Author: Kristi Wilson

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I Do It Myself

“I do it myself”. Not good grammar but you get the point.

Now that our gardens our planted I wanted to go in a different direction. Make sure you water those seeds everyday and keep the weeds pulled. You’ll be harvesting the fruit very soon.

One of our children was a very independent learner. He didn’t want help, he wanted to “do it myself”. I would sit down on the floor to play with him and his sister. We had these puzzles that both kids loved to play with. But if I tried to help, sure enough you guessed it, he would go to something different, he refused my help.

We laugh and think – sure kids do that kind of stuff but what about us as adults. Do you ever find yourself saying, “I do it myself”? Men, you have a project around the house and your wife asks if you need help…you might as well find your best little kid voice, put your hands on your hips and say “I do it myself”.

Ladies, what about us? We have family or friends over for a dinner, we have pots on every burner and something in the oven and someone asks, can I help. What do you say? “No just go enjoy everyone, I can do it. I’ve got this.” And then when they leave we complain because no one helped.

Oh yes, we all do it. But let’s  stop it here. It’s ok to say I need help.

“Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good. 11 See, all those who are angry with you will be put to shame and troubled. Those who fight against you will be as nothing and will be lost. 12 You will look for those who argue with you, but will not find them. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as nothing at all. 13 For I am the Lord your God Who holds your right hand, and Who says to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’ 14 Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel. I will help you,” says the Lord. “The One Who bought you and sets you free is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:10-14 NLV

God makes Himself available to help us. Do we say, “I do it myself”? He desires to take our cares, our worries, our lack of wisdom, our weakness and replace it with His strength, peace, knowledge and joy.

“Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29 Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls. 30 For My way of carrying a load is easy and My load is not heavy.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLV

Yes, we are capable, maybe, of doing things our self but we miss out on spending time with our Father who loves us so dearly. Whether we see Him or not, He walks right with us so that He can run to our call or pick us up when we fail.

“Jesus did not come to help angels. Instead, He came to help men who are of Abraham’s family. 17 So Jesus had to become like His brothers in every way. He had to be one of us to be our Religious Leader to go between God and us. He had loving-pity on us and He was faithful. He gave Himself as a gift to die on a cross for our sins so that God would not hold these sins against us any longer. 18 Because Jesus was tempted as we are and suffered as we do, He understands us and He is able to help us when we are tempted.” Hebrews 2:16-18 NLV

So the next time you are tempted to say “I do it myself” remember there is no reason to go it alone. There is strength in numbers, God and you are a majority in any situation.

“God has said, “I will never leave you or let you be alone.” Hebrews 13:5b NLV

“What can we say about all these things? Since God is for us, who can be against us? 32 God did not keep His own Son for Himself but gave Him for us all. Then with His Son, will He not give us all things? ” Romans 8:31 NLV

 

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Seeds of Celebration

We ladies know what it’s like to “dream of our wedding day”. From the time we are little girls and go to our first wedding or see our first Disney Princess movie we are hooked.

But before you men completely discount this morning’s writing I want you to know you are included in this celebration too. For whether we are man or woman we are all joined with Christ as our husband.

The Scripture tells us that we have a loving husband. Jesus is the husband and we are His wife.

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV

Christ loved us so much that He gave up his life for us. His shed blood completely removes any residue of sin and leaves us clean, no spot or wrinkle and glorious arrayed!

How many times have I heard people say, “if you only knew what I have done, you would know that God couldn’t love me”. It because of what we have done that God found a way to make us clean and acceptable. He has covered all our failures, our sins, our imperfections.

“Sin ruled by means of death. But God’s kindness now rules, and God has accepted us because of Jesus Christ our Lord. This means that we will have eternal life.” Romans 5:21 CEV

“God already planned to have us as His own children. This was done by Jesus Christ. In His plan God wanted this done.

6 We thank God for His loving-favor to us. He gave this loving-favor to us through His much-loved Son. 7 Because of the blood of Christ, we are bought and made free from the punishment of sin. And because of His blood, our sins are forgiven. His loving-favor to us is so rich. ” Ephesians 1:5-7 NLV

We have seen the royal weddings on television, all the pomp and circumstance. The carriage, the beautiful gown, the groom dressed so regally, the flowers, the lace. The celebration!

