted. Harvest is also dependent on Mother Nature. It’s timing. It’s teamwork. It’s having a plan. It’s finding a place to store crops. The tractors and combines get new oil and possibly new tires. It’s also risky. The family likes to sit down and determine if the crop we’ve made will pay for the seed. Thankfully we have our faith in God and the love for the land.”

Next week we will be entering the last 90 days of the year. As we learned from a Farmer’s wife, having a plan is key. I pray we can all be intentional in our planning and sharing time and meals with others in the coming months ahead.

Let’s pray, Dear God, Thank You for Your land and the bounty it supplies. I pray for those who do not know You. I pray for those who do not have food on their table or someone to share a meal with. Send them a Christian friend. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV — We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.‬‬

Each tobacco harvest would cure for seven days before being replaced by the next batch. This would continue each week during the harvest season.  

In today’s verse, we are reminded to be thankful for our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. The next time we go to the grocery store to buy our produce, meat, dairy, or grain, let’s be reminded to thank our farmers and their families. When we sit down to bless our food, ask God to bless the farmers who provided our meals.

When asked what harvest means, a friend who is a farmer responded: “Through my ups and downs, the highs and lows, the rain and drought, a time to finally gather up what the Lord blessed me with to put in safekeeping. Alongside my family take all the lessons learned and move eagerly into next year with the wisdom and faith gained.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for the farmers who put their faith in You and their love into the land. I ask that You bless our farmers and their families for their continued sacrifices so that I can have food on my table. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV — For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.‬‬

In tobacco farming, there were many different jobs. When it came time for curing the tobacco leaves there were handlers, usually young girls, who would gather 3-4 leaves for bundling. The stringers, usually grown women, would string the bundles onto the tobacco sticks. The hangers, usually adult men, would hang the sticks across tier poles inside the barn.

Today’s key verse tells us God will work in each of us to fulfill His purpose. No matter how little or big the job is, each job is important. As you work today, remember that God has a purpose for you. There is someone who depends on what you do. You are important.

When asked what harvest means, a friend who works in Resource Management responded: “‘A time in which fruits of one’s labor combined with forces that he or she prays for, but doesn’t control, culminates in a bounty that can either be fruitful or less than desired, but either way appreciated. A quote from Jim Rohn says you should ‘Get good at planting in the Spring or begging in the Fall.’”

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for willing me to work my Earthly job. Help me to remember that I am important. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭92‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT — For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.

Harvesting requires a process. Tobacco starts in seed form. Once the tobacco seeds have matured, they are transplanted to the tobacco fields. 

In reading today’s key verse, let’s envision being planted in God’s house in seed form. As we grow and mature we are planted in the mission field, to flourish and grow God’s Kingdom. Take a minute to evaluate your Christian maturity. Are you in seed form? Are you planted and flourishing? 

A retired farmer who grew many things said tobacco was a crop he could depend on, and his sister agreed. “A harvest meant the production of tobacco, cotton, corn, soybeans, and wheat. It was picking vegetables. Then getting it all to the market. Did we make a profit or lose it? Tobacco was always the most profitable.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for being patient with me as I mature spiritually. I desire to be profitable for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

There are many preparation steps in harvesting tobacco before the plants have matured. First, the seeds are planted in beds so they are protected from the elements. In the beds, they will hopefully sprout and grow strong. Once matured they are cut and tied together in bundles.

Today’s key verse reminds us we are never fully mature. Just like crops, we can grow daily. A Christian life doesn’t mean we will be protected from the elements, but with God, we can persevere and grow through life’s challenges.

When I think of harvest, it is easy for me to see the result and not the hard work and production behind the result. I had the pleasure of asking a few friends and family about what harvest means to them. I will share their thoughts with you throughout the remaining week.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for making me complete. I desire to grow and mature wherever You plant me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬ — The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Last week Deborah talked about seasons. As I pondered the questions, I thought about Fall in upstate South Carolina. Apple picking, pumpkin carving, seeing the leaves change, are a few of my favorites. This past year we have been blessed with visiting our son in Clemson, South Carolina throughout the different seasons. On a recent trip, we had the pleasure of touring the Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum. We were intrigued to see the tobacco exhibit since my husband’s family farmed tobacco for their livelihood.

According to Merriam-Webster, harvest is a season for gathering crops. Suckerin is a part of the harvest process, where suckers are removed from the tobacco plants so the existing leaves remain healthy and discourage new growth. Let’s think about that process in comparison with our own spiritual journey. 

In reading today’s key verse, I want us to get back to simplicity. God’s word is refreshing for our souls. He has already given us a foundation to live by. We as humans tend to complicate life. Although farming itself was and still isn’t simple, the farmers kept things simple by following a trustworthy process. We too should keep things simple by following God’s word for He is trustworthy.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for our farmers and their families that still provide for us today. I pray that You bless them with an abundant harvest. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.