FAITH IS ROOTED IN THE GOD WE TRUST!

This is the last week of May! Those lovely showers, that brought the aromatic May flowers, have faded into the bright sunshine of the end of May. June is right around the corner, and the first day of Summer comes with it.

As we say good-bye to Spring, and look forward to the long, lazy days of Summer, I want to conclude our ‘GROWTH BURSTS’ series, while at the same time “kick off” our next series.

I grew so much through our Growth Bursts series as God spoke His truth and affirmation to me!
I must be planted firmly, covered by God’s hand completely, watered consistently, and then and only then, will I BLOOM where God Himself has planted me.

Last weeks Blog post brought clear and concise affirmation that both of my Father’s in heaven, (to quote a beautiful friend), have confirmed and sealed my call and my husbands call to our new ministry here in Northern California!
As my Dad’s rose bush produced it’s first bloom EVER, my daughter jumped for joy with me and proclaimed, “That’s your sign Mom! God has called you here to BLOOM for Him!” Later that week my sister wrote that both God and Dad are happy I am back “HOME!”
Then the affirmation of a new friend, from our new church stated that “this is God’s sign of confirmation and sealing.”

I AM BELIEVING GOD, AND I AM PUTTING THAT BELIEF INTO ACTION AS I BECOME ROOTED IN GODS FAMILY HERE IN SONOMA COUNTY!

I write this Blog because I believe with all of my heart that God told me to use the voice He gave me for Him in this way. I have made a commitment to my Faithful God, to be faithful to His call on my life. The phenomanal Truth about our God, is that as we step out in Faith, He is undeniablly more Faithful than we can dream, think or imagine! However, this step of FAITH for me was not an easy one! I felt insecure, nervous and even scared to take the step of FAITH in writing this Blog that God was calling me to! It was only after much prayer and “planting”, that caused me to become ROOTED firmly in my God, that enabled me to trust Him and PUT MY FAITH INTO ACTION!

I have combined the words FAITH and ROOTED in this weeks Blog intentionally. As I, as we, GROW in Christ Jesus, and our roots go down deep in Him, we become ROOTED and our FAITH is made strong.

The “growing process” happens for a reason. It is not simply to make us feel warm and cozy, even though there is a time for that. It is not only to produce a bloom pretty to look at. No, it is for a far deeper reason that we are planted. We are planted so that our roots grow down deep and strong, become ROOTED in Jesus, and BURST forth and produce something. Something that is eternal. Something that impacts the world for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom!

Thats where FAITH comes in. Belief is one thing, but believing is not enough to impact God’s world and make a difference. FAITH is what it takes to make a difference in this world and fulfill our God-given destinies!

FAITH is acting on our belief in God! Stepping out in FAITH when God calls us to do something outside of our comfort zone, takes more than human power. A God sized assignment calls for SUPERNATURAL POWER! We need God’s power acting in and through us!

Both James and Paul use the Greek word ‘Pistis’ for the word FAITH. It relates to a person’s ACTION, not a belief!
That is why James writes in his letter,
“FAITH without works is useless…For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also FAITH without works is dead.”
James 2:20,26

James is telling us that our belief in Jesus is not enough, we must demonstrate our FAITH in Jesus through our actions!
Priscilla Shirer puts it bluntly in her study ‘The Armor of God”,
“FAITH is acting like God is telling the truth.”

FAITH is acting, doing something, taking action! If we truly have FAITH in our God, than we must ACT like it!

I remember when my children were small and they would do something wrong. They would immediately spin around and look up at me with their adorable, guilty eyes and say, “I am sorry Momma!” And this is the reply they would hear back from me, “Do not just say you are sorry, show me you are sorry!” I was taught to demonstrate my words, not just say them. I was trying to instill in my children this same, important truth.

Truth Bomb

Our words are nothing unless backed up by action!

Our FAITH is the same! Do we simply believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and He deserves all we have to give Him, because He gave us all He had to give? Or, are we willing to back that up with our Lives in Action?