But that is nothing compared to what the King of Kings has prepared for His bride.

“You are God, and you will rule forever as king. Your royal power brings about justice.  You love justice and hate evil. And so, your God chose you and made you happier  than any of your friends.
8 The sweet aroma of the spices myrrh, aloes, and cassia, covers your royal robes. You enjoy the music of harps in palaces decorated
 with ivory. 9 Daughters of kings are here, and your bride stands at your right side, wearing a wedding gown trimmed with pure gold.” Psalm 45:7-9 CEV

Sometimes Christians are considered to be second class citizens, as if we need to apologize for our station in life. The opposite is true. We are joined to the King of Kings and our father, is God Almighty.

“But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say,

10 “Once you were nobody. Now you are God’s people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness.” I Peter 2:9-10 CEV

It’s important that we see ourselves as God sees us. We are His children and we are dearly loved. There was no expense too great to keep Him from bringing us into relationship with Him.

“I cried to the Lord in my trouble, and He answered me and put me in a good place. 6 The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me. 7 The Lord is with me. He is my Helper. I will watch those lose who fight against me. ” Psalm 118:5-7 NLV

We have been dressed in royal splendor, our husband loves us dearly. It’s time to celebrate!!

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Plant Sorrow, Harvest Comfort

This morning I had but one word on my heart – sorrow. What a strange way to start a morning and it didn’t seem very uplifting until I let the Holy Spirit  put substance around that word.

“I will comfort you as one is comforted by his mother. And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.” 14 When you see this, your heart will be glad. Your bones will get new strength like the new grass. And the hand of the Lord will be made known to His servants. ” Isaiah 66:13-14 NLV

The story I would like to share with you comes from the Old Testament. A sweet lady was one of two wives to a man named Elkanah. He loved her dearly but she had no children. Her counterpart however had children and would mock her. Each year they would travel as a family to Shiloh to bring their offerings to the Lord. This was an extremely tough time for Hannah because Pennieh, the other wife, would taunt her mercilessly. In her sorrow, Hannah cried out to the Lord.

“Hannah was very troubled. She prayed to the Lord and cried with sorrow. 11 Then she made a promise and said, “O Lord of All, be sure to look on the trouble of Your woman servant, and remember me. Do not forget Your woman servant, but give me a son. If You will, then I will give him to the Lord all his life. And no hair will ever be cut from his head.”

12 While she kept praying to the Lord, Eli was watching her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart. Her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she had drunk too much. 14 Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not drunk wine or strong drink, but I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not think of your woman servant as a woman of no worth. For I have been speaking out of much trouble and pain in my spirit.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace. May the God of Israel do what you have asked of Him.” 18 And Hannah said, “Let your woman servant find favor in your eyes.” So she went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” I Samuel 1:10-18 NLV

Have you been there? So upset over a situation that you have wept before the Lord, pouring out your heart and soul, completely oblivious to what others thought about you…just needing God to hear your heart? If you have then you can relate to Hannah.

And so could God. He heard her heart – children were a sign that you had been blessed by God and Hannah’s heart ached because she had no child. I can assure you, when you pour your heart out to God, giving Him whatever it is that is causing your sorrow, He will meet you there. He brings comfort and peace.

“So the people, for whom the Lord paid the price to be saved, will return. They will come with songs of joy to Zion. Joy that lasts forever will be on their heads. They will receive joy and happiness, and sorrow and sad voices will hurry away.

12 “I, even I, am He Who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of a man who dies? Why are you afraid of the sons of men who are made like grass,” Isaiah 51:11-12 NLV

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 KJV

God heard and answered Hannah’s prayer and a year later Samuel was born. Samuel was dedicated to the Lord and as a small boy, Hannah took him to the tabernacle to live with Eli and be raised as a priest. Samuel was used mightily of God, a blessing not only to his mother but to the nation of Israel.

“The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22 KJV

God’s blessing of a son removed Hannah’s sorrow. God isn’t out to ruin our lives but to complete them!

