Where are you planted?

“He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

What are you planted in? 

When a plant or tree is planted in the ground it absorbs the nutrients from the ground around it. What the tree produces is a direct result of what it takes in. If the ground is poisonous then the fruit will likely be bitter and tasteless. If the ground is rich in minerals it will produce sweet and delicious fruit. 

This is true in the spirit too. Where we are planted is what kind of fruit we produce. If you are planted in a life giving place, that's what you will produce.  But if you are in a place where there is no freedom and liberty, that's what you will become. 

The psalmist says that when we are planted by the river of life we will produce good fruit in every season. The key thing you will notice is that the tree goes through different seasons. We all face a winter in our lives, some of us are in a summer others in spring while others are heading in autumn. 

We should never despise others who are in a different season in their lives. We all face challenges at some point. But as individuals living in the grace of God we should be compassionate and loving to all 

But regardless of what season we are in, if we are planted in a life giving place we will always produce good fruit. That's the point he is trying to make. Our proximity to the river of life will indeed have an effect on our life. And no matter the season you find yourself in you will still absorb the life the water gives and produce something good.  

Where are you planted? What ground do you reside in? It's easy to know because the quality of your  fruit will determine where you are planted. 

If you find that your fruit is bitter, make a change.  When a horticulturist wants to get a plant to grow bigger, they remove it from its pot, that might have confined its roots and transfer it to a larger pot. The size of the roots determine the growth. 

The process of being uprooted and replanted might seem traumatic but without it the growth of a plant is stunted. 

Be planted in a place of life that feeds your soul those important nutrients of life.  What you produce is a direct reflection of where you are planted. 

Stop! Listen.

“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,”
Luke 5:1 NKJV

The people were so eager to hear the word that they pressed up to Him
So much that Jesus was in the sea, waves lapping at his ankles,  any more and He would have to swim. Good thing Peter's boat was nearby. A handy spot to speak so all could see and hear.

How eager were these people to hear what Jesus had to say? I mean they were not just merely interested they were enthusiastic about hearing Him. They stopped what they were doing in their busy days and turned their full attention to Jesus. They knew that He was saying something important.

They made a choice to do it. There could have been others around that continued along their way just doing their work. Passing by looking at the crowd but not stopping to hear. Do you think they would have received something to help their life? Perhaps they might have thought: if I deliver these goods I will get paid and thus provide food for myself. That will help, listening to some stranger, not so much.

The reality is that those who ceased from activity heard the word of life, to help their entire life. Others did not. Money cannot buy happiness, neither can anything else but Jesus.

We must, like those who chose to stop and listen, make choices in our days to stop and read the word, listen to the word and pray the word.

I know He will speak to you. Give it a try.

NO LAMPSHADES

Matthew Five:Fifteen

 

It's time to take the lamp shades  off! A lamp shade is there to soften the light, to prevent the light from shining, to stop light from shining to brightly. We put them on from time to time, we don't want others to see the light shine so bright, or maybe the light might expose their  deeds. 

Whatever the case we walk around with guarded light. It's time strip them off, to shine bright, to revel  in the glow of the light! To be light dancers. Streaks of glorious, radiant light fill the skies with beacons of hope, fire exploding in darkness, light the starry sky ablaze with the glory of the King!

Darkness falls before the declarers of light! You, rays of hope, fill the world with your light. Celebrate the light, don't hide in the darkness!

Come all ye people of the God of light, shine His light! 

Be a light dancer! Throw down your lamp shade in triumph! 

A note to father

Father, you are my shield and my protector, you have covered me with Your love! You found me when I was lost and dismayed and my aimless life was headed for ruin. You gave me purpose, you flooded my heart with Your love. You took me out of a pit of destruction I had created for myself. I love you not only for what you do, but who You are! 

You are the only one who understands me completely, you know my heart thoughts, you see my failures but yet you don't judge me, you embrace me into better, you correct me in your love. I wish I could say I am not afraid, but I'm learning to not be afraid. Your steady hand never wavers and you are proving your steadfast love in my life. Yet there are times when I stop holding your hand because I think I can do it and find out I can't. I am glad you still hold out your hand to lift me up, even though I have let you down. 

I hope to trust you completely, but honestly I know I'm not there yet because I look at situations and I question. I know you promised all things work for good for me because I love you. But sometimes daddy, I get scared because I look at the problems and I don't look at you. Help me keep you in focus. I do love you and I know you love me, thank you for loving me through my faults. I know you have the best for me daddy Jesus! 

Prayer Night

Join us as we commune with the Father tonight

Trust Him!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NKJV)

When you are feeling afraid, when the future is uncertain, when all the plans you made have come to nothing. When you feel like your heart is about to break, and you feel you cannot go on anymore. This is a promise that will take you through. The song writers of yesteryear said "take it to The Lord in prayer". Don't be anxious, don't stress, don't throw up your arms in frustration.  God is faithful,  He can give you His peace that can surpass your worry and concern. He will guard your heart, He will calm your mind. He is the God of love and Peace. Trust Him! He is faithful to the end, He will be there when all else fades. He loves you and you are safe in His arms!