Maturity | Kristi's Morning Devotional

Four years ago I remember how excited I was to be planting our front courtyard.

I had envisioned what I wanted it to look like; there would be an agave, hibiscus, bougainvillea, cactus, a lime tree, Mexican bird of paradise and tecoma. Spaced throughout the yard would be potted plants, bird baths and rock rivers.

I remember wondering what it would look like when given the chance to grow. How would it have matured and changed in 5 years. This is but year 4 and it has truly changed.

The agave bloomed and died. The hibiscus has been replaced with a rose bush, more pots have been added and we have cleared a spot for hollyhocks. The bougainvillea, bird of paradise and tecoma still bring beautiful color and the mums bloom all year long.

I love it! It’s a visible change.

And then as it is with most things in life, this growth has caused me to look at my life in Christ. Have I matured and grown? Is that growth visible? Do I look and act more like Jesus than I did 4 years ago?

In the past years of my adult life I have sown seeds that have produced a wonderful marriage (although we had to pull up some weeds along the way), 3 children and their mates, 4 grandchildren, and numerous friends who have been apart of our lives for so many years.

I have planted seeds of encouragement, of faith in God’s word and confidence in His unfailing, unconditional love.

Then there are the plants that had to be rooted out; things like bitterness, anger, selfishness and discontentment. These had to be dug up and pulled out by the roots so that the other seeds could grow and produce fruit.

So this morning as I marvel at the growth of the lime tree, fire bells, and bougainvillea, I pray that there has been as much growth to the shoots of hospitality, acceptance, forgiveness, peace, joy, healing and restoration.

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12 KJV

It is my desire that all who come to our courtyard will know God’s goodness and the abundant life that He has given us in Christ Jesus.

“The earth causes plants to grow, and a garden makes the seeds planted there rise up. In the same way, the Lord God will make goodness and praise grow throughout the nations.” Isaiah 61:11 ERV

Dave and I spent 13 hours in the truck driving from Arizona to Nevada. We enjoyed our travel time – we talked, looked at the scenery, talked some more and filled our day with the beauty of God’s creation.

I loved driving through the ranch country. We didn’t see a lot of cattle grazing but the alfalfa fields were filled with big square green bales. The thing I did miss seeing were the fruit trees. I guess the area we were in isn’t known for it’s fruit. But I always love how the spring rains prompt the blossom of the peach, apple, pear, cherry and apricot trees which lead to a full and bountiful end-of-summer harvest.

Summer is good for that – producing a harvest. I feel like I am going through, and growing in, a harvest season of my own. God is working in me, changing me, giving me strength and peace. I can see fruit developing and maturing.

There is a single verse in the Psalm 40 that I want us to look at this morning.

“You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done.” Psalm 40:5 NKJV

Look at this phrase “many are the wonderful works which You have done”. Think about that for a moment – what WONDERFUL works do you see that He has done? Was it last night’s sunset or this morning’s sunrise? Was it the love and compassion you felt for a stranger who was in need? Or was it the unpretentious love and acceptance of a child? What did you experience just yesterday that you can see was a wonderful work of God in your life?

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8 NJKV

“He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:4 NJKV

“O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Isaiah 25:1 NKJV

I like the verse above – God’s counsellors are faithfulness and truth. The things that are wonder – full are the things that have the character of God woven through them. Things like faithfulness, truth, love, forgiveness, peace, gentleness, patience, joy. When God’s love fills us, we begin to produce fruit.

In nature a fruit tree produces fruit for the kind of tree it is. Apples – apples, oranges – oranges, bananas – bananas and so on – you know what I’m saying. When we grow in Christ we will begin to produce fruit that is consistent with the vine we are growing on – we will begin to produce godly character.

As we examine our lives we should see godly fruit is growing. The Father is wanting us to share the fruit that grows in our lives with others. He is wanting to use us to do wonderful things in the lives of those around us.

“Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered. ⁸When you become fruitful disciples of mine, my Father will be honored. ⁹I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. ” John 15:7-9 CEV

I pray that this summer we all produce a bumper crop! May God bless you with an abundant harvest.

Tag: Maturity

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