“The Lord says, “I am the one who comforts you. So why should you be afraid of people? They are only humans who live and die like the grass.” Isaiah 55:11-12 CEV

“Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 NLV

“I know I was ready to fall, but, Lord, your faithful love supported me.
19 I was very worried and upset, but you comforted me and made me happy!” Psalm 94:18-19 ERV

“Remember Your Word to Your servant, for You have given me hope. 50 Your Word has given me new life. This is my comfort in my suffering. 51 The proud always laugh at me, but I do not turn away from Your Law. ” Psalm 119:49-51 NLV

“Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also.” John 14:1 NLV

“I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 The Helper (Comforter) is the Holy Spirit. The Father will send Him in My place. He will teach you everything and help you remember everything I have told you.

27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:25-27 NLV

Pour out your sorrow to the Lord today and let Him turn it into joy!

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Pruning Is Important

Pruning is necessary to the health of every plant. The important thing is to know when and how to prune.

When my flowers are in bloom I am out with my nippers once a week. Sometimes I just remove the dead flowers and leaves and at other times I find it necessary to remove part of a branch that is damaged.

I used to be a vicious pruner. Instead of using a small nipper, I would use the big loppers and before I knew it I had removed 1/2 the plant.

Sad to say but most of the time when I did that I permanently damaged the plant. But God knows how to properly prune so that the branch (us) isn’t damaged.

Yesterday I used the Scripture verses in John 15 where Jesus talks about abiding in the vine. He is the vine, we are the branches and the Father is the one who does the pruning.

“Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch[ of mine that does not produce fruit. He also trims every branch that produces fruit to prepare it to produce even more. 3 You have already been prepared to produce more fruit by the teaching I have given you. 4 Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me.

5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. 6 If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor  to my Father.” John 15:1-8 ERV

The KJV of this passage says “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Vs 7. See it’s the Word…the Word and abiding in the Word, who is Jesus, is what bears fruit in our lives.

Jesus said that we have already been prepared (pruned) by the Word. The Apostle Paul tells us that God’s Word brings correction (pruning) into our lives.

“You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child. These Scriptures are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live. 17 Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:15-17 ERV

God uses the Scriptures to make correction in our lives.  We also have the help of the Holy Spirit, our teacher and counsellor. He will prick our hearts when we do things that are wrong. You know what I’m talking about, that feeling you get and you say “I know I shouldn’t have done/said that”. Ya, that’s the Holy Spirit.

“But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help [a] you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.

8 The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God’s justice and the judgment. 9 The Spirit will show them that they are wrong about sin, because they didn’t have faith in me. ” John 16:7-9 CEV

There have been times that I have gone through a dry place and have felt withered and almost dead inside. During those times I didn’t see much of a harvest – just brittle, dry stubble with no signs of life.  I like the growth times much better and yes, I am the one responsible to keep the Word planted in my heart.

However, in the dry and brittle times, I have learned that the life is still there. It’s in the root. Sometimes the dry branches have to be pruned back for the health of the plant. I learned when we first moved into our AZ home not to prune until water has been applied to the root.

We have two large Ocotillos in our yard. They looked dead when we moved in. We decided to give them it a little bit of water and see what would happen. Only 5 days of water, just a little water each day and they begin to flourish.

The KJV of this passage says “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” It’s the Word…the Word and letting God’s Word, who is Jesus, live in us that bears fruit in our lives.

I’m so glad that I didn’t prune the Ocotillo thinking it was all but dead. My pruning would have killed it for sure. I’m also very glad that I’m not responsible for pruning my life or the life of other believers but it’s the Father, the master gardener, who is responsible to prune our lives. He knows when something is dead and He knows exactly where to cut without causing damage. He also knows when all we need is water, the water of His word, and we will flourish once again.

“I will pour water for thirsty people, and streams will flow through the desert. I will pour my Spirit on your children, and I will bless your family. 4 They will sprout like grass in the spring and grow like trees by streams of water.” Isaiah 44:3 ERV

Are you in a dry place? Let God’s Word water your roots and you’ll begin to flourish once again.

Blessings to you all this day.

 

 

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Let Peace Grow

We’ve got a good start on our garden. It would be impossible to ever say we have planted enough. Who can have too much love, joy, peace, humility, patience, kindness? A friend reminded me recently that as long as we abide in the vine (Jesus) we will bear much fruit.

““I am the true Vine. My Father is the One Who cares for the Vine. 2 He takes away any branch in Me that does not give fruit. Any branch that gives fruit, He cuts it back so it will give more fruit. 3 You are made clean by the words I have spoken to you. 4 Get your life from Me and I will live in you. No branch can give fruit by itself. It has to get life from the vine. You are able to give fruit only when you have life from Me. 5 I am the Vine and you are the branches. Get your life from Me. Then I will live in you and you will give much fruit. You can do nothing without Me. ” John 15:1-5 NLV

That’s precisely what we are doing with our garden. We are planting God’s word in our lives and so we are living attached to the Vine and we will produce fruit.

Do you know what the plant in the picture above is?  It’s a peace lily. That’s right, peace lily. I had never heard of such a thing but because I want us to plant seeds of peace today I did a search on peace images and this came up. (Now I need to search and see if they will grow in Southern Arizona and get one.)

This is what I found, “Peace lilies are one of the most common houseplants because they are so easy to grow. Most household varieties grow up to 16 inches tall, but larger cultivars can reach 6 feet in height.”

Let’s get started on planting Peace! We can all use more peace in our days right?

“People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. 6 If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace. ” Romans 8:5-6 CEV

If we  look at things from a worldly viewpoint and not from God’s we will be filled with selfishness, greed, anxiety, and stress. God’s way brings life and peace, I’ll choose His way!

I wish I could say that I always have a life of peace but that just isn’t true. Sometimes I get so caught up in the demands of the day that I find my mind racing here and there – tossed back and forth in what to do or what to do next. Then I hear that small inner voice, better known as the Holy Spirit, whisper “Peace”.

When I see that I’ve lost my peace I know that I haven’t been focusing on the Lord and waiting on His direction because His Word (our seed) promises “God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Did you ever notice that most of the New Testament books begin with greetings of Grace and Peace? If they don’t begin with those two words they generally end with them. Those words aren’t there as space fillers, they have real meaning.  Grace is God’s blessing to us in spite of who we are or what we do. Peace is  inner calm, presence of mind, settled, still.

“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 1:3

When we know God’s grace, we can be at peace.

One of the last thing Jesus told his disciples was ““I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:27.

If the disciples could have peace, so can we.

Peace, a true inner peace, will lead us in the right direction and be our compass for making right decisions. When our kids were in school and they would ask if they could go somewhere or do something and we weren’t sure, our answer was always the same. “Let us pray about it and if we have a peace you can go. But if we don’t have peace, it’s a NO GO!” We let God lead in situations where we didn’t have sufficient knowledge and the same has been true in our own decisions about jobs, moving, and other major life decisions.

“So you will go out from there with joy. You will be led out in peace.” Isaiah55:12 CEV

Sometimes we will be overwhelmed with a sense of peace. Everything around us says we should be worried, stressed out or in complete fear but then there comes this peace that goes passed our understanding.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Worry and fear are so prevalent today, they were in Jesus day too. In fact the Bible is filled with verses on peace, don’t fear, don’t be anxious. God gave us the instruction in advance. Plant peace!!

This last verse should be our sleeping pill each night – “When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, LORD, you keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 CEV

Peace, Peace, wonderful peace comes down from the Father above.

 

 

 

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Replant When Necessary

I’ve had times when it has been necessary to replant some of the seeds and flowers in my garden. Either the seeds were planted too deeply or they got too much water but no matter the reason they didn’t come up and I had to replant.

I have to replant some seeds today. It seems the “joy” seeds that I planted yesterday were destroyed by day’s end.

“What the man plants is the Word of God. 15 Those by the side of the road are the ones who hear the Word. As soon as they hear it, the devil comes and takes away the Word that is planted in their hearts. 16 The seed that fell among rocks is like people who receive the Word with joy when they hear it. 17 Their roots are not deep so they live only a short time. When sorrow and trouble come because of the Word, they give up and fall away. 18 The seed that was planted among thorns is like some people who listen to the Word. 19 But the cares of this life let thorns come up.” Mark 4:14-19 NLV

I allowed too many cares, distractions and anxious moments to uproot the joy I had just planted. I know none of you have experienced anything like this so bear with me as I make a fresh start.  Dealing with bureaucracy and incompetence can do that to you if you don’t stay focus on the Scripture.

“But let all who put their trust in You be glad. Let them sing with joy forever. You make a covering for them, that all who love Your name may be glad in You. 12 For You will make those happy who do what is right, O Lord. You will cover them all around with Your favor.” Psalm 5:11-12 NLV

It’s important that we check our heart continually throughout the day. Do we have peace? Are we doing things with a joyful attitude? Do I have a humble spirit and am I giving love to those around me? Once we recognize that something’s missing we need to stop immediately. Pray, protect our crop of godly character and then replant when necessary.

“ Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV

Join me in replanting some joy.

“Those who plant with tears will gather fruit with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out crying as he carries his bag of seed will return with songs of joy as he brings much grain with him.” Psalm 126:5-6 NLV

“So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. ” Isaiah 55:11-12 NLV

“ And Isaiah says, “There will be One from the family of Jesse Who will be a leader over the people who are not Jews. Their hope will be in Him.” 13 Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:12-13 NLV

Today is a new day. God has new and wonderful adventures planned for us. We keep our eyes on Him and He WILL direct our steps. There is so much comfort in that.

If and when we fail, we can always replant!

 

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The Sweet Taste of Joy

By now you’ve probably realized that we are planting a “character” garden. Each of the seeds that grow will produce Christ-like character in our lives.

Do you remember summers when you were a child? The warm weather, playing outside with your friends, the ball games, the picnics, the bar-b-q’s and the watermelon. Oh yes, the watermelon. Big green oblong bladders filled with the most delicious, ripe, red, juicy fruit!

Makes me smile just thinking about it. You barely start the knife to slice it and you hear that crack. You know this is going to be a good one – ruby red inside. You take that first bite and the juice begins to run down your arms and drips from you elbows. You don’t care – this is summer, this is watermelon season.

This is your happy place. Folks all around are laughing and talking and enjoying the fruit of the harvest. There is joy in the air.

Happiness goes with summer fun but happiness is conditional. What we need to plant in our character garden isn’t seeds of happiness but seeds of joy. Joy has deep roots and it is an abiding characteristic that can be present even when happiness eludes us.

It’s important to mention here that when planting seeds, you need to get them from a reputable dealer and that’s why our seeds should always come from the Word of God – those are seeds that are certified pure, weed free.

So before I give you this packet of seeds, let’s take a look at how our garden is coming along.

“But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things.” Galatians 5:22-23

That’s a pretty fine looking garden.  These joy seeds are amazing.

“You have given him blessings that will last forever. You have given him the joy of being near you.” Psalm 21:6

“You have changed my sorrow into dancing. You have taken away my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” Psalm 30:11

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy the good food and sweet drinks. Give some food and drinks to those who didn’t prepare any food. Today is a special day to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong.” Nehemiah 8:10 ERV

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.” Philippians 4:4

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4

As I stated above, joy isn’t happiness. I’m sure that Paul, the apostle, wasn’t happy that he had been beaten and was in a dark prison cell but he was joyful that he was serving Jesus and began to sing at midnight in spite of his circumstances.

Years ago, I was going through a devastating experience! My relationship with Jesus brought me comfort and joy through the heartache and the pain. I even had one woman tell me “I was going to try and comfort you but you have such a look of joy about you, I guess you’re ok.”

Oh, I needed my friends. I needed their prayers, kind words and even their hugs but I was ok because I was depending on God and His word to bring me comfort and joy in a difficult time. My eyes were on Him and not my own circumstances.

I wasn’t depending on people although good friends are invaluable but I was dependent on God! And “in His presence is fullness of joy”.

Plant some joy today – it will sustain you and give you nourishment in the toughest times!

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An Unending Harvest

I’m sure that I have mentioned before that Dave and I spent a number of years farming alfalfa for an absentee owner. We lived south of Phoenix, out in the desert half way between two very small towns, Buckeye and Gila Bend.

It was there that we really began to study God’s word. Each hour that we were on the farm equipment was another hour spent listening to cassette tapes and receiving faithful teachings. It was our Bible school and it was the place that I gained practical application of God’s word.

The area we farmed was rich, river loam soil. We had 900+ acres of alfalfa which was irrigated. The wells ran day and night providing the much needed moisture to the fields. We got 10 cuttings a year from that ground. In the peak of the summer, we were swathing alfalfa every 21 days. We would water twice, cut, rake and bale. We only stopped in the winter when the frost came and stunted the growth of the plants.

What I learned was that alfalfa was a perineal not an annual plant like cotton or maize, it was a perpetual seed that continued to produce for seven years before it needed replanting. Within one seed was multiplied potential for reproduction and harvest.

I applied that to the seed of God’s word. When planted the harvest potential is immeasurable.

“You have made your souls pure by obeying the truth through the Holy Spirit. This has given you a true love for the Christians. Let it be a true love from the heart. 23 You have been given a new birth. It was from a seed that cannot die. This new life is from the Word of God which lives forever. 24 All people are like grass. Their greatness is like the flowers. The grass dries up and the flowers fall off. 25 But the Word of the Lord will last forever. That Word is the Good News which was preached to you.” I Peter 1:22-25 NLV

God’s word is an incorruptible seed, it is a seed that never dies. What we are planting in our lives today will continue to grow and bring us a harvest beyond compare. It can be thwarted by weeds of worry, unbelief, anger, unforgiveness, strife, gossip, etc. but it will not die.

When we yield our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to plant seeds in our hearts that will bring a harvest of godly character.

“But the fruit that comes from having the Holy Spirit in our lives is: love, joy, peace, not giving up, being kind, being good, having faith, 23 being gentle, and being the boss over our own desires. The Law is not against these things.” Galatians 5:22-23 NLV

We have already planted some of these and today we are going to add one more from this group.

Love.

“”But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:8 CEV

“We have come to know and believe the love God has for us. God is love. If you live in love, you live by the help of God and God lives in you.” I John 4:16 NLV

“Love does not give up. Love is kind. Love is not jealous. Love does not put itself up as being important. Love has no pride. 5 Love does not do the wrong thing. Love never thinks of itself. Love does not get angry. Love does not remember the suffering that comes from being hurt by someone. 6 Love is not happy with sin. Love is happy with the truth. 7 Love takes everything that comes without giving up. Love believes all things. Love hopes for all things. Love keeps on in all things.

8 Love never comes to an end.” I Corinthians 13:4-8 NLV

So let’s take these seeds and plant them in the soil of our heart today.

Imagine a lifetime of producing fruit from the seeds of love.

 

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Planting Time Ends With Harvest Time

I am attaching a picture today of the garden we are planting. Take a look at the harvest that is coming to our lives.

I  want to encourage you to continue to grow by following these Scriptures.

“Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. 2 Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. 3 So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream— a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.” Psalm 1:1-3 ERV

“The man who is right and good will grow like the palm tree. He will grow like a tall tree in Lebanon. 13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they will grow well in the home of our God. ” Psalm 92:12-13NLV

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. Then it gives peace. It is gentle and willing to obey. It is full of loving-kindness and of doing good. It has no doubts and does not pretend to be something it is not. 18 Those who plant seeds of peace will gather what is right and good.” James 3:17-18 NLV

“No, we will speak the truth with love. We will grow to be like Christ in every way. He is the head,  and the whole body depends on him. All the parts of the body are joined and held together, with each part doing its own work. This causes the whole body to grow and to be stronger in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16

These verses below are a prophecy about Jesus and the hope he would bring to the world. Look at the end, we are called trees, the Lord’s trees. He has planted us.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me. The Lord has chosen me to tell good news to the poor and to comfort those who are sad. He sent me to tell the captives and prisoners that they have been set free. 2 He sent me to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness, when our God will also punish evil people. He has sent me to comfort those who are sad, 3 those in Zion who mourn. I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The Lord’s Wonderful Plant.’” Isaiah 61:1-3 CEV

We are always to be in a place where we are growing. Growing in our knowledge and in the character that God wants us to develop.

“…Be careful that you do not fall from your strong faith. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him, now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:17-18

We still have a few more days of planting ahead but I encourage you to search out the Scriptures and find verses, seeds, that you desire to see grow in your garden and get them planted.

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