Christian Chat

Matthew 9: 37, 38 ICB

37 Jesus said to his followers, “There is such a big harvest of people to bring in. But there are only a few workers to help harvest them.

38 Ask the Lord who owns the harvest to send more workers to gather his harvest.”

Key Biblical Terms

“Harvest” (Greek: therismos)

In Scripture, this refers to the gathering of people at a decisive spiritual moment.

Often used for the end-time gathering or people being brought into response to God (see also John 4:35, Revelation imagery).

It carries the idea of readiness — something has matured and is ready to be gathered.

“Plentiful” (Greek: polys)

Means large in number, abundant, great in extent.

Not a lack of opportunity — but an abundance of people in need of response.

“Workers / Labourers” (Greek: ergatai)

Literally those who work, labour, or serve in a field.

In context: people sent to participate in God’s work of gathering and teaching.

Not limited to leaders — it refers to those active in ministry or service.

“Lord of the harvest”

A title referring to God as the owner and authority over the harvest.

Emphasises that the harvest belongs to God, not humans.

He directs, sends, and oversees the work.

“Send forth” (Greek: ekballō)

Strong verb meaning to send out, thrust out, or release into action.

Often used in Scripture for commissioning or dispatching with purpose and authority (not casual sending).

“His harvest field”

Refers to the world or people under God’s concern and timing.

The “field” is the place of spiritual labour and gathering.

In strictly biblical terms, the passage is describing:

A large readiness of people (harvest)

A limited number of active servants (workers)

A call to God, the authority over the work, to commission (send forth) more people into that task

There’s a lot of need around us, but not enough people to meet it. Jesus’ first instruction is not to act immediately, but to pray first — asking God to raise and send the right people for the work. Prayer comes before action, because God is the one who sends and prepares the workers. 💚

@Realness @ENKELI @tyme @DownMoreThanUp

@heartathome I really enjoyed today's reading, the reminder to pray first before acting was very timely for me.

Thanks again for your post xo

Checking in on you and how things have been feeling @ENKELI. I can see this week has been tough? 💛

I wanted to share something with you all too! I was performing in a show this past week and there was an old chapel nearby, so I went in to do some vocal runs before going on stage. It was really lovely practicing singing in that space and reminded me of growing up singing in church. I thought you might appreciate this. @Appleblossom @heartathome @Realness @DownMoreThanUp @tyme 🫶

Hey @DownMoreThanUp,

I am so sorry to hear that you're feeling like things need to end in your relationship... it sounds like you're not able to meet each others' needs right now and that can be such a painful place to be in when you love someone. I am curious to know what led you to this decision and if you have decided against couples counselling?

It sounds to me like you're really needing your anger and hurt to feel heard and held with her, is that right? 💛

@AuntGlow hey lovely. Today has not been great, I am on the tail end of a head cold but aside from that I am plodding along as usual. I have to knuckle down and get my studies up to date.

There is something so special about the old chapels. My mums' church is a lovely old chapel, heritage listed. I would have got married there if my engagement hadn't ended.

There is such a beautiful ambience in the older buildings.

@AuntGlow it is that i am not allow to express my hurt. When i did she ran off, like she always does, when i do hurt my side of our story. (i did get emotional for the counsellor pushed the issue my hrt but not angry or anything. for me was she refused to reconnect the moments her hurt, and cancelled counselling me protesting the direction this was taking. Every time my hurt comes up i did not push it i was asked.

@ENKELI @AuntGlow @heartathome @tyme @Realness @Shaz51 @Appleblossom

For years i have wanted to write about our ordeal but have not been able to all kind of reasons. So i thought today why not start Thursday's climax as a chapter my book

Hi @heartathome , @DownMoreThanUp , @Appleblossom , @ENKELI , @tyme , @MissGremlin , @Shaz51 ,

Hebrews 3 (and Hebrews 4 and 5 following)

- Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.

- Jesus faithful to God, just as Moses was faithful.

- Jesus has more glory than Moses as the builder of the house has more honour.

- And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and hope in which we boast.

- Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts like the people in the wilderness did and did not enter God's rest.

- Watch out for an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

- Encourage each other today.

- Those who disobey/do not believe do not enter God's rest.

Hebrews 4

- The promise to enter that rest remains - let us not fall short of it.

- A certain day is specified - today.

- Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

- The Word of God is living and effective - sharper than any double-edged sword - able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

- Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens - Jesus the Son of God - let us hold fast to our confession.

- This high priest - Jesus - sympathises with our weaknesses - He had been tempted in every way as we are - yet without sin.

- Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Hebrews 5

- High priests taken from men understand human nature and make gifts and sacrifices for their own sin as well as for the peoples' sin.

- Jesus was appointed high priest by God.

- Although He was the Son he learned obedience from what he suffered - perfected to become the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.

- Aim to be mature - those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

I really like God's invitation to enter into God's rest. Six days He created and then the seventh He rested. Today, right now, we are invited into that rest. But it's not just about a lack of activity. One of the definitions of rest from a Bible Dictionary is relief, release and satisfaction of the soul. A happy contented soul in Jesus!

@Realness "really like God's invitation to enter into God's rest. Six days He created and then the seventh He rested. Today, right now, we are invited into that rest. But it's not just about a lack of activity. One of the definitions of rest from a Bible Dictionary is relief, release and satisfaction of the soul. A happy contented soul in Jesus!"

@ENKELI @AuntGlow @heartathome @tyme @Shaz51

Yes chapter 4 is very clear about that our Sabbath Rest i reckon. I found that our slavery dies the desert rather than when we left Egypt, while in our lost self we lose the lost-ness making us feel that that way in our wilderness, while working to earn God's favour having to do, our heart is renewed His graceful love livingf which motivates our daily praises contend the live Jesus has us live in, with, and through Him.

Such is True Rest living our lives Down here in and with Him i reckon.👍

Hi @DownMoreThanUp ,

Thank you for sharing. Your prose is as well written (better?) than your poetry. It's like being with you before and during the session and then the sudden bad ending. I wonder why the therapist didn't allow you and your wife have a completely peaceful session. Why open something towards the end when there is not time to resolve it?

May God continue to guide your thoughts.

I had a small before-now encounter yesterday. I was at the shops and ran into an old workmate. A really good friend of a good friend. Well - ex good friend - I lost all my work friends when the psychosis re-opened and my behaviour became odd. We were both really pleased to see each other. I don't know how much she knows of my bad work ending - nor whether she knows I ended up on the disability pension. She was in a rush - I think on her way to work - so we just quickly talked about how Mum was. But the encounter left me thinking about how would I explain the work ending. Describing what was going through my mind at the time would sound too strange. How far I wandered from normal thinking. What a thief psychosis is!