Summertime

Matt 24:32- Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. NASB What does summer symbolize or mean to you? School’s out, no more helping kids with their homework, or getting up early in the morning? No more cold or rainy days, or days with limited sunshine? It appears we make most of our assessments based upon school changing, but the truth is summer is more than that; it’s a new season! Yes, the days are longer, yes its warmer, but more than that, it’s a season in which fruit is harvested. A time your produce is gathered, collected, or brought in. Jeremiah (chapter 8:20) mentions how when it’s not summer, there’s nothing to expect, and the people will perish because of it. See people would have had to have planted in the fall season to reap a harvest in the summer season. Work must have had to have been done previously, in order to experience a harvest in this season. There’s no miracle growth, or get rich quick schemes in Old Testament times; it’s simple math, what I have put in, in my past, I am sure to reap in my present! That’s a true word from the Lord. Scripture continues to show us this principle: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Galatians 6:7-10 "do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. The fruit of a fig tree appears before the leaves, so with this particular tree, if it has leaves on it, it should have figs; as we learned in the story of the withered fig tree (Matthew 21:19), which the Lord may have had in mind when he gave this illustration. God intends our lives to prosper (3 John2), and he has given us everything to sow in its proper season to ensure we experience growth. It’s that time of year, for us to experience the blessings of God, from the hand of God, already declared from the mouth of God. If we don’t plant, liken to the fig tree, we may be cursed and not allowed to ever bear fruit again (see v19 again). You’ll be surprised to see what is harvested this summer, even if you think you didn’t plant anything in the Fall, cause God said in Psalm 126:5-“those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” NLT Get ready it’s summertime, I mean Harvest Time! Pastor Kirkland A. Smith