Stepping out and putting our FAITH into ACTION is not easy. But we are supported and encouraged by a long line of ACTION HEROS who came before us!
Next week we jump into an ACTION SERIES called ‘ACTION HEROS OF THE FAITH!’ I know you will be encouraged. So meet me back here next week, and each week through the month of June as we meet real life ACTION HEROS and gain the encouragement we need to put our FAITH INTO ACTION!

I love this FAITH journey we are on together! Thank you for encouraging me to be ROOTED and put my FAITH into action!

See you next week!

Speak Truth Love

Here we are in the final week of our Growth Bursts series, and we are ready to BLOOM!

Blooming is the happy, feel-good part, the bursting fourth part, the “PRETTY” part if you will.

This is the part when we SHINE, look good and feel good. This is the part where we “show off” the fruit of our labor. This is the easy part, right?

No, in all truth, this is the humbling part. The part where we realize that if we were patient and followed through on the planting, and carefully turned up and over the soil in our spirit, covered it carefully and fully with God’s hand, and rested in His process, then and only then did we discover the Biblical Truth of Psalm 46:10,
“Be still and know that I am God.”

Only by going through this process do we become fully aware of the mystery of “Being Still” in God, and trusting Him to do the work!

It is also the part where we bear witness to the need for endurance in the watering process. This is essential if our roots are to grow deep down into the soil so that we will prosper and not wither when the storms come, and they do come!
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we KNOW that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character…”
Romans 5:3-4

Truth is, if we are “BLOOMING” then we have gutted through a gruesome process to get here!

In Matthew Chapter 13, Jesus tells a story about a farmer preparing his fields to BLOOM.

The first step he takes is to plant, or “scatter” the seed. Week one for us!

Verses 3 and 4,
“A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell…”

Let me pause for a moment right here and make sure we are all on the same page in understanding the parable…

God is the farmer. We are the seed.

As God’s children, we find ourselves in various geographical locations. We also find ourselves in places with varying types of soil, even if we are geographically close.
God “scatters” His children all over the globe, so that we may affect others for Him EVERYWHERE in His great BIG world!

verse 4 continued,
“….some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.”

These seeds were not planted and “Covered” in God’s soil!

Verse 5 and 6,
“Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.”

These seeds did not endure the process of “Being still in God” and trusting in His growth process. They did not produce deep roots, and they had nothing to hold onto when the trials came.

Verse 7,
“Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.”

These seeds began the process well, but did not follow it through to completion. When the trials or temptations came they leaned into the persuasion of others.

Verse 8,
“Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

These are the healthy seeds. They planted themselves deep into the “good” soil, and covered themselves with God’s protection. They were watered and cared for and remained still and steadfast in knowing God was in control. Finally, they produced a crop far greater than their expectations! They BLOOMED!!!

Blooming for Jesus is not an easy process. It takes devotion, dedication and shear determination! But if we endure, we will radiate God’s Light through our Bloom and others will see the Love of Jesus through us!

The dictionary definition of BLOOM is:
“a youthful and healthy glow in a person’s complexion.”

If we are truly BLOOMING with the Light and Love of Jesus we will radiate a fresh, glowing luster that will draw others to Jesus!

When a flower blooms it opens up, it matures, it produces something.
A seed is planted, it is covered in soil, it is watered and it produces a plant. If that plant is a flowering plant, it produces a BLOOM when it is mature.

That is our goal in Christ Jesus. That BLOOM can take many years to accomplish. The path may be filled with trial, temptations and rough and rocky paths. But if we never give up, if we entrust our lives to God and His pruning, then we will grow into maturity and produce a BLOOM!

As I was praying through this month’s Blog series and asking God to give me the truth He wanted for myself and for you, I was given a Blessing as a distinct example of the words I have written this month!

My father was my hero. He passed away five and a half years ago. Among other gifts and talents, he loved to grow roses. He had a beautiful garden of rose trees at his home, and my sisters carefully and lovingly dug several of them up, and transplanted them to their homes. Over the years they have produced beautiful roses in my sisters yards.

I lived far away from my sisters and father, and was not able to take an entire rose bush. One of my sister’s carefully cut a piece of one of his bushes and with great precision and care replanted it, nurtured it, and brought it to me.

I have watered, pruned, replanted and patiently waited for that rose bush to produce blooms for me like the ones my sister’s bushes have produced. It did not.

For 5 1/2 years, it stayed green, grew a little, but NEVER produced a bloom.

We moved from Southern California to Northern California in November of last year. I moved that rose bush with me. For 6 months it remained green and still. Five days ago, as I was praying about writing this Blog… I saw a bud!

I jumped for Joy, cried a little, and knew God was giving me one of my greatest lessons on blooming! By the next day the flower was in full bloom!!!

When we are DEVOTED, DEDICATED AND DETERMINED, we will BLOOM!

Truth Bomb

Bloom where God plants you!

No matter how long the process takes, stand firm my friends, God will produce a BLOOM!

Our God is FAITHFUL!
Don’t give up friends!
BLOOM!

Speak Truth Love

In order for “Growth” to take place, watering must occur!

We started out this Growth Series with the old rhyme, “April showers bring May flowers.” While this rhyme may be “old”, it carries in it vital truth to the growth process. If watering does not take place, growth will not happen!

Water is vital to growth!

Water is transparent and colorless. It is not fancy and colorful. It is obscure and invisible. It is not obvious and bold.
Water is a chemical compound. It is transparent and nearly colorless. Yet, it is the main constituent of Earth’s streams, lakes, oceans, and of our physical bodies, as well as every other living organism!

WE NEED WATER!!!
It is essential to our survival. However, there is another fact that I want to bring to our attention about water. IT IS AN ACTUAL PART OF WHO WE ARE!

The human body is made up of 72% WATER! Your body uses water in all of it’s cells, organs and tissue to help regulate it’s temperature and maintain other bodily functions. Many of our vital organs are composed of nearly 83% water!

This is a direct quote from a scientific manual:
“Water is of major importance to ALL living things.”

Our Creator, God tells us again and again to “GROW” in Him, to be firmly planted in Him, and to allow our roots to GROW down into Him.

“Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.”
Colossians 2:7

Our Creator created us with water being a major part of our make-up. Without water we would die. This puts a whole new twist on “WATERING!”

Science tells us that our body loses water through breathing, sweating, and digestion. This is the reason it is so important for us to take in more water by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. In a sense, we are replenishing and giving life to our bodies.

In the same way, we must water and replenish our spiritual bodies if we are to have life in them!

Our “natural” bodies and spirits, are prone to follow the ways of this world. We are easily led astray by what “feels good”, or “right!” If someone hurts us, we are quick to strike back or join in conversation against them. If we do not get our way, we tend to dig our heels in and demand what we want or desire. If others are talking in groups, we want to be included and may sway toward popularity instead of integrity! The Bible clearly points out that this is not “watering” our spiritual souls, but instead it is dehydrating us.

“Oh, the joy of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.”
Psalm 1:1

Instead, God calls us to Hydrate or spiritual souls by pouring His Law over our lives, and allowing it to rehydrate our spirits.

“But they delight in the Law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”
Psalm 1:2

We are called by God to “water” our spiritual bodies “day and night!” God asks us to “DELIGHT” in His Word. Not just read it out of duty! We are to fall in Love with it! And when we do, we will desire to meditate on it day and night! Then, He promises us the blessing that follows:

“They are like trees planted along the river bank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in ALL they do.”
Psalm 1:3

TRUTH BOMB

When we are hydrated with God’s Spirit, we will stand firm.

When we spend time meditating on God’s Word and allow it to “water” our lives, we will remain hydrated, healthy and strong in Him.

Water may be colorless, it may be transparent, but it is vital to our very living. It is what sustains us and keeps our bodies working and functioning the way they were intended to.

In the same way, reading God’s Word, focusing on it’s Truth, praying and listening to God, may be done in private and is not visible to the world around us. But it is the spiritual water that is poured over us, and hydrates our spiritual lives and keeps us alive!

As diligent as we are to HYDRATING our physical bodies, we must be even more diligent to HYDRATE our spiritual bodies. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR SURVIVAL!!!

Meet you back here next week as we prepare to BLOOM!

Speak Truth Love

In order to burst forth, we must first be planted!

I am not an expert gardener. I do not even have a “green thumb!” But, I do know that when planting is taking place, the seed or bulb must be planted firmly into the soil.  The soil must be rich in nutrients in order for it to grow. And most importantly, the soil must cover the seed or bulb until none of it can be seen.

This truth of planting a seed or bulb and covering it, is a spiritual truth as well.

In order for my life to be firmly planted with my Savior, I must be completely covered by Him!  Friends, this is not a “half way in/half way out” relationship.  It is not a relationship that says, “if it feels right today I’m in, but if something comes up tomorrow that feels better, I’m out.”  My relationship with God must be “All In”, no matter what comes my way. If this is not the case, I will not be protected by Him when the storms of life blow on me.

The Bible puts it this way…

“But you, Oh Lord, are a shield (AKA Covering), around me; You are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” Psalm 3:3

If we desire to be firmly planted, and allow our lives to bear  “fruit”, then we must be protected, covered and shielded until we are mature enough to Burst open with all of God’s goodness!

Truth Bomb

God’s Covering Is My Shield And Protection!

God provides me with His love, protection and covering! He promises that He will never leave me or forsake me. But it is up to me to remain covered. I must take the healthy steps of growth and stay covered by my God. Only under the divine covering of God will I remain safe and protected so that I can grow.

Moldova is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the poorest country in that nation. The sad truth is that the country of Moldova has the richest soil in all of that area!  The tragedy is that the people of Moldova do not utilize the rich soil that is directly below their feet.  If they were to plant and cultivate fruits and vegetables in that rich soil, they could become rich. But left uncultivated and unused the soil produces nothing, and the country remains destitute!

Friends, may this not be us! You and I live in a country rich with Christian influence and opportunities. Let us not neglect to cover ourselves in these rich opportunities. If we remain covered in God’s Word, Worship and Praise we will remain covered and protected. And God’s great work will begin to take root in us!

The beautiful aspect of growth is that when we are putting the right things in, growth takes place! It is a natural outcome!

 

Speak Truth Love

 

 

We’ve all heard the saying, “April showers bring May flowers!” Meaning, after the rain storms, the growth is clear and evident. All around us we see green grass, budding trees, and flowers blooming. If not for the showers, we wouldn’t have the flowers!

A strong Biblical principal lies beneath the surface of this truth! Seeds must be planted, then watered, for growth to occur.

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6

In order for growth to take place, planting, watering, and God must occur.

I am in awe of the beauty that surrounds me daily in this new area I now live in. One of the most beautiful sights that has gripped me has been the amount of daffodils in brilliant yellow, irises in majestic purple, and lillies in dazzling white!

They have not simply popped up “here or there,” but they are literally in colorful rows everywhere around me! While I enjoy their beauty, it is the fact that only a month ago they were no where to be seen. Instead, they were lying beneath the surface. Those particular flowers grow from bulbs. The bulbs are planted far beneath the surface, unable to be seen.

Then, when those “April showers” come and water them, the growth that takes place beneath the surface then pops through the soil in the mature form of a flower!

The growth that takes place through a bulb being planted, to then being watered, and finally producing a bloom is the perfect picture of the Biblical Truth of how we grow in Christ. We must plant the truth of God’s Word deep in our hearts daily! Then, we must water that Truth with prayer, asking God to bring that truth to life through us! Then God, by His miraculous power, takes the planting and the watering, and produces growth in our lives that is seen by others!

Truth Bomb

Without God, growth is impossible!

“So neither he who plants, nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7

The daily commitment of reading God’s Word and praying, may at times seem monotonous, but just as the bulb lying dormat in the ground through long, cold months produces beautiful growth, God is also producing beautiful growth in you!

As I walk around and witness the growth of Sprigtime, I am encouraged to allow God to produce this growth in my life. Let’s commit together this month, to focus on growth and see what God will burst forth!

Speak Truth